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Honeycomb Blinds vs Roller Blinds: Which Is Better for Insulation?
Roller blinds and honeycomb blinds are two of the most popular window covering choices in Australian homes, and for good reason, both look clean, both suit almost any room, and both come in a wide range of fabrics. But they’re not built to do the same job. If insulation is the deciding factor for you, one of them has a genuine, physical advantage over the other. Here’s the honest comparison.
The Short Answer
Honeycomb blinds insulate better than roller blinds. The reason is structural, not just marketing: a honeycomb blind’s fabric is shaped into a row of sealed cells that trap a layer of air, working on the same principle as a double-glazed window. A roller blind is a single flat layer of fabric with no air pocket, so while a good blockout roller fabric still blocks light and some heat, it doesn’t create the same thermal barrier.
That doesn’t mean roller blinds are the wrong choice, for a lot of homes and rooms, they’re still the better fit. Read on for where each one genuinely wins.
How Roller Blinds Perform Thermally
Roller blinds are a single continuous piece of fabric that rolls up into a compact head box. In a blockout fabric, they do a solid job of stopping light and reducing some radiant heat coming through the glass, which is why they remain such a popular, versatile choice. What they don’t have is an air gap, the fabric sits flat against (or near) the window, so there’s nothing trapping a layer of air to slow heat transfer the way a honeycomb cell does. In practice, this means a roller blind will reduce glare and some heat gain, but it won’t insulate a cold room the way a honeycomb blind can.
How Honeycomb Blinds Perform Thermally
A honeycomb blind’s fabric is folded into rows of hexagonal cells, hence the name, and each cell holds a small pocket of trapped air. That trapped air acts as a barrier, much like the air gap in a double-glazed window: it slows heat escaping in winter and slows heat building up in summer. Honeycomb blinds also sit with tighter side gaps than most roller blinds, which cuts down on draughts around the edges. We’ve gone into the mechanism in more detail in how honeycomb blinds insulate a room, if you’d like the full explanation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roller Blinds | Honeycomb Blinds | |
| Insulation | Blocks some heat and light; no air-gap barrier | Trapped-air cell provides genuine thermal insulation |
| Side light gaps | Typically 10-15mm | As tight as 3mm |
| Stacking size | Compact head box | Very compact, fabric compresses almost flat |
| Look and style | Clean, simple and minimal | Textured, designer look with a distinct cell pattern |
| Suited to | Kitchens, bathrooms, wet areas, high-traffic rooms | Bedrooms, living areas, nurseries, cold or west-facing rooms |
| Price positioning | Generally more budget-friendly | A premium step up, reflecting the added insulation and construction |
When a Roller Blind Is Still the Better Choice
Insulation isn’t the only factor worth weighing up, and roller blinds have some genuine advantages of their own. If you’re covering a kitchen, bathroom or other wet area, a roller blind is usually the better fit, honeycomb’s cell structure can hold moisture and is harder to clean if it’s splashed with grease or condensation, whereas a flat roller fabric wipes down easily. Roller blinds are also a strong choice if budget is the priority, or if you simply prefer a clean, minimal look over the textured cell pattern of a honeycomb blind. And for very large or heavy-use windows, roller blinds in a cordless or motorised setup remain a simple, reliable option.
When Honeycomb Is Worth the Upgrade
If you’ve got a room that’s genuinely cold in winter or bakes in summer, often a west-facing living room or an older home with draughty, single-glazed windows, honeycomb blinds are one of the more effective changes you can make without touching the structure of the house. They’re also a strong choice for nurseries and bedrooms, where the tighter light gap and insulation combine to keep a room darker and more temperature-stable. If energy performance and comfort matter more to you than upfront cost, honeycomb is the one worth the step up.
Not sure which is right for your room? Explore our honeycomb blind range or our roller blind range, or better yet, order free fabric samples of both to compare side by side.
Book your FREE Consultation Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are honeycomb blinds more expensive than roller blinds?
Generally, yes, honeycomb blinds sit at a premium price point compared to roller blinds, reflecting the more complex cell construction and the genuine insulation benefit it provides. As all our products are custom made to your windows, the best way to get an accurate comparison for your home is a free in-home measure and quote.
Can I get blockout in both styles?
Yes. Both roller and honeycomb blinds are available in blockout fabrics. A blockout roller blind will reduce light and some heat; a blockout honeycomb blind combines that light control with the added insulation benefit of the trapped-air cell.
Which is better for a nursery: honeycomb or roller?
Honeycomb blinds are generally the stronger choice for a nursery, thanks to their tighter light gaps for a darker room and better temperature stability. Roller blinds are still a perfectly good option if you’d prefer the simpler look or a lower cost.
This article was written by Shae Rankine, Marketing Coordinator at Wynstan. Shae works closely with product expert Kathy Wang to make sure every piece of content is accurate, practical, and genuinely useful.
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