Cellular Fabric Shades Vs. Wooden Blinds

Wooden blinds look nicer and would be easier to clean, to me. I think the wooden blinds would block more sun too.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

We just recently purchased a cellular shade for our foyer window (9ft above our front door). My intent was to block out the heat of the sun, but not to block out the light completely. I have wood blinds in most of my rooms and a cellular in my bathroom as well. We too have issues with the summer sun heating up the house and have hopes that this shade will help with that issue. I did not want a wood blind up there because #1 I didn't think I would like the look #2 I didn't want a long string hanging down for when I did want to open it. We got the cellular window covering with a remote control, so that the shade can be down or up if it is sunny but not hot. So far I like the shade (installed in January), it seems to be just what I was looking for. It blocks the sun but does not completely block the light that the sun provides. It is not yet summer like conditions where I live, but I am hoping that the shade will combat the heat issue of the summer sun. I love my wood blinds, they do block out more sun making the rooms darker, but remember how hot it will get in that window. The cellular is designed to filter the heat, the wood not so much. I am still running heat in my home, but I have already noticed a drop in the heating cost, just having that window covered.
Good Luck

we've tried all variations, & have found that insulated light-blocking drapery works best. For our guest room, I have striped panels. For our bedroom, I have a dark tapestry. :)

but for looks, I preferred the real wood blinds &/or wooden shutters. I'm not a fan of heavy drapery, but have found it's the only heating/cooling solution for our bigger windows.

Love my light filtering cellular blinds!

I have had both. The cellular shades block plenty of sun but still let in some light, which I like. We have them in our large, hot, western facing living room so I speak from experience. They require NO maintenance, no cleaning. Wood blinds look nice but they are way more expensive and they get dirty and dusty and are, in my opinion, a pain to clean.

I have always heard good things about the cellular shades and using them for insulation (both heat and cold). I think that the neat thing about cellular blinds is that they don't block all of the light, but they do trap the heat in between the layers. They are good if you want the insulation but don't want to completely black out your room. But they are a little more difficult to clean. They collect dust badly and you can't just wipe them clean. Maybe the vacuum would work?

If you chose to go with blinds, I don't know why it would specifically have to be WOODEN blinds. I would think that the faux wood blinds would be just as effective. I think that they would be cheaper if you were worried about cost.

I would think that the most effective way to go would be two different layers, such as both blinds and a thick curtain (they make curtains that claim to provide the same type of insulation).

I prefer the durability of the wood/faux wood, but I have both types of blinds in my house, depending on the room and application. One thing about real wood--it can warp from heat and sunlight. If it's going to be in a really hot, sunny location I would get the faux wood, which is what I have. I think the faux wood are easier to clean/dust than the honeycomb IMO. They look just like real wood.

We have both. The wood ones do not block as much heat as one would think, and my very light colored cellular shades do a great job with heat reduction. The are "rom darkening" and "light filtering" cellular shades. We have the light filtering ones.

I think you need to think about how you want to use the room. Wooden blinds, when closed, will make the room dark whereas the light fabic cellular shades will still allow some light in. Another thing to think about is getting a "shade film" that you apply to the window itself. I did that on my western facing kitchen windows. I did not measure the impact to my bill, but my comfort in the kitchen is MUCH better. It's not a very dark window film - just enough to break that intense heat. You can buy the film at Lowe's. I do have blinds on those windows as well, but I like to see my kids playing outside the window, so the film really works for me.

Good luck,
L.

I'd do the cellular. They are so pretty. And from what I hear, effective.

Call a few more places for info or check out Lowe's and Home Depot and Levelor sites.

I hear ya, north Texas neighbor! Our big window over the door is shaded by a porch but the sun does still fade things.
We have both cellular and faux wood plantation shutters and blinds in our house.

I love the look of plantation shutters. You can take the fuzzy duster on a pole and clean them off. They do a moderate job of blocking heat.

ETA: love my solar screens!

I like my white faux wood shutters in the bathroom for looks and cleanability.

My cellular shades don't do much better with blocking heat than the wood things and they are harder to clean. You lugging a vaccuum up to them??
It would be great with a remote but who are we kidding? Those things would stay closed all the time!

I say plantation shutters, unless the price is a deal breaker, then the blinds.