Top down bottom up blinds are cellular (honeycomb) shades that move from both the top and the bottom of the window independently. Lower the top to let light in while the bottom stays covered for privacy, or raise the bottom for a classic look. They work best in bedrooms, bathrooms and street-facing windows.
What Are Top Down Bottom Up Blinds?
Most blinds do one thing. They go up, they come down, and the window is either covered or it isn’t. Top down bottom up blinds (TDBU for short) give you a middle ground, because you can open the shade from either end.
People search for this feature under a few names: top down blinds, top down bottom up shades, or even window shades top down. Some search for bottom up window shades, which usually means the same thing. A plain bottom-up shade only lifts from the bottom, though. Ace offers both: top-down bottom-up honeycomb blinds, and cordless bottom-up honeycomb shades that lift from the bottom only.
How They Work
A TDBU blind has a fixed head rail at the top and a bottom rail, plus a second movable rail above the bottom one. The two movable rails travel independently, so you can park them wherever suits the moment:
- Both rails closed: full coverage, like any other honeycomb blind.
- Bottom rail raised: the window opens from the bottom, the classic way.
- Top rail lowered: the top of the window opens to daylight while the lower part stays covered.
- Both adjusted: a band of fabric sits across the middle of the window, with light above and below.
Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Light and privacy together. Lower the top rail and daylight comes in while the lower part of the window stays covered.
- Insulation. TDBU is built on honeycomb, and the trapped air in those cells acts as a buffer between the glass and the room. It won’t replace good windows, but it takes the edge off a cold Edmonton window in January.
- Good on awkward windows. It suits French doors, European-style windows and tilt-and-turn windows, and it is space-saving.
- Safe operation options. Cordless and motorized versions are available.
- Plenty of fabric choice. Light-filtering, sheer and blackout fabrics come in a wide range of colours.
What to know before you buy:
- It costs more than a basic blind. Honeycomb usually sits a bit higher upfront than a basic blind. Exact pricing depends on your window sizes and whether you choose cordless or motorized, so get a quote for your windows.
- It’s not for total darkness. With the top rail lowered, daylight comes in at the top of the window.
- It’s one more thing to adjust. You’ll get used to two rails quickly, but it is a step beyond a single-rail shade.
- Not every blind style offers it. More on that below.
Best Rooms: Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Street-Facing Windows
Bedrooms. This is one of the most requested TDBU setups we install. Lower the top rail for light and privacy at the same time, or raise the bottom when you want a more traditional look.
Street-facing windows. You get daylight without feeling like you’re on display. The covered lower half blocks the sightline from the sidewalk, and the open top lets the light in.
Bathrooms. The same logic applies: privacy at eye level, daylight from above. Bathrooms are also moisture-heavy rooms, so mention that when you choose your fabric.
French doors and European windows. TDBU honeycomb is a natural fit here. Our guide to honeycomb blinds for French doors and European windows goes deeper.
Cordless vs. Motorized Operation
Cordless is what most families end up choosing. There are no dangling cords for little hands or curious paws, and the newer mechanisms move smoothly without feeling flimsy.
Motorized gives you zero-contact operation. Our motorized range runs on battery, low-voltage or solar power. You can control it by remote or app, and it works with systems like Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s especially handy for large or hard-to-reach windows. See our motorization page for the options.
If you’re shopping for top down bottom up blinds in Canada, safety deserves a look. In 2013, Health Canada recalled certain corded bottom-up top-down blinds and shades, and it recommends cordless window coverings. That recall did not cover the cordless versions. Going cordless is the simplest way to take the cord risk out of a TDBU blind, which makes cordless TDBU a strong pick for homes with kids. Our guide to child safety blinds explains why.
Can You Get It on Any Blind?
No. At Ace, the top-down bottom-up option is available on honeycomb blinds. Roller shades, zebra blinds and other styles come with their own operating options. If you’ve got your eye on a different style, ask about it at your consultation.
If a TDBU honeycomb isn’t the right fit, a couple of other styles solve a similar problem in a different way:
- Dual rollers pair a light-filtering or screen fabric for daytime with a blackout fabric for night, all in one system.
- Zebra blinds give you day-and-night light control with a modern striped look.
Want the TDBU option on a honeycomb blind? See our full range and request a quote here.
How to Measure
Measure carefully, because a few millimetres can decide whether a blind fits. Our full step-by-step measuring guide covers the detail. The short version:
- Pick your mount. An inside mount sits within the frame and needs at least 2 to 2.5 inches of frame depth. An outside mount sits on the wall or trim and covers the whole frame.
- Use a steel tape measure. Fabric tapes stretch and give inaccurate readings.
- Measure width in three spots (top, middle, bottom) and use the smallest number for an inside mount.
- Measure height in three spots (left, centre, right) and use the longest number.
- For an outside mount, add at least 3 to 4 inches on each side for better light coverage and privacy, plus a few inches above the window.
- Check for obstructions like handles, cranks and locks, and label each window clearly.
Depth requirements can vary by product, so confirm with our team before you order. Odd shapes like arches and angled windows are where a professional opinion beats guessing, and booking a consultation takes the stress out of it.
FAQ
What’s the difference between top down bottom up blinds and regular blinds?
A regular blind opens from the bottom only. A TDBU blind also opens from the top, so you can bring daylight in at the top of the window while keeping the lower part covered.
Are top down bottom up blinds available cordless?
Yes. Cordless and motorized options are both available, and cordless is what most families choose.
Are they banned in Canada?
No. Canada’s rules target cords, not the top-down bottom-up design itself. Health Canada recalled certain corded models in 2013, and the recall did not cover the cordless versions.
Do they work on French doors?
Yes. TDBU honeycomb suits French doors, European-style windows and tilt-and-turn windows.
Do they help with insulation?
Honeycomb cells trap air between the glass and the room, which reduces the cold-draft feeling near a window. It won’t replace proper window insulation, but paired with good windows it makes a noticeable difference.
How much do they cost?
It depends on your window sizes and whether you choose cordless or motorized. Honeycomb usually sits a bit higher than a basic blind, so a quote for your specific windows is the best way to know.
Quick Recap
- Top down bottom up blinds are honeycomb shades with two independent movable rails, so you can open the window from the top, the bottom or both.
- They’re at their best in bedrooms, bathrooms and street-facing windows, where you want light without giving up privacy.
- Go cordless or motorized: cordless is the simplest way to take the cord risk out of the picture.
- At Ace, TDBU is available on honeycomb blinds, so ask about other styles at your consultation.
- Measure width in three spots (use the smallest) and height in three spots (use the longest), and check frame depth for inside mounts.