Measure and Mount Honeycomb Shades

Cellular or Honeycomb shades are named after the way they look. They have a honeycomb structure when seen open from the side that traps air to insulate the home. Cellular look like pleated shades, but these air pockets insulate, and therefore cellular blinds come in more custom shapes, and can cost more than other window coverings.

Before measuring a custom cellular blind, it is important to keep these tips in mind. Only use a metal tape measure, as a yard stick or cloth tape measure is not as consistent and versatile. Then determine if the cellular blinds are to be mounted inside or outside the window frame. Check your color, brand and number of your blind to make sure it matches your room interior. Review the samples and compare to the catalog. Then determine the location of the lift cord. Once you have written down all the dimensions and placed an order, the custom blind cannot be changed.

If your windows have more than an inch of space inside the frame, an inside mount is recommended. Cellular blinds mounted on the inside will take up less space and are less likely to be accidently knocked off.  For a smaller half inch honeycomb shades around 1 ½” of frame space is needed. Larger shades require over two inches for a flush mount. Anything less and the shades will protrude beyond the frame.

Measure the width with a steel measuring tape in more than one place. The size of your blind will be the smallest measurement rounded down an eighth inch. The custom blind factory will automatically deduct clearance to make sure the blinds fit. For height, measure twice and supply the longer number.

An outside mount should be used when there is less than an inch of clearance on the frame. Measure the dimensions of the molding, as this is where the brackets will be mounted. Add four inches to frames without molding. This will allow two inches of overlap to make sure your cellular blinds provide privacy and light control. The height of your cellular shade will be the distance from the top of the molding to the sill. Windows without molding will need about 2 inches to fit.

Vertical cell blinds are easier. The top width is the critical measurement since this cannot change once the custom cellular blind is made.  For the height, measure thrice and use the shortest dimension.

Cell sizes are important because it effects window depth. A cellular shade is a little bulkier than a wood blind. Some smaller sized blinds come in triple cells for maximum insulation. Sizes over an inch look cleaner but come in only single cell designs. Large pleats look like large slats on traditional blinds.