Sliding Door Shades for Patio Doors – An Alternative to Drapes and Blinds
Panel track blinds, vertical blinds or drapes are probably the first options you think about if you are looking for sliding door window treatments. If you are looking for an alternative solution, you might want to consider vertical cellular shades. These sliding door shades are made from a honeycomb-shaped material and can be opened left or right or gathered in the middle. Blackout options are available for some patio door shades.
Another option you may want to consider is exterior sliding sun shades that are mounted and slide along bard door tracks. Learn how to make your own sun shades in this Green It Yourself video:
Bali DiamondCell Double Cell VertiCell Shades are designed for wide windows and sliding glass doors, have two moveable side rails with locking handles and come in several different collections. They also are suitable as room divider shades. Solitaire shades are made from a light filtering fabric with a subtle texture and come in 14 colors. Northern Lights and Storm shades are made from a semi-opaque fabric and come in over 50 colors. Midnight shades are made from a blackout fabric and come in 16 colors. Tinted Whites and Eternity shades are made from a soft, spunlace semi-opaque fabric and come in 15 colors. A wood cornice is available for an additional cost.
Bali also offers several types of bamboo sliding door shades. Their Natural Drapes and Sliding Panels are constructed from bamboo, grass, reeds and/or match stix components that are woven tightly together and come with a decorative edge binding. Options include privacy and blackout fabrics and wood cornices.
Levolor Perceptions Soft Vertical Shades are made from woven fabric that are available in a variety of colors and come with a channel valance. A wood or fabric insert valance and split stack option are available at an additional cost.
American Blinds sells Single Cell Light Filtering Cellular Vertical Slider Shades that are available in seven colors. The panels slide side to side along a horizontal rail. These sliding door blinds come with a lifetime limited warranty.
Hunter Douglas recommends their Alustra Duette and Alustra Applause Honeycomb Shades for sliding glass doors as they traverse horizontally and are easier to operate via their Vertiglide operating system. Both product lines are highly energy efficient, but the Applause collection comes in a wider variety of fabric and color combinations.
Blindsgalore Cellular Vertidraw Shades are a more affordable option that comes in solid and textured fabrics. The semi-opaque single cell fabric comes in 13 pastel colors, and the blackout fabric comes in nine pastel colors.
You can purchase sliding door shades either online or in person from a variety of retailers including Home Depot and Lowe’s. Some retailers offer custom ordering and professional installation, so it’s helpful to do some research first. Make sure to get the exact measurements to ensure a perfect fit.
