Cellular Shades

Cellular shades or honeycomb shades are a type of pleated shade. They are window treatments that kind of have two pleated shades glued together back to back. The space created between the two fabrics is called a cell as it looks like an array of single honeycomb cells from the side. This also gives cellular shades their name and answers the question on what are honeycomb shades. These cells enable air trapping and therefore better temperature regulation as well as energy-efficiency.

Cellular shades are the innovative window coverings as they combine all crucial factors and more when it comes to shades. They are not only energy-efficient and cost-effective due to the reduction of heating costs in winter and lowering the cost for air conditioning in summer, but also include all advantages that regular pleated shades provide. These contain the option for the best possible light and privacy control by being able to lower and raise the top and bottom profile rail. The cherry on top for these beauties is their blackout and full darkening effect.

Cellular shades have two layers of fabric that are welded together back to back creating honeycomb shaped cells or pockets between the two fabric layers. The empty space in these cells traps hot and cold air coming from the window and prevents it from entering the room. The unwelcome hot or cold air is also trapped between the backside of the honeycomb shade and the window. This effect is even more heightened if the fabric used has an additional silver coating at the fabric side facing the window as more sunlight is being reflected.

Cellular shades are made out of a tightly woven, Oeko-Tex certified Polyester fabric which sometimes is additionally equipped with a silver coating at the back maximizing temperature control and energy-efficiency. The fabric is fold in double-pleats creating a hexagon or cell form. The profile rails between which the fabric is clamped are made out of sturdy aluminum in order to prevent bending or breaking.

There is no one-answer-fits-all. The best cellular shade depends on your personal preferences as cellular shades just like regular shades come in a variety of different fabrics, colors and light transmittances. For the full set consider a fabric that is completely darkening for your insulated cellular shades. This allows for the highest possible energy-efficiency, privacy as well as heat and light control.

For choosing cellular shades, there are a couple of things that need to be taken into account.

In terms of light transmittance, do you prefer complete darkening with room darkening cellular shades, flexible choices with day night cellular shades, sheer cellular shades or a thermal function with thermal cellular shades?

Another aspect: insulation. If you seek a sky-high amount of insulation and privacy, choose double cellular shades. For slightly lower insulation values but still remarkably effective and more affordable, single cellular shades are the way to go, which makes for the third aspect regarding the choice: price.
However, don’t worry, there’s a suitable option for everyone!

Yes. Cellular shades are more durable than other shade options due to the way the fabric is formed. The honeycomb cell design draws inspiration from nature’s master builders, the bees and their beehives. The hexagonal shape, known for its strength and efficiency, uses the least material but can support the heaviest weight.

Cellular shades certainly last longer than regular window shades or blinds due to the design and fold technique of the fabric. Two layers of pleated fabric are merged together back to back creating hexagonal pockets between the two fabric layers. These hexagonal shaped air-pockets are the key to robustness, impact or wear and tear resistance as well as a maximum life span since the hexagon is a geometry figure known for its strength which therefore makes for a high strength-to-weight ratio.

Yes. With the right fabric they are the masters in energy efficiency when it comes to window shades. The key factor is the form of the fabric, which in a cross section resembles an array of honeycomb cells. These cells are champions in air trapping. In winter they trap the cold air and in summer the hot air preventing it from entering the room, which as a result lowers the heating and cooling costs as there is no need to keep the heater and air conditioning running for that long.

Yes, honeycomb shades insulate and block heat, due to the nature of the fabric or rather its form. This is also possible with regular shades. However the honeycomb cell form, which in geometry would be a hexagon, acts as a barrier and traps the air coming from the window stopping it from entering the room even better than regular shades. With honeycomb / cellular shades you can effectively lower the rate at which heat is lost (called the U-value) even further. Instead of switching to newer and more expensive windows, try using cellular honeycomb shades!

Yes. With their ability of temperature control combined with full privacy, cellular shades are the ideal option for bathrooms. Whether it’s for keeping the bathroom cozy warm in winter and therefore avoiding the sooo unpleasant temperature shock after stepping out of the shower or simply to keep prying eyes at bay.

No, on the contrary, cellular shades become more and more popular and are far from being out of style. Multifunctional products are in style, as you combine all crucial factors of different shade types and therefore get more value for your money or bang for your buck.

To be honest, there is no difference between honeycomb and cellular shades, as these terms can be used interchangeably. Honeycomb / cellular shades are called this way, because the fabric for these window shades is designed in a way that from the side the space between the two fabric layers looks like an array of honeycomb cells.

The difference when it comes to pleated shades vs cellular shades lies in the fabric. Think of cellular shades as two pleated shades glued together back to back. Double the fabric means double the benefits plus more: heightened light and privacy control and even more energy-efficient and cost-effective. From the front they look almost identical, which is why visually you can only spot the difference when looking from the side – the embodiment of a masked maestro!

The popularity of cellular honeycomb shades rises and therefore raises the question on cellular shades vs blinds as well. Let us give you a hand and show you some of the biggest pros and cons of cellular shades.

Pros:

• maximum insulation, energy-efficiency and privacy
• significant heating cost reduction
• totally darkening while remaining a sleek design

Cons:

• more expensive than regular shades or blinds
• harder do clean than regular pleated shades

The decision on whether cellular shades are worth it is individual, however in the long run, they are definitely a smart and sustainable investment for the future.

Day and night cellular shades are equipped with two fabrics of different features making them two-in-one cellular shades. One fabric is typically a light filtering fabric with a high light transmittance, whereas the other fabric is a darkening or full blackout fabric. This gives the opportunity of many different options in terms of light transmittance and privacy. For a high light transmittance while retaining a certain amount of privacy, keep the darkening fabric closed and only cover the window with the semi-transparent fabric. For full privacy and insulation, cover the whole window with the darkening fabric as well.

When looking from the side, single cellular shades have one array (one-dimensional array) of hexagonal air-pockets whereas double cellular shades have two rows (two-dimensional array) of cells. Double cellular shades in comparison to single cellular shades provide an even higher value of energy-efficiency, privacy and noise-canceling. However, due to the two rows of cells, double cellular shades have a greater depth and therefore take in more space than single cellular shades. Also when it comes to single vs double cellular shades, double cellular shades are in most cases more expensive than single cellular shades.

There are two perspectives when it comes to comfort while buying cellular shades or any shades in general. You can either buy cellular shades online or search “cellular shades near me” to find stationary shops in your area. Both options have their own benefits which gives no one answer for the best place to buy cellular shades. Buying honeycomb shades online offers the possibility of price comparison as well as a wider range of fabrics, colors and size combinations. On the other hand, a visit at a physical store gives the opportunity to feel the fabric right away, while online you’d have to order fabric samples first.

The cost of cellular shades depends on the quality of the materials used as well as additional options such as fabrics equipped with a thermal coating, complete blackout fabrics or choosing motorized cellular shades. Another factor that needs to be taken into account is the location of the shop. Whether it’s an online shop, a stationary store or if the company is local or international. All these and more factors influence the cost of cellular shades. The best way to personally find the best cellular shades is by comparison of all factors.