honeycomb blinds
A room that holds its temperature without the aircon running all day. That is what honeycomb blinds do. Their cellular fabric traps a pocket of still air between the glass and your living space, creating a quiet thermal barrier that softens heat in summer and holds warmth in winter.
What are honeycomb blinds? Honeycomb blinds (also called cellular blinds or Duette-style blinds) are window coverings made from pleated fabric bonded into rows of hollow cells. The trapped air creates a natural insulating barrier, sharply reducing heat transfer at the window. Available in blockout for bedrooms and nurseries, or light-filtering for living areas. Cordless operation is standard for child safety. Motorised systems are available as a Garden Route installation service. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings supplies Coulisse Palma honeycomb ranges, custom-made, measured and installed across the Garden Route, with nationwide online ordering from R1,050. MotionBlinds motorisation is available as a Garden Route installation service for honeycomb blinds with smart home integration
How It Works
Seen from the side, a honeycomb blind has a distinctive profile, rows of hollow cells running the full width of the fabric. Each cell traps a pocket of still air, and still air is one of nature’s most effective insulators.
That air pocket sits between the glass and your room, acting as a buffer that works in both directions. In summer it blocks solar heat from entering. In winter it holds warmth inside. The effect is measurable: testing published by Coulisse, in line with US Department of Energy research, shows cellular shades cutting winter heat loss by up to 46% and summer heat gain by up to 78%, with a US Department of Energy field study (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) measuring up to 24% heating-energy savings.
This is fundamentally different from roller blinds which block light but do very little for insulation. Honeycomb blinds work even when they are closed, the trapped air does the work, not the fabric alone.
The cellular profile, each cell traps still air that insulates against heat, cold and noise.
Beyond temperature, the cells absorb sound. Outside traffic, wind, neighbourhood noise, the cellular structure dampens it. Coastal homes along the Garden Route and properties near busy roads notice the difference immediately. The UV protection also matters: honeycomb fabric filters harsh ultraviolet light that fades furniture, flooring and artwork over time.
“Light gaps cost you more than you think. A well-fitted honeycomb blind sitting flush inside the recess can cut a room’s heat gain by a third. The difference between a good fit and a sloppy one is whether the blind actually does what it’s supposed to.”
Duncan Kane, Custom Blinds, 10,000+ installations across the Garden Route
Two Ranges
We keep the honeycomb offer clear. Two fabric types cover most homes and room needs. The choice comes down to how much light you want and where the blind is going.
| Feature | Honeycomb Blockout | Honeycomb Duotone |
|---|---|---|
| Light control | Maximum blockout: the darkest blind you can fit | Filtered, soft daylight |
| Best rooms | Bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms | Living rooms, dining areas, home offices |
| Privacy | Complete: day and night | High during the day, silhouettes at night |
| Insulation | Maximum: denser fabric + air cell | Good: lighter fabric, still effective |
| Exterior appearance | White street-facing side (duotone option) | Uniform white exterior for estates |
| Starting price | From R1,308 | From R1,050 |
| Lead time | About 5 to 7 working days production, plus courier | About 5 to 7 working days production, plus courier |
| Shop Blockout | Shop Duotone |
Not sure which one? If the room needs to be dark for sleeping or screens, go blockout. If the room needs to feel bright and open during the day but you want privacy and heat control, go duotone. Our Honeycomb Buyer’s Guide walks through the decision in detail.
Where They Work Best
Blockout honeycomb earns its keep here. A west-facing room in Knysna can hit 35°C by 4pm in January. The cellular structure holds that heat at the glass instead of letting it flood the room. Cordless operation is standard, no dangling cords near the bed. For Knysna installations, see our blinds in Knysna guide.
Duotone fabric lets soft daylight through without the harsh glare that makes screens unreadable and furniture fade. Coastal homes with large north-facing windows get the most benefit, natural light without the heat penalty.
Temperature control without running aircon, screen glare reduction, and a quieter working environment. The light-filtering option keeps the room bright enough to work in while cutting the solar heat that makes afternoons unbearable.
Blockout for nap-time darkness. Cordless for child safety. Sound dampening for quieter sleep. This is the room type we fit honeycomb into more than any other, parents notice the difference in sleep quality within days.
