Welcome to another Window Wednesday! Patio doors have been on my mind the last week or so. I’ve had two new clients call recently, and each want some kind of window treatment to cover their patio doors.
Patio doors can be tricky. They’re expensive to cover because they are so wide and long, and most of my clients would like to fully cover them for privacy and light issues.
When I first started my business, vertical blinds were the popular choice for patio doors. They’re not very expensive, and easily give privacy and block the light, but they’re very outdated now.
Here’s a picture from my early days of making window treatments for clients. Probably 12 or 13 years ago. Back then, we just kept the verticals and added a valance.
Another option for patio doors, that I have used in the past, are called Duette Vertiglides. They’re made by Hunter Douglas, and are cellular shades that have the pleats going vertical instead of horizontal. What’s nice about them for a patio door, is that they stack very nicely to one side.
In this picture, again from the early days, you can see the Vertiglide stacked to the left side of the patio door. Again, we added a valance to cover the headrail.
Over the years, I have come to like a more up-to-date way to treat patio doors. I love to hang drapery panels from decorative traversing rods.
Most often, if there is room on both sides of the patio door, I like to have split panels. Meaning that there are two panels on each side and the pull closed in the middle of the patio door. Versus a one way draw, which pulls to one side or the other.
Recently, I dressed a client’s patio door with a Hunter Douglas Luminette. I had never used this option for sliding doors before, but I’m in love with how they look! They were a good option for my client because we installed Hunter Douglas Silhouettes for her other windows.
The Luminettes are the same product as the Silhouettes, but the vanes run vertical instead of horizontal. I love the soft look of the sheer fabric which covers the vanes. (I’m not getting paid by Hunter Douglas for this post, I just love their products.)
So, what do you think? How do you like to cover a patio door?
Susan says
November 14, 2013 at 3:04 pmI like them. I assume they slide to the side? I’m very lucky there is not another house behind us. I just have a valance on my patio and sheers on the family room. Love the light.
Lincoln Sheeran says
January 9, 2014 at 2:55 amDesigning the appropriate cover for the patio is great artwork and requires an eye for aesthetics. You need to take in to account the climate, the amount of space, the material used for building construction, the colour and of course the budget. Last but not the least, style is very important.
connie says
March 19, 2016 at 7:56 amI built a cornice board over my patio slider, hung 2 roll up shades and placed 2 curtain panels one on each end and one in the center of the doors. get the afternoon sun so it helps