Roller Blinds vs Honeycomb Blinds – Which is Right for Your Home?
If you’ve decided on blinds but aren’t sure which type to go for, we can help you narrow it down. Roller blinds and honeycomb blinds (also known as cellular shades) are two of the most popular window treatment options, and each offers distinct benefits depending on your style, space, and priorities.
To help you decide, we’ve asked our expert Design Consultant, Wendy Muir, to share her insights. With nearly 20 years of experience consulting on curtains and blinds in Auckland (including 14 years with blind specialists, 'NZ Windowshades'), Wendy knows exactly how to match the right window blind solution to every space.
In this blog, she takes us through the key differences between our Luxaflex® Roller Blinds and Luxaflex® Duette Shades (honeycomb blinds), so you can feel confident making the right choice for your home.
Wendy: The big difference is in how they’re made, and how they perform.
Luxaflex Roller Blinds are made from a single piece of fabric that rolls up and down. They’re sleek, simple and work really well with contemporary decors. You get a clean, discreet finish, especially when recessed, and they’re great for both privacy and light control. Depending on the level of control you need, you can opt for blockout, light-filtering or sunscreen fabrics.
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Luxaflex Duette Shades, on the other hand, are built with a clever honeycomb-shaped structure that traps air inside. That layer of insulation makes them a standout choice for thermal performance. Consumer NZ reports show honeycomb blinds can retain up to 63% of a room’s heat, and that they’re up to 33% more effective than double glazing at retaining heat in a room. They are also good for noise absorption with a soft, pleated finish.
Wendy: It really depends on the functionality and look you’re after.
If you want a modern look and great everyday function, roller blinds are perfect in living areas, kitchens and media rooms. You can get the versatility of day-time screening, but night time privacy, via our dual bracket system which combines a sun screen with a blockout roller blind fabric.
For rooms where temperature control, privacy and comfort are key, like bedrooms, lounges and home offices, I usually recommend Luxaflex Duette Shades. They really help stabilise the temperature, which makes a big difference in both winter and summer.
Wendy: Yes, and that can be a deciding factor for some clients.
While both options are a cost-effective, energy-efficient window treatment, roller blinds tend to be about a third less expensive than honeycomb blinds. So, if you’re working to a tight budget, Luxaflex roller blinds give you a stylish and functional solution without compromising on quality.
That said, if you're prioritising insulation and energy efficiency, Luxaflex Duette Shades are absolutely worth the investment. They not only improve comfort but can also help reduce energy bills over time
Wendy: Absolutely. More and more of our clients are choosing automated blinds - it adds a whole new level of convenience, comfort and energy efficiency.
For Luxaflex Roller Blinds, we use Somfy® Automation, and for Luxaflex Duette Shades we use PowerView® Gen 3 automation, can be integrated into home systems or controlled via app, voice or remote, allowing you to schedule them to open and close at specific times from anywhere. This improves the energy efficiency of your home, plus improves security, giving the impression that the home is occupied.
Wendy: Think about what the space is used for, what kind of temperature control it needs, and the look you're after.
If your priority is insulation and year-round energy savings, Luxaflex Duette Shades are hands-down the best performer. If you’re after something clean, contemporary and streamlined, roller blinds are a fantastic choice especially for larger areas or when working to a more modest budget.
And don’t forget, you don’t need to choose just one. Many clients mix and match throughout the home, using Duettes where insulation is most important and rollers in other areas.
Wendy: Yes, it really is. Our Winter Warmth Promotion is running until 30 June 2025, and it’s a great opportunity to get the products you love at a better price.
We’re offering:
20% off Luxaflex Duette Honeycomb Shades
15% off Luxaflex Roller Blinds
Discounts apply to automation too.
Plus, if you spend $2,000 or more on these products, you’ll go in the draw to WIN $1,000 back towards your heating bills.
Wendy, or one of our other design consultants can guide you on the prefect window blind solution for your home. Book a free consultation online at lahood.co.nz, call us on 0800 LAHOOD or visit our beautiful Auckland showroom at 104 Mt Eden Road.