Cellular shades, Wood Blinds, Window Blinds and Window Shades Information

Cellular Shades and Honeycomb Blinds

Cellular Shades, otherwise known as Honeycomb Blinds or Cellular Honeycomb Shades, refer to a type of window shade or blind that maximizes energy efficiency and sound reduction by using small honeycomb structures to trap air.

Cellular shades provide room darkening, light filtering, and privacy control through their unique composition and installation. Although these shades are a popular choice for larger windows, they come in a large variety of types and styles to fit any home.

Cellular shades work by creating a pocket of air between your room and the window using unique honeycomb fabric construction. Although this structure provides sound insulation as well as some heat control, the added insulation also increases the energy efficiency of any room, reducing heat loss and cooling costs.

The cell structure of the cellular shades fabric dictates the light filtration and energy efficiency of the blind. A larger number of cell layers provides greater energy efficiency and cellular shades come in single, double, and triple layer designs.

  • Single cell layers provide good sound control, privacy, energy efficiency, and light filtration. These are the only cellular shades models that come as a pleated option. Pleat sizes include 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 3/4", 1" and 2".
  • Double cell layer models provide even greater sound control, privacy, energy efficiency and better light control.
  • Triple layer cellular shades provide light diffusion and even room darkening. These shades offer the best sound control, privacy and energy efficiency.

Cellular Shades come in the following options:

  • Top Down/Bottom Up– This option allows the operator to simultaneously lower the top of the screen and raise the bottom to maximize privacy while minimizing light. This option gives the greatest amount of flexibility in shade control. Note: Top Down/Bottom Up cellular shades made by Hunter Douglas come with a gasket that prevents light leakage between the shade and the upper headrail. Although this maximizes shade, it can also detract from the overall appearance of the shade.
  • Top Down – Unlike the Top Down/Bottom Up feature, this option only allows the operator to raise the shade from the windowsill, minimizing the variations in light and privacy control. Although Top Down cellular shades models come in larger sizes, they are generally not the ideal choice for most windows.
  • UltraGlide – These cellular shades, made by Hunter Douglas, keep control cords at a standard length regardless if the shade is up or down. These shades are great for homes with children since they provide a degree of safety while still maintaining aesthetics. The UltraGlide cellular shades come in both Top Down/Bottom Up and Top Down options. The Top Down/Bottom Up model comes with the same fabric gasket as the traditional model that some homeowners may find unattractive.
  • Continuous cord loop – This model features a looping control cord that maintains a consistent length regardless if the shade is raised or lowered. Like the UltraGlide, this cellular shades model can provide additional safety in homes with young children.
  • Cordless Lift – Cellular shades that have no control cord. These shades can be great for aesthetics or as an additional safety precaution with young children.
  • Remote Controlled – Also known as PowerRise, these cellular shades are controlled via a battery-operated remote control device. Although they can be perfect for homes with children, these shades are also ideal for large or hard to reach windows. They can also provide additional aesthetic value in modern homes.
  • Two Blinds in One – Two types of fabric are used for this cellular shades option: One on the bottom rail and one on the top. This feature allows for light filtering during the day and room darkening at night using two different cellular fabrics. Although the fabrics do not overlap, the combination does provide for maximum flexibility in light and privacy control.
  • Vertical Cellular Shades– This model of cellular shades, also known as Vertiglide, are best suited for sliding glass doors, French doors, and large windows. Vertical Cellular Shades are a great alternative to traditional vertical blinds by combining the light control and privacy of cellular shades with the versatility of vertical blinds.

Brands that carry Cellular Shades include:

The wide variety of cellular shades colors and styles can accommodate any budget and décor, allowing you to choose a color to accent the room side while leaving the window side white. Cellular Shades compact when fully raised to minimize interference with views and can fit almost any shape and size window, including arches and circles. These durable shades provide versatility in lighting options for any room in your home.