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Window treatment for sliding glass door?

15 years ago

What to do with a sliding glass door that goes from family room to covered patio? We previously had vinyl vertical blinds which I hated because I couldn't get them clean. I was planning on using drapes hung by clip rings and simply push the drapes open. I talked to a drapery salesperson who said the only way to go was pinch pleat drapes on a one-way traverse rod. She said everything else gets hung up and that the drapes get dirty where you grab them.

True? Any suggestions? Is the traverse rod the best solution? Thanks.

Renee

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Comments (4)

DLM2000-GW
15 years ago
Most curtain rods are made from 2 hollow tubes, one fits inside the other and slides to accomodate different window sizes. That makes a 'bump' the curtains or the rings have to get over. If the material you choose is heavy, it could get hung up at that bump. But I disagree with your salesperson about them getting dirty - she didn't offer you the option of a a pull rod so you aren't grabbing the curtain. I have a slider with a curtain that opens to one side and it has a pull rod that you never see - it's hidden behind the leading edge of the curtains and attaches to the first ring - works great. But my curtains are very light weight, a semi sheer material. I have pleated shades behind them for more light control and privacy if needed.

{{!gwi}}
palimpsest
15 years ago
I tend to agree about having the drapery on a traverse rod as the drapery person said as being the most foolproof way to keep them clean and wrinkle free.

The next option would be a traverse rod and a drapery with hooks and the pull rod as dlm2000 says. However, these work best on a one piece rod without a splice.

I would put rings on a one piece rod in third place, and ideally this would have a pull rod like dlm2000.

Last I would put rings on an adjustable rod: the rings DO get caught where the rod telescopes. One of my very "clean" clients pushes hers open and closed with a yardstick where she pulls the rings over the little bump. She hates it.

One of my clients who is "not so clean" had rings and constantly yanked and pulled at the drapery. The drapes were always wrinkled and dirty on the leading edge and more than once I had to go put the rod back together and back up. It depends upon how impatient people in your family get.
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window treatment for sliding glass door?
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Comments (14)
I put panels to either side of my bedroom sliding door. We very seldom open the door as well; however, we did extend the rod about 15" to either side so that the panels stacked back to either side of trim so on those rare occasions when we do want to access the sliding door, the panels were not in front. The suggestion of a tie back is a good one if you do require more frequent access since I noticed if there is any wind, then the drapes will blow out the open sliding door and I have to be mindful of that when I close it. All and all, though, I much prefer the more balanced, symmetrical look of two panels; whether formal or informal.
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window treatment for sliding glass door??
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Comments (7)
What are your needs for the WT? Looks, privacy, light filtering, block out? Since it's the dining room, a pic might help to visualize the space and your own style. I have 2 sliders backyard facing. The one in the kitchen/family has no treatment and I prefer it that way; in our master bedroom we did layered treatment with a double traverse rod with center opening pinch pleats on top and sheers below for light filtering/privacy--above that I plan to hang a valance when DