Patio Door Blinds

Patio doors, otherwise known as sliding doors or sliding patio doors are large floor-to-ceiling panes of glass that slide one on top of another. They tend to be at the back of the home opening out onto a garden or patio area. Patio doors allow you to enjoy abundant natural light and offer the perfect transition between indoor and outdoor living. However, with such a large glass partition comes inevitable challenges of temperature and light fluctuations.  So finding the right patio door blinds considering the ever-hotter summers, colder winters and rising energy prices has never been more important.  If you are you are looking for thermal patio door blinds you have come to the right place as all of our blind types are available in a thermal climate control option. 

The design of sliding doors can rule out some blind types as the sliding mechanism of the door must not be obstructed.

Before you consider “which blinds are best for sliding doors” you should actually ask yourself “which blinds are not suitable for sliding doors?” Perfect Fit Blinds are not suitable for sliding patio doors! Clip on upvc door blinds have seen a massive surge in popularity over the years with the introduction of many blind types mainly Perfect fit blinds and Intu blinds. Perfect-fit blinds consist of a frame that is attached to the window or door frame, and the blind itself is then inserted into this frame. This means that there is no need for drilling or screwing, and the blinds can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement. However, this frame obstructs the sliding action of the doors so this makes Perfect fit blinds unsuitable for sliding patio doors. Intu blinds are a less obtrusive blind type that sits flush into the window and door frame. If you choose a very narrow blind type eg 16mm pleat, this may be a suitable blind for a sliding door.

Wooden Venetian Blinds are not suitable for sliding patio doors Another blind type that we would steer clear of for all door types including sliding doors would be wooden blinds. This is because wooden blinds are heavy and have a deep stack when stacked vertically which affects your head height when leaving through your sliding doors. So, now we have covered what we do not recommend, let's have a look at our top picks. Vertical blinds for Sliding Glass Doors Vertical blinds are the traditional choice for sliding patio doors.

So now we have covered what we do not recommend, let's have a look at our top pics.

Patio Door Blinds Ideas

Vertical Blinds for Patio Doors 

Vertical blinds are the traditional choice for sliding patio door blinds.  They offer complete control over light, temperature, and privacy. They hang from a horizontal track and stack sideways (not vertically) so they don’t interfere with the head height of your sliding door (like wooden Venetian blinds do). They also come in 2 slats sizes. 89mm (3.5 inches) are the most common but 5 inches (127mm) are a very good choice for sliding doors as they are wider slats, therefore, you need fewer slats to cover the door and the stack is less. Vertical blinds can also come in a variety of fabrics, rigid pvcs and even aluminium.

How to measure for Vertical blinds for Patio Doors 

Although vertical blinds have been the long-standing favourite solution for sliding patio doors, many people are now considering alternative blinds to vertical blinds for patio doors. A great alternative to the vertical blind for patio doors is the trusty roller blind.

Roller Blinds For Patio Doors

Roller Blinds are great sliding door blinds as they are minimalistic and versatile and have a low profile therefore don’t take up any headroom. They are available with the traditional chain option as standard. We would recommend depending on the size of the patio door either one blind or two blinds. If you opt for two blinds we recommend having one with the chain on the left and one with the chain on the right. If you opt for one blind then we recommend that you put the chain on the side of the door that you are not walking through (put the chain on the side of the door where the panes of the glass stack). Available in so many fabric choices including thermal fabrics, translucent and screen fabrics. Our favourites are the screen fabrics as they give you daytime privacy, and control glare, but also offer uninterrupted views of the garden. Roller blinds are also available as cordless operation roller blinds which can be operated by a tug on the bottom bar. Or why not consider the luxurious electric blinds that come with an internal battery which negates the need for a costly electrician and allows you to automate your blinds with a touch of a button.

How to measure for Roller blinds and Day and Night blinds for Patio Doors

Day and Night Blinds for Patio Doors

The newest blind on the block is the Day and Night Roller blind.  The Day and night roller blind is a great solution for patio doors as you have the advantage of the low profile headrail of the roller blind but with the versatility and ability to control light and temperature of the vertical blind.  Day and night blinds consist of horizontal stripes of sheer panelled fabric which stack on top of each other so you can adjust the light and privacy with a  tug of a cord.

In addition to blinds, curtains are a great option for sliding patio doors.  They offer a soft and flowing look that can add warmth to your space.

Another option that should be considered before your purchase is actually blinded within the sliding doors themselves/  These integrated blinds are built into the glass of the doors during manufacture and create a seamless look.  The benefits are many including the fact that you don't need to clean your Venetian blinds (which are notorious dust magnets).

We hope that we have given you some food for thought with regard to which are the best blinds for sliding patio doors.  Drop us an email if you would like a chat or would like some free samples. sales@lifestyleblinds.com