The Seattle Homeowner’s Honeycomb Shade Checklist: What to Consider Before You Buy

Seattle homes are beautiful. They are also often drafty in winter, expensive to heat, and designed with the large windows that define Pacific Northwest architecture. These same windows that bring in natural light can also allow significant heat loss, making energy efficiency a top priority for many homeowners. 

That is why honeycomb (cellular) shades have become one of the most researched window treatments in the Seattle area. 

But not all honeycomb shades are equal.

Here is your checklist before you invest.

1. What Level of Insulation Do You Need?

Seattle winters are damp, not just cold.

Duette® honeycomb shades create insulating air pockets that reduce heat loss through glass.

Checklist:

• Single cell vs double cell
  
  
• Room-darkening vs light-filtering
  
  
• Architella® construction for maximum efficiency
  
  

Budget brands do not offer equivalent cell-within-cell technology.

2. Are Your Windows Drafty or Just Cold?

Cold glass feels drafty.

Honeycomb shades reduce radiant heat loss, ideal for:

• Older Seattle craftsman homes
  
  
• 90s Redmond builds
  
  
• New Lynnwood townhomes with oversized glass
  
  

3. Do You Need Top-Down Bottom-Up?

Seattle homes are close together.

Top-down bottom-up functionality allows:

• Natural light from above
  
  
• Privacy at street level
  
  

This is one of the most requested features in dense neighborhoods.

4. Are You Prioritizing Energy Savings or Design?

Duette® comes in:

• Modern neutrals
  
  
• Textured fabrics
  
  
• Soft whites that complement Seattle interiors
  
  

Unlike budget cellular shades, Duette fabrics are color-consistent and engineered for longevity.

Luxury buyers care about subtlety and finish.

5. Automation Considerations

With shorter winter days, scheduled automation improves comfort.

PowerView® integration allows:

• Automatic morning open
  
  
• Nighttime insulation
  
  
• Energy management optimization
  
  

6. What Is Your Long-Term Plan?

Honeycomb shades are often installed home-wide.

Consider:

• Consistency across rooms
  
  
• Layering with drapery
  
  
• Future resale value
  
  

High-quality Hunter Douglas installations enhance perceived home value.

Why Seattle Homeowners Choose Hunter Douglas Over Big-Box Cellular Shades

Big-box cellular shades:

• Limited cell engineering
  
  
• DIY measurement risk
  
  
• No in-home consultation
  
  

Hunter Douglas Duette®:

• Engineered insulation
  
  
• Lifetime warranty
  
  
• Precision installation
  
  
• Dealer service
  
  

That difference matters in 2026’s competitive housing market.

Visit Our Lynnwood or Redmond Showrooms

Book a consultation today.

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