Cellular blinds, also known as honeycomb blinds or shades, are made from soft fabric arranged in a honeycomb-like structure. This honeycomb structure traps air, providing insulation and enhancing energy efficiency in your home.
Table of Contents
What Are Cellular Blinds?
Cellular blinds are also called honeycomb blinds. Cellular blinds are made from soft fabric manufactured into a honeycomb-like structure. This honeycomb structure traps air, providing insulation and enhancing energy efficiency in your home.
Cellular blinds keep the cool air from seeping through your windows into your home in the winter. While in the summer, cellular blinds prevent your home from overheating when a blazing sun is beating through your windows.
You can feel cellular blinds in action simply by opening and closing the blinds and immediately feeling the difference in the space. Most homeowners who get honeycomb blinds are amazed at how they enhance the comfort of a space. Particularly if you have large windows, cellular blinds can make a big difference.
If you’re simply looking for the best honeycomb blinds on the market, we recommend the Hunter Douglas Duette® Honeycomb Shade, which offers excellent insulation and energy efficiency while providing beautiful light filtering.
What Are Cellular Shades?
Cellular shades are the same as honeycomb blinds. People use the terms blinds and shades interchangeably when referring to honeycomb shades. Honeycomb shades (cellular shades) come in various opacities, allowing you to control the amount of natural light entering your space.
Top Benefits of Cellular Blinds
Cellular blinds reduce energy costs by keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. They also offer sound absorption, enhancing the acoustic comfort of your space.
However, purchasing high-quality cellular shades is important as not all shades are the same.
Hunter Douglas cellular shades can significantly reduce heat transfer. Their Duette® Honeycomb Shades are particularly effective. According to Hunter Douglas, these shades can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 40% in the winter and reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 80% in the summer.
The exact percentage may vary based on the specific product and the window type. However, these shades are designed to provide substantial energy savings and enhance indoor comfort by maintaining more stable indoor temperatures.
How Do Cellular Shades Work?
Cellular shades use a unique structure composed of multiple cells resembling a honeycomb. Here’s how they function:
Insulation
The honeycomb structure traps air within the cells, creating a barrier that reduces heat transfer through your windows. This helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, enhancing energy efficiency.
Light Control
Cellular shades come in various opacities, from sheer to opaque, allowing you to control the amount of natural light entering a room. The shades can be raised or lowered to adjust light levels as needed. Cellular shades may be the perfect fit if you require room darkening and energy efficiency.
Sound Absorption
The cellular structure also helps absorb sound, reducing noise levels from outside and improving the acoustic comfort within your home.
Operation
Cellular shades can be operated manually or can be motorized. Manual shades typically have a cord or cordless lift system, while motorized blinds offer remote control or smart home integration for added convenience. If you’re buying motorized blinds, make sure you purchase them from a reputable manufacturer and get them installed professionally.
Top Manufacturer of Cellular Blinds in Canada and the US
One of the top manufacturers of cellular blinds in Canada and the US is Hunter Douglas, known for their high-quality and innovative window treatments. Another reputable brand is Levolor, which offers a wide range of customizable cellular blinds.
Pros and Cons of Cellular Blinds
While cellular blinds may be a great solution for many homeowners, they aren't for everyone. Here's a brief list of pros and cons:
Pros:
Provide excellent insulation properties which reduce energy costs and provide a more comfortable temperature in your home.
A versatile design is excellent for various window types.
Sound absorption for improved acoustics.
Available in various opacities, fabrics, and colours to match any décor and allow for customized light filtering.
Available as motorized blinds and smart blinds.
Cons:
It can cost more than simpler window treatments.
You get what you pay for, so low-quality cellular blinds may not stand the test of time.
For a complete blackout, you will need to add drapery. However, room darkening is possible with well-installed cellular blinds.
Provide limited visibility when fully closed. You won’t be able to see your view while the cellular blinds are closed.
Room Darkening Cellular Blinds for a Great Night’s Sleep
Room darkening cellular blinds are designed to block out nearly all light, making them perfect for bedrooms or media rooms where light control is essential.
However, you can’t achieve a true blackout without adding drapery.
No matter how perfectly your blinds are installed, there will always be a moderate amount of light that leaks through the edges.
