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Cellular & Honeycomb Shades

The efficiency pick, and the one where the spec sheet actually earns its keep: pleated fabric forms air-trapping cells that insulate the glass, so the questions that matter are cell size, single- versus double-cell, and whether the lift is cordless. Cellular shades mount in shallow frames (often around 3/4"), take top-down/bottom-up beautifully, and give a soft, even light. This hub is the buying discipline — read the mount depth against your shallowest measurement, confirm the width deduction against the seller’s guide, and price your real window rather than the "from $X" teaser.

Where to start

Comparisons

Glossary terms

Cellular (Honeycomb) Shade
Pleated fabric that forms insulating air pockets — the efficiency pick.
Single-Cell vs Double-Cell
One row of air pockets vs two — more insulation for a modest step up.
Cell Size
The pleat dimension (3/8", 9/16", 3/4") — scale and insulation, not quality.
Cordless Lift
Raise and lower by hand with no dangling cord — the safer default.
Top-Down / Bottom-Up (TDBU)
A shade that lowers from the top or raises from the bottom — light plus privacy.
R-Value (Insulation)
A number for how well a shade resists heat flow — read it in context.
Mount Depth
How deep the window frame is — it decides what can inside-mount.
Width Deduction
The small amount a factory subtracts from an inside-mount width so it fits.

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