Sometimes you stumble across a solution that just makes sense, and you wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner. Honeycomb blinds are one of those things.
If you live in Canberra, you know our winters are actually cold. Not “throw an extra jumper on” cold. We’re talking about sitting indoors in winter and still feeling that chill coming through the windows. And our summers? The reverse problem, the sun beating through your windows makes air-con work overtime just to keep rooms liveable.
Here’s the thing that surprised us: most people fix this by adding insulation to walls or replacing windows. But there’s a smarter, faster, cheaper option sitting right in front of them, literally at the window level.
The Problem windows create
Let’s start with the uncomfortable truth: windows are where your home’s heating and cooling escapes. Studies show that 25-30% of a home’s heat loss in winter (and heat gain in summer) happens right through your windows. That’s a quarter to a third of your heating and cooling costs, just… disappearing.
Think about it. You can insulate your walls perfectly, upgrade your insulation in the roof, seal every gap in your home, but if your windows are bare glass? All that effort is fighting an uphill battle.
This is especially true in Canberra. Our temperature swings are wild. Winter mornings where frost covers the ground, and summer afternoons where the thermometer pushes past 35°C. Your HVAC system (heating and cooling) is working constantly just to maintain temperature.
Enter Honeycomb blinds
Here’s how Honeycomb blinds work, and why they’re actually clever.
The name gives it away: they’re built like a honeycomb. Instead of solid fabric, they’re made with cells (think of tiny pockets or chambers) that trap air. When air sits still, it’s actually an excellent insulator. Think of it like wearing a puffy jacket, the insulation works because of the trapped air, not the fabric itself.
When you lower honeycomb blinds over your window, you’re creating a barrier of trapped air between the outside world and your room. In winter, that air barrier prevents warm air from escaping through the glass. In summer, it does the opposite, it blocks heat from coming in.
It’s simple physics. But it actually works.
The Numbers (they’re impressive)
We use Norman honeycomb blinds at Elite, and their testing is backed by some serious institutions, CSIRO, Queensland University of Technology, University of Melbourne, University of Wollongong. All the heavy hitters verified this:
Norman honeycomb blinds reduce heat loss by up to 64%.
For context, that’s dramatically better than other window treatments. Regular thermal roller blinds manage about 20-30% heat loss reduction. Standard fabric curtains? Around 10-15%. Honeycomb blinds? They’re in a different league.
What does 64% heat loss reduction actually mean? It means in winter, way less warmth escapes through your windows. Your heater doesn’t have to work as hard. Your gas bill (or electricity bill if you have reverse-cycle air-con) goes down. Significantly.
The same principle works in reverse during summer, blocking heat from entering means your air-con doesn’t have to run constantly. Some people report 10-15% savings on total heating and cooling costs after installing quality honeycomb blinds.
Why this matters in Canberra
Canberra’s climate is designed for this solution.
Our winters are genuinely cold, not like Melbourne cold, but cold enough that keeping warmth inside matters. South-facing bedrooms and living rooms can get absolutely freezing without help. If you’re using gas heating or reverse-cycle air-con, every degree you can retain is money saved.
And our summer heat is intense and direct. There’s not much tree cover in many areas, so windows cop the full brunt of the afternoon sun. Installing honeycomb blinds on north and west-facing windows is literally one of the most effective things you can do to reduce cooling costs.
We’ve fitted honeycomb blinds into hundreds of Canberra homes, and the feedback is consistent: “I didn’t expect to notice such a difference in temperature.”
It’s not just about temperature
Here’s a bonus most people don’t expect: honeycomb blinds reduce noise.
That same trapped air that insulates against heat? It also dampens sound. If you’re in a busy area, near a main road, or anywhere with street noise, honeycomb blinds actually make a difference. Many people notice their bedrooms feel quieter and more peaceful.
It’s a feature that becomes obvious once you install them, suddenly, traffic noise is muted, street sounds are softer. It creates this unexpected sense of calm.
