Single vs. Double Cell Blinds: What’s the Difference?

Shopping for cellular shades and stuck on single cell versus double cell? The difference comes down to insulation, and choosing the right one depends on your climate, your windows, and your budget.

What Are Cellular Shades?

Cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, feature hexagonal air pockets visible from the side profile. Those pockets trap air between the window and the room, creating an insulating barrier that keeps heat in during winter and out during summer. No other window treatment matches the energy performance of a well-fitted cellular shade.

Single Cell vs. Double Cell: The Core Difference

Single cell shades have one layer of honeycomb pockets. Double cell shades stack two layers together, doubling the trapped air and the insulation barrier. More trapped air means better temperature regulation. The details matter when deciding which fits your situation.

Energy Efficiency

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more, which translates to about 10% in heating energy savings. During cooling seasons, that same tight fit can cut unwanted solar heat by up to 60%.

Double cell shades push those numbers further. Two layers of air pockets create a thicker thermal barrier, and double cell options can achieve R-values of up to R-2 to R-4, depending on fabric and pleat size. A typical double-pane window sits at just R-1.8 for comparison. For south-facing rooms or windows with major temperature swings, that extra layer makes a real difference in monthly bills.

When Single-Cell Shades Make Sense

Single cell shades are not just a budget pick. For the right situation, a single-cell option like the Blindsgalore Select Light Filtering Cellular Shades is genuinely the better choice.

Go single cell when:

• The climate is temperate without extreme heat or cold
• Covering smaller windows where lighter weight makes operation easier
• Treating interior rooms like hallways, closets, or guest rooms
• Windows don’t face direct sun exposure
• The budget needs to stay tight without sacrificing quality

Single cell shades still deliver solid insulation, just to a lesser degree. A lighter profile also means easier lifting on wider spans, and 99% of Blindsgalore customers handle installation themselves. Lighter shades make that even simpler.

For a budget-friendly single cell option with beautiful light diffusion, the Blindsgalore Gallery Cellular Shades: Light Filtering offer a clean look in a wide range of colors.

When Double Cell Shades Are Worth the Investment

Double cell shades cost more upfront, but for homes in climates with real temperature swings, the energy savings and comfort improvement pay for themselves over time.

Go double cell when:

• Winters are cold, summers are intense, or both
• Covering large windows or sliding glass doors
• Bedrooms need solid temperature control for better sleep
• Rooms face high heating or cooling costs year-round
• Maximum noise reduction matters (two layers dampen sound better)

The thicker barrier between window glass and living space means less heat transfer, fewer drafts, and noticeably quieter rooms. For large or hard-to-reach windows, motorized cellular shades make operating double cell options effortless. Motorized also means cordless, which is safer for homes with children and pets.

Appearance and Light Control

From across the room, single and double-cell shades look nearly identical when fully lowered. Double cell shades tend to come in slightly larger pleat sizes for a bolder, more textured look. Single cell shades typically feature smaller, tighter pleats that suit a sleek, modern aesthetic, especially on smaller windows.

Light control has nothing to do with cell count. A light filtering fabric gently diffuses sunlight in either style, while blackout fabric blocks up to 99% of incoming light. The Blindsgalore Harmony Cellular Shades: Light Filtering are a great example of soft, natural light diffusion available in both configurations.

For a deeper dive into choosing between shade types, check out Shades vs. Blinds: What’s the Diff?

Installation and Operation

Both single and double cell shades install the same way. Most homeowners choose inside mount for a clean, built-in look, while outside mount adds extra coverage and insulation around the window edges. For accurate measurements, Blindsgalore provides step-by-step guidance at blindsgalore.com/measuring.

Not interested in drilling? Blindsgalore offers No Drill shades that use a tension headrail for a secure fit with zero damage to the window frame.

Lift options include cordless, continuous cord loop (still available and child-safe compliant), or top-down-bottom-up for flexible light and privacy control. For the easiest operation, motorized shades can integrate with smart home systems like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri Shortcuts through hubs like the Connector Smart Hub.

What to Expect on Price

Single cell shades use less material and cost less. Double cell shades carry a higher price tag due to the extra layer of fabric and more complex construction. But that price gap often narrows over time through lower energy bills, especially in extreme climates.

Every Blindsgalore shade ships custom-made to exact specifications and can ship in as little as 5 to 7 business days with free shipping across the continental U.S. A 30-day satisfaction guarantee backs every order, with free exchanges for any reason on up to 4 windows per household.

Quick Decision Guide

• Hot summers, cold winters, or both? Choose a double cell.
• Large windows or south-facing glass? Go with a double cell.
• Mild climate or smaller windows? A single cell will work great.
• Budget is the top priority? Single cells deliver excellent value.
• Maximum energy savings matter the most? A double cell, every time

Ready to find the perfect fit? At Blindsgalore, every shade is custom-crafted to exact specifications with designer quality and family-owned care. The in-house team of window treatment experts is always just a call away. Do Your Own Thing with shades that match your home, your style, and your budget perfectly.

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