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Today we want to talk a little bit about one of the most popular cheap window treatments in our large lineup.

Of course, we’re talking about cellular shades, otherwise known as honeycomb shades.

From regular homeowners to interior designers, our love for cellular shades stretches far and wide, as they have long been one of the most versatile and beautiful types of window treatments on the market.

Because choosing the right window treatment can be a daunting task, especially with the number of window treatments that are available on the market today, many homeowners become uneasy when trying to make a decision.

That is exactly why we wanted to use this article to showcase one of the most spectacular qualities of cellular shades, and that is their energy efficiency.

Staying Warm With Honeycomb Shades

Take a look at some studies done by the U.S. Department of Energy and you’ll see that windows, whether in home or commercial buildings, account for anywhere from 25-40% of the annual cooling and heating costs.

It moves toward the higher end when it comes to older windows, as older windows have a tendency to let in tons of heat during the summer, as well as excessive drafts during the winter.

Have you noticed your energy bills skyrocketing during particularly hot or cold seasons?

Your windows and window treatments may have a lot to do with those numbers.

Now we don’t want to sit here and talk smack about older windows, as even newer windows struggle to retain energy efficiency when the hot or cold seasons roll around. Luckily, there are tools out there to help your windows become better temperature regulators.

We’re talking about cellular shades.

Cellular shades (honeycomb shades) have been around for quite some time. They can help to provide a mixture of privacy and energy efficiency also a hybrid of both with the popular top down bottom up option for every home or commercial building.

This is because cellular shades provide a small layer of insulation to help keep your rooms cool when the hot summer rolls around or warm when the frigid winters come. We can thank the design of shades for this, which makes use of small pockets of air that create temperature barriers between the room and window. These pockets of air help to trap and regulate the flow of air moving in and out of the room.

Beyond that, there are many different styles to choose from, and the amount of energy efficiency you want can depend on the opacity of the shade you choose.

A Path To a More Energy Efficient Home

Stop struggling with looking for window treatments. Here at Affordable Blinds, we have tons of low-cost options for just about any home or commercial space in a wide variety of colors and styles.

There are many reasons beyond energy-efficient characteristics as to why cellular shades take the cake in the world of window treatments. If you have any questions or want to learn more about what cellular shades can do for your home, make sure to get in contact with us!

When buying a set of cellular shades, or any sort of window treatment for that matter, it is important to understand the opacity of the product that you are buying so that you can get the amount of light or privacy that you want in any given room.

The quality of opacity can run from bright and light sheer shades all the way to room-blackening blackout shades. Here is a little rundown of the levels of opacity you should look for when purchasing a set of cellular shades.Shades and the Different Levels of Opacity

Sheer

Sheer cellular shades are made to allow most of the light from outside to filter inside, however, they do allow for a slight bit of privacy and help to reduce some sun glare. The cool thing is, if you have a nice view from your window, zebra sheer shades will allow you to see to the outside.

Many people love them because of their soft quality and their graceful appeal. A good set of sheer cellular shades will make just about any room feel much lighter and more open. They are typically very thin and are constructed with a few different light filtering options depending on how much privacy you need.

Semi-Sheer

Semi-sheer shades are just a step above sheer and allow for a little bit of added privacy. If you aren’t totally sure that you want to sacrifice your privacy, yet you also want to maintain the natural light from outside, we highly recommend that you get a pair of semi-sheer shades.

Semi-Opaque

If you know that you want privacy, yet you require that there is a little bit of light that filters from the outside, we highly recommend going for semi-opaque shades. Your view is definitely going to be a bit restricted, though your room won’t be completely blacked out either.

This is where choosing a pair of top down bottom up cellular shades can come in handy. These are some of the most popular types of cellular shades due to the number of light filtering choices.

Blackout

Blackout shades are best for those who need to completely darken a room. Whether you have a bedroom that you want to sleep better in or you have a home theater that needs a glare-free environment, blackout shades are the best choice. They typically have an additional layer of mylar or acrylic backing that helps to keep things completely dark.

Getting The Right Opacity For Your Cellular Shades

From the sun to the heat to the dark to the light, you need to pick which ones are your friends or enemies when it comes time to buy cellular shades or any kinds of shades for that matter. We hope that our little opacity guide has helped you to narrow down some choices so that you can make the best buying decision for your home.

Make sure to get in contact with our team at Affordable Blinds if you have any further questions about selecting a set of cellular shades for your home!

