Cellular Shades Buying Guide

Cellular Shades Buying Guide

Transform Your Windows, Elevate Your Home

Discover how SmartWings Cellular Shades can bring style, comfort, and functionality to every room. From controlling natural light to enhancing privacy and improving energy efficiency, the right shades can completely transform your living space.


Versatile Styles & Fabrics
Energy Efficient & Insulating
Custom Fit Solutions
Smart & Convenient Control

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Cellular Shades Collection

Bring style, comfort, and functionality to any window. From standard windows to skylights and trapezoid shapes, SmartWings collections provide privacy, light control, and energy efficiency.

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This buying guide will walk you through everything you need to make an informed decision—from understanding the differences between Hazel, Nowa, and our advanced dual-rail options, to selecting fabrics, light-filtering or blackout features, and design accents. By the end, you’ll know exactly which cellular shades best suit your lifestyle, home décor, and functional needs.

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1. Why Choose Cellular Shades?

  • Versatile Style Options: Smart Wings available in a wide range of colors and fabric types, including room-darkening and light-filtering options, cellular shades can seamlessly complement any home décor style, from modern minimalism to classic elegance.
  • Energy Efficiency: The unique honeycomb structure traps air in individual cells, providing excellent insulation to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer—helping you save on energy bills.
  • Noise Reduction: Cellular shades also help reduce outside noise, making them an ideal choice for bedrooms, nurseries, or any space where a quiet, peaceful environment is desired.
  • Smart and Convenient Control: SmartWings Cellular Shades can be effortlessly operated via remote control or smartphone app, offering a seamless, efficient, and modern smart-home experience.
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2. Quick Scenarios: Which Cellular Shades Fit Your Lifestyle?

Sometimes the easiest way to choose is to imagine how cellular shades can transform a specific room in your home. Here are three common scenarios to help you picture the possibilities:

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3. How to Choose the Right Cellular Shades

Choosing the perfect cellular shades for your home can seem overwhelming with so many options available. To simplify the process, follow these key steps:

Step 1: Identify Your Window Type

Start by determining the type and shape of your windows or doors:

  • Standard Windows or Glass Doors – the most common option, suitable for single or double tracks.
  • Skylights – specially designed shades that can be installed on angled or ceiling windows.
  • Trapezoid Windows – custom solutions for uniquely shaped windows.

Step 2: Choose the Shade Mechanism

Select the operating mechanism that best fits your needs:

  • Hazel – features an external battery wand, simple and reliable.
  • Nowa – has an internal battery and control box hidden within the valance for a sleek appearance.
Hazel and Nowa compared
Step 3: Select Fabric and Cell Structure

Select the operating mechanism that best fits your needs:

  • Fabric Options – Non-woven for standard shades (Hazel/Nowa) or woven fabric for a premium look (Helios).
  • Cell Structure – Single Cell for traditional insulation, Double Cell for enhanced energy efficiency, or specialized thin Double Cell Leucothea for a lighter feel.

Step 4: Choose Light Control

Select the operating mechanism that best fits your needs:

  • Blackout – completely blocks sunlight for bedrooms or media rooms.
  • Light-Filtering – softens natural light while maintaining some visibility.
  • Sheer – only available in Day & Night combinations for flexible daytime privacy and natural light.
Single Cell and Double Cell

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4. Product Categories Overview

4.1 Hazel Series
  • Mechanism: External battery wand; fabric cell thickness 1 1/2” inch(3.8 cm).
  • Track Options: Single track only, where the bottom rail moves up and down.
  • Fabric: Non-woven, Single Cell.
  • Customization: Valance and bottom bar can be customized to match the fabric color.
  • Ideal For: Simple, cost-effective solutions for standard windows.
4.2 Nowa Series
  • Mechanism: Internal battery and motor hidden within the valance for a sleek, modern look. Fabric cell thickness 1 3/4” inch(4.5 cm).
  • Track Options: Single track or Double track.
  • Fabric: Non-woven, available in Single Cell or Double Cell. For an upgraded option, the Helios fabric (woven material) offers a more premium texture and enhanced durability.
  • Special Double Cell Option: Leucothea—thinner, lighter fabric for a refined feel.
  • Ideal For: Everyday use; the most versatile and popular choice for residential spaces.
4.3 Premium Series
  • Levitate: Double-track design with independently movable middle and bottom rails for flexible light control.
  • Day & Night:: Single track or Double track.
  • Fabric: Double-track system designed with a combination of light-filtering and blackout fabrics, giving you the flexibility to balance natural light and privacy—enjoy soft, filtered daylight during the day and complete darkness at night.
    • Light-Filtering Options: Light Filtering, Sheer, Mirage Sheer, Light Filtering Double Cell Leucothea
    • Blackout Options: Blackout, Blackout Double Cell Leucothea
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5. Special Window Solutions

5.1 Skylight Cellular Shades
  • Mechanism: Based on the Hazel series with an external battery wand; note that the Skylight frame is currently only available in white.
  • Designed For: Skylight windows, suitable for horizontal or angled installations.
  • More Info: Skylight Cellular Shades Buying Guide.
Skylight Power Image
5.2 Trapezoid Cellular Shades
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6. Conclusion & Recommendation Tips

Choosing the right cellular shades doesn’t have to be complicated. By considering your window type, shade mechanism, fabric, and light control preferences, you can find the perfect solution that combines style, functionality, and energy efficiency.

6.1 Recommendations for Different Needs
  • Thin & Easy-to-Install Solution: The Hazel series features thinner fabric, making it ideal for inside-mount installations where window frames have limited depth. Its external battery wand is easy to access and replace, offering practical convenience.
  • Premium Materials & Enhanced Performance: For a more luxurious feel, choose Helios fabric from the Nowa series. If your priority is superior insulation and noise reduction, the Double Cell fabrics in the Nowa series provide excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
  • Special Window Shapes: For skylights or trapezoid windows, select the Skylight or Trapezoid series, which are specifically designed for these unique installations.
  • Flexible Light Control: Consider Levitate or Day & Night double-track options for spaces where you want independent control over multiple layers or a combination of sheer and room-darkening fabrics.
Helios Fabric Shade
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FAQ: Common Questions from Cellular Shade Buyers

Quickly find answers to the most frequently asked questions about purchasing cellular shades—from distinguishing between series to installation and maintenance.

What’s the difference between the Nowa and Helios series, and how should I choose?
The two series share the same mechanism and features; the main difference is the fabric. Helios can be considered an upgraded version of Nowa, featuring woven fabric for a more premium look, enhanced texture, and greater durability.
What are the advantages of Double Cell fabric compared to Single Cell fabric?
Double Cell fabric offers superior insulation, helping keep rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It also provides better noise reduction compared to Single Cell fabric.
What’s the difference between Double Cell fabric and Double Cell Leucothea fabric, and how do I choose?
Both fabrics are made from the same material. The Double Cell Leucothea fabric is thinner, so when rolled up at the same height, it stacks more compactly and is less likely to block window light.
Can I install the cellular shades myself, or do I need a professional?
Yes! SmartWings cellular shades are designed for easy DIY installation and come with clear, step-by-step instructions. For windows that are high or hard to reach, we recommend seeking professional assistance to ensure a safe and smooth installation.
How should I use and maintain my cellular shades?
While the fabric has some water resistance, it should be kept in a dry environment with moderate humidity. Avoid spilling liquids on the fabric to maintain its appearance and longevity.

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