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  Why You Need Skylight Shades
  
  
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  Room Darkening
  
  
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  Light Filtering
  
  
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  Control Options
  
  
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  Energy Efficiency
  
  
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  Manufacturers
  
  
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  Colors & Cell Count
  
  
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  How to Choose the Best
  
  
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  When to Install
  
  
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  Benefits

Skylight Shades Colors and Cell Counts

The most common type of skylight shade available is what's known as a cellular shade. These types of shades use parallel layers of fabric pinched at creases to create channels of air pockets, or “cells”, that run parallel to the window. On the outside they appear much like accordion shades or pleated blinds, but on a cross section they resemble a honeycomb, with each cell or air pocket pressed up against the adjacent one. Due to their construction, cellular shades (sometimes called honeycomb blinds) come with various size cells. Larger cells produce the look of wider, larger pleats where smaller cells create smaller pleats. Smaller cell sizes are also available in multiple layers for increased insulation on deeper windows.

There's a wide variety of cellular shades available for conventional windows but only a few types have been chosen to work as skylight shades. Whereas traditional cellular shades are available in cell sizes ranging from 1/4” to 2 or 3”, Cellular skylight shades are only available with cell sizes (or cell widths) ranging from 3/8” to 3/4”. The size of the cell not only determines the depth of the shade but also the space between the pleats on the front of the shade facing the room. In general, the smaller the cell size, the narrower the pleats and the more pleats that are required to fill the space of the window. For example, if you choose a skylight shade with a 3/4” cell count, it will be approximately 3/4” deep when laying flush against skylight. This size cell will also have wider pleats than a cellular skylight shade with 3/8” cells.

Larger cells or multiple cells also provide better insulation between the room and the window. The cells trap air next to the skylight and help prevent against excess heat in the middle of the day and excess energy loss during cold or hot months. Shallow skylights, however, will require smaller cells or single cell layers in order to prevent the skylight shade from sticking out over the edge of the ceiling.

Just like regular cellular shades, skylight shades come in a wide variety of colors and light diffusing and light blocking properties. Depending on the light needs of your rooms, you may want to go with a light diffusing shade that simply filters the light rather than blocking it altogether. These skylight shades come in fabrics that are usually lighter in color to allow the natural glow of sunlight to remain a part of your atmosphere while still blocking direct light. There are different texture options available, too and light diffusing skylight shades come in single and double cell layers.

Some people like complete control over all incoming light and prefer an opaque skylight shade with room-darkening properties. These skylight shades also come in single and double layer cell counts and are usually available in darker fabrics to help block light.

The availability of colors, textures, and light control depends on the manufacture of each skylight shade so you'll need to do your research prior to purchase. Be sure to analyze the needs of each room and skylight prior to making a decision.