Beat the Heat (and Cold) with Honeycomb Shades

Summer is nearly over and winter is on its way, which means we’re in for a few months of alternating heat and cool weather. So how do we prevent ourselves from baking indoors or shivering under the blankets? Well aside from relying on our HVAC system, you can keep your home from heating up or cooling down in the first place! How do you do that? Honeycomb shades!

Honeycomb Shades

Honeycomb shades, also known as cellular shades, are the most energy-efficient window covering out there. They are known for their ability to filter out sunlight, provide privacy, and most crucially their ability to insulate. 

They can do this because of their unique construction. Honeycomb shades, as their name implies, have little honeycomb-shaped pockets. Think of them like horizontal tubes stacked on top of each other. The honeycomb-like cells trap air around the windows, keeping the warm air from moving into your cool home and keeps the warm air trapped inside in the winter.

Honeycomb shades also have a varying level of insulation — some will do a better job than others. This is entirely related to their construction, specifically the number of cell layers and the size of pleats.

Single Cell Shades

Shades that have a single layer of cells are the most affordable option of honeycomb shades. These will work better in more moderate climates where the temperature difference isn’t so large.

If you’re going for a single layer, consider if you’re going to be adding any other features like a black out liner, motorized controls, or other extras. All of these can influence the level of insulation your shades are providing.

They even help block sound! Single cell shades are much more efficient at sound dampening than roller, Roman, or even woven wood shades. 

Double Cell Shades

Double cell shades are going to be the mid-range option when it comes to honeycomb shades. They have an extra layer of cells that make the shade even more effective at slowing the transfer of heat. Double cell shades are also still available in a wide range of colors, fabrics, and potential upgrades.

Most homeowners prefer the look of single cell shades to double cell, so that may be something to keep in mind! You can put the double cell shades in rooms you’re in frequently, but plan to keep them out of sight if you don’t like the look of them as much. For instance, you can put them in your bedroom, while you save the single cell shades for your entryway. 

Triple Cell Shades

It should go without saying now that the more cells a shade has, the better they are at insulating your home. Triple cell shades will have three layers of cells to trap the air pockets and prevent energy transfer. These are especially useful in climates with extreme needs such as those with extreme cold or extreme heat.

Pleat Sizes

Pleat sizes will also make a difference in the ability for the shades to insulate the room and affect the style of the window covering as well. We mentioned this earlier, but most homeowners prefer the sleek lines of single cell honeycomb shades. This is because smaller pleats will look better in a smaller window, while larger pleats fit a wider window (which are more common in homes). 

If you’re having trouble picturing it, try this. Take a piece of paper and fold it three times. Each fold is a pleat. The bigger the fold, the less “busy” the paper looks, right? Now, try folding it into 1-inch sections, all the way down. Now the paper looks a lot busier, doesn’t it? The same thing happens with honeycomb shades. Too many pleats in a small space makes the window seem busy — it draws the eye in an unappealing way. So plan ahead or talk with one of our design experts at Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix, and you’ll be golden. 

When it comes to the insulation powers, the larger the pleats the better! The larger pleats capture larger cells of hot air, making it even less likely that the heat will transfer through the window, through the fabric, through the large pocket of air, and then through fabric again to warm the home.

Honeycomb shades are the window covering solution to use when energy efficiency and deflecting the hot Arizona heat are your main goals. Because of that we make sure we offer a huge range of styles, fabrics, colors, upgrades, and more to get you the exact right window covering for your home and style.

Ready to insulate your home? Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix is here to help! No matter what challenge you’re facing, we know how to solve it all. Give us a call today and schedule your free consultation!