Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-07-14 Origin: Site
If you're shopping for energy-efficient, stylish window treatments, chances are you've come across both cellular shades and honeycomb shades. The names often appear interchangeably in catalogs and online stores, leading many homeowners to wonder: are they the same thing?
This guide breaks down the terminology, structure, advantages, disadvantages, and cleaning methods of both to give you clarity. We’ll not only answer common questions like "what are cellular shades?" and "what are honeycomb shades?"—we’ll also help you decide which is best for your space, based on features that matter most: energy efficiency, light control, ease of maintenance, and price.
Let’s unravel the mystery behind these two popular window treatments.
Cellular shades—often called honeycomb shades—are window coverings made from pleated polyester fabric bonded into hollow, hexagonal cells. When viewed from the side, these cells resemble a honeycomb, giving the product its name. The trapped air inside each cell acts as an insulating layer, reducing heat transfer through the glass: it keeps warm air inside during winter and blocks solar heat during summer, helping maintain a more stable indoor temperature.
Single-cell: One layer of cells—lightweight and budget-friendly.
Double-cell: Two staggered layers—improved insulation and sound absorption.
Triple-cell: Three layers—ideal for extreme climates or maximum energy efficiency.
When raised, the cells compress like an accordion, stacking neatly at the top of the window. When lowered, they expand, recreating the insulating air pockets.
Light-filtering – soft, diffused daylight.
Room-darkening – moderate light blockage.
Blackout – complete light exclusion, suited for bedrooms or media rooms.
Cordless – push or pull the bottom rail to any position; eliminates dangling cords.
Motorized – remote, smartphone app, or smart-home integration for scheduled or voice-activated control.
Cellular shades combine effective insulation, flexible light management, and sleek aesthetics in one compact window treatment.
Honeycomb shades are simply another name for cellular shades, describing the same window covering with the identical hexagonal cell structure. When the pleated fabric layers are bonded, they create chambers that look like the cells of a beehive, inspiring the “honeycomb” label. Major brands—most notably Hunter Douglas—helped cement the term through signature lines, yet every technical detail remains the same: single-, double-, or triple-cell configurations, identical insulating air pockets, and the same light-filtering, room-darkening, or blackout fabric options. Whether a catalog lists the product as “honeycomb” or “cellular,” you are looking at the same energy-efficient shade that compresses like an accordion when raised and expands to form its insulating barrier when lowered.
Yes—cellular shades and honeycomb shades are the very same window covering. The pleated, bonded fabric forms identical hexagonal air pockets whether the label says “cellular” or “honeycomb,” so every performance feature remains unchanged: the same insulation value, the same cordless or motorized lift options, and the same choice of light-filtering, room-darkening, or blackout fabrics.
The only real distinction is the name itself. Manufacturers and retailers often choose “honeycomb” to evoke the natural, geometric beauty of a beehive, while “cellular” is favored when highlighting the engineered, energy-saving cell structure. Regionally, North American catalogs lean toward “cellular,” whereas some European or boutique brands prefer “honeycomb.” In practice, the terminology is interchangeable, and shoppers can focus on cell size, fabric opacity, and lift style without worrying that one label signifies a different product.
Cellular—or honeycomb—shades are praised for their insulating cells, yet every benefit comes with trade-offs. Below is a plain-language look at what they do well and where they fall short, so you can decide whether they suit your windows and lifestyle.
| Benefit | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Energy Saving | Cells trap air to insulate windows—cut heating/cooling costs by up to 30%. |
| Light Options | Choose from light-filtering to true blackout without changing the look of the shade. |
| Noise Control | Double-cell designs absorb street and neighbor noise for a quieter room. |
| Child-Safe | Cordless, motorized, or spring systems eliminate strangulation hazards. |
| Fits Any Window | Works on arches, skylights, and custom shapes with sizes from ⅜\" to 1¼\" pleats. |
Each hexagonal cell traps a pocket of air that behaves like a built-in thermal blanket. In winter the barrier slows the escape of heated air; in summer it impedes the entry of solar heat. Independent lab tests routinely record whole-window R-value jumps of 30–32 %, which translates into lower utility bills and more consistent indoor temperatures.
Manufacturers weave the same cell structure into three distinct fabric families. Light-filtering cloths soften daylight and reduce glare without darkening a room. Room-darkening versions add a denser weave that blocks most light while still allowing a faint glow around the edges. True blackout fabrics sandwich an opaque liner within the cells, eliminating stray light for nurseries, bedrooms, or home theaters. Because each fabric is available in multiple cell counts and pleat sizes, you can mix opacities room by room without changing the overall look of the house.
The multiple fabric layers and air columns act like small acoustic baffles. Street noise, lawn equipment, or loud neighbors lose energy each time sound waves pass from air to fabric and back again. In real-world tests, double-cell shades drop mid- and high-frequency sounds by roughly 5–7 dB—noticeably hushing conversation and traffic rumble.
Cordless spring mechanisms, tensioned bottom rails, or low-voltage motors remove the need for dangling lift cords. The absence of loops eliminates a known strangulation hazard for toddlers and prevents curious cats from turning the window into a climbing gym. Safety certifications such as Best for Kids or Greenguard Gold are common across major brands.
