If you have a sliding glass patio door, you may be wondering how to have window treatments that will not get in the way when going inside and outside.
Here are a few options for window coverings for a sliding glass patio door.
photo courtesy of Bill Wilson flickr.com/photos/okchomeseller/13971753012/Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are probably the most common window covering for a sliding glass door.
These blinds are like traditional blinds, except they hang vertically instead of horizontally.
Vertical blinds are often made out of plastic, metal, or fabric.
The blinds move easily out of the way when accessing the door yet provide privacy and block light at other times.
Eventhough they are functional, they are typically not the most attractive option.
Vertical Shades
Vertical shades function very similarly to vertical blinds.
Vertical shades are generally made out of fabric (sheer or opaque) or woven wood (such as bamboo).
Cellular Blinds/Shades
The cellular blinds or shades that so many people love also come in a vertical option for sliding glass patio doors.
Sliding Fabric Panels
Similar to vertical blinds, several manufacturers sell sliding fabric panels to cover sliding glass patio doors.
The panels range in width (generally 12 inches to 36 inches), but they stack over each other when you push them out of the way.
Bypass Shutters
If you have shutters in your home, you may want to have your sliding glass door have the same look.
You can get custom bypass shutters to coordinate with your window shutters. Bypass shutters work on a track, similar to a barn door.
One door sized shutter can he pushed out of the way by sliding it in front of the other shutter, thus giving you access to the door.
Custom Bypass Panels
You can make your own custom bypass panels to cover your sliding glass patio door.
The panels can be made of window screen, plexiglass, metal, fabric, stone, wood, or most any other material.
You can hang the panels either on inside your home or on the exterior of your home for added protection of your sliding glass door from strong weather.
Curtains
You can also use curtains on your sliding glass patio door.
Your curtains should be easily pushed to the side using curtains with rings or a traverse rod. A traverse rod allows you to pull a rope to move the curtains to the side and out of the way.
You might also like one layer of sheer curtains behind a layer of thick draperies.
Luckily, many ready made curtain manufacturers are making extra wide curtains that are 100 inches wide that should work well on a sliding glass patio door.
Window Film
If you are not concerned about privacy, but want to control a little bit of the heat and light coming through your sliding glass patio doors, consider using window film #ad.
Window film comes in many different colors, opacities, strengths, and heat resistances so you can select the best one for your particular situation.
You can even consider putting frosted glass window film on your sliding glass door starting from approximately 4 foot down to provide visual privacy yet allow a view when standing.
Think Outside the Box
If you are concerned about privacy, but don't want to cover your windows, consider thinking outside to create privacy.
You can install large shrubs, a decorative wall, lattice, tall trees, a fence topper, bamboo, or other items outside to block other people's view inside your home.
Another option is to add exterior lights above your door to minimize the view inside at night.
