We Finally Found The Perfect Alternative To Vertical Blinds For Sliding Glass Doors

When someone utters the words "vertical blinds," I'm guessing your gut reaction is less than positive. In fact, these window treatments that were so incredibly popular in the 1980s and 1990s have now become synonymous with being outdated and cheap-looking. While this generalization may not be entirely fair in some cases (and totally fair in others), the stereotype holds, with homeowners looking to swap out vertical blinds for literally anything else in the name of style and design. In fact, aside from a modernized vertical wide fabric panel blind, I haven't recommended a traditional-style vertical blind to any client in my entire career as an interior designer.

However, there's one area where vertical blinds had some serious practical advantages, which is why they became so ubiquitous in the first place: creating flexible privacy at a sliding glass door. Because of the way vertical blinds side-stack in such a small footprint, users were able to toggle seamlessly between full coverage and wide open without blocking an inch of the view, as well as every scenario in between. So while they may not be as aesthetically coveted as they once were, they left some pretty large functionality shoes to fill.

So what's the answer? Are there any chic sliding glass door window treatments that can match the practicality of the vertical blind? The answer is absolutely! The key to maintaining functionality with more updated, contemporary materials is to opt for a two-on-one headrail configuration with your favorite shade or blind material. Technical mumbo-jumbo aside, this basically means you can operate separate side-by-side shade panels on the same headrail, allowing for strategic splits for ultimate versatility. Let me break this all down so you know exactly how to tailor this clever window treatment solution to your home and aesthetic.

The issue with a singular shade or horizontal blind over a sliding door is that, because it's all one unit, it must always be fully raised to be able to walk through the door. You lose privacy for access and vice versa, meaning your options for blocking light but moving freely between the indoors and outdoors are extremely limited and inconvenient. I don't know about you, but I would find this impractical setup extremely irritating. In addition, these singular oversized shades tend to be extremely heavy and challenging to operate, thanks to their weight, making them impractical for some users. In addition, because of weight concerns, some fabrics or materials may max out in a size smaller than what you need, meaning you are stuck choosing something else.

The solution is simple: A two-on-one headrail shade is just what it sounds like. One long headrail that houses two separately controlled shade panels. This individual adjustment solves the all-in or all-out issue of large singular shades by giving you customizable control over each section, which is split at the trim between each glass pane or door for a minimal light gap. In addition, it halves the weight of each shade, making them easier to operate and more flexible with fabric and material options. Traditional sliders will have a fixed pane and a slider door, so a two-on-one headrail is ideal for this configuration, but some brands offer three-on-one headrail options for larger stretches of window.

When it comes to installation specifics, there are a few ways to mount a sliding door shade. While French doors have the luxury of door frame material for installing individual door-mounted shades, and a single swing glass door with window(s) configuration may have a drywall middle divider for supporting separate shades, these options do not work for full glass panel sliders. In this scenario, you must plan for a single headrail to span the entire width, or even more than one multiple-on-one headrail shade for an expansive wall of windows and doors.

Some sliding door frames may have enough depth for you to do an inside-mount shade, meaning it's installed within the drywall or door frame. However, the overhead stacking of some shade styles, like a Roman shade, may prove to be in the way or block too much of the view. I never want a client to bump their head! Therefore, options like roller or banded shades that retreat fully into their valence cassettes or a tightly stacked honeycomb may provide a more seamless option for inside-mounted setups.

More often, though, modern sliders do not have the frame depth to cleanly fit an entire roller cassette, so outside-mounted designs are a better choice, meaning the shade is mounted to the wall above the slider and extends over the door trim for light coverage. When installing an outside-mount two-on-one headrail shade above your slider, consider installing it near the ceiling, rather than right above the door trim. This extends the eye up to give the space more height, cleans up the visual clutter around the door, and gives longer shades like Romans more height to stack without blocking the door. Just be sure to order it with the extra length in mind.

The beautiful thing about a multiple-on-one headrail shade is that the configuration isn't limited to a particular material or style of shade, meaning you can tailor it to perfectly suit your personal aesthetic. I love a natural woven shade for adding warm, organic vibes and tons of gorgeous texture. A fabric Roman shade can bring in color, pattern, and personality, not to mention a romantic softness with its layers of elegant folds. For a minimalistic look, opt for a roller shade in a subtle, chic screening material, available in various degrees of privacy. If you want a bolder contemporary look with a ton of light control flexibility, try a transitional or banded shade. For an eco-friendly layer of insulation and heat control, select a modern honeycomb with the most wonderful minimal top stack when open. Or stick with the tried-and-true and use a stately wood horizontal blind for an old world or coastal shuttered look.

Because the variety of design choices is so vast, this type of shade has no issue achieving an elevated aesthetic, unlike its very limited and outdated vertical blind counterparts. In addition, because it is manufactured as one unit, it helps ensure that multiple panels with patterns or banded stripes are spear-lined, or horizontally pattern-matched, when lowered to the same level, which is essential for making sure everything looks right. Choosing an automated shade with a hardwired or battery-operated motor also helps with seamlessly aligning multiple panels and gives you precise programming over each section.

This versatile and functional configuration of multiple shades on one headrail is one of my favorite solutions for achieving the perfect balance of access, privacy, light control, and an unencumbered view on your glass sliding door.