Beyond standard rectangles, the soft fabric can be factory-cut to fit circles, arches, angles, skylights, and French-door frames. Cells come in ⅜ in, 9⁄16 in, ¾ in, and even 1 ¼ in pleats, letting you match the scale of the window trim. Hundreds of solid, textured, and metallic finishes blend with contemporary minimalism or classic décor, and coordinating top-down/bottom-up hardware allows the shade to drop from the top or rise from the sill for extra privacy without sacrificing daylight.
| Drawback | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Blocked Views | When lowered, you can’t see outside—no tilt like with blinds; must raise to enjoy the view. |
| Tough to Clean | Dust collects inside the cells—requires air spray or careful vacuuming. |
| Higher Upfront Cost | Premium look and insulation come at a price—especially for motorized or custom options. |
When the shade is lowered, the fabric stack covers the entire pane. Unlike horizontal blinds that tilt open, cellular shades must be fully retracted to reveal the outdoors. If you prize an uninterrupted panorama, you’ll need to raise the shade and lose the insulation layer during daylight hours.
Dust settles inside the open cells, and the narrow channels can harbor the occasional spider or gnat. Routine care requires a low-suction vacuum with a soft-brush nozzle or short bursts of compressed air. Spot-cleaning stains is possible, but the honeycomb shape makes it awkward to reach interior creases without a flexible wand or hair-dryer set on cool.
Expect to pay more than for basic roller or pleated shades. Entry-level single-cell versions start modestly, yet double-cell constructions, specialty shapes, or battery-powered motors can push per-window pricing well into premium territory. The upfront investment is often recouped through energy savings, but budget-conscious shoppers should weigh the payback period against cheaper alternatives.
Cleaning these shades requires a bit more care due to their fabric material and intricate structure. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Dusting: Use a feather duster or microfiber cloth
Vacuuming: Use a vacuum with a soft brush head in horizontal strokes following the pleats
Compressed Air: Insert the straw nozzle and blow dust and dead insects out of each cell
Hair Dryer (Cool Setting): A handy alternative to blow out light debris
Spot Cleaning: Use a damp cloth with mild dish soap. Blot gently—do not scrub
Magic Eraser: Effective for light stains (test on a hidden area first)
Ultrasonic Cleaning: A specialized service that deep cleans using sound waves. Only recommended for non-blackout fabrics
Submerging shades in water
Using harsh chemicals
Scrubbing with stiff brushes
Maintaining your shades regularly will not only keep them looking fresh but also extend their lifespan.
While comparing cellular and honeycomb shades, another common point of confusion comes up: pleated shades. Many shoppers assume they are similar due to their folded fabric design, but in reality, they function quite differently. To give you a complete picture—and help you avoid an unexpected performance gap—we’ve included a quick side-by-side comparison below.
| Feature | Pleated Shades | Cellular/Honeycomb Shades |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Single layer of pleated fabric | Multi-layer, air-trapping cells |
| Insulation | Minimal | High thermal insulation |
| Price | Lower | Higher (but more efficient) |
| Sound Absorption | Low | High |
| View-through | Better | Full blockage unless raised |
Choose pleated shades for decorative appeal and lower cost. Choose cellular/honeycomb shades for performance and energy savings.
In the end, the only decision you face is whether the name “cellular” or “honeycomb” appears on the box—because the shade itself is identical. If you prioritize lower energy bills, quieter rooms, and a safer environment for children or pets, these shades tick every box.
Begin by matching the cell configuration to your climate: choose single-cell for temperate zones and mild cost, double-cell for harsher winters or hot summers, or triple-cell for maximum insulation.
Next, decide how much light you want to invite or exclude—light-filtering for living areas that benefit from soft daylight, room-darkening for offices or nurseries, and blackout for bedrooms or media spaces where darkness is non-negotiable.
Finally, pick a control style that suits your lifestyle: cordless for effortless, child-safe operation; top-down/bottom-up for privacy with a view; or motorized for hard-to-reach skylights and seamless smart-home integration. Weigh these factors against the higher upfront cost and the need for periodic interior cleaning, and you’ll quickly see why cellular—or honeycomb—shades continue to be one of the smartest long-term investments in modern window fashion.
A: None. They’re two names for the same product.
A: Yes, their air pockets help regulate temperature and reduce energy bills.
A: Light dusting every 1–2 weeks and deeper cleaning every few months.
A: Yes, but precision is key. Measure carefully or consult a professional.
A: Yes, they are highly versatile and can be custom-fit for specialty windows.
At RC Windoware, we don’t just talk about energy efficiency and elegant design—we deliver it. Our full range of honeycomb shades combines thermal insulation, light control, and modern aesthetics to suit every room and lifestyle. From cordless options for child safety to motorized solutions for effortless control, we have styles to match every window—arched, skylight, or standard.
Explore popular models like our Electric Day Night Honeycomb Blind, Top-Down Designs, or No-Drill Installations—all crafted with durable materials and customizable finishes.
Browse our collection now and upgrade your home with smart, stylish shades that make comfort effortless—season after season.