Honeycomb shades are one of our most popular window treatments. Their sophisticated pleated design creates visual interest to any room by adding texture and colour to your home. They’re more than just a design upgrade too; honeycomb shades are energy efficient and can control the light distribution and privacy of your home. With these features, honeycomb shades are an advantage to any living space.
If you were to look at a cross-section of a typical shade, you’d see a series of cells that resemble the titular honeycombs stacked vertically on top of one another. The centre of each cell is empty and is designed to trap air, making it difficult for heat to travel from one side to the next. How many cells your shade has and the size of its pleats will affect how well it can retain heat.
A single layer of cells between your window and your room can help cut down on heat transfer, but for those who live in particularly cold climates (or have exceptionally draughty windows), shades with more cells and larger pleats should be considered. The cross-section of a double-cell shade would reveal a series of cells sitting within another cell. Since there is more fabric, the layers surrounding the open air pockets are thicker, which means it can trap more air and reduce heat-loss. Considering windows are responsible for one-third of your home’s heat loss, having an insulating layer between you and your window can result in a lower energy bill.
While these shades do their best to increase your energy savings, they can also be modified for ultimate light control. Whether you choose single or double-cell shades, their material can be sheer or opaque. Sheer materials allow full light to filter into your space while permitting complete privacy when extended. Great for living rooms and kitchens, sheer honeycomb shades can brighten any room without the harsh glare of sunlight. Meanwhile, opaque shades can block out all exterior light and descend your room into darkness whenever you need it. This makes opaque shades great for bedrooms, where bright lights can upset your valuable sleep schedule.
When there are so many variables to consider with your honeycomb shades, it’s best to speak with one of our design consultants to walk you through your purchase. They can answer any of your questions regarding the different kinds of honeycomb shades and explain the benefits of each one; they also can help you choose which colour of shade would best suit your home, as our design consultants are happy to assist in any way.
Once installed, you’ll realize you’ve made the right choice. The beautiful pleated design will be a fantastic addition to any room and bring texture to your interior design. After a few months, when you receive your next utility’s bill, you’ll see how much they saved you as well. As the most energy efficient, heat retaining window treatment, honeycomb shades can help you keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. With so many benefits, there’s no wonder it’s our most popular window treatment.