Every No Drill roller shade comes with a cassette on top, at no extra cost. A cassette is the box that covers the rolled-up fabric. Many online stores sell an open roll as their basic shade, and a cassette costs extra. We checked four large online shade stores in October 2026. There, a cassette or covered top cost about $30 to $115 extra, by store and style.
What is a roller shade cassette?
A cassette is the box across the top of a roller shade. The fabric rolls up inside it, out of sight. Some stores call a covered top a valance or a fascia. An open roll has no cover. It is a bare roll of fabric on two brackets, in plain view.
Why does every No Drill shade have a cassette?
We put a cassette on every shade, on inside and outside mount. Here is what it does for you.
- It looks finished. An open roll shows the bare roll of fabric and the brackets that hold it. A cassette hides all of it behind one clean box in your hardware color.
- It keeps dust off the roll. On an open roll, dust settles on top of the rolled fabric. With a cassette, the roll stays covered. Dust lands on the box, and a quick wipe takes it off.
- It blocks light at the top. On an open roll, light can shine in over the top of the roll. The cassette closes off the top. A little light can still come in at the sides.
- It guards the roll. The fabric stays covered, so it is harder to bump, snag or scuff.
- It travels covered. Your shade comes in one piece, with the fabric rolled up inside the cassette. The roll stays covered in the box, not just on the window.
What else comes standard on every No Drill shade?
These cost extra at many online stores. They come standard here:
- A cassette on top. On inside and outside mount.
- A no-drill inside mount. It presses on the sides of the window frame. There are no holes and no tools. The frame needs at least 3 inches of depth. Outside mount uses spring brackets and a drill. See how no-drill works.
- Both bottom rails at the same price. Pick a finished bottom rail or a fabric-covered one.
Also included with every shade:
- Four hardware colors at the same price. Pick white, beige, gray or black.
- No cords or chains. Every shade is Cordless or Motorized. Cordless is included. Motorized costs more. Read why we left cords and chains off.
- Free shipping to the lower 48 states plus DC.
What do these add-ons cost at other stores?
In October 2026, we checked four large online shade stores. We priced a 36 by 60 inch roller shade at each store's sale price.
- Cassette or covered top: about $30 to $115 extra, by store and style. At one store, a cordless shade with a cassette also needed a lock that cost extra.
- No-drill mount: about $12 to $37 extra where it was sold. Two of the four stores did not sell one for the shades we checked. At one store, the $37 no-drill mount also needed its cassette.
- Fabric-covered bottom rail: about $24 extra at one store. Two others did not sell one.
Every price on our site already includes the cassette.
Common questions
Is a cassette included on every No Drill shade?
Yes. Every shade comes with a cassette on top, for inside and outside mount. It costs nothing extra.
Is a cassette better than an open roll?
We think so. A cassette hides the roll and the brackets, keeps dust off the roll and blocks light at the top. It also gives the window treatment a premium finish instead of a quick fix look. That is why every No Drill shade has one.
Is a cassette the same as a valance?
They are close. Both cover the top of the shade. Some stores call any covered top a valance. On a No Drill shade, the cover is a cassette. It is a box, and the fabric rolls up inside it.
Is the no-drill mount an add-on?
No. Every inside-mount shade is no-drill as long as there is enough depth for it. It presses on the sides of the window frame, so there are no holes. Outside mount uses spring brackets.
Does a fabric-covered bottom rail cost more?
No. The finished bottom rail and the fabric-covered bottom rail cost the same.
Why are starting prices lower at other stores?
A starting price is often for a small, basic shade with an open roll. At many stores, a cassette and a no-drill mount cost extra.
Ready to see your price? Pick a fabric type: light filtering, blackout or solar. Not sure of your size? See how to measure.