Cellular shades are definitely underrated—had them in my last place and they made a noticeable difference in winter. But for huge windows, don't they get a bit cumbersome to raise and lower manually every day? I mean, I'm all for skipping the automation headaches (been there, done that, still recovering...), but maybe there's a sweet spot between manual and fully motorized? Like cordless roller shades or something similar that's easy to handle without breaking the bank. Curious if anyone's tried those on larger windows.
Cordless roller shades could work nicely—I've got some on my patio doors, and they're surprisingly smooth to operate even at a wider width. But for truly huge windows, maybe splitting them into multiple shades side-by-side could help manageability? Has anyone tried that approach?
I've tried splitting them before on our big living room windows—definitely easier to handle day-to-day, but there's a small gap between shades that lets some sunlight through. Depends how picky you are about total blackout, I guess...
I get the appeal of splitting them up, but honestly, even a tiny gap drives me nuts. If you're aiming for blackout, those little slivers of sunlight can be surprisingly distracting (tried it in my bedroom...never again). Have you considered using one large roller shade with a chain or motorized lift? Installation's a pain, sure, but once it's up, it's smooth sailing—no gaps, no fuss. Might be worth the hassle upfront to avoid daily irritation down the line.
Tried the single roller shade route myself—mixed feelings:
- Pros: Definitely no gaps, looks clean, easy daily use.
- Cons: Heavy as heck if your window's huge, installation was a nightmare (needed extra hands), and motorized versions aren't cheap.
Ended up going back to curtains layered over blackout blinds. Slight gap, yeah, but way easier to manage. Depends how much those tiny slivers bug you...
"Ended up going back to curtains layered over blackout blinds. Slight gap, yeah, but way easier to manage."
Had a similar experience myself. Huge windows are great for natural light and views, but they're a pain when it comes to window treatments. I initially went with motorized roller shades thinking they'd solve all my problems—clean lines, no gaps—but the cost was pretty steep and installation was tougher than expected. Plus, the motors started acting up after about a year, which meant more hassle and expense.
Eventually switched to cellular shades (the honeycomb kind) combined with curtains. Here's why it worked better for me:
- Cellular shades are lighter than roller shades, even in large sizes. Easier install and less strain on hardware.
- They offer decent insulation, which helps with heating/cooling bills.
- Curtains layered on top hide any minor gaps around the edges and add a softer look.
The downside is that cellular shades aren't always as sleek-looking as rollers, but honestly, practicality won out for me. If you're sensitive to those tiny slivers of light, layering curtains really helps minimize that issue without breaking the bank or your back during installation.
Just something else to consider if you're still weighing options...
Funny you mention the motorized shades—I almost went down that rabbit hole myself. A friend of mine installed them and swore it was life-changing, but when I checked out the price tag, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Plus, knowing my luck with electronics, I'd probably have them stuck halfway down forever.
I ended up doing something similar to you—cellular shades with curtains in front. The insulation factor alone made it worth it, especially since our huge windows face west and turn our living room into a sauna every afternoon. And honestly, once the curtains were up, I stopped noticing the honeycomb look altogether.
Only downside I've found is cleaning. Those little honeycomb pockets seem to collect dust like crazy. Anyone have a good trick for that? Vacuum attachment sort of works, but it's still a bit of a hassle...
"Only downside I've found is cleaning. Those little honeycomb pockets seem to collect dust like crazy."
Yeah, I feel your pain on the dust issue. We have cellular shades too, and while they're great for insulation (our heating bill definitely noticed the difference), cleaning them is a bit of a chore. The vacuum attachment works okay-ish, but I found using compressed air cans—the kind you use for keyboards—actually helps loosen up the dust inside those tiny pockets. It's not perfect, but it makes vacuuming afterward a lot quicker.
Funny story about motorized shades: my brother-in-law installed some fancy ones last year, and they worked beautifully...until his toddler got hold of the remote. Let's just say he had some interesting window treatments for a week until tech support sorted him out. Made me glad I stuck with manual!
Speaking of curtains though, has anyone tried thermal blackout curtains on large windows? I'm curious if they really help keep rooms cooler in summer or if it's mostly hype.
I've installed thermal blackout curtains for a few clients with huge south-facing windows, and honestly, they're pretty effective. Definitely not hype. But like you said:
"cleaning them is a bit of a chore."
Curtains aren't much better—washing heavy panels isn't exactly fun either...
I've been following this thread because I've got a similar issue—huge windows facing west, and the afternoon sun is brutal. I went with thermal blackout curtains too, and yeah, they do the job pretty well. But honestly, the cleaning hassle is real. Last time I washed mine, it felt like wrestling a wet bear into the washing machine... not exactly my idea of a relaxing weekend.
But here's something I've been wondering about lately: has anyone tried those cellular shades? I've seen them advertised as being energy-efficient and easier to maintain than heavy curtains or blackout panels. Supposedly, they're lightweight enough that you can just vacuum or dust them off occasionally instead of dealing with full-on washing days. I'm skeptical though—do they really block heat as effectively as thermal curtains?
I mean, I get that curtains have their drawbacks (like the dreaded laundry day), but at least you know they're thick enough to keep out heat and cold. Cellular shades seem almost too good to be true—lightweight, easy to clean, energy-saving... there's gotta be a catch somewhere, right?
If anyone's actually used these shades long-term on big windows, I'd love to hear how they've held up over time. Do they sag or discolor after a few years? And do they really make a noticeable difference in your energy bills compared to traditional curtains?