Look into the vast, wild kingdom and you will see one of the most unique creatures out there:

The Zebra.

The Zebra is easily one of the most distinctive animals known to man, as it’s black and white stripes help it to stand out from the natural colors of the natural environment it lives in.

The reason that Cordless Zebra Shades get their name is they stand out just like the zebra does! These light-filtering shades do absolute wonders for homes, especially if a homeowner is on the hunt for window treatments that provide an elegant aesthetic or a design statement that is dramatic.The Beauty of Cordless Zebra Shades

In hopes that you’ll consider Zebra Shades during your next window treatment purpose, we want to give you the inside scoop on just how wonderful they are.

Dual-Purpose Design

The beauty of Zebra Shades is that there is nothing boring about them. They are made to impress, as they are both unique when it comes to their aesthetic and their functionality. Zebra Shades utilize gorgeous, textured fabric that sits in soft, sheer layers, giving these transition-style window treatments bold and crystal-clear lines.

Just like zebras, all of the stripe patterns on Zebra shades are different from one another. This means that no matter what kind of decor your sport in your home, you will be able to find Zebra Shades that are complementary.

We highly recommend them for those who have homes with minimalist designs or modern and contemporary interior.

In a way, Zebra shades are a bit like a hybrid between traditional horizontal blinds and trusty roller shades. Not only can they provide people with the privacy that they desire, but they can also be used to provide people with the light control they are after as well.

In Design

The reason that these Zebra Shades are so unique is that they are made from two layers of bands that alternate. These layers include a sheer layer and a semi-opaque layer. This soft fabric is attached to a roller to help them open and close.

When they are opened, the fabric will rotate the slats or bands so that they sit directly on top of one another. When the layers are sitting next to one another, they give your shades the appearance of zebra stripes due to the light to dark look, hence the name.

When they are completely opened, light has the ability to shine through the sheer sections so that your home can receive just the right amount of sunlight. When they are completely closed, you can get all of the privacy that you desire while protecting the furniture in your home from the harmfulness of UV rays.

Getting The Right Set Of Zebra Shades

Here at Affordable Blinds, we’re huge fans of Zebra Shades. If you’re looking for the right set for your home and you are just not sure what will fit best, make sure to contact us so that we can help point you in the right direction!

Cellular shades are easily one of our most popular types of window treatments here at Affordable Blinds. Not only are they some of the most attractive and energy-efficient shades, but they are also some of the most versatile around.

Not many people know what to look for when they are getting a set of top down bottom up shades, which is why we’re here to help! Here are some of the top things to consider when looking for cellular shades for your home or office.

Single Vs. Double Cell

The reason that cellular shades are so energy efficient is that they use air pocket cells called “honeycomb cells”. These little pockets of air help to create a nice barrier between your window and the room, acting as insulation. You have the option to pick from single-cell cellular shades, which have only one pocket, or double-cell cellular shades, which have two pockets.

Double-cell cellular shades are a bit more expensive, but if you’re serious about insulation in your room, these are the best choice! On the other hand, if insulation is only a plus and not a priority, single-cell cellular shades will do just fine.

Opacity

Opacity is the amount of light that goes through a type of material. Window treatments are usually categorized by four different opacity types, including sheer, semi-sheer, semi-opaque, and opaque blackout cellular shades. The best thing about cellular shades beyond their energy efficiency is that they can be found in a wide variety of opacities.

If you are someone who wants to let in the most natural light possible, we recommend going with sheer shades. If you want a bit of gentle light filtering, semi-sheer is the way. If you want light darkening, we recommend going with semi-opaque. Of course, if you want a full-on blackout shade, go for fully opaque.

Opening Options

There are a few different options when it comes to how you’ll open your cellular shades, including top down bottom up, cordless, and motorized. Top-down bottom-up cellular shades allow you to raise your shades from the bottom, lower it from the top, or both, depending on which type you get.

Cordless shades are wonderful for those who have kids or pets, as they completely eliminate hanging cords, which can pose as a threat. Lastly, motorized cellular shades add an element of ease, as you can simply raise and lower your shades with a remote.

Getting the Right Cellular Shades

We all know how difficult it can be trying to find the right type of window treatments for your home or office. Luckily, cellular shades fit in with just about any decor in just about any environment. If you’re looking to get cellular shades without spending a ton of money, make sure to head on over to our products page here at Affordable Blinds for the best discount blinds to sift through tons of top-notch options.

