Olivia Bouchard
Content Author
Table of Contents
The windows in your house contribute up to 30% of the heat gain during the summertime. Cellular shades were designed to address this issue precisely. Originally created back in the 1980s, cellular shades have now become one of the most reliable insulating window treatments around. How does this work? The cellular structure of the shades traps air in its honeycomb cavities, providing a layer of insulation right on the surface of the glass. This ensures you enjoy a more comfortable home, reduced utility costs, and an attractive appearance to boot.
1. What Are Cellular Shades and Why Do They Work in Summer?
Cellular shades, or honeycomb shades, are window blinds made of pleated material that creates hollow hexagons. With cellular shades installed on your windows, air pockets form between the hot surface of the glass and your living space. The trapped air in these pockets does not conduct heat efficiently and slows down the rate at which heat enters the room.
While regular roller blinds only serve to block sunlight, cellular shades offer a true thermal barrier. The air inside each hexagon conducts heat poorly, losing energy as it passes through the material. Cellular shades use the same technology that double-glazed windows use, but the technology is used directly on your window blinds. For cooling purposes during summer, cellular shades for summer are the most energy-efficient window blinds you could find.
2. Single Cell vs Double Cell: Which Is Better for Hot Weather?
Cell configuration is the single most important factor in honeycomb shades benefits for summer performance.
Feature | Single Cell | Double Cell |
|---|---|---|
Insulation Strength | Effective | Superior |
Best Climate | Mild to moderate summers | Hot summers, direct sunlight |
Energy Saving | Good | Excellent |
Best Room Use | Bedrooms, home offices | Living rooms, west/south windows |
Cellular window shades with single cells provide a more affordable way to begin your journey towards energy-efficient window shades. Double cellular shades will give you an extra layer of insulation, making them a more worthwhile investment when it comes to installing window shades in rooms exposed to the hot sun due to their extensive window sizes facing west or south. The size of the cell depends on whether you choose 38 mm cells or 25 mm cells.
3. Best Types of Cellular Shades for Summer Heat Reduction
Honeycomb Blinds
Honeycomb Blinds serve as the building blocks of any window cooling system in summer. These blinds are available in single-cell and double-cell designs with 25 mm and 38 mm cell options, as well as light filtering and room-darkening material choices. Thus, these window coverings provide the best shades for heat reduction in any part of your house.
Honeycomb Day and Night
Honeycomb Day and Night offer an effective solution to a problem that many people struggle with when choosing a window covering. The daytime portion of the shade is a cellular blind that protects you from glare and heat. During the peak afternoon hours and at night, the blackout shade slides over.
Honeycomb TDBU
Honeycomb TDBU shades offer the most flexible light and privacy control on the market. The top-down bottom-up mechanism lets you lower the shade from the top to bring diffused light in from above while keeping the lower section raised to block direct sunlight and maintain street-level privacy. This is particularly effective in summer because afternoon sunlight enters windows at a low angle. Available with cordless, corded, and fully motorized controls, including app, remote, and voice operation, these are the most adaptable insulating window treatments available.
Waterproof Cellular Shades
Waterproof Cellular Shades are made from moisture-resistant materials that not only guarantee proper insulation but also look good too. They are the most suitable choice for heat blocking in areas such as kitchens and laundries with high humidity.
4. Key Features to Look For
When it comes to picking out colors that will best reduce heat, these factors have a lot more impact than others on their summertime effectiveness. UV protection helps keep out dangerous rays and keeps the glass cooler by blocking radiated heat, which helps prevent the floor and furnishings from fading. The anti-static feature helps resist dust accumulation so that your blinds remain highly effective year after year. Using aluminum hardware means that the frame won't bend even when subjected to extreme warmth, unlike plastic components.
5. Tips to Maximise Performance in Summer
Install the shade at a lower level before the temperature in the room rises, not after. An inside-mount installation allows the shade to be placed closer to the windowpane for better insulation. Install Honeycomb TDBU shades and a ceiling fan to prevent low-angle rays from entering the room while circulating the air that comes from above. Use lighter color shades on south-facing windows.
6. Conclusion
The features of light control, privacy, and aesthetics all come together perfectly in the cellular blind. No matter whether you opt for Honeycomb Blinds to insulate your room effectively each day, Honeycomb Day and Night Blinds for their dual heat and light insulation, or Honeycomb TDBU blinds that allow precise light control throughout the day, all products are guaranteed to save you money while adding a modern touch to your windows. Discover the luxurious window blinds at Artista Blinds and get free shipping, free samples, and a 3-year warranty on every order.
Cells create a thermal barrier around the glass surface, reducing the rate of radiant heat transfer considerably. Double-cell cellular blinds provide the best thermal insulation, making them ideal for rooms that get direct afternoon or western sunlight during the summer.
7. FAQs
Q1. Do cellular shades actually reduce summer heat indoors?
Yes. Honeycomb cellular shades contain trapped air inside the individual cells that act as a thermal barrier against the glass window to slow down radiant heat loss. The double-cell design offers superior insulation for rooms getting afternoon or western exposure from the sun.
Q2. What is the difference between 25mm and 38mm cellular shades?
The cell size refers to the depth of each honeycomb cell. The 38 mm cell contains a higher volume of still air to offer better thermal insulation than the 25 mm cell shade. If you want maximum protection from solar heat during summer, then the 38 mm double-cell shade is ideal.
Q3. Are energy-efficient window shades enough to lower my bills?
Yes. Honeycomb cellular shades minimize solar heat penetration into the room during summer and limit heat loss from your home during the colder months by protecting the windowpanes. The cellular shades help reduce your monthly energy bills.
Q4. What is the best cellular shade for a bedroom in summer?
The Honeycomb Day and Night shades are the best option. While the light-filtering fabric reduces heat from the afternoon sun, the blackout fabric ensures full room darkening for a good night's sleep in a cool setting.
Q5. Can I get cellular shades made to my exact window size?
Yes. All cellular shades made by Artista Blinds are cut according to the client's specifications to ensure no gap at the sides, which would compromise insulation effectiveness. Each product comes with a 30-day fit warranty with a production period of 8 to 10 business days.
Q6. Are there waterproof cellular shades for kitchens and bathrooms?
Yes. Waterproof cellular shades feature water-resistant fabrics and maintain the insulation efficiency and aesthetic value even in moisture-filled areas such as bathrooms, kitchenettes, and laundry rooms.
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