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There's a world of Window Coverings out there. Having someone knowledgeable to explain things isn't always possible. Here are some terms that may help in this process.
Honeycomb Shades

Also known as 'Cell Shades'.

Honeycomb Shade. A honeycomb shade is a fabric pleated shade that forms a 'cell'. The cell shade, as it's known, is highly effective at insulating a window from the heat in the summer and good at keeping the heat in during the winter.

Opacity. The amount of light that a shade lets through. Blackout or room darkening block the light. Semi opaque allows light filtering so that you get light through. Sheer is just that, sheer.

Single Cell Shade. A honeycomb shade that is comprised of one row of 'cells'.

Movable Arch. A honeycomb arch shade that can be lowered or another type called fan fold that can be opened as in closing a hand held fan.

Stationary Arch. Also called a fixed arch. An arch that will not open or close - stays fixed into place.

Double and Triple Cell Shades. Honeycomb shades that are comprised of two or three rows of 'cells' forming a 'double' or 'triple' configuration. A very good insulator for your window.

Blackout Shade. A honeycomb that prevents any light from filtering through into the room when the shades are closed.

Semi-Opaque Shade. A honeycomb shade that allows light to filter through into the room when the shade is closed.

Top Down/Bottom Up. A honeycomb shade that may be lowered from the top or raised from the bottom.

Top Down. A honeycomb shade that will only lower from the top. The bottom will not raise.

Standard Rectangle. A honeycomb that can only be raised from the bottom. The top will not lower and there is no cordless feature.

Cordless Lift. A honeycomb shade that has built in counterbalances that allow raising or lowering of the shade without the use of cords. These may be ordered in top down/bottom up with restrictions to size.

Ultra Glide®. A honeycomb control exclusive to Hunter Douglas' Duette® which utilizes a clutch mechanism that allows raising and lowering of the shade while keeping the cord at a constant length. Handy especially for really tall windows.

Continuous Cord Loop. A honeycomb shade control that incorporates a continuous cord that loops around, through the headrail in one continuous loop. Convenient and especially desirable in really large shades because the headrail is extra sturdy. Requires extra mounting bracket attachment(comes at no charge).

Tile Cut Out. A honeycomb extra charge option that allows the shade to go all the way to the window sill when the inside of the sill plate is tiled. The tile causes a decrease in the width of the window opening that will interfere with the blind closing all the way down if the cut out is not ordered.

Two on One Headrail. A set of two honeycomb blinds that are mounted on one headrail. Especially convenient on wide windows that will be raised and lowered on a regular basis. (Large blinds are harder to open than small blinds so to make it easier and less stressful on the blind order a two-on-one headrail configuration).

Ladders. Strings configured to support each louver from top to bottom. A blind may have two or as many as six ladders depending on the width of the blind.

Rounded Corners. Corners of the blind slats are rounded for a softer look.

Stationary Arch. Also called a fixed arch. An arch that will not open or close. Fixed into place.

Hold Down Brackets. Hold down brackets are used mainly on doors (that will be opened and closed) to keep the bottom of the blind from flopping around.

Valance. A cover that fits over the top of the blind and is meant to hide the headrail. Especially important to note that when ordering you must note if inside mount or outside mount as the valances for an inside mount do not come with full 3" returns.

Smooth Finish. Slats that are smooth have been sanded smooth and finished smooth.

Sandblasted Finish. Slats that are sandblasted have a rough finish. This finish is desirable in rustic applications.

Lodge Rustic Finish. Slats that have additional style characteristics like sandblasted and enhanced or distressed combinations.

Enhanced Grain. A film added to enhance the grain look of the wood.

Distressed. A process that requires slight imperfections and mutilation of the finished product before staining.

Solid and Decorative Tapes. Fabric ribbon that can be added to the ladders and valances. Size restrictions apply.

Ladders. Ladders are the vertical string supports that hold the louvers in place. Named ladders because they are made in the shape of rope ladders.

Polymer Blind. Engineered Polymer Slat Material. Plastic.

Composite Blind. A blind made with a combination of American hardwood and polymer slat material.

SafetyStop Ball Tassels. Tassels that attach to the end of the control cords that will break apart to prevent strangulation.