If you have any further questions about cellular shades and what they can do for your home, feel free to get in contact with us!

So you’re renovating you’re home, yes?

Maybe you’ve been on the hunt for the right window treatments, but the jargon and terms are becoming a bit confusing.

Luckily, here at Affordable Blinds, we know a thing or two about window treatments. That is exactly why we wanted to write a little article about one of the most popular products in our lineup:

What Are Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades?On the hunt for the right shades

Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades are pretty much exactly what the name suggests. These shades can either be opened and closed from the top (either near the top of the window frame or the valance) or can be open and closed from the bottom (near the window sill).

There are different types of top down bottom up shades, so these ones, in particular, are cellular. This means that not only do they work in a top down bottom up motion, but they also work with all of the benefits of cellular shades, including a modern look and insulation properties.

How Do These Things Work?

Top Down Bottom up shades work very similarly to other window treatments that have cords. The main difference is that different cords care attached to the two different rails. We refer to one rail as the “mounting rail”, which can be found on any other window treatment.

When this cord is pulled, it raises the shade from the bottom. You could say that this is the “bottom up” section of the shade.

We refer to the other one as the “floating rail”. This rail has a different cord that controls it. The floating rail detaches from the mounting rail so that you can lower the shade from the top. You could say that this is the “top down” section of the shade.

Do These Come In Cordless Varieties?

Absolutely! The cordless versions are very popular for families with pets or young children, as they are much safer than those with cords.

They are also very popular for people that have modern decors, as they help to create a far more uniform look with dangling cords.

Getting Yourself a Set Of Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades

Here at Affordable Blinds, we like to pride ourselves on providing our customers with some of the highest-quality products on the market for the best prices many would say where you can find the cheapest blinds anywhere at the best quality. We’ve been working for years to provide regular people with top-notch window treatments to help create beautiful home or office environments.

Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades are not only some of the most popular window treatments available today along with the popular cordless zebra shades, but they also happen to be some of the most versatile all-around. They can be used on just about any window and for any kind of decor out there.

We hope that we’ve inspired you to check out top down bottom up cellular shades for your next window treatment renovation and make sure to get in contact with us if you have any further questions!

When you are busy digging around the Internet looking for the best types of window treatments for your home or office, you might end up stumbling upon zebra shades.

Zebra roller shades or zebra cordless shades are very elegant and are well-renowned for their versatility, easy operation, and contemporary look that works in just about any modern environment.

Because we love these shades so much, we wanted to write a little article to discuss them with you so that you can hopefully consider them when you decide to make your next window treatment buying choice.What is a one of the best selling shades

So What Are Zebra Shades?

We like to think of zebra shades as somewhat of a modern alternative to your traditional horizontal blinds. Cordless Zebra Shades allow you to transition between total darkness and privacy and sheerness with light. This is because they use a unique roller shade design!

Zebra Shades can be adjusted with ease so that the few-inch “zebra stripes” line up with one another, offering you and your family a bit of privacy when you need it. Plus, they provide the necessary insulation and light control that people seek out in modern window treatments.

You can then adjust the blinds by about an inch to allow the sheer portion to show. This will allow in a little bit of daylight. There are many different light-filtering options available to those who are looking for Zebra shades, as well as blackout options for those who are looking for some more private styles for their bedrooms or living rooms.

Why Should You Choose a Zebra Shade?

Zebra shades are very unique in that they allow you to set the tone of your home by adjusting the level of the incoming light. You can simply pull on the cord or adjust the cordless versions to let a little bit of light into the room. This is perfect for those who like to switch back and forth when privacy is wanted.

Zebra shades make a wonderful addition to just about any window, though we recommend them for living rooms, bedrooms, and rooms that are similar, as they give you a bit of a spin on the classic horizontal blind or roller shade.

How Do Zebra Shades Work?

Zebra shades work in a few different ways. Some zebra shades use cords or chains that allow you to adjust the shades. This way you can either see through the stripes when you want to or completely retract the blind so that you get a private feel. Others are cordless, allowing you to adjust using the bottom railing instead.

Getting The Best Zebra Shades for Your Home

Here at Affordable Blinds, we know a thing or two about the wonderful world of Zebra Shades. As some of the most versatile shades around, we recommend them to many of our customers. If you have any more questions or you need help finding the right window treatments for your home, make sure to get in touch with us.