Our project featured in Hunter Douglas brochures

The cellular honeycomb category of window coverings was invented by Hunter Douglas in 1985. The first product was called Duette®. Some years later competitors developed their own versions of cellular shades. Our understanding is that a licensing agreement is in place that allows others to market their cellular products, that were invented by Hunter Douglas.

Duette has added 2 new Architella® fabric lines:  Batiste and Elan®.

Batiste includes Bamboo and Batiste Textured™.  Both feature IllumiCell™, a clear revolutionary inner cell, that provides enhanced light transmission and the superior energy efficiency.  The Bamboo fabric is made of natures’s most renewable material.

Six new Elan® fabric colors are added to the line, available in 3/4″ and 1 1/4″ pleat sizes and semi-opaque and opaque fabrics.

Additional hardware colors are now available for the Vertiglide® hardware system

Duettes have been recommended by Shades Of The Future® since their introduction in 1985. Several years ago Graber’s Crystal Pleat was also marketed by us. Crystal Pleat has a good price point and a soft hand, that some customers prefer, but when exposed to the home environment, the soft, relatively porous material soiled quickly. This fact and quality problems with the fabric resulted in Crystal Pleat being dropped from our line.  Crystal Pleat cannot be ultrasonically cleaned.

Generally, the stiffer the fabric the more resistant it will be to pilling when being cleaned and the more durable it will be. Take these factors into consideration when selecting your cellular shades.

Hunter Douglas also offers a lower price point line called Applause. The warranty is the same. The updated hardware on Duette has rounded corners and a trim appearance.

Applause offers a scaled down line in comparison to the massive fabric and hardware options available in Duette.  But Applause now has a whole new book packed with great offerings.

The Hunter Douglas cellular line may be ultrasonically cleaned or immersed in a tub, except for the black out fabrics, which may only be vacuumed. Seldom is more than vacuuming necessary. The polyester fabric naturally repels dust.

Duette and Applause cellular make a very high performance skylight shade and are our recommendation for skylight shade material.

Duette Key Benefits:

• Huge selection of fabrics – completely resampled with beautiful fabrics and hardware!
• Automated systems, battery and hard wired

Applause Cellular Key Benefits:

• Now available with PowerRise battery lift system.
• Lower price point than Duette
• Hunter Douglas brand name