Buying guide
Roller vs Cellular Shades: Which Fits Your Home?
Both are custom sized to your windows. The right choice depends on the look you want, how you use the room, and the light and privacy you need.
Installed by Blinds by Ricky · CSLB #1126690
Choose roller shades for a simple, flat look and a choice of light-filtering, solar screen or blackout fabric. Choose cellular shades for a softer, honeycomb look and extra insulation at the window. You can mix them room by room instead of choosing one product for the whole house.
| Compare | Roller shades | Cellular shades |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | One flat panel that rolls up out of sight; a clean, modern look. | Honeycomb-shaped cells and a softer look; the shade stacks at the top when raised. |
| Light and privacy | Light-filtering, solar screen or blackout. Solar screen keeps the view but is see-through at night when indoor lights are on. | Light-filtering or blackout. Top-down/bottom-up options let light in above while the lower part stays covered. |
| Comfort | Solar screen fabric cuts glare and heat on sunny windows. | Honeycomb cells trap a layer of air at the window for extra insulation. |
| Options and controls | Cordless options or motorization; remote, app or voice control depends on the motor system. | Top-down/bottom-up and day/night options. We show you the choices at your measure. |
| Installed price | Most run about $430 to $650 per window, depending on size and fabric. | Quoted at your free measure, based on exact window sizes and fabric. A firm written price comes before ordering. |
| Timing | Usually installed about two weeks after ordering. | The installation date is given at your visit; other products may take longer than roller shades. |
See what changes the installed price, including window size, fabric and motorization.
Choose around the room
A living room with strong afternoon sun
Start with a solar screen roller if keeping the view and reducing glare are your priorities. If you also need night privacy, compare light-filtering or blackout fabric: a solar screen can be seen through from outside when your lights are on.
Explore solar shadesA bedroom or nursery
Both roller and cellular shades come in blackout fabric. Fabric and installation work together: light can still enter around a shade’s edges. At the measure, we look at the frame and explain how the mounting choice affects coverage.
Explore blackout roller shadesOlder windows or a softer room
Cellular shades add insulation at the window and suit rooms where you want a softer look. Top-down/bottom-up options are useful for street-facing windows: keep the lower part covered while letting light in above.
Explore cellular shadesTall or hard-to-reach windows
Motorized roller shades avoid reaching over furniture or up to a high window. Remote, app and voice options depend on the system. We quote the motor next to the manual shade so you can choose window by window.
Explore motorized shadesCompare samples on your own windows
At your free in-home measure, we check each window, bring real fabric samples, discuss inside or outside mounting, and give you a firm written quote. Tell us which rooms need night privacy, which get glare, and which windows are hard to reach. Every job is installed by Blinds by Ricky, a licensed window-covering contractor (CSLB #1126690).
Book Free MeasureRoller vs cellular: questions
Are roller shades cheaper than cellular shades?+
We do not publish a blanket price comparison. Most of our roller shades run about $430 to $650 per window, installed. Cellular shades are quoted at the free measure based on size and fabric, so you can compare the actual written prices for your windows.
Can I mix roller and cellular shades in one home?+
Yes. You can mix products and fabrics room by room, and we price every window separately. The rooms do not all have to use the same shade.
Will blackout shades make the room completely dark?+
Blackout fabric blocks light through the fabric, but some light can come in around the edges of a shade. We look at each window and explain the mounting options at your free measure.
Is there a fixed cellular shade lead time?+
We give you an installation date at your visit. The usual two-week timing is for roller shades; some other products take longer.
Explore your options
Book your free measure
Takes 30 seconds. Rather talk? Call or text (626) 222-1324.