Honeycomb shades are the most energy-efficient window treatment available for Spokane homes.
In a city with cold winters, hot summers, and aging housing stock, that matters more than most homeowners realize. An Eastern Washington home loses a significant share of its heat through the windows in winter and gains an equal share through the same windows in summer. Most of that loss is preventable with the right window treatment.
Of every window covering category we install in Spokane, honeycomb shades, also called cellular shades, offer the strongest measurable impact on energy efficiency. Here is the complete 2026 guide.
Honeycomb shades are made from a soft fabric folded into hexagonal cells that run horizontally across the shade. When the shade is lowered, those cells trap a layer of air between the room and the window.
That trapped air is the entire point. Air is one of the best natural insulators available. By creating a buffer of still air at the window, honeycomb shades dramatically reduce heat transfer in both directions. They keep warm air inside during winter and block solar heat during summer.
Think of them as a soft, fabric version of double-pane glass. The principle is exactly the same.
Three things make Spokane homes uniquely suited to honeycomb shades.
Long heating season. Spokane's heating season runs from October through April. That is seven months a year where any insulation improvement at the window translates to lower heating bills. Avista Utilities rates have moved up steadily over the past several years. Every degree of heat kept inside the home is real money that does not leave through the windows.
Hot summers with intense sun. Spokane summers regularly push into the 90s, and west and south-facing rooms can become uncomfortably warm by midafternoon. Honeycomb shades block solar heat gain just as effectively as they retain warmth, which means lower air conditioning bills too.
Aging housing stock. Many Spokane homes, particularly in older neighborhoods like Browne's Addition, Manito, and the South Hill, have single-pane original windows or older double-pane windows that have lost their seal. A honeycomb shade does not replace the window, but it adds a meaningful insulating layer at a fraction of the cost of full window replacement.
Inland Northwest light quality. Spokane sun is brighter and more direct than coastal Pacific Northwest light. Honeycomb shades, particularly in light-filtering opacities, soften that light beautifully without making rooms feel dark or closed off.
This is the question every Spokane homeowner asks. The honest answer is that savings depend on the home, the windows, and the existing insulation.
A few realistic numbers based on industry research and Hunter Douglas testing data:
Single-cell honeycomb shades typically reduce heat loss through covered windows by 20 to 30 percent compared to bare windows.
Double-cell honeycomb shades, with two layers of cell construction, reduce heat loss by up to 40 percent, and in some configurations higher.
Hunter Douglas Duette Architella, a triple-cell design, has tested at up to 50 percent heat loss reduction at the window.
For a typical Spokane home with 12 to 20 windows, switching from bare windows or basic blinds to honeycomb shades translates to a noticeable reduction in winter heating bills and summer cooling bills. Exact savings depend on the home, but most homeowners see the cost of the shades pay back in energy savings over several years and continue compounding after that.
The bigger benefit is comfort. Rooms with honeycomb shades feel warmer at the perimeter in winter and cooler in summer. The cold draft felt near windows on a January morning largely disappears. That alone is reason enough for most Spokane homeowners.
Not all honeycomb shades perform the same. Here is what to compare.
Single-cell shades have one row of honeycomb pockets. They are the most affordable cellular option and still offer meaningful insulation gains over bare windows or hard blinds. A strong choice for smaller windows, budget-conscious projects, or rooms where energy efficiency is a secondary priority.
Double-cell shades have two stacked rows of cells. The extra layer adds significant insulation value, usually 30 to 50 percent more efficient than single-cell. For Spokane primary living areas, bedrooms, and large windows, this is usually the right balance.
Triple-cell shades, like Hunter Douglas Duette Architella, add a third layer for maximum insulation. Best for very large windows, north-facing exposures, or homes prioritizing energy efficiency above all else.
Light-filtering honeycomb shades let soft, diffused light through while providing privacy. Excellent for living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens where keeping daylight in the space matters.
Room-darkening shades block most light but allow a small amount of soft ambient glow. A good middle ground for bedrooms where darkness matters but total blackout is not required.
Blackout honeycomb shades have an opaque liner that blocks essentially all light. Essential for bedrooms, nurseries, and rooms used by shift workers. Particularly important for Spokane homeowners dealing with summer sunrises that arrive before 5 AM.
One of the more useful options on honeycomb shades is the ability to lower the shade from the top while leaving the bottom raised. This delivers privacy at street level, important for first-floor windows facing a sidewalk, while letting light in from the upper portion of the window.
Particularly valuable in Spokane bathrooms, dining rooms, and street-facing living rooms where privacy and daylight both matter.
Modern honeycomb shades are increasingly cordless, operated by lifting the bottom rail directly. This is safer in homes with children and pets and looks cleaner overall.
Motorized honeycomb shades go a step further. You can raise and lower them with a remote, an app, or voice commands through Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit. Hunter Douglas PowerView is the gold standard for motorized honeycomb shades. For large windows or hard-to-reach locations, motorization makes daily operation effortless. Our guide to motorized window treatments for Spokane's short winter days covers when motorization is worth the upgrade.
The most popular honeycomb shade we install in Spokane. Available in single-cell, double-cell, and triple-cell (Architella) configurations, with options for light-filtering, room-darkening, and blackout fabrics. Strong warranty, reliable hardware, and one of the cleanest aesthetic profiles in the category. Worth the premium for primary living spaces and bedrooms.
