Cellular, roller, and zebra shades account for the majority of custom shade orders we ship across Canada each year. They look different, cost different amounts, and each is best-in-class at one specific job. Here's how to choose without regretting it later.
Pleated fabric formed into hexagonal air pockets. The trapped air is the whole point — cellular shades are the only window covering with a real, measurable R-value. Available in single and double cell, cordless by default, and offer the widest range of opacity from sheer to full blackout. The right choice for cold-climate homes, drafty basements, nurseries, and anyone whose top complaint is heating bills.
A single flat panel of fabric that rolls up onto a cassette or tube. Available in 200+ fabrics ranging from open-weave solar (3%, 5%, 10%) that preserves the view, through light-filtering, to full blackout. Cordless standard, motorization-ready. The right choice for modern living rooms, offices, and anywhere a clean architectural look matters more than insulation.
Two layers of fabric with alternating sheer and solid bands. Rolling the shade slides the bands into or out of alignment — giving you view-through or privacy on demand without swapping products. The right choice for condos, urban homes, and anywhere the view is worth keeping during the day and privacy matters at night.
Cellular (double-cell blackout) or blackout roller. Both block light to sleep-critical levels; cellular adds insulation for cold walls and drafty windows. Cellular wins on the coast and in older homes; roller wins if the room is already well-insulated and you want the cleanest look.
Zebra or solar roller. Zebra lets you keep the view all day and switch to privacy at night with the same product. Solar roller shades (3% or 5% openness) do the same job with a simpler look and are typically cheaper.
Cellular (honeycomb) shades. The trapped air in the cells adds R-value at the window — homeowners typically see 10–20% lower heating bills in older single-pane or aluminum-framed homes when they replace bare glass or thin blinds with double-cell cellular shades.
Yes — zebra (dual) shades. The alternating sheer and solid bands let you keep the view and outside light during the day, then align the solid bands for privacy at night. Roller shades in a 3–5% solar fabric also preserve view but don't switch modes.
Roller shades. A single flat panel of fabric, cordless by default, disappears into the ceiling or window frame. Zebra shades are a close second and give a more design-forward feel with visible banding.
Roller shades start around $120 per window in mid-range fabric. Cellular shades start around $150 per window; double-cell blackout runs $200–$300. Zebra shades start around $180 per window. Motorization adds $150–$250 across all three.
Blackout roller shades with side channels give the darkest room. Double-cell blackout cellular shades are a very close second and add insulation. Zebra shades cannot achieve true blackout — the sheer bands always let some light through.