When it comes to selecting the perfect window treatment for sliding glass doors, homeowners often find themselves overwhelmed with choices. The right treatment can enhance the aesthetics of your home, provide privacy, and improve energy efficiency. Here are some expert recommendations based on a recent discussion with Inge Vermeylen, one of our Senior Sales Consultants.
Roller Shades
Why Choose Roller Shades? Roller shades are the top recommendation for sliding glass doors. They are modern, clean, and highly functional. Roller shades roll all the way up above the door glass, providing a sleek and unobtrusive look when not in use that occupy minimal space and do not interfere with the door’s operation. This makes them a popular choice for sliding glass doors. Our roller shades are available in various fabrics and colors, they can be customized to match any décor.
For those that may want to enhance the look and functionality of their roller shades, consider additional features like cornices to hide the headrails, or motorization for ease of use.
Our motorized roller shades on this Nashville, TN customer’s sliding glass doors are easy to use and roll all the way up above the doors, creating an unobstructed view of their backyard.
Drapery
Why Choose Drapery? For those who prefer a more traditional look, drapery is the second-best option. Draperies can be customized in terms of fabric, pattern, and color, providing a wide range of design possibilities. As some customers may prefer to have window treatments that draw horizontally with their sliding doors, drapes offer a more classic and stylish solution than the only other horizontally drawn option, vertical blinds.
Heavier draperies can provide additional insulation, helping to keep rooms warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Although they help to insulate your home and potentially save on your heating and cooling costs, drapes are going to be the most expensive option and may require more upkeep, such as cleaning or dry cleaning.
Our double panel drapes on this Brentwood, TN customer’s sliding glass doors are perfect for their busy family room.
Vertical Blinds (Not Recommended)
While vertical blinds were once a popular choice for sliding glass doors, they have fallen out of favor due to their outdated look and tendency to break easily. They are now more commonly used in commercial settings, due to their industrial or office-like appearance. In addition, vertical blinds tend to flop around and crash against the door glass when being opened and closed.
Vertical blinds have become less favored due to their outdated look and tendency to break.
Other Options
Roman Shades & Woven Shades: While stylish, Roman and woven shades are not ideal for sliding doors due to their bulky stack height when raised. This can obstruct the view and the door’s operation. By nature, sliding glass doors have tall windows, so the amount of fabric that bunches at the top when drawn is much more than your typical windows elsewhere in the home.
Shutters: Shutters can be used but require a track system and significant wall space for installation. They are bulky and may not be practical for all homes.
When selecting window treatments for sliding glass doors, the primary factors to consider are functionality, aesthetics, and maintenance. Roller shades and draperies stand out as the top choices, each offering unique benefits to suit different preferences and styles. Avoid outdated options like vertical blinds unless necessary for specific applications. For a personalized recommendation and professional installation, consult with a window treatment expert.
