Cellular (honeycomb) shades
The insulating shade. Pleated cells trap a layer of air against the glass, which is why cellulars end up in cold-climate bedrooms, over drafty windows and anywhere the energy bill is part of the conversation.
What a cellular shade is
Pleated fabric bonded into a honeycomb cross-section, stacking into a very small header when raised. There is no tilt and no view through the fabric — light control is fabric opacity plus how far the shade is lowered.
Choosing the fabric and cell
- Sheer or light-filtering cells for a soft daytime glow with full daytime privacy.
- Room-darkening or blackout cells for bedrooms and nurseries.
- Single cell for cost and a thinner stack; double cell for maximum insulation.
- Cell size: smaller cells suit narrow windows, larger cells suit tall openings.
Lift and configuration options
Cordless lift is the default on new installs. Top-down/bottom-up adds a second rail so light comes in over the top. Vertical cellular runs the same honeycomb sideways across a patio door, and day/night pairs a sheer and a blackout cell in one headrail.
What to compare in the photos
- Stack height at the top — cellulars stack smaller than any other fabric shade.
- Light gaps at the sides on inside mounts.
- Top-down/bottom-up in use, at half height.
- How the pleat depth reads on a tall versus a short window.
Frequently asked questions
- Do cellular shades really help with heat and cold?
- The trapped air in the honeycomb cells is what insulates, so cellulars hold heat better than any other common shade. Double-cell and tighter side channels improve it further.
- Single cell or double cell?
- Double cell adds a second row of air pockets for more insulation and a slightly deeper stack. Single cell is thinner, cheaper and usually enough in a mild climate or an interior room.
- What is top-down bottom-up?
- The shade can be lowered from the top as well as raised from the bottom, so you get daylight at the top of the window while the lower half stays private. It is the most requested feature on street-facing bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Can cellular shades be blackout?
- Yes — blackout honeycomb fabric plus side channels is one of the darkest options available, which is why cellulars are common in nurseries and shift-worker bedrooms.