ALTERNATIVES TO VERTICAL BLINDS FOR SLIDING GLASS DOORS

​Want an alternative to vertical blinds to cover a sliding glass door or large window? Vertical blinds are durable and can span wide distances, but their utilitarian style isn’t for everyone. We’ve got some other window treatment options for sliding glass doors that are just as functional but more likely to suit your home decor.

roller shades

​Roller shades can easily align themselves perfectly with sliding glass doors and almost “disappear”. You can choose between regular roll or a reverse roll or a cassette valance or a metal fascia. All these mounting styles allow for the shades to lie closely with the window and give it a neat and clean finish. The reason why this feature comes in handy for sliding glass doors is that it does not hide the look of the window or the door. So, those big glass panes that allow you to enjoy the view from your living room are not covered up behind layers of fabric. The fabric rolls neatly to the top and stays out of the way. 
Roller shades are also available as solar shades (pictured below). Solar shades maintain an actual weave in the fabric which keeps the outside view open to the person through the blind even when it is fully lowered. This lets you retain your beautiful view and keeps your room looking open, while still blocking heat and glare. These solar shades also block more heat and protect your floors and furnishings from damaging UV rays.

VERTICAL CELLULAR HONEYCOMB SHADES

​A great solution for your large sliding glass door would be a vertical cellular shade. Vertical cellular shades are designed with “honeycomb-shaped pockets” which keep your room insulated and at a comfortable temperature by preventing air from entering or escaping.
In addition to being energy efficient, vertical cellular shades help you control light and privacy. They come in three light control options so you can achieve the desired extent of light and privacy control: sheer, light-filtering, and room darkening. The privacy options are important depending on which room your sliding door is in because if you have a sliding door in a bedroom, room darkening opacity would be great for ultimate privacy and light control.

SLIDING PANEL TRACK BLINDS

​A modern solution for covering your sliding door are sliding panel track blinds. They're over-sized panels with varying widths and consistent overlapping. They can be used for sliding doors and windows or as room dividers. They come in a large selection of fabrics that add personality to your living spaces.
A popular trend with sliding panel track blinds is woven wood material. It is an elegant, eco-friendly option made of natural woven grasses. They are made from materials such as bamboo, jute, hemp, and flax for a textured look. With panels, you can even coordinate the materials with an accompanying top treatment for an overall designer look.

plantation shutters

If you're looking for a timeless classic to cover your sliding door, shutters would be your answer. Shutters for sliding glass doors have an abundance of benefits such as privacy, ventilation, and protection. Depending on your style Plantation shutters come in real wood or composite wood in three popular louver sizes, 2 ½”, 3 ½” and 4 ½” to match your desired level of light and privacy. You can manipulate the louvers to fully open and close or to any value in between to achieve the exact level of privacy and light that you want.
A major benefit of Plantation shutters is they are energy saving due to their insulating design. Another important advantage is that they are extremely durable and constructed to last. Shutters come in different styles including bi-fold shutters which are ideal for large windows and sliding glass doors, as they are hinged in the middle and fold accordion-style to open (pictured below). Bypass style, a great option for patio doors, are panels that slide on a track and stack neatly behind one another for a well-ordered look. Shutters can be custom-fit to properly fit any sliding door.

DRAPERY

​Drapes are fashionable way to cover your sliding door that won’t hinder the use of the door. Drapery allows you to have an uninterrupted view of the outdoors when open and full privacy when closed.
Drapes not only look great but will provide you with light and privacy control along with sun protection and energy-saving insulation. For extra coverage, drapery can be layered with shades for added appeal and flare. Or consider adding light filtering and room darkening liners for enhanced light control and privacy. At LC Window Treatments we have hundreds of fabric styles and colors to choose from and we will ensure you get exactly the look and feel that you want.

SMART DRAPES (SHEER VERTICAL DRAPES)

​The Norman Window Fashions company recently released a revolutionary product to the world of window fashions called Smart Drape Shades, the innovative window treatment has the elegant look of drapery the with superior versatility and functionality. With the ability to cover windows and doors up to 245” (just over 20 feet), there’s a place for Smart Drape Shades™ in nearly every home.

Unlike ordinary drapery, these shades allow you to use the door even when they are closed. Constructed of individual veins, suspended in flowing sheer fabric, the shade will allow you to move in and out of your home freely, without the hassle of having to open and close them each time. Each individual vein has the ability to be removed from the head rail for easy cleaning. With these shades there is no need to hire someone to come to your home to clean them for you. This product is sturdy enough that you can place it in your washing machine.

These customizable shades are available with extensive options, allowing you make these shades fit your needs and desires perfectly. The sheer fabric that surrounds the veins comes in many colors and patterns so you can choose those that will best compliment your homes décor. With the simple twist of the wand your shades can go from allowing a light filled warm, inviting environment, to a solid providing you with a certain level of privacy when desired in a matter of seconds. An added dimension of versatility provided by these shades is the customizable option to open them to left, to the right, or have a split stack where they can be opened from the center outward.

​Whatever option you choose for your sliding glass door, we can customize for a perfect fit and work with your existing home decor. Give LC Window Treatments a call today at 628-400-1665 to discuss your exact requirements and schedule a complimentary in home consultation.