It doesn’t matter if snow is flying or you can fry an egg on the sidewalk; you always want your Chicago home to be at a comfortable temperature. Your windows account for a large portion of your energy usage, but if insulation makes you think of hairdryers and (unattractive) rolls of plastic, we’re happy to let you know there’s another option. Cellular shades provide unmatched insulation at the window, and our designers can help you decide if single or double cell shades are what your home needs.
What’s the Difference?
Any treatment will enhance the efficacy of today’s energy-efficient windows, but cellular shades are the créme de la créme of insulating shades. Cellular shades have a unique interior construction, similar to a honeycomb. The pockets, or cells, trap air to prevent warm or cool air transfer. As the name implies, single-cell shades have a singular row of cells stacked vertically, while double cell shades feature two intertwined and slightly offset rows. Both types are fundamentally the same; the double cell style ups the ante.
Double Cell vs. Single-Cell Shades
Now that you know the primary difference between the two styles of cellular shades, it’s time to decide which is the best fit for your windows. There is no wrong answer here; it depends on a few preferences.
- You’ll get the maximum amount of insulation and noise reduction with double cells, but single-cell shades offer a more sleek, clean aesthetic.
- Single-cell shades are generally your best option for large, wide, or deep windows. They’re available in larger cell sizes which look more in tune with expansive panes of glass, and their greater width can be easily accommodated by windows with deeper mounting depth. Stick with double cell shades when you’re dressing small or narrow windows. The second row creates a much busier aesthetic that is better suited to slimmer spaces. The smaller cells also make double cell shades a perfect solution for windows with shallow depth.
When it comes to light-blocking capacity, single and double cell shades are evenly matched. A second layer of fabric will offer a bit more light control, but the amount of light that single vs. double cell shades will prevent from entering your room depends more on the opacity of the fabric you choose than the number of cells.
Single vs. Double Cell Shades: You Decide
If you’re unsure whether single or double cell shades are the ideal solution for your home, JC Licht is here to help. We are Chicago’s premier dealer of Hunter Douglas window treatments, Benjamin Moore paint, and premium wallpaper. We invite you to visit one of our many Midwest locations or book an in-home consultation. You can count on JC Licht to Make it Happen! JC Licht is the preferred provider of Hunter Douglas products for the Midwest and Chicagoland. Contact us today!
