Honeycomb Shades: Single or Double?

Honeycomb shades, also known as cellular shades, are a different kind of window covering that specializes in versatility, insulation, privacy, and energy savings. You can choose a wide range of fabrics, from sheer to blackout, to find the perfect solution for your home. So what makes them unique?

Honeycomb shades have a special design. Most shades are a piece of material that lays flat. Not honeycomb shades! They are designed to have pockets (or cells) in the shape of honeycombs. Think of it like this: imagine a long tube of fabric. Then stack another tube on top of it. Then another, and another! That’s the idea behind honeycomb shades: instead of slats, they have vertical layers of pockets. 

These pockets provide optimal energy savings, thermal insulation, and sound blocking. They’re much more efficient than standard shades! Additionally, honeycomb shades are extremely flexible, making them a good choice for every window, no matter the shape. They come in single and double cellular shade designs. Each of which does all of the following:

• Greater energy efficiency due to their insulating effect
  
• Blocks harmful UV rays
• They keep a little more noise out of your home too
• They block light and darken your room as much (or as little) as you want, depending on your fabric choice

 Let’s look deeper into the difference between single and double cellular shades. 

What are Single Cellular Shades?

Single cellular shades have one layer of honeycomb pockets. Single cellular shades are typically more attractive in appearance, so if you are looking for something sleek and stylish, these are likely to serve you better than double cellular shades. 

Measurement-wise, single-cell shades range in cell and pleat widths from 3/8 inch to 2 inches. They’re actually a lot bigger than their double cellular shade counterparts! 

They’re best installed in rooms you want more light in, like the kitchen or living room. 

They can be a little finicky to clean due to their unique shape too. We recommend using a can of compressed air to blow dust out of each cell, and then taking either a gentle brush attachment from your vacuum or a lint brush to them every month or so. This will keep them dust-free and looking great. 

What are Double Cellular Shades?

Double cellular shades are designed to improve energy efficiency while maximizing a room’s visual appeal. They have the same shape, but the difference is in the layers: instead of one vertical line of cells, there are two! 

Another aesthetic difference is the size of the pleats. The pleats in a double cellular shade are typically smaller than a single cellular shade. Double cell shades usually come in smaller sizes – less than ½ inch. This means they don’t fit smaller windows, or those with a more shallow frame, that well. 

Double cellular shades serve the same purpose as single cellular shades, but to a greater degree. They block out more noise, temperature, light, and UV rays than their single-celled counterparts. 

If you live in an area with extreme weather or a lot of noise pollution, double cellular shades are the better choice. Their second layer provides superior light and sound blocking capabilities. They’re also great for homes in Arizona because they’re designed to keep the air conditioning in and the heat out. 

They work best in rooms where you might want to block as much light and sound as possible and contain more heat. Think of a bedroom or an office. The smaller shade sizes work well in bathrooms too. 

Unsure What Works For You? Budget Blinds Can Help

If you’re unsure which type of honeycomb shade you want in your home — do you lean toward aesthetically pleasing or energy efficient? — then don’t worry. Our design experts at Budget Blinds of North Glendale are here to help you. They’re local experts who know how to find solutions that match your style and help keep out the desert elements. 

We also offer a range of opacity levels to allow you to control how much light enters your home. So if you want a darker bedroom, but light and airy living room, we got you covered. You'll find our cellular shades come in a range of on-trend textures and colors, designed to match every style of home decor. 

We're local, and we're here for you. We care about you, your home, and your community. We're backed by the largest provider of custom window coverings in North America which means greater buying power, and expansive product assortment at great prices, and the best warranty in the business.

Visit us online or call today to set up your free in-home or virtual consultation! We’re ready to help you.