Choosing the Best Blinds for Sliding Doors
- Updated on:
- Written by Bev Fidler
Transform your glass sliding doors from basic to beautiful with the perfect blinds. While sliding doors are excellent for bringing in natural light and providing easy access to outdoor entertaining spaces, choosing the right blinds can be tricky.
Let’s explore the best blinds for sliding doors that maintain style, functionality, and comfort in our unique Australian climate.
Why Sliding Doors Need Special Consideration
Sliding doors aren’t just larger versions of standard windows. They often serve as the main transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces, making them a focal point in your home. Therefore, you should ask yourself a few key questions before jumping ahead and placing an order:
- Are your sliding doors in a high-traffic area used frequently to walk in and out of rooms?
- How often will the blinds be opened and closed on an average day?
- Do you have a view through the sliding door that you do not want to block or obscure?
- How much privacy and light filtering will you need from your blinds?
- Is this a window that frequently gets hot from morning or afternoon sun?
- Are the doors positioned in or close to potentially wet areas, such as the nearest access point for a pool or spa?
In many cases, the answers to these questions will help to inform which blinds will be right for your sliding door.
Best Blind Types for Sliding Doors
Choosing sliding door blinds is a simple way to control room temperatures, adjust light, and allow fresh air to circulate around the home without keeping the door open and losing valuable privacy. Let’s go through some of the popular options you may want to consider:
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds remain a popular choice for sliding doors, and for good reason. These versatile window treatments feature vertical slats that move in the same direction as your doors, making them inherently practical. They offer excellent light control and can be split at any point to allow easy access.
The slats can be rotated to precisely control light and privacy levels, making them particularly effective in media rooms or home offices where glare control is essential. Modern vertical blinds come in a wide range of materials and colours, from practical aluminium blinds to sophisticated fabric options that can complement any décor style.
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds provide clean lines and efficient operation for those seeking a minimalist solution. Available in various fabrics, from blockout to sunscreen, they can be mounted within the door frame or as an outside mount. Many homeowners opt for two blinds on the same window – perhaps a sunscreen fabric for the daytime and a blockout fabric for complete privacy at night.
The latest roller blind systems feature smooth operation mechanisms and can be motorised for added convenience. They’re particularly effective for large sliding doors where manual operation might be cumbersome. With proper installation, roller blinds can provide excellent insulation benefits, helping to reduce energy costs throughout the year.
Roman Blinds for Sliding Doors
Roman blinds are another popular choice for those looking to match their existing décor. When raised, Roman Blinds gather into a clean and neat pleated stack, lying flat against the window. When lowered, they instantly warm and soften the room.
With almost endless options of soft fabrics to choose from, custom-made Roman blinds allow you to create the perfect atmosphere for your home. Once you have found your perfect Roman blind fabric, you can choose between standard or blocked lining, which is excellent for keeping heat out.
It’s important to note that Roman blinds aren’t usually recommended for high-traffic areas that need to be opened and closed regularly.
Have you considered Plantation Shutters?
Though not technically blinds, sliding plantation shutters deserve mention as they offer a premium solution for sliding doors. They provide excellent light control and add significant aesthetic value to your home.
Modern Aluminium Plantation Shutters can be configured to slide along tracks, similar to panel glide blinds, making them a practical choice for sliding doors. They’re particularly suited to traditional or Hampton-style homes and offer excellent durability in coastal environments.
Practical Considerations
Measuring and Installation
Before choosing your sliding door blinds, accurate measurements are essential. Using a metal tape measure, you’ll need to consider:
- The entire door opening, including the frame and tracks
- The window frame specifications and any protruding handles
- The overhead space available for mounting hardware
- Any potential obstacles, such as security sensors or air conditioning units
- The stack-back space needed when blinds are fully opened
As Classic Blinds, we offer a free measure and quote service and can provide expert advice on what blind solution would work for your sliding glass doors.
Light and Privacy Control
Different fabrics offer varying levels of privacy and light control:
- Translucent fabrics provide a balance of privacy and natural light, perfect for living areas
- Blockout fabric ensures complete privacy and light control, ideal for bedrooms and media rooms
- Sunscreen fabric reduces glare while maintaining views great for north-facing doors
- Sheer curtain options offer subtle privacy without blocking light, suitable for formal areas
The orientation of your sliding doors and local climate conditions should influence your fabric choice. North-facing doors might benefit from heat-reflective fabrics, while south-facing doors might prioritise light filtration.
Operation and Maintenance
Consider these factors for smooth operation:
- The frequency of use, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchen access doors
- Ease of cleaning and maintenance requirements
- Child safety features such as cordless operation or motorisation
- Durability in Australian conditions, particularly in coastal areas
- The weight and size of the blinds for comfortable daily use
Ready to Find the Perfect Window Coverings?
Choosing the right blinds for sliding doors involves balancing functionality, style, and practicality. Whether you opt for classic vertical blinds, modern Venetian blinds, or elegant plantation shutters, ensure your choice complements your lifestyle and home’s aesthetic.
Our friendly team at Classic Blinds provide expert advice and can help you find the perfect solution for your home. Contact us today to book your consultation, and let us help you transform your sliding doors into stunning features that perfectly balance beauty and functionality – contact us today!
