Cellular blinds are blinds which are made from cells which are designed to expand to cover a window, and collapse when the blinds are opened. The blinds can be made from fabric, paper, and other durable and flexible materials, and they come in a range of styles and colors. Cellular blinds may also be known as honeycomb shades or honeycomb blinds. They can be found at most home improvement stores and also ordered directly from companies which specialize in blinds.
Single, double, and triple cell designs are all available. When viewed from the side, cellular blinds do look rather like a honeycomb. The blinds may attach to tracks which run down the side of the window, or allowed to float free in the window, depending on the style, and they are available as motorized blinds in addition to being operated with a cord. The blinds can be installed to open from the bottom or the top of the window, with some opening at both the bottom and the top for increased flexibility.
There are a number of advantages to cellular blinds. The first is that the cellular design creates pockets of air which act as insulators. Air is one of the best available insulators, and installing cellular blinds can cut down substantially on heating and cooling bills by keeping temperatures in a structure more stable. The blinds prevent heat loss, which can be a major issue in cold climates, while also allowing diffuse light through.
Some designs of cellular blinds are also designed to block light, with thick linings which filter out more light. For rooms which need to be kept dark, this can be an advantage. The blinds also cut down on noise pollution from the outside, with the cells insulating the room and buffering sound. For people who live in noisy areas, or who engage in noisy activities in the home and don't want to disturb the neighborhood, cellular blinds can be very beneficial.
These blinds also come with a range of pleat sizes, with consumers picking the size which best suits their needs and aesthetics. Manufacturers can create custom blinds in specific sizes and shapes for unique windows, and people can also buy cellular blinds off the rack if they have windows in standard sizes. Some things to consider when evaluating blinds for purchase include available colors, pleat size, UV resistance, ease of operation, ease of installation, aesthetics, and reputation of the manufacturer.