We recommend combining shades with drapery if you want a true blackout experience. However, if you simply need your room dark enough to sleep well at night, room-darkening cellular blinds may be sufficient.
It’s best to seek the guidance of a blind specialist in your city when purchasing cellular blinds or blackout blinds. Visit a local Hunter Douglas retailer to see what options they offer or visit Fresh Design Blinds if you're in Vancouver, BC.
LightLock Cellular Shades
The most popular Hunter Douglas cellular shades for room darkening are the Duette® Honeycomb Shades with LightLock™ system.
LightLock Technology uses U-shaped side channels that fit seamlessly into the window frame, blocking nearly all incoming light. The channels are designed with a black, ridged interior surface to absorb light and prevent it from leaking into the room.
Duette® shades come with options for opaque fabrics that enhance the room-darkening effect, making them ideal for bedrooms, media rooms, or any space where you need complete darkness.
These shades are available in a wide range of colours, textures, and pleat sizes, allowing you to tailor them to match your decor while still achieving optimal room darkening.
7 Types of Windows That Work Perfectly with Cellular Blinds
Cellular blinds are highly versatile and can be used on almost any type of window, but they are particularly well-suited to the following types:
Standard Windows - Cellular blinds fit perfectly in standard-sized windows, providing excellent insulation and light control.
Bay and Bow Windows - The flexibility and customizability of cellular blinds make them perfect for bay and bow windows, where multiple angles and panes must be covered seamlessly.
Skylights - Cellular blinds are excellent for skylights due to their light-blocking and insulating properties, helping to control the amount of sunlight and heat entering through the roof.
Large Windows and Sliding Doors - Cellular blinds offer easy operation and effective coverage for large windows and sliding glass doors. Vertical cellular shades, in particular, are designed to slide smoothly across wide openings.
Odd-Shaped Windows - Cellular blinds can be custom-made to fit windows of various shapes, such as arches, hexagons, and circles, providing a tailored solution for unique architectural features.
Patio Doors - Cellular blinds for patio doors help control light and temperature, and options like cordless or motorized systems make them easy to operate.
Bathroom Windows - Their moisture-resistant materials make cellular blinds a good option for bathroom windows, offering privacy and durability.
Overall, cellular blinds' adaptability and range of custom options make them a practical choice for various window types and settings.
Cellular Blinds Design Inspiration from Hunter Douglas
Common Questions about Cellular Blinds
How much do premium cellular blinds cost?
The budget for blinds varies depending on factors like material, window size, number of windows, and quality. It’s wise to allocate 10% or more of your renovation budget for blinds. A single blind can cost between $350 and $2500, depending on size and type.
Using designer fabrics will add to the price of your cellular blinds. However, since your blinds may be used daily and are a feature of your home, purchasing the best blinds you can find is typically advisable. Low-quality cellular blinds will not be as attractive or easy to use as high-quality premium cellular blinds.
Are cellular blinds worth it?
Yes, cellular blinds are worth the cost due to their energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. They can help reduce energy costs and provide a comfortable living environment. They will enhance the look and feel of your home for years to come. And since you’ll be interacting with them daily, you don’t want to scrimp on your blinds!
Where can I buy cellular blinds?
You can purchase cellular blinds from major home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as from specialized retailers like Fresh Design Blinds in Vancouver.
It’s best to buy blinds from a qualified retailer in your city who will provide installation services.
How can I clean my cellular blinds?
To clean your cellular blinds, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris. For deeper cleaning, use a mild detergent and water solution, gently wiping the cells with a soft cloth.
Refer to our blog post about cleaning your blinds HERE >>
Can you get motorized cellular blinds?
Yes, motorized cellular blinds are available and offer the convenience of remote control operation. They are ideal for hard-to-reach windows or for adding a modern touch to your home.
Live in Vancouver? Take the Next Step
You can turn any room into a sanctuary of style and comfort when you find just the right window blinds or drapery. If you live in West Van, North Van, or Vancouver, let the blinds and drapery experts at Fresh Design help you find the perfect window covering solutions for your space.
Read More
Get more design inspiration for your next project.
Visit Our Vancouver Showroom
With over 25 years in business, we can help you with any custom window blinds and drapery project. From one window to 100 windows, we help homeowners and designers bring their visions to life. Providing professional installation services, we ensure your window coverings fit perfectly - even if you have unusual window sizes.
Comments