Cellular shades or honeycomb shades are window coverings that for filtering or completely block out light. They come in different sizes and colours, which add to their appeal. They are best for blocking out sunlight, conserving energy, providing privacy, or for aesthetic purposes.
Manufacturers make cellular shades with honeycomb-shaped cells. The function of the cells is to create insulation between your window and your room’s temperature. You can find cellular shades as a single cell or double cell.
History of Cellular Shades
Wendell Colson invented the first-ever cellular shade. Cellular shades were invented sometime in the 1970s, during the period of the energy crisis, when a large amount of heat was lost.
Benefits of Cellular Shades
- 1Unique shapes are the latest window trend. Therefore it can be hard to find window coverings that will not obstruct the unique shape of your windows. Cellular shades can be customised to fit almost all window shapes, including squares and hexagons.
- 2Besides the fact that all window coverings are adjustable, cellular shades come with a design option of lowering from the top or rising from the bottom, which protects the privacy of the owner.
- 3They come in four different fabric options. These are blackout, room darkening, light filtering and sheer. These options make it easy to control the privacy and light levels of every room.
Disadvantages of Cellular Shades
- These shades are better known for their privacy and insulation features than for how aesthetically pleasing they are. Most of these cellular shades resemble pleated paper, which could make them look tacky and unattractive. It is prevalent to see homeowners using them with other types of window coverings to get their desired design.
- Some cellular shades are challenging to clean. Trying to clean some types made of particular fabrics can be a challenge. Some manufacturers recommend only steam cleaning of their luxurious shades. If you do not have the resources to do this work yourself and a vendor is unavailable in your city, it could be expensive to carry out.
- Cellular shades do not offer the option of tilting the vanes to let a little light in. Although some models provide an opaque material that allows light in, it can only happen when the shades are down. You can only move the shades sideways if the model you choose works with patio doors.
Still, they are a perfect choice for light regulation. For instance, the colour of the shade that you select will determine the amount of light that will enter your house. The colour also determines how much energy will be saved after the installation.
In colder climates, darker ones could increase the cost of energy. This is as a result of the little amount of sunlight that will pass through the shade. In warmer climates, darker colours will help to reduce the amount of the sun that passes through the shades.
Energy Saving Features of Cellular Shades
Understanding R-value
The R-Value is a measure of how excellent the resistance of a material to heat flow is, and how well it can tolerate heat gain or heat loss. To put it simply, the higher the material’s R-Value, the better the insulation, and vice versa.
How Do Cellular Shades Save Energy?
Energy is always trying to expand. During the summer, outdoor heat tries to make its way back into your cool house. The warm air inside your home naturally flows into and out of your windows in the winter, allowing it to disperse into the cold atmosphere.
They act as a buffer against both types of energy transmission, thereby helping you save money all year round.
How Cellular Shades Save Energy:
- 1Fight Conduction: They create an efficient blockage between your room and the window, preventing the transfer of heat.
- 2Fight Convection: They seal the gaps between the window and its frame, keeping warm air out during summer, and in cold air out in winter.
- 3Fight Radiation: Blackout and light filtering cellular shades trap the heat between the closed shade and your window, making your house warm and comfortable.
How Cellular Shades Add Value to Your House
Motorized honeycomb shades are an excellent way to add both value and comfort to your house, and although it may seem unnecessary at first, they add significant resale value to the home. Motorized cellular shades can be opened or closed at the push of a button, and they can protect the interior of your house from the sun’s rays regardless of the angle. Because it can be operated with a remote control and it can discourage burglary attempts, it gives an awe factor to prospective buyers who might be interested in acquiring your home.
Can you motorize cellular shades?
Generally, you need to make sure you choose a motorized option for your shades at the time of purchasing. However, there are new and exciting technologies that allow you to motorize window shades, blinds, and curtains after they have already been installed.
Cellular shades and honeycomb shades regular use metal or plastic beaded chain loops for manual adjustment. These kinds of ‘pull mechanisms’ can be easily motorized using a product like AXIS Gear. Gear is a smart device that lets you easily control your shades from your phone – making your home feel more comfortable and secure.
Cost of Cellular Shades
The prices of these shades vary from producer to producer. But on average, a cellular shade could cost between USD70 and USD250.
All in all, honeycomb shades are an excellent investment for any individual who values comfort, privacy and wants to save energy.
