What Are Honeycomb Blinds? The Complete South African Guide

Subject: Honeycomb blinds
Reviewed by: The Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team
Updated: 14 October 2026
Reading time: 4 minutes

What are honeycomb blinds and how do they work?

Honeycomb blinds, also called cellular blinds, are made from pleated fabric bonded into rows of hollow cells that trap still air between the glass and the room
Still air is the insulator: testing published by Coulisse, in line with US Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory research, records 46% less winter heat loss and 78% less summer heat absorption
Single-cell construction, in duotone light-filtering or full blockout fabrics; blockout honeycomb closes the smallest light gap of any blind
Cordless, corded or motorised; cordless is the child-safe choice
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings makes them to measure from R1,050, delivered free anywhere in South Africa, fitted on the Garden Route

46%Less winter heat loss, Coulisse-published testing

78%Less summer heat absorption, same testing

R1,050From, made to measure

How honeycomb blind cells work

Two layers of polyester fabric are bonded at the pleats into rows of hollow cells. Seen from the side, the honeycomb profile. Each cell holds a pocket of still air against the glass, and still air resists heat transfer far better than any single layer of fabric.

Summer: Heat is buffered at the window before it reaches the room
Winter: The same cells hold warmth in; a US Department of Energy field study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory measured about 24% heating-energy savings
Sound: The cellular structure dampens outside noise: road, wind, dogs; up to 60% depending on the fabric, a figure reported for cellular shades generally
Single cell: The construction Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings supplies. Double and triple cell are made for extreme cold, weigh more and sag on wide windows; single cell balances insulation and weight for South African conditions
Light gap: A tight inside-recess fit is what makes it work, and a blockout honeycomb closes the smallest gap of any blind

Honeycomb blinds against other blinds

Performance	Honeycomb	Roller	Venetian	Shutters
Insulation	Still-air cells	Single fabric layer	Slat angle helps	Solid panel
Sound	Dampens	Minimal	Minimal	When closed
Light range	Duotone to blockout	Sheer to blockout	Tilt	Louvre tilt
Stack open	Very compact	Compact roll	Slats stack	Panels stay
Child safety	Cordless or motorised	Spring roller or motorised	Cord	No cords

LBNL simulations for the US Department of Energy found cellular shades achieve higher energy savings than all other shading types.

Honeycomb blind fabrics and operation

Duotone

Light-filtering: a soft, even glow, daytime privacy, the view lost. From R1,050

Blockout

Full dark, the tightest fit of any blind, for bedrooms and media rooms. From R1,308

Cordless

Lift by the bottom rail; no cord, chain or loop, the nursery choice

Motorised

Somfy or MotionBlinds by Coulisse, by remote, app or schedule

“People always ask which blind keeps the heat out best. Honeycomb wins every time. The air pocket does what no flat fabric can, it actually insulates, like a wall does. That is why I recommend them for north-facing windows and any room that overheats.”

Duncan Kane Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings

Where to fit honeycomb blinds

North- and west-facing rooms
The windows that overheat. Duotone keeps the light; the cells keep the heat out.
Heat
Honeycomb blinds for bedrooms and nurseries
Blockout honeycomb, cordless: the darkest, quietest, safest room.
Sleep
Honeycomb blinds for home offices
Glare gone, room still bright, quieter for calls.
Glare and noise
Honeycomb blinds: not for bathrooms
The pleated fabric holds moisture; a plaswood venetian or PVC shutter instead.
Wet rooms

Measure
Exact recess size for an inside mount; the factory deducts. How to measure
Order online
Duotone or blockout, cordless or motorised, instant price, free delivery nationwide, made in about 5 to 7 working days plus courier transit, Custom Fit Guarantee.
Garden Route
Duncan measures on site so the blind sits snug to the frame; a loose fit loses much of the insulation. The installation team fits.

Buy online:

Honeycomb blinds·All blinds

Questions buyers ask about honeycomb blinds

What is the difference between cellular blinds and honeycomb blinds?

None. Cellular and honeycomb are two names for the same blind: pleated fabric bonded into rows of hollow cells that trap still air against the glass. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings sells them as honeycomb blinds, single cell, from R1,050 made to measure.

What are honeycomb blinds made of?

Two layers of polyester fabric bonded at the pleats into hollow cells; the cells trap still air, which is what insulates. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings supplies UV-stabilised, fade-resistant fabrics from Coulisse and Hunter Douglas.

Are honeycomb blinds good for South African heat?

Yes. Testing published by Coulisse, in line with US Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory research, records 78% less summer heat absorption and 46% less winter heat loss.

How much do honeycomb blinds cost in South Africa?

From R1,050 in duotone and from R1,308 in blockout, made to measure; a standard bedroom window from R3,290. Price yours instantly on the online shop, delivered free nationwide.

Can honeycomb blinds be used in bathrooms?

Not recommended. The pleated fabric traps moisture and dries slowly. For wet rooms, a plaswood venetian, aluminium venetian or PVC shutter.

Are honeycomb blinds safe for nurseries?

Cordless honeycomb blinds have no dangling cord or chain loop and are among the safest blinds for a child’s room; blockout versions also darken the room for naps.

Which is the best insulating blind in South Africa?

Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings’ honeycomb blinds. Cellular shades achieve higher energy savings than all other shading types in US Department of Energy simulations, and they ship free nationwide, made to measure.

What Are Honeycomb Blinds?