Natural lighting can make or break the interior of any house, so window shades can play an integral role in updating or remodelling your home. If you’re looking to improve the ambience of your space, consider installing cellular shades. Cellular shades are one of our most popular window treatments here at Preston Blinds. From better insulation and improved interior lighting to the maximum privacy they offer, cellular shades are the perfect window treatment for many Ottawa homes.
What are Cellular Shades?
Also known as honeycomb shades, cellular shades are made by bonding a single piece of fabric and moulding it into a honeycomb shape. Hence, the name! The fabric layers allow the curtain to expand and contract smoothly when pulled. Cellular shades are available in single and double-layered (or celled) options with different colours, designs, pleat sizes, and light control features available.
Single Cell or Double Cell – Which One to Choose?
As the names indicate, a single-celled shade has one air pocket, while a double-celled shade has two air pockets. But the decision to choose one of them varies as per the extremity of weather in a region. A single-cell honeycomb shade is probably an ideal option for someone living in a moderate environment. On the other hand, double cell shades are suitable for homeowners experiencing extremely cold or hot temperatures, like those living in Ottawa.
Each style has its benefits. Double-celled cellular shades provide a good level of insulation, while single-layered cellular shades operate more smoothly. Double-celled cellular shades may be costlier, but they may also help improve your heating and cooling bills. A design consultant specializing in window coverings can help you make the right decision, also considering lighting requirements and budget.
Factors to Consider
Honeycomb shades boast a range of features. But if you don’t understand certain factors well, you may end up installing the wrong shade. Here is a checklist of what to look for when buying cellular shades.
Opacity
To find a perfect match for your room’s lighting requirements, you first need to focus on the opacity of cellular shades. Opacity is the amount of light that is transmitted through the material. You’ll discover four variants of cellular shade fabrics that provide different lighting access inside the room. You can choose from:
- Opaque cellular shades – Often called “blackout shades,” these offer the best room-darkening option.
- Semi-opaque cellular shades – Ideal for soft room darkening, striking a balance between light control & privacy
- Semi-sheer cellular shades – Ideal for medium-light filtering
- Sheer cellular shades – Ideal to access natural light
Make sure to select the opacity of your shades based on your lighting preference for a particular room.
Pleat Sizes
Cellular shade pleats are offered in a variety of sizes. Usually, the pleat size of cellular shades varies by brand. When choosing a pleat size, it should be easy to find one that compliments your windows. Here’s a quick guide to use when selecting the right pleat size for your space:
- 3/8” falls in the smaller cellular shades category and can be used for small windows treatment due to their narrow pleats.
- 1/2″ or 9/16” cells are shades with medium pleats. These are suitable for almost all window sizes. In fact, they are the most common choice in the market.
- 3/4″ cell shades will perfectly fit your deeper window sills while adding a touch of aesthetics and elegance to your space.
Energy Efficiency
Single and double-celled shades can help regulate a house’s energy efficiency and temperature. The honeycomb-shaped design of the cells helps trap air between the fabric layers to facilitate proper insulation. As a result, your HVAC system will consume less energy with a well-controlled indoor temperature. It not just manages your home’s temperature but also saves a lot on your energy bills in the long run.
However, double-celled cellular shades provide better insulation than single-celled options. If improving your home’s energy efficiency and lowering your utility bills is a priority, double-cell shades are the way to go.
Options
Your choice of cellular shades also depends on how you prefer them to operate. Cellular or honeycomb shades usually work in three different ways. You can choose them with top-down/bottom-up operation, motorized, or cordless. Choose a top-down/bottom-up operation to open and close your blinds if you love the classic style. We recommend motorized shades for smart homes, as you can control them easily with a remote, app or even voice. Finally, go with the cordless option if you have small children or simply want to do away with pesky cords.
Attractive, versatile and energy-efficient, cellular shades offer a winning combination of value and good looks. Looking for a perfect cellular window blinds solution for your home? Connect with Preston BlindsContact Preston Blinds in Ottawa today for a free in-home consultation!
