Cellular Shades With Side Tracks (Complete Guide)

Do you have honeycomb shades that run in a track up and down on the sides?

Cellular shades with side tracks—also known as side channel shades or cellular blinds with side rails—are designed to significantly reduce light gaps and improve privacy. By adding vertical side channels along the edges of the window, these shades create a tighter seal compared to standard cellular shades.

This makes them a popular solution for bedrooms, media rooms, and any space where better light control and insulation are important.

Looking for maximum room darkening performance? Browse our collection of total blackout shades with side tracks

What Are Side Tracks on Cellular Shades?

Side tracks are narrow channels installed along both sides of the window frame. When the shade is lowered, the edges of the fabric sit inside these channels, helping to block light from leaking in around the sides.

Unlike standard shades, which leave small gaps between the fabric and window frame, cellular window shades with side tracks create a more enclosed fit for improved performance.

Benefits of Cellular Shades With Side Tracks

Reduced light gaps: Helps block unwanted light along the edges of the window

Improved blackout performance: Ideal for bedrooms and home theaters

Better privacy: Limits visibility from outside

Enhanced insulation: Reduces air leakage and improves energy efficiency

Cleaner appearance: Creates a more fitted, custom look

Are Cellular Shades With Side Tracks Truly Blackout?

Blackout cellular shades with side tracks provide one of the best solutions for minimizing light in a room. While no window treatment can guarantee 100% total darkness in all conditions, adding side channels dramatically reduces the light gaps that are common with standard shades.

For most applications, this combination offers near-blackout performance and is ideal for sleeping areas or rooms where light control is critical. Blackout side tracks help reduce light gaps along the edges of honeycomb shades, making them ideal for bedrooms and media rooms.

Common Uses for Side Track Shades

Bedrooms: Improve sleep by reducing early morning light

Media rooms: Enhance screen visibility by minimizing glare

Home offices: Reduce distractions from outside light

RVs and motorhomes: Improve insulation and privacy in compact spaces

Street-facing windows: Increase privacy and light control

Side Tracks vs Standard Cellular Shades

Standard cellular shades provide excellent insulation, but they leave small gaps along the sides of the window. These gaps can allow light to enter and reduce overall privacy.

By comparison, cellular shades with side channels are designed to minimize these gaps, offering better performance in both light control and insulation.

Standard shades: Small light gaps on the sides

Shades with side tracks: Reduced light gaps and improved privacy

Are Side Tracks Available on All Cellular Shades?

Side track systems are typically offered as an upgrade option on select cellular shade products. Availability can vary depending on the specific product, size, and mounting requirements.

To see if this feature is available, look for upgrade options when customizing your shade or explore products that offer enhanced privacy and light control features.

Upgrade Your Shades With Side Tracks

If you're looking to improve light control and privacy, adding side channels is one of the most effective upgrades available.

Learn more about our side track (privacy side block) upgrade options and see how they can enhance your cellular shades.

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Details	Standard	Guaranteed to Last	Guaranteed to Love
Pricing	FREE	$	$$
Warranty Duration
3 year limited warranty	✓	✓	✓
5 year limited warranty		✓	✓
Warranty Coverage
Defects	✓	✓	✓
Parts	✓	✓	✓
30 Day Returns(in-store credit)			✓