Full blockout plus the sound-absorbing cellular structure. The combination creates a darker, quieter space without heavy curtains or expensive acoustic treatment.
Where insulation matters most because heat gain is highest. Large glazed areas are the biggest energy leak in most South African homes. Honeycomb blinds on large windows deliver the most noticeable temperature difference.
Blockout honeycomb in a nursery: cordless, dark, quiet.
Duotone honeycomb in a dining room: soft daylight, no glare.
Not recommended for bathrooms or wet areas. Moisture can get trapped inside the cells. For wet rooms, aluminium venetian blinds or PVC shutters handle moisture better.
Comparisons
Every blind type has a job it does well. Honeycomb’s advantage is insulation, no other blind creates the thermal barrier that cellular fabric does. Here is how it compares to the alternatives:
Honeycomb vs roller blinds: Roller blinds block light effectively and cost less, but they sit flat against the window with no air gap. No insulation, no noise reduction. If temperature control matters, honeycomb wins. If you just need light control on a budget, roller is fine.
Honeycomb vs venetian blinds: Venetian blinds give more precise angle control over incoming light, you can direct sunlight exactly where you want it. But they collect dust, make noise in a breeze, and provide minimal insulation. Honeycomb is softer, quieter, and far better at managing temperature.
Honeycomb vs curtains: Honeycomb sits flush inside the window recess, taking zero floor space. It looks cleaner and provides better insulation than most curtain fabrics. Curtains work well layered over honeycomb for a decorative effect, but on their own they cannot match cellular insulation performance.
Honeycomb vs zebra blinds: Zebra (duo roller) blinds give you adjustable sheer-to-opaque control with a contemporary look. They are excellent for light management but offer minimal insulation. Choose zebra for style and light play, honeycomb for thermal performance.
For rooms where moisture resistance matters more than insulation, plaswood venetians, aluwood venetians, or aluminium venetians handle humidity and salt air without concern. Wooden venetians suit dry living areas where natural grain is part of the design. All blind types are available with no-drill mounting for renters and aluminium frames. For a complete overview, see our blinds in South Africa guide.
Honeycomb blinds are a passive investment. Once fitted, they reduce your energy use every day without maintenance, electricity, or moving parts. In South Africa this matters more than most countries: extreme UV, wide day-night temperature swings, rising Eskom tariffs, and an unstable Eskom supply all make window insulation especially valuable.
When the power goes off, insulated windows hold room temperature longer. When the Eskom supply is unstable, a room fitted with honeycomb stays comfortable for significantly longer than one with standard blinds or bare glass.
The light gaps matter too. A blind that sits loosely in the window allows hot air to flow around the edges, undermining the insulation. Correct measuring and a proper inside-mount fit are what turn a honeycomb blind from a nice-looking window covering into an effective thermal barrier. This is where professional measuring and installation adds genuine value, the difference between a decorative blind and one that actually changes how your room feels.
For detailed energy calculations and per-window savings data, see our Honeycomb Blinds Energy Saving Guide.
Measuring & Installation
Honeycomb blinds are most effective when fitted inside the window recess (inside mount). This positions the blind close to the glass and minimises the air gaps where heat escapes. Outside mount works too, especially when the recess is shallow or you want the blind to cover a larger area, but inside mount delivers the best insulation.
Accurate measuring is non-negotiable. Measure width at three points (top, middle, bottom) and use the narrowest. Measure height at three points (left, centre, right) and use the longest. Record in millimetres. Do not make deductions for brackets, we handle factory deductions based on your exact measurements. Our full measuring guide walks through every step.
If you are in the Garden Route (Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness and surrounding areas), Duncan can visit your home with fabric samples, measure your windows and quote on the spot. Call 079 523 5407 or request a consultation. If you are anywhere else in South Africa there is no home visit; honeycomb blinds are a simple online purchase, covered below.
Order from anywhere in South Africa. Enter your window dimensions on the online store, choose your fabric, and checkout securely. Production takes about 5 to 7 working days, then courier delivery to your door. Free nationwide delivery from Custom Blinds South Africa. DIY fitting is straightforward with our included instructions, or arrange local installation in your area.
Free delivery to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, and every address in South Africa. Same showroom quality, same expert advice, delivered to your door.
Garden Route: book a design consultation; samples and the final measure on site follow once you order.
Nationwide, configure and order online with instant pricing.
Every indoor blind carries a 3 year warranty and the Custom Fit Guarantee: if your made to measure blind does not fit, we make it right.
Care & Longevity
Honeycomb blinds are low maintenance when looked after correctly. Light dusting with a soft cloth or feather duster keeps the fabric fresh. For deeper cleaning, use a vacuum on low suction with a brush attachment. Avoid soaking, moisture can get trapped inside the cells and take time to dry. Spot clean gently with a damp cloth and mild detergent if needed.
Correct measuring, installation and care all affect how long honeycomb blinds hold their shape and performance. A well-fitted, well-maintained honeycomb blind should last 8 to 10 years in normal residential use. For detailed cleaning instructions across all blind types, see our cleaning guide.
Learn more about honeycomb technology
A world-renowned Dutch brand since 1992, Coulisse brings precision engineering and considered design to every product range. The Palma Honeycomb range offers superior insulation with sleek aluminium headrails and baserails. Available in light-filtering and blockout options with top-down/bottom-up configurations. Coulisse’s Motionblinds smart automation provides motorised options compatible with Apple HomeKit and Matter, available as a Garden Route installation service.
Common Questions
Honeycomb blinds are made from pleated polyester fabric bonded at the folds to create hollow cells. The fabric comes in various opacities, from sheer light-filtering to complete blockout. The cells trap still air which provides the insulation effect. Hardware components (headrails, baserails, operating mechanisms) are typically aluminium.
Yes. The trapped air in each cell creates a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer through glass. Testing published by Coulisse, in line with US Department of Energy research, shows cellular shades cutting winter heat loss by up to 46% and summer heat gain by up to 78%, with a US Department of Energy field study (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) measuring up to 24% heating-energy savings. In South African conditions with rising Eskom tariffs, the savings are meaningful, and the blinds continue working when the Eskom supply is unstable and active cooling cannot.
Blockout uses opaque fabric and gives the most blockout of any blind type. Fitted tightly inside the recess it is the closest thing to full darkness you can get, ideal for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms. Duotone uses a lighter fabric that filters daylight while maintaining privacy, with a white street-facing side for uniform exterior appearance. Both provide insulation; blockout provides slightly more due to denser fabric. See our buyer’s guide for a detailed comparison.
Yes, as a Garden Route installation service. We install motorised honeycomb blinds using Somfy and MotionBlinds systems, controlled by remote, smartphone app, or voice assistant. Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Google Home and Alexa. Motorised operation is ideal for skylights, tall windows, hard-to-reach installations, and smart home setups. Motorisation can be selected in the online shop.
Cordless honeycomb blinds are one of the safest window coverings available. No dangling cords or chain loops. The blind raises and lowers with a gentle push on the bottom rail. This is our default recommendation for nurseries and family homes.
Very well suited. The fabric resists salt air corrosion far better than metal venetian blinds. The insulating cells help manage the rapid temperature shifts common in coastal areas, cool mornings, hot afternoons, wind chill in the evening. We install honeycomb blinds throughout the Garden Route coast and they perform well in these conditions.
Duette is a brand name owned by Hunter Douglas for their specific range of honeycomb blinds. The term is often used generically to mean any cellular blind. Custom Blinds supplies the Coulisse Palma range, a high-quality cellular blind manufactured to specification.
Regular light dusting with a soft cloth or feather duster. For deeper cleaning, use a vacuum on low suction with a brush attachment. Avoid soaking, moisture can get trapped inside the cells. Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Full instructions in our cleaning guide.
Tell us which rooms you are working on and how they feel, too bright, too hot, too cold, too noisy. We will suggest the honeycomb fabric and configuration that fits your home and budget.
Related
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See prices: Honeycomb blinds prices with free delivery to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban
For current 2026 pricing, see the honeycomb blinds pricing guide. Wondering how honeycomb pricing compares to other blind types? Read our blinds cost breakdown. Honeycomb blinds can also be motorised for smart home control on Garden Route installations. Browse our full indoor blinds range for alternatives.
Custom Blinds South Africa | South Africa’s trusted blinds, shutters and awnings specialists since 2010.
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