Window Treatments that Work with Sliding Glass Doors

Which window treatments can I use on my sliding glass doors besides vertical blinds?

We hear this question from many customers.  The short answer is … almost any window treatment will work on sliders, but some are better suited to large areas of glass.  There are also some cool, innnovative products that are not only stylish, they work particularly well in vertical applications.

Before You Go Shopping

• How much privacy and light control will you need in that room?   For example, if the slider is in a room where you watch TV, you’ll need a treatment that completely blocks light when closed.
• What types of window treatments are on the other windows in that room and the rest of the house?  You’ll probably want your new window treatment to coordinate with them.
• Which direction does your slider open (to the left or right)?  For ease of use, it’s better if your treatment opens in the same direction.
• Measure your window opening (length, width and depth). This information will help your design consultant identify which treatments will work for your windows and calculate a cost estimate.

Panel Track Blinds

• Wide, vertical panels on a track that smoothly glide open and closed.
• Available in a wide variety of fabrics, woven wood looks and solar screens
• Great for Contemporary to Transitional interiors (e.g. Hunter Douglas’ Skyline Gliding Panels, left)

Shutters

• Shutter panels on a bypass track (or bifold track)
• Adds a clean, classic look plus an unexpected wow factor to your slider (e.g. HD Heritance Shutters, right)
• Available in stained or painted hardwood panels, as well as economical composite shutters (white, off-white or select stain colors)

Vertical Sheers

• Combine the softness of draperies with the versatility of vertical blinds.
• Best of both worlds – total privacy when closed; soft, filtered light when open
• One of our favorites is AdoWrap (left), which features a sheer fabric that can cover existing verticals blinds.  Best of all, the fabric unsnaps and is completely washable!

Vertical Cellular Shades

• Made of single or double honeycomb cells that when closed, trap outside air at the window, providing 20% more energy efficiency than standard verticals (HD Duette Vertiglide, right).
• Operate on a track, pulling open and closed with a handle (no wand or cords).
• Available in opaque, light-filtering or sheer fabrics.

Curtains and  Draperies

• Fabrics add softness, color and personality to sliders
• Use a traverse rod that pulls open in the same direction as the door (try a cornice or decorative traverse rod to add extra style)

Vertical Blinds

• Don’t rule these out – check out the updated wood, fabric and vinyl looks, like grasscloth, raw silk, faux suede, woven wood and other textures (e.g HD Somner Vertical Blinds, right).
• Economical, excellent light control and tailor-made for sliding glass doors.