Details

Standard

Guaranteed to Last

Guaranteed to Love

Pricing

FREE

Warranty Duration

3 year limited warranty

✓

5 year limited warranty

✓

Warranty Coverage

Defects

✓

Parts

✓

30 Day Returns(in-store credit)

✓

Guarantee
What Is Covered Our window coverings are covered against manufacturing defects in materials or craftsmanship when used as intended, provided that: The product has been correctly measured, installed, and operated. All Blinds Chalet guidelines regarding product limitations, maintenance, and care have been followed. Who Is Eligible This warranty applies solely to the original purchaser of the product and is non-transferable. Blinds Chalet’s Responsibility If a covered defect is confirmed, Blinds Chalet will, at its discretion, repair the product, replace affected parts, or provide a comparable replacement. Costs not included: The customer is responsible for expenses related to shipping as well as any measuring, installation, removal, or reinstallation services. Labor charges, service visits, and similar costs are not covered by this warranty. What Is Not Covered Damage resulting from accidents, alterations, misuse, abuse, or neglect. Improper measurement, installation, cleaning, or maintenance. Normal wear and tear, including fading, discoloration, or deterioration from sunlight or moisture. Frayed cords, cord breakage, or reduced cord performance due to age or heavy use. Fading and normal aging of materials are expected characteristics and are not considered defects. Warranty Limitations This warranty is exclusive and replaces any other expressed or implied warranties. No Blinds Chalet employee or representative is authorized to modify or extend these terms. Blinds Chalet will not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from product use or failure. How to Request Service Blinds Chalet Customer Care [email protected] (480) 470-1127 Please include: Original proof of purchase, which can be your order number or purchase confirmation email A brief description of the issue The location of the window covering and clear photos or video of the issue Resolution on Warranties and Guarantees BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective. Limit 1 remake per covered product. If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired. In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade. Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer. If a product or component has been discontinued, Blinds Chalet will repair or replace the affected part with the closest available match in design and color.

Guarantee

What Is Covered

Our window coverings are covered against manufacturing defects in materials or craftsmanship when used as intended, provided that:

The product has been correctly measured, installed, and operated.
All Blinds Chalet guidelines regarding product limitations, maintenance, and care have been followed.

Who Is Eligible

This warranty applies solely to the original purchaser of the product and is non-transferable.

Blinds Chalet’s Responsibility

If a covered defect is confirmed, Blinds Chalet will, at its discretion, repair the product, replace affected parts, or provide a comparable replacement.

Costs not included: The customer is responsible for expenses related to shipping as well as any measuring, installation, removal, or reinstallation services. Labor charges, service visits, and similar costs are not covered by this warranty.

What Is Not Covered

Damage resulting from accidents, alterations, misuse, abuse, or neglect.
Improper measurement, installation, cleaning, or maintenance.
Normal wear and tear, including fading, discoloration, or deterioration from sunlight or moisture.
Frayed cords, cord breakage, or reduced cord performance due to age or heavy use.

Fading and normal aging of materials are expected characteristics and are not considered defects.

Warranty Limitations

This warranty is exclusive and replaces any other expressed or implied warranties. No Blinds Chalet employee or representative is authorized to modify or extend these terms.

Blinds Chalet will not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from product use or failure.

How to Request Service

Blinds Chalet Customer Care
[email protected]
(480) 470-1127

Please include:

Original proof of purchase, which can be your order number or purchase confirmation email
A brief description of the issue
The location of the window covering and clear photos or video of the issue

Resolution on Warranties and Guarantees

BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective. Limit 1 remake per covered product.
If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.
If a product or component has been discontinued, Blinds Chalet will repair or replace the affected part with the closest available match in design and color.

5 Year Guaranteed to Last
Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years.

5 Year Guaranteed to Last

Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years.

5 Year Guaranteed to Love
Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years. 30 Day Returns If for any reason you are not satisfied with the window coverings and wish to return them for store credit, please notify us within 30 days of receiving the order. Our customer care department will provide a Return Goods Authorization number (RGA) and shipping address for the return. Please note, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer and shipping labels are not provided. Returns are for store credit only and store credit will be available immediately after the items are received (Guaranteed to Love fee is not credited).

5 Year Guaranteed to Love

Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years.
30 Day Returns
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the window coverings and wish to return them for store credit, please notify us within 30 days of receiving the order. Our customer care department will provide a Return Goods Authorization number (RGA) and shipping address for the return. Please note, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer and shipping labels are not provided. Returns are for store credit only and store credit will be available immediately after the items are received (Guaranteed to Love fee is not credited).