If you’ve just installed a sliding glass door, you may be wondering what the next step is to completing your renovation. A functional and important design element to the project is choosing the right window treatment for your sliding glass doors. Take a look at these options.
Window Treatment Types:
Cellular Shades
This type of blinds is structured in a honeycomb design in order to add an extra layer of insulation to your windows. For glass sliding doors, vertical cellular shades are the way to go. These types of cellular shades slide left and right along with the sliding door’s track.
Some advantages to this type of treatment is its energy efficiency in insulating large window spaces. This is especially helpful since the surface area of sliding door windows is typically pretty big. Another advantage is the diversity of the material. There are many different colors to choose from to match any type of decor. This product usually offers a light-filtering or room-darkening option so you can have the advantage of natural light that comes with large sliding glass doors but block that light when you don’t want it.
Sheer Privacy Shades
Another type of treatment to consider are privacy sheers. These are composed of many vertical sections that can be rotated. Privacy sheers can slide horizontally, similarly to cellular shades, but they also have the added ability to be adjusted to let in more or less sunlight.
The obvious advantage to this type of treatment is their ability to dim and lighten a room even when they are covering the sliding door area. When the sheers are opened, light is let in and diffused beautifully. When they’re positioned so that they’re closed, light is shut out efficiently. One disadvantage is that sheers do not offer the added insulation that the honeycomb design of cellular shades do. One helpful hint is to hang sheers from rings so they can easily be pulled open and shut.
Roller Shades
If you’re looking for a minimalistic idea for window treatments that won’t take away from the view of your sliding glass door, roller shades are an excellent option. Instead of sliding open and shut vertically, these shades can be pulled down from above, and rolled back up when not in use.
These shades are perfect for someone who enjoys a lot of sunlight and is really looking to take advantage of the views provided by a sliding glass door. The shades, when rolled up, are kept in a sleek, thin roll above the top trim and kept out of sight.
Curtains
Dress up your sliding glass doors but treat it like one large window. Run a curtain rod above the top of the unit including any decorative transom if that is part it. Curtains can add a touch of design but also privacy and an energy-saving layer when closed. Lined curtains can help to block the sun’s rays and protects fabrics and rugs from fading.
If privacy isn’t a concern and style is more your thing, install short curtain rods on either side of the sliding glass doors to add design to the space without interfering with your view to the outside.
Choosing the Best Window Treatment
Whether you’ve just bought a new house and are installing new doors, or you’re looking to replace your current sliding doors, choosing the right window treatment is an important step. Consider style and function when deciding which window treatment is right for your sliding glass door. Our Thompson Creek professionals can help determine the right type of patio doors for your Mid-Atlantic home. Call us today for a free consultation!