Beyond Energy Efficiency – Why We Love Cellular Shades

Posted on by Dan Jacobs

Cellular shades are perhaps the most popular window covering in the country. This popularity is the result of a unique combination of style and function. Often considered the workhorse of window treatments, cellular shades provide unique options for privacy control, light filtering and energy efficiency.  

Also called honeycomb shades, cellular shades are constructed from fabric bonded together to form honeycomb shaped pockets. Reminiscent of popular pleated shades, cellular shades offer an elegant, clean look as well as a variety of style options and advantages. 

Energy Efficiency:

Boasting the highest R-value of any shade on the market, cellular shades are perfect for homeowners who want to reduce their energy costs. The R-value is a measurement of how well a material or product resists heat gain or loss. A higher R-value has greater insulating effectiveness.

In a home, windows are the biggest cause of heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Basically, when the air in your room encounters a window, the temperature of the window can heat or cool the air. Cellular shades use honeycomb shaped cells to trap air and create an insulating barrier between the window and your room. The more cells a shade has, the better it will insulate.

Cellular shades both block or filter light and insulate windows to save energy. According to Graber, a leading manufacturer of cellular shades, independent studies demonstrate an R-value of R-4 for some styles of cellular shade.

Privacy & Light Control:

One of the advantages of cellular shades is they simultaneously offer privacy while allowing in natural light. This is accomplished by choosing a light filtering fabric or through the unique functions of the shade.

The top down/bottom up function allows you to lift the shade from the bottom or lower it from the top – hence the name. This is ideal for maintaining privacy while letting in natural light from the top of the window. The Graber Blinds brand also offers a Sun Up/Sun Down option, which pairs a sheer fabric on top and an opaque fabric on the bottom. This product allows you to choose whether to filter light or block light while maintaining complete privacy.

Safety:

For children and pets, cords can be a dangerous strangulation hazard. That’s why many manufactures now offer cordless options for blinds and shades. Cordless options provide a clean look – there are no cords hanging down to distract from the beauty of the window treatment – and eliminate the main choking hazard.

Style:

While function is important, being happy with how your window treatments look is equally important.  After all, you are going to be looking at them for years. Cellular blinds offer clean elegant style that can be paired with any décor ranging from traditional to contemporary. Available in many different colors and designs, cellular shades are versatile and easily matched to your décor. Also, designers will often layer cellular shades with curtains or drapes for a more formal and finished appearance.

For more information on cellular shades, or if you would like to schedule a free in-home consultation, call Made in the Shade Wichita at (316) 272-2173 or contact us on-line.