Best Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors (2024)

By Amanda Lutz Updated February 12, 2024

Table of Contents

Benefits of Window Treatments
Types of Window Treatments
Choosing Window Treatments
Custom-Made vs. Ready-Made
Installation Tips
Our Recommendation
FAQ

Window treatments for sliding glass doors can play a role in beautifying your space and defining your home’s style. These treatments can provide privacy, light control, and insulation, offering both functionality and beauty. There are many options for window covers, including blackout curtains and chic vertical blinds, but the right choice for your home will depend on your unique sense of style and the look you want to create. This guide will highlight the benefits of window treatments, the types of window treatments to consider, how to choose the right ones, and installation tips.

Benefits of Window Treatments

From increased privacy to more light in a space, here are a few benefits of sliding glass door window treatments:

Enhanced aesthetic: Window treatments can make your patio area more visually appealing. They can add color and style, enhancing the atmosphere and communicating the overall design of your home.
Improved light control: Window treatments also provide natural light control. You can leave your curtains open on a sunny day or close them to provide a more moody environment.
Increased privacy: Treatments such as shutters and blinds can help maintain the security and privacy of your home. They allow you to see out your window or door but prevent passersby on the street from seeing into your house.
Temperature regulation: During the summer, sliding glass door window treatments can block harmful UV rays that cause sun damage and help keep the inside of your home cool. Alternatively, they provide additional insulation when it’s cold outside and can help keep your home warm.

Types of Window Treatments

There are four basic types of window treatments: blinds, curtains, shades, and shutters. There are pros and cons associated with each, so consider each option before making a final decision.

Blinds

If you’re looking for a quick and relatively easy window treatment, blinds could be a good option. One of the most popular window covers, blinds come in a variety of colors and materials to match your space. They’re available in a vertical design that attaches to a single panel over your windows, with slats that hang nearly to the floor.

Curtains

Curtains and drapery are other traditional options for covering your patio doors. Door curtains can be made from a lightweight, thin material and come in all lengths and patterns. As one of the most customizable window treatments, curtains come in dozens of fabric options, including pleated and flowy designs, and are often less costly than shades or shutters. They can give your space a modern look and effortless functionality.

Curtains also provide privacy, especially if you opt for blackout curtains, which have a room-darkening effect. However, they don’t do much in the way of temperature control, and sheer curtains aren’t the strongest light-filtering option.

Shades

Cellular shades, often called honeycomb blinds, are available in single, double, and triple cells, so you can customize how they appear on your patio doors. They’re also available in different opacity levels and colors, including faux wood, making it easy to customize the design and appearance of your patio door. Vertical cellular shades are known for their excellent temperature control properties and are a great option for those who live in hot or humid climates.

While the sheer fabric of cellular shades helps regulate the temperature in your home, it also makes them more prone to damage like rips and tears. Sheer shades can also be a bigger investment than other window treatment options.

Shutters

Classy and unique, shutters add a touch of vintage charm to your patio doors. Shutters are generally available in a folding accordion style that open outward, creating the illusion of a double door. Plantation shutters are a top choice for homeowners who prefer more of a vintage style. Most shutters tend to be heavy, and while they do offer light control, they might not be as effective as other options.

Choosing the Right Window Treatment

It may seem as though there are endless options for window treatments, but here are a few tips to help you choose the best window treatment for your home:

Buy for the long-term: You’ll likely be living with your window treatment for years, so consider investing in a treatment that won’t seem outdated in the future. Additionally, if you’re purchasing multiple window treatments of the same type and size, consider motorized options if you don’t want to spend a lot of time adjusting the window treatments.
Consider size and scale: Take into account the height and overall size of the room that requires the window treatments, and choose window covers that fit the sliding glass doors. For example, curtains may be a better option in dining rooms and smaller rooms that require more light, while vertical blinds may be a good solution for large windows in your living room.
Don’t feel constrained by neutrals: While neutral-colored window treatments are popular, a pop of color can do a lot to brighten a space. Consider testing any colored treatments before making a large purchase to ensure the color complements the space.
Learn how to hang window treatments: If you plan on hanging the window covers yourself, make sure to do so correctly. Window treatments that are hung too low or have panels that are incorrectly installed can cause damage and make the room look awkward.

Custom-Made vs. Ready-Made Window Treatments

When planning your window treatment project, consider whether you’ll buy custom or ready-made covers. Custom-made treatments are ideal for homeowners who have a house with unique window and patio door shapes. For these homeowners, purchasing ready-made window treatments might be a challenge due to fit concerns.

Designing custom-made window treatments also allows you to have a hand in the process, where you can create something original for your home. Custom-made treatments are likely to be more costly than ready-made window treatments and may take more time to create than ready-made options, which can be purchased and installed within the same day. Additionally, custom-made window covers can provide improved energy efficiency and tend to offer better insulation than ready-made ones since they’re tailored specifically for your windows.

Ready-made window treatments are easy to install and are a great option for homeowners who need a window treatment for their sliding glass doors without much fuss. These treatments are generally less costly than custom-made window treatments and are easy to replace should they become damaged or worn. Ready-made window covers also come in a wide range of styles and designs. However, depending on where you purchase them, they might be of slightly lower quality and have a shorter lifespan than custom window covers.

Window Treatment Installation Tips

Installing window treatments on your own is doable, even if you don’t have any previous experience. Here are a few steps to ensure your window treatment installation goes smoothly:

Take proper measurements of your sliding glass door before you purchase window treatments and begin installation.
Test out the operation of the patio door before you buy window treatments. Determine if there’s anything that might impede the installation process and do a test run with existing window treatments if you have them.
Ensure that you have the right tools, including a measuring tape and any specific hardware required to hang your window covers.
After the installation is complete, test the operation to be sure the window covers close as they should.

If you don’t feel comfortable installing window treatments on your own, hire a professional. Most hardware and local home improvement stores will have options for installation, and if you purchase the window covers directly from the store, you may receive a discount for the service.

Our Recommendation

Finding window treatments for sliding glass doors doesn’t have to be a challenge. With a wide variety of window treatment styles available, from shutters and vertical blinds to curtains and roller shades, you’re bound to find an option that matches your style preferences and fits in your space. Whether you decide to go with ready-made or custom options, window treatments can improve the appearance of your home, increase energy efficiency, assist with light and temperature control, and enhance the feel of your space.

Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors FAQ

What type of window treatment should I use for sliding glass doors?

The type of window treatment to use for sliding glass doors will depend on your style and goals for the room. Consider the amount of light and privacy level you want in the space, as well as the overall size and scale of the room before you purchase window treatments.

What blinds are best for sliding doors?

The blinds that are best for sliding doors will depend on the room’s aesthetic, door size, and personal style preferences. Vertical blinds are a popular choice for many homeowners, but you can also opt for shutters, shades, or curtains.

How can I make my sliding glass door look better?

To make your sliding glass door look better, select window treatments that complement the size and shape of both the door and the surrounding space. Window treatments have the power to transform the interior design of a room when chosen with intentionality.

Do people put curtains on sliding glass doors?

People may opt for curtains on sliding glass doors as a privacy measure and as a means to control the light that enters the room. Curtains are not the most insulating window treatment option, but they’re versatile and come in a wide array of colors and styles.

How do I measure window treatments for sliding glass doors?

To measure window treatments for sliding glass doors, measure for width, height, and depth. When measuring for width, measure inside the window frame at the top, middle, and bottom. For height, measure the left, middle, and right side of the window frame. Measure for depth at the center of the window frame. If your window treatments will be mounted outside, take the measurements on the outside part of the sliding glass door.