A more budget-conscious cellular option from Hunter Douglas. Similar honeycomb construction with slightly fewer fabric and color choices than Duette, but the same core energy performance. A strong pick for secondary bedrooms, home offices, or large projects where total cost matters.
For large windows in new construction in Liberty Lake, Kendall Yards lofts, or any home with floor-to-ceiling glass, motorized honeycomb shades remove the operational hassle of manually raising heavy fabric. The PowerView system pairs with the Hunter Douglas app and integrates with all major smart home platforms.
The single best room for honeycomb shades. Blackout double-cell shades deliver the darkness needed for summer sleep and the insulation needed for winter warmth. For Spokane homeowners woken by early summer sunrises, blackout honeycomb shades change the room overnight.
Light-filtering double-cell shades work beautifully in Spokane living rooms. They keep the room bright while reducing heat loss through what is usually the largest expanse of glass in the home. For homes with large picture windows or wide patio doors, the insulation gain is substantial.
A home office with cold-draft issues in winter or glare problems on south-facing windows benefits from honeycomb shades on both counts. Light-filtering options soften screen glare without making the room dark.
Honeycomb shades work in kitchens that are not directly above the stovetop or sink. Choose a moisture-resistant fabric and avoid placing them in high-grease zones. For breakfast nooks and kitchen seating areas, honeycomb shades add comfort and insulation. Our kitchen window treatments guide covers which options work best near the cooking area.
Top-down/bottom-up honeycomb shades are excellent for bathrooms. They deliver privacy at the bottom and natural light at the top. Choose a moisture-rated fabric for any bathroom application.
For a craftsman or pre-war home with original or aging windows, honeycomb shades are one of the best investments available for both comfort and energy efficiency. They preserve the architectural character of the windows while solving the heat-loss problem.
For homes with floor-to-ceiling windows or large glass expanses, motorized double-cell or triple-cell shades are the standard choice. They handle large window sizes elegantly and integrate with the smart home systems most new construction already has.
A few practical things to think through before committing.
Inside-mount vs outside-mount. Inside-mount looks cleaner and is the most common installation, but requires sufficient window-frame depth. Outside-mount works for shallow frames or when the shade needs to cover more area for additional insulation.
Color choice. Honeycomb shade fabrics come in a wide range of neutrals. Lighter colors reflect more light into the room. Deeper tones add warmth and absorb light. Most Spokane homeowners choose a neutral that complements existing trim and walls.
Operational style. Cordless is the standard now. Motorized is increasingly common for large windows or homes already invested in smart home technology. Choose based on how often the shade gets operated and how easy the windows are to reach.
Compare against the cost of window replacement. For homeowners considering replacing single-pane or failing windows to improve energy efficiency, honeycomb shades deliver a meaningful portion of the insulation benefit at a fraction of the cost. They are not a substitute for new windows in every case, but for many Spokane homes, they bridge the gap between expensive full replacement and doing nothing.
Yes. Spokane's long heating season, hot summers, older housing stock, and rising energy costs make honeycomb shades one of the highest-return window treatment investments available. They reduce heat loss through covered windows by 20 to 50 percent depending on configuration, which translates to lower year-round energy bills and warmer perimeter rooms in winter.
They are the same product. The honeycomb-shaped cells that give the shade its energy-saving properties are also called cells, so the industry uses both terms interchangeably. Hunter Douglas calls them cellular shades. Most homeowners say honeycomb shades.
Yes. Industry testing shows honeycomb shades reduce heat loss through covered windows by 20 to 30 percent for single-cell, up to 40 percent for double-cell, and up to 50 percent for Hunter Douglas Duette Architella triple-cell shades. For most Spokane homes, the cost of the shades pays back in energy savings over several years and compounds after that.
Honeycomb shades are one of the best bedroom window treatments available, especially in Spokane. Blackout double-cell honeycomb shades block essentially all light and add significant insulation. That matters for Spokane bedrooms dealing with summer sunrises before 5 AM and cold winter mornings.
Hunter Douglas Duette is the most popular honeycomb shade we install in Spokane, with reliable hardware, strong warranties, and the widest fabric selection. Hunter Douglas Applause is the budget-friendly alternative with the same core energy performance. For motorized honeycomb shades, Hunter Douglas PowerView integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.
Standard honeycomb shades are not ideal for kitchens or bathrooms because the cells can trap moisture and residue. Moisture-rated honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas are designed for these environments and perform well in breakfast nooks, bathroom windows, and kitchens away from the stovetop and sink.
A quality honeycomb shade from Hunter Douglas, properly installed and maintained, lasts 15 to 25 years. The Hunter Douglas Lifetime Limited Warranty covers manufacturing defects for the life of the original purchaser. Routine dusting and occasional vacuuming on a low setting keep them performing well for decades.
The honest truth about honeycomb shades is that you cannot fully appreciate the difference until you see them in your actual space. The way the cells diffuse light, how the fabric softens a room, and how much warmer a window area feels with them lowered is hard to capture in photos.
At Spokane Blinds, our free in-home consultations include honeycomb shade samples in single-cell, double-cell, and triple-cell configurations. You see them in your light, against your walls, at your windows. We measure precisely, walk through the energy-efficiency tradeoffs, and recommend the configuration that fits your specific home.
For broader context on what is trending in Spokane homes, see our Spring 2026 window treatment trends guide. For a premium pick in an adjacent living or dining room, our silhouette shades review covers when they are worth the upgrade.
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