Pleated Shades Vs Honeycomb Shades
Shopping for window shades? Most of our customers here in the Charleston area are familiar with pleated shades, a classic soft window shade with a versatile style. Pleated shades were developed decades ago to give consumers a window covering option that wasn’t drapery, but also wasn’t a mini-blind. As people became more energy conscious in the 80s, the window treatment industry responded with window coverings that not only looked great, but also provided extra insulation at the window. A version of pleated shades, honeycomb shades, was created to improve energy efficiency and provide beautiful style at the window.
Pleated vs Honeycomb — What’s the Difference?
Pleated shades and honeycomb shades look very similar. Both types of window treatments feature:
- Numerous color and fabric options, from translucent to room darkening, for light control or light filtering
- A single lift cord, with available cordless options for child and pet safety
- Innovative motorization options
- Varying pleat sizes
- Top-down-bottom-up functionality
The big difference between these two types of shades is in the details. Pleated shades allow light and air to escape due to the small cord holes in the pleats. Honeycomb shades feature a hidden cord inside the construction of the window treatment, blocking air and light.
Why Choose Honeycomb Window Shades?
Honeycomb window shades advantages include:
- Single, double and triple honeycomb construction in different pleat sizes
- Excellent insulation, offering the highest efficiency ratings in the industry
- Greater variety of colors and softer fabric options
- Improved rooms acoustics at the window
- Available in horizontal and vertical applications for sliding doors
- Better retention and durability of pleats
Honeycomb window shades disadvantages include:
- Might be more expensive than pleated
Bugs could get trapped in cell and need to be vacuumed out
Why Choose Pleated Window Shades?
Pleated window shades advantages include:
- Crisp contemporary look in your window
- Less expensive than honeycomb shades
- Available with no-hole privacy options and additional liners that can be operated separately or together
Disadvantages of pleated window coverings include:
- Have holes where the cords runs through
- Not as energy efficient as honeycomb shades
Window Shades in Charleston SC
Serving the greater Charleston area, the window treatment professionals at the Shutter Guy are trained to assist you in the selection of the right treatment for YOUR windows! Our knowledgeable and experienced staff knows how to ask the right questions to ensure your new window treatments exceed your expectations. Contact us to schedule a consultation, and be sure to check out our Calling Out Cancer program to see how a percentage of your purchase with us goes toward cancer support and research.
