What is the Difference Between Single Cell and Double Cell Shades?
Cellular shades can be a fantastic addition to any room. They are available in a wide choice of colors, with advanced lift options, and light filtering or room darkening fabrics to provide endless combinations to suit your specific requirements. However, many homeowners struggle to understand the differences between single cell and double cell shades. So, we’ll explore this in more detail here.
The Benefits of Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are an excellent form of window treatment that offers some fantastic benefits. These include:
Great Insulation: Part of what makes a cellular shade unique is the way they are formed to create pockets. These pockets are great insulators, as air is trapped in the layers of fabric. This helps prevent cold air entering your home or your warm air escaping, and the reverse in summer. This makes cellular shades one of the most energy efficient forms of window treatment. Since windows are one of the largest sources of energy loss inside the home, cellular shades can make your home greener.
Fantastic Ease of Use: Cellular shades also have cordless options, which can make the shades easier to use. You don’t need to mess with cords to lower and raise the shades, you can simply use your hand, and the blinds will stay in place. Eliminating the cords can not only make your shades more attractive, but also safer in homes with children or pets who can become injured or tangled in any cords.
Privacy: Privacy is an important consideration for most window treatments, and cellular shades offer the flexibility to choose how dark you want your window shades to be. You can choose shades that allow some light and view or for complete privacy, choose blackout shades. This provides complete control of the privacy of your room.
Design: Finally, the variety of style and design options allow homeowners to choose shades that perfectly complement their design aesthetic. You can choose the texture, color, material, style, and overall design that best suits your room.
Single Cell Shades
Typically, single cell shades are less costly compared to double cell. This is typically because they use less materials and often have shorter manufacturing times, which adds up to savings. Single cell shades also offer the advantage of insulation. The single layer of pleats reduces energy costs as light is filtered, and UV rays are blocked.
Double Cell Shades
If your primary concern is energy efficiency, then double cell shades is the best option. The double layer of pleats trap air in the pockets to insulate your windows. This trapped air creates a barrier against the temperatures outside to help your home feel more comfortable. Since double cell shades have two pockets, there is potentially double the energy saving potential of single cell shades. Although double cell shades are more costly than single cell shades, this cost can be rocouped in energy savings if you have harsher temperatures throughout the winter.
Cellular shades can look great in contemporary or traditional style rooms, but if you’re still unsure about whether it is the right option for your home, be sure to speak to a window treatment specialist.