Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding doors are a beautiful addition to any home, creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor space to make a room feel more expansive. They let in a great deal of natural light, and their large panes of glass can offer breathtaking views. Sometimes, however, all of that sunlight can cause glare and unwanted UV exposure. What’s more, people outside your home also get a view through your sliding doors—of you. If you are looking for light control and privacy, there are several window treatments for sliding glass doors that are both stylish and practical.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds have long been a common sliding door window treatment. But just because they are a classic doesn’t mean these window coverings are stodgy and outdated. Contemporary vertical blinds have a clean, modern aesthetic, and you can find them in an array of diverse colors and materials. The louvers themselves can be texturized for more great design options. For an extra stylish touch, look for louvers with a graceful S-shape, which adds an interesting ripple-fold effect that looks lovely whether the blinds are still or in motion.

Speaking of motion, vertical blinds are optimal window coverings for sliding glass doors thanks to their side-to-side functionality. Depending on the type of doors you have, you can opt for blinds with one-way or split-draw operation; with either choice, high-quality blinds glide easily and quietly.

Let’s say, however, that vertical blinds don’t fit your style profile or your home—perhaps you want more light-blocking capability, or you think they have more of an “office” feel. There are still other alternatives that work well as window treatments for sliding doors.

Vertical Cellular Shades

Like vertical blinds, vertical cellular shades provide plenty of coverage for sliding doors or large windows. The look and structure, however, is very different.

When viewed from the side, the cellular pattern of the shades resembles a honeycomb, and that’s a popular nickname for this type of window covering. Those cells have an important function: They serve as a type of insulation, preventing rooms from getting too hot or cold. Vertical cellular shades for sliding door window treatments can be ordered in different cell sizes, as well as different opacity levels; more opaque shades will block more light than sheer, less opaque versions. These shades are easy to care for, and you can choose from a variety of colors. If you need to cover windows in the same room as the sliding glass doors, purchase matching cellular shades for a unified look.

Solar Shades

If sun exposure is a major concern, then solar shades are your choice for window coverings for sliding glass doors. Fabricated to protect the interior of your home from UV exposure that can deteriorate the quality of your furnishings, artwork, and flooring, solar shades reduce glare. This makes them ideal if the room with your sliding doors is a place where your kids do their homework or you have a home office. Solar shades are also good at reflecting heat away from your home’s interior for greater energy efficiency. When selecting solar shades, consider their openness factor. For instance, an openness factor of 14% means the shade fabric is loosely woven and lets in more light, while a 1% openness factor indicates a tighter weave for greater light diffusion.

Unlike vertical blinds or vertical cellular shades, solar shades don’t have side-to-side functionality. That means you have to roll them all the way up or down to access the sliding door, but this can be done easily with an automation option that is operated by remote control or a device such as a mobile phone or smart home accessory.

Roller Shades

Roller shades go just about anywhere because they are incredibly versatile; they are another excellent choice for sliding door window treatments. A multitude of colors, patterns, and textures give you complete design flexibility, and you can add on options to get as close to blackout-level light control as possible. They operate like solar shades so that motorization can offer you great convenience.

Drapery

Drapery adds dramatic elegance to a room, and terrific sliding glass door curtain ideas pair custom drapery with other window treatments such as shades for an appealing design motif. You can choose colors and design accents for both types of window coverings that will coordinate perfectly for a high-level designer feel. If you’re getting light control and privacy from shades or blinds, you may also consider wide-width sheer drapery, which exudes a soft subtlety. Drapery can be crafted in custom lengths and widths to fit any size of sliding door.

All of these window treatments for sliding glass doors give you plenty of choices. If you need help narrowing them down, partner with Stoneside. Our expert designers will come to your home for a free consultation so that you can look at samples and discuss the best options for you. Sliding glass doors are beautiful to behold, and even more so with the right window coverings. Find just what you’re looking for by scheduling a consultation with Stoneside today.

Want to learn how automated blinds or shades can modernize your home? Contact us today for a free design consultation.