3 Best Window Coverings for Your Sliding Glass Doors
Purchasing window coverings for large windows or sliding glass doors can feel overwhelming. The windows take up such a large space in your room you want to make sure it looks fantastic. You also need to take care of all the potential issues such as privacy concerns, damage, and heat.
We have 3 favorite window treatments when it comes to large sliding glass doors. Keep reading to find out which ones, where we like to put them, and most importantly of all – WHY!
Motorized Screen Shades
What is a Screen Shade?
Screen shades are a woven material that rolls up and down on a tube. This allows it to disappear behind a valance or fascia when not in use. This is a great option if you only need it during a certain time of the day. The disappearing effect allows you to be able to enjoy your view when the shade is not in use.
The weave in the fabric can range from 0%, which is room darkening, up to an openness of 10%. This number will factor into the light control, view-through, and privacy of the shade.
How does a motorized roller shade work?
Motorized roller shades are easily moved with a remote control. All motorization products move the shade up and down. However they vary a lot from each other in terms of quality, noise making, how large shades they can move, and how they get their power.
Motors can be plugged into your outlets, hard-wired, battery-operated, or rechargeable like your phone. They can even move up and down with solar power. When you decide to purchase motorized screen shades you want to make sure your vendor works with quality manufacturers with legacy capabilities. Our favorite motors are made by Somfy and Rollease.
Roller shade motors are tubular-style motors. This means they are embedded inside the shade itself. The motors are hidden behind the fascia and won’t be noticeable to the eye.
Where do we use motorized screen shades?
Screen shades have their function in practically any space of the home. But there are spaces where they are superior to any other products.
Room Darkening Shades
Room Darkening Shade is a great option in the bedroom, especially if you’re light-sensitive in the morning. We can make them the most efficient by adding side channels to your shade. This helps keep even the smallest amount of natural light out of the room. Another benefit is that you will still be able to enjoy an uninterrupted view during the daytime when your screen shade is rolled up behind its fascia blending in with the window frame.
1% & 5% Screen Shades
Yes, screen shades come in a variety of different openness factors, but our favorites are 1% and 5%.
1% is a great option for rooms that require daytime and nighttime privacy but allow light with a nominal view-through. 5% is a little different. A 5% screen shade will provide daytime privacy, but as the light changes during nighttime, the privacy aspect will reverse itself. This means that you will not be able to see outside anymore, but people will be able to see in depending on their distance and viewing angle. Exterior light sources also play a role in determining nighttime privacy with a 5% shade. This option is a great example for living room areas to help minimize TV glare and avoid excessive heat build-up.
Questions to Ask Yourself are:
- Do I have a privacy issue?
- Will I use my screen shades throughout the day or only at night?
- How much do I walk in and out through the patio doors?
If your answer is “rarely”, you’d like to read about our next product favorite – bypass plantation shutters.
Still unsure, listen to our podcast episode on How to Select The Perfect Roller Shade for your home.
Bypass Plantation Shutters
Another great window treatment for sliding glass doors is bypass shutters. These are panels that stack side to side, like your sliding glass doors. They open and close by sliding one panel in front of another, either to the left or to the right side. Each panel is made up of louvers that you can open or close to control your privacy and light.
In comparison to a screen shade, a bypass shutter is a design statement in your room. They add a beautiful architectural element to finish off any window. We especially like this option for bedrooms. As those sliders are not generally used as much for ingress or egress.
Questions to Ask Yourself are:
- How sensitive am I to a small amount of light coming through my window treatment in the morning?
- How much do we use our sliding glass doors?
- Do I want to add a beautiful design element to my room or do I prefer a completely clear view?
Window Film
Our final option for a sliding glass door is window film.
This option is great for windows that have no privacy concerns but some sun issues. A good example is a private lanai in a common area, like a living room with a big view. The tinting will provide heat control and protect your furnishings from UV damage. You are left with a full unobstructed view out.
A lot of people like us to add a soft element of side panels to a tinted window. They give that special decorative touch to your home when you are not doing a functional window fashion.
Are you still unsure which window treatment is the right one for you? Schedule a consultation with an expert. At SunCoast Blinds we use a design-by-education approach to empower you. We are here to help.