In this blog entry, the cellular shade installation experts here at Los Angeles Shades and Blinds will describe the main difference between cellular shades and pleated shades.
What’s the main difference between cellular shades and pleated shades?
Pleated shades and cellular shades both are made from folded fabric. When the shade is raised up, the fabric folds up, and when the shade is lowered, the fold lines provide texture to the shade. Cellular shades are made of a single or double layer of honeycombs, which create air pockets that trap air and provide insulation. This insulation prevents heat transfer during the Winter, and solar gain during the Summer – which provides energy savings benefits that can save you money. Double cell shades are more effective than single cell shades in this regard. Pleated shades have simpler folds than cellular shades.
Best Areas for Pleated Shades
Pleated shades provide a classical and simple appearance that can be applied to many types of rooms. Pleated shades are ideal for living rooms and dining rooms – or any room that doesn’t need total darkness during the day. They are also ideal for South or North facing rooms or any rooms that don’t get direct sunlight, bathrooms (or other rooms where you need privacy but need natural light as well,) or bedrooms that don’t ever get direct sunlight.
Best Areas for Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are more flexible than normal pleated shades. They sometimes come with special adaptive blackout liners, up or down vertical contraction, and a wide range of design types with different types of light filtrering qualities. Cellular window shades are ideal for older homes with badly fit windows, breezy rooms, rooms that don’t uniformly heat or cool, rooms that get strong sunlight in the afternoon, bedrooms that need to be totally dark, or TV / media / screening rooms where total darkness is totally needed.
Choosing Between Pleated and Cellular Shades
Ask yourself how important energy efficiency is to you. Then, ask yourself how much light filtration you need for your homes. Homes in areas that get very hot or very cold can gain advantages from cellular window shades – as well as anyone who wants to save money on their bills. Homes without a ton of direct sunlight that want natural light can also benefit from pleated shades.
