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When you begin to look around to pick the right cellular shades or pleated shades, you immediately tap into an endless variety and choices. In the next few paragraphs, let's take a few minutes together to blitz through cellular shades and pleated shades highlights to make your decision-making easier.

Both cellular shades (a.k.a. honeycomb shades) and pleated shades have been around for a while. The cellular shades represent the latest technology advances with their insulating-properties construction.

When picking the right window shades, consider their role. Do you want the shade to filter or diffuse the light? Or, do you want to have total privacy with added blackout liners (e.g. bedrooms)? If you still want to keep the view without compromising privacy, the following choice suggestions help you with how to do that. We'll come to them in a moment.

Next, you may want to ask for swatches (samples of colors and fabric) to assure the new window shades match your home d'cor and style.

Now, take a look at the windows. Are the cellular or pleated shades going to fit on the inside the window frame? There's a chance of mounting them on the outside if the depth of your windowsill is shallow. Windowpane dividers, also called 'mullions', often stick out from the glass into the windowsill, making it 'shallower'. Consider them when measuring for the new cellular or pleated shades.

Next, you've guessed it. You need to measure. And you need to measure accurately. Before placing an order, measure at least twice and record once (to make sure). You can use a free guide about how to do that at myhomewindowblinds.com/category/measuring-for-blinds-shades/.

Let's compare pleated shades with cellular (honeycomb) shades now.

Pleated shades fold up into 1-inch pleats as the most common size. Larger and smaller pleat sizes are available. The array of fabrics, colors and textures makes it easier to choose that's right for you.

The insulating properties of pleated shades are poor because of the single layer of material. Adding a liner makes it better, but only slightly.

Cellular shades consist of single, double, or triple-celled material that resembles the makeup of a honeycomb. That's where the 'honeycomb' name comes from. The major benefit they add to your home is energy efficiency for the windows. The cell pockets trap air within, forming an insulating layer. The more cells you have, the better insulating properties you get. On the other hand, don't expect cellular shades to solve your energy problems because of drafty windows. But you know that :).

Cellular shades are also available as cellular vertical shades.

Let's go through the choices that are available for both cellular shades and pleated shades. Here's a brief list.

1. Top down ' Bottom up (to keep your view without compromising privacy)

2. Added privacy, light-blocking, heat-reflecting liners

3. Corded or cordless control (for a baby room)

4. Continuous loop control

5. Remote control ' battery operated or hardwired (for hard-to-reach windows)

6. Dual fabric for top down ' bottom up featuring both opaque and sheer fabric

7. Suitable for oddly shaped windows (for example: arch ' half-moon, angle-top, skylights)

Both cellular shades and pleated shades fold up into a neat and compact size. It becomes important if you want to keep as much view as possible when the shades are up. Other blinds may take several inches away from the view when they stack up in the same window as an inside mount.

So, when your rechecked measurements are ready, place your order. You have the choices of ordering from your local hardware store, a specialized store, or you can place your order online with a specialized e-commerce site. It's a good idea to check around first. The price differences may shock you with an offline merchant and give you massive savings online with another ' including free shipping.

For a blitz, we've focused on the window shades fairly closely. Now it's your turn. From what you know now, will you opt for cellular shades or pleated shades?