Are Honeycomb Shades Outdated?

*This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclaimer for additional details..

If you are looking to get honeycomb shades for your home but are unsure if they are still appropriate, we might have an answer for you.

Are honeycomb shades outdated?

Honeycomb shades are not outdated. While they may not be the most fashionable option available in the market, they are still very relevant in modern-day interior décor. In fact, they are one of the top options for interior spaces where insulation is a priority.

Since you now know that honeycomb shades are still relevant in today’s design world, let us go over their properties thoroughly. In this article, we discuss honeycomb shades by highlighting their pros and cons.

Honeycomb shades are not outdated. They may not be at the summit of the most fashionable shades, but they are definitely not out of favor.

Honeycomb shades typically come as a single piece of fabric, so they have a plain appearance. For this reason, they may not be considered one of the most stylish shades. Nonetheless, they might be a perfect fit for minimalist interior designs.

Besides having a plain appearance, some people do not like honeycomb shades because they look papery. In fact, some people perceive them as cheap-looking. Then again for some, the limitation in colors and styles is the deal-breaker.

Beyond being ideal for minimalist designs, honeycomb shades are specifically revered for the insulation they offer.

Whether it is summer or winter, honeycomb shades can help achieve bearable temperatures within the home.

In fact, the thermal properties of honeycomb shades are the primary reason many people opt for them.

Pros and Cons of Using Honeycomb Shades

Now that you know that honeycomb shades are not outdated, you may be considering getting them for your space. But would they be ideal for you? Well, how about you decide by weighing the pros and cons.

Pros of Using Honeycomb Shades

Honeycomb Shades Add Insulation to Windows

It is nearly impossible for windows alone to keep heat out in summer and cold out in winter. But with the insulation treatments like honeycomb shades offer, windows can resist heat and cold better.

As we mentioned earlier, the insulation offered by honeycomb shades is perhaps the primary reason people opt for them. Honeycomb shades have long, open channels between each cell, and these channels trap air.

By trapping air, honeycomb shades serve as a barrier between the interior of your home and the window. This way, they keep hot summer air out and retain heat inside the house in winter, helping to regulate the indoor temperature.

In fact, the addition of honeycomb shades to windows can raise the R-value from 3.5 to 7. The R-value is a measure of how well an insulation layer resists heat conduction.

So, if honeycomb shades can double R-value, you can imagine how much heat they keep out.

They Can Reduce Energy Costs

By helping with temperature regulation as the seasons change, honeycomb shades can reduce your heating and cooling costs.

In summer, honeycomb shades shield the indoor space from incoming heat, so you need less cooling. In winter, they trap warmth indoors, so you spend less on heating.

Honeycomb Shades Offer Privacy

Everyone wants some privacy in their home, even people who are used to suburban life. Having neighbors peer into your home through the window while walking past can be somewhat annoying. But if you have honeycomb shades drawn, you get privacy.

As long as your honeycomb shades are pulled down to completely cover the window, you should get 100% privacy. Although if your honeycomb shades are made from sheer fabric, you will not get total privacy.

Sheer fabrics are somewhat transparent, so people might see through them a bit. Of course, you get to choose the type of fabric your honeycomb shades come in.

With the top-down/bottom-up type of honeycomb shade, you can get your privacy without completely blocking the inflow of sunlight. With the shade lowered to about half the length of the window, light can stream in through the upper part of the window while the lower portion remains concealed.

They Can Help Control Noise

This may not readily come to your mind, but honeycomb shades can help reduce the influx of noise into your home. Of course, honeycomb shades are not soundproof, but they can dampen incoming noise to an extent.

Honeycomb Shades Offer Some Light Control

Depending on the material used in making them, honeycomb shades can offer light-filtering or light-blocking effects.

If you buy honeycomb shades made from semi-opaque materials, you get the light-filtering effect. But if you get opaque honeycomb shades, they will block out most of the incoming light.

If you are trying to achieve total darkness, you should try getting outdoor honeycomb shades. This option is perfect for media rooms and the spaces of people who need to sleep during the day.

Honeycomb Shades Are Pretty Portable

Unlike other shades that offer noise control and insulation, honeycomb shades are pretty portable. Besides making them readily portable, the slimness of honeycomb shades makes for a prim appearance.

Furthermore, the ease of stacking honeycomb shades makes it possible to hide them completely, giving you a clear view.

Can Be Optimized for Child Safety

Getting shades with cords is not advisable if you have kids and pets around. Kids and pets often get themselves caught in lifting cords, and this can be dangerous for them.

For one, they can pull the cords, causing the shades to come crashing down.

Thankfully, if you are getting honeycomb shades, there is a cordless variety you can opt for. With these types, there are fewer risks for children and pets. For child safety, you may also opt for vertical honeycomb shades.

Honeycomb Shades Are Available in Various Shapes

Honeycomb shades come in various shapes to match modern window designs. You can get them in arches, triangles, and trapezoids.

This variation in shape adds some dimension to honeycomb shades.

Cons of Using Honeycomb Shades

Honeycomb Shades Are Not Very Fashionable

As we hinted earlier, honeycomb shades are not the most stylish shades. They have the look of pleated papers instead of rich fabric. And to many, this look is not acceptable.

You should note that the design of honeycomb shades plays a significant role in their unique insulation. So, altering it may not be so straightforward.

You Cannot Alter How Much Light the Shades Block Out

With honeycomb shades, light control is all or nothing. You cannot control or alter how much light gets through the shade. The best you can do is lower or raise the shades. This is unlike aluminum and plastic blinds, which you can tilt to control the entry of light.

This inability to control light, as described above, makes honeycomb shades a bit less versatile. You can get around this by combining sheer fabric honeycomb shades with opaque curtains. While the honeycomb shades let some light in, the opaque curtains block light out.

You may also combine a sheer fabric and an opaque fabric on the same honeycomb shade.

The sheer material will stay above the opaque one. So, you get light in during the day, and your privacy remains intact at night.

Cleaning Is Not Very Easy

Cleaning honeycomb shades is not as easy as cleaning aluminum, plastic, or wood blinds. The open channels between the cells of honeycomb shades often collect dust and become really dirty. Then due to their design, you may find it hard to reach some spots. Ultimately, you may have to detach the shades to clean them properly.

Final Take

Honeycomb shades are not old-fashioned. They may not be the most stylish shades, but they are functional in modern-day interior designs.

Top among the reasons people buy them is their ability to insulate indoor spaces. But beyond that, honeycomb shades can help reduce energy costs and noise influx while offering complete privacy.