Friday, May 15, 2009

Window Treatments For Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors provide an attractive solution for access to patios and porches but can pose difficulty when choosing functional window treatments. Finding a window treatment solution for your sliding glass door should take into consideration the amount of traffic the door receives.The treatment should also provide insulation and privacy as well as enhance the décor of the room. Does this Spark an idea?

Vertical blinds


One common solution for a window treatment for sliding glass doors is vertical blinds. Vinyl vertical blinds provide a cost effective solution for the doors and can grant privacy as well as block sunlight. The blinds are also easy to clean by using a simple household cleaning solution. Vinyl vertical blinds are available in a wide variety of colors and textures and can be blended with any room décor. Alternatives to vinyl vertical blinds include fabric vertical blinds, and vertical blinds made of either faux or real wood. When the varieties of options are combined with inexpensiveness, vertical blinds are a popular choice for home owners looking for sliding glass door window treatments. Consider using swags or window scarves to compliment vertical blinds and disguise the hardware of the blinds.


Panel tracks


Panel track systems are a sophisticated solution as a window treatment for sliding glass doors. Panel tracks operate off of the same design as vertical blinds; however, panels are typically an average of 20 inches wide. The wider panels provide for easier access for sliding glass doors that receive a high volume of traffic. Panel tracks are available in a variety of styles, including fabric, bamboo and PVC materials. Some types of materials used in panel track systems give them the ability to not only provide privacy and block sunlight, but also to filter harmful UV rays while still allowing light to enter the room. Panels are easily cleaned by general dusting or by using a vacuum cleaner. Consider incorporating tab paneled swags to disguise the track system and further add to the décor of the room.


Curtains


Using curtains as window treatments can provide higher levels of insulation for sliding glass doors. Sliding glass doors not only allow large amounts of light into a room but can also pose problems in winter months by allowing heat to escape. Using room darkening, insulated curtains provides a solution to these problems. Newer styles of this type of curtain are available in a variety of designs and colors that can accentuate any room décor. Consider using curtains with large grommets and mount on a rod above the sliding glass door to allow for easier access. One solution for sliding glass doors that lead to patio or pool areas that are primarily used during summer months is to change the window treatments during the winter. Switching window treatments on sliding glass doors based on the season provides more decorative possibilities as well as the ability to control energy efficiency during different seasons.







Tags: vertical blinds, sliding glass, glass doors, glass doors, sliding glass doors, glass door