The patio is one of the most beloved parts of the home. It is a special place for outdoor get-togethers, backyard dinners, self-reflecting in the open air, and so much more. If your patio has sliding glass doors or hinged doors with glass panels leading to it, then you may have considered getting blinds.
With the right patio blinds, you will get extra privacy and protection from the heat of the sun. In this guide, we will give you pointers on how to choose the best patio door blinds that are exemplary in terms of form and function. Though our main focus in this article is blinds, we will also talk about shades, panels, and shutters as options for your patio doors.
Let’s get started!
1. Choosing Between Vertical or Horizontal Treatments
If you have sliding patio doors, it is recommended that you opt for vertical blinds, panels, or shades. This is not only for better aesthetics (as vertical lines or forms suggest stability and accentuate the height of a structure), but is also for ease of use. Vertical blinds, shades, sheers, and panels can be pushed to the side easily once you need to use your sliding patio door. You only need to clear the part of the door that opens – unlike with horizontal blinds that would need to be rolled all the way up if you need to pass through.
If you have hinged patio doors with glass panels, then horizontal treatments would be far more practical – as long as there is space for them to be affixed to the door itself. With this setup, you can open and close your patio doors without needing to alter the position of the blinds or shades.
2. Get to Know Your Options
Every type of patio door window treatment has its own set of advantages. By identifying what is most important to you, you will be able to sift through these options with ease. Ask yourself if you hold more value for the aesthetic appeal of your patio blinds or do you value something more practical like the ease of use and energy efficiency?
The first step to choosing the best option for you is to become familiar with the main kinds of window treatments that can be used for your patio doors. These can include:
PVC Vertical and Horizontal Patio Blinds
When discussing patio door blinds or patio door window treatments, PVC blinds are probably the first image that comes to mind. PVC blinds are available in both vertical and horizontal orientations and there is a reason why these blinds are the go-to option for many.
These types of blinds are easy-to-use, easy-to-clean, and can block out solar heat and UV radiation without getting warped or cracked. They also give a simple, neat, and textured look to your home’s interiors. To top it all off, they are typically highly cost-effective.
Vertical and Horizontal Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are a wonderful option for anyone who is looking for added energy efficiency, better insulation, and even a level of noise reduction. These shades have a honeycomb-like structure that allows them to offer all of these said benefits.
Cellular shades come in horizontal as well as vertical orientations so they can be used for both sliding and hinged doors. Once you have them set up, they offer a uniquely textured and clean look for your home. With all these benefits, however, there is one catch – the honeycomb structure of these shades makes them quite tricky to clean.
Vertical Sliding Patio Panels
Known for their ease of use and unique aesthetic touch, vertical sliding panels are gaining popularity as a viable window treatment option. These sliding panels are typically made from thick, stiff fabrics which are available in a wide array of colours and textures. They can be used to achieve a modern look or a more natural feel, depending on the fabric used. Panels can vary in terms of how much light they are able to block. All in all, they are a good option if you would like to block off some parts of your patio door and glass windows at a time.
Vertical Folding Shutters
Vertical folding shutters for patios are typically made of vinyl and are designed to give off the appearance of real wood. One of the main advantages of these shutters is the amount of insulation they are able to give. They are also easy-to-use and require little to no maintenance – aside from regular cleaning which is also quite easy to do.
Patio Door Sheer Curtains
If you want to have more privacy while still maximizing natural light for your interiors, then sheer curtains may be the best option for your home. These can be used for both sliding patio doors and hinged patio doors with glass panels.
Vertical patio sheer curtains are amongst the easiest to clean as they are washed just like regular curtains. They also offer a beautiful, soft, glowing kind of look that many homeowners love. To top it all off, they are also highly cost-effective – you’d probably only need two sets that you can alternate depending on the seasonality and colour choice. The downside, however, is that they usually do not offer very much UV protection.
3. Window Treatment Sizing for Patio Doors
There are plenty of options for patio door blinds or window treatments in the market. Some offer treatments in a multitude of sizes which means you would only need to select the premade size that fits your needs best. However, you can also opt for brands that offer custom sizing.
Proper sizing is important for all patio doors, however, sizing may be far more important if you are looking to use treatments that are affixed to a hinged patio door. In this case, they would need to have the right dimensions to fit the door without interfering with its closing mechanism.
Update Your Patio Doors for Added Energy Efficiency, UV Protection, and Aesthetic Appeal
One of the key advantages of having patio door blinds is that they shield your home from harmful UV rays which can bring unwanted heat and cause damage to your home’s interiors. The good news is, some of the patio door blinds that we’ve covered above also have increased insulating properties that will help you save up on energy costs.
If energy efficiency and UV protection are key components for your home, you will benefit from getting updated, energy-efficient patio doors. Here at Burano Doors, we design our patio doors to have it all. Our sliding patio doors are built using Hydraglass 50™ technology with argon gas sandwiched between two panes of glass. We also utilize Energy Advantage Hard Coat Low Emissivity glass. These technologies help you to save on energy costs while also offering enhanced UV protection.
If you’d like to learn more about patio door blinds or if you have questions, feel free to reach out!