Thermal Vs. Vertical Cellular Drapes

Thermal Drapes

• Thermal drapes, or thermal curtains, provide a thick layer of insulation, making them a heavier choice of drapery. As a result of their natural insulation, thermal drapes prevent indoor temperatures from escaping, and prevent outdoor temperatures from seeping in. This can prove highly beneficial on hot summer days as well as on cold winter nights. Thermal drapes come in a variety of styles to work with any home decor.

Vertical Cellular Drapes

• Vertical cellular drapes are known by many names: cellular shades, cellular blinds, and also honeycomb blinds, due to their honeycomb shape. Whereas thermal drapes provide temperature control using thick insulation, cellular drapes contain empty pockets of air that run parallel to their seams. These air pockets create a natural and transparent form of insulation that helps to maintain the temperature of the room while providing ample privacy.

Choosing a Shade

• Thermal drapes are more effective at blocking out hot and cold temperatures, due to their heavier consistency. They also block out greater amounts of light, resulting in an overall darker room. When choosing between thermal and cellular drapes, consider the importance of temperature. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, thermal drapes provide better insulation, but if you want to preserve some natural light from outdoors, cellular shades can prove beneficial.

Aesthetic Considerations

• You must also consider the aesthetic elements of choosing thermal vs. vertical cellular drapes. By opting to buy thermal drapes, you will have a much wider selection of styles and colors to choose from. However, any style you choose will ultimately look like a traditional fabric curtain. Vertical cellular shades, by contrast, have the sleek look of modern vertical blinds, which may better suit your home decor.