Single vs Double cell (What’s the difference?)
Norman offers both single and double cell options. Here’s the simple version:
Single cell: Good insulation, cleaner look, easier to operate. Works well for most situations.
Double cell: Maximum insulation because there are two layers of trapped air instead of one. Worth considering if you’re serious about energy savings or dealing with particularly drafty windows.
For most Canberra homes, single cell is absolutely sufficient. Double cell is the choice if you’re optimizing for maximum energy efficiency, like if you have huge south-facing windows or a room that’s always cold.
Installation Matters
One thing worth knowing: honeycomb blinds work best when they’re properly fitted. Gaps around the edges let air flow through, which defeats the purpose. This is why custom measured, professionally installed honeycomb blinds outperform off-the-shelf options.
When we fit honeycomb blinds, we measure precisely to your window and ensure the fit is tight. No gaps. That’s the difference between getting 50% heat loss reduction and getting close to that full 64%.
How to know if they’re right for your home
Honeycomb blinds make sense if:
- You have south-facing windows that get cold in winter
- You have west or north-facing windows that bake in summer
- Your heating/cooling bills feel higher than they should
- You have a room that’s always too cold or too hot
- You want to reduce noise from outside
- You’re planning to stay in your home long-term (so energy savings compound)
They’re particularly effective in bedrooms and living areas, the rooms where you spend the most time and where temperature comfort actually matters.
One thing to note: if you only have one or two windows that need treatment, the ROI takes longer. But if you’re outfitting a whole home or multiple problem windows? The energy savings add up fast.
The Real savings
Let’s talk actual money.
If honeycomb blinds reduce your heating and cooling costs by 10-15% (which is realistic for a whole-home installation in Canberra), what does that actually mean?
The average Canberra household spends around $1,500-2,000 per year on heating and cooling. A 10-15% reduction = $150-300 saved per year. Over 10 years, that’s $1,500-3,000 in energy savings. And honeycomb blinds last 15+ years, so you’re potentially looking at $2,250-4,500 in total savings. All while making your home more comfortable year-round.
Plus, and this is worth mentioning, you’re not replacing windows (which costs $10,000+). You’re installing window treatments ($1,500-3,000 depending on how many windows). The payback period is typically 3-5 years. After that, it’s pure savings.
Beyond Energy savings
Here’s what people don’t talk about as much: comfort.
Once you’ve installed honeycomb blinds, you stop getting that cold draft feeling from windows in winter. You stop having hot spots in summer. Your home feels more stable temperature-wise. That’s not just an energy thing, that’s a quality of life thing.
And if you go with motorised honeycomb blinds (Norman offers this), you can set schedules, close them automatically when it cools down in the evening, open them during the day. Smart home integration means you can control them from your phone or with voice commands. It’s not essential, but it makes optimization effortless.
What about style?
The other thing: honeycomb blinds actually look good. We offer them in various fabrics and colours. They’re clean, modern, and functional, not that thick, dated blind aesthetic.
They work in contemporary homes, traditional homes, everything in between. You’re not sacrificing style for performance.
If this sounds like it might work for your home, the first step is always the same: a free inhome consultation.
We come to you, look at your windows, talk about which rooms have temperature problems, understand your heating and cooling habits, and show you fabric/colour options in your actual light. From there, we’ll give you an honest assessment of where honeycomb blinds would make the biggest difference, and what realistic energy savings you could expect.
No pressure. Honest advice. That’s how we work.
If your energy bills are higher than you’d like, or if you’ve got rooms that are always too cold or too hot, honeycomb blinds might be the simplest solution you’ve overlooked.
We’ll help you figure out if honeycomb blinds make sense for your situation, and if they do, we’ll show you exactly how they’ll transform your home’s comfort and efficiency.
Questions about thermal blinds or energy efficiency?
Check out our FAQs page or give us a call at (02) 5119 2542. We’re happy to chat through whether honeycomb blinds are right for you.