Custom made blinds for French, sliding and front doors

[edit] Introduction

Whilst doors with glazing can be a beautiful addition to any home, they can compromise privacy. Custom made blinds can allow spaces to be kept private whilst allowing opening of the door when required.

[edit] French doors

One of the main problems that arises with French doors is that the handles can get in the way. You should choose shallow blinds that fit comfortably between the handles whilst still covering the window. It is possible to use any type of window treatment with French doors, but there are some things to consider:

1. Outside mount: Keep in mind that blinds will be mounted on the outside of the window as, unlike conventional glazing, the glass in French doors has little depth.
2. Door handles: Your door will most likely have handles that will impair the operation of the window treatment. Most one inch honeycomb and roller shades will fit behind the handle.
3. Hold down brackets: When your window treatment is lowered, it might move when the door is opened and closed. This can be avoided with the use of hold down brackets.

[edit] Sliding doors

Sliding doors can be a good feature for any home – they provide easy access outside, don’t intrude on valuable floor space, provide views, and let in plenty of sunlight. There are some considerations for choosing custom made blinds:

• It is recommended that your chosen window treatment opens in the same direction as the door.
• Sliding doors are often installed in high traffic areas, so it is important that your chosen blinds are able to handle daily use.
• If you prefer a softer treatment, we recommend roller blinds or Roman blinds (which fold up out of the way).

[edit] Front doors

Some homeowners find that front doors present different challenges when choosing blinds, as they come in many different shapes and sizes. There is, however, no reason why you cannot control the light and privacy of your home, just as you can with other windows.

• Sidelight windows: These are a common feature of front doors, and it is important to consider how the blinds will look from the outside. Popular treatment options include honeycomb, timber, faux timber, mini and roller shades.
• Door arches: If there is an arch window in your door, you will find that cellular arches (which fan into a semi-circle) are a good choice. They can be mounted on the inside or the outside of the window, depending on the depth and surface.

Whilst we have made recommendations for window treatments that do tend to work best with these doors, it is important that you have also considered those used elsewhere in the room to ensure a good match. A blinds specialist will be able to make recommendations more specific to your home.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Bay window.
• Fixtures in buildings.
• Furnishings.
• Louvre (or louver).
• Types of blinds.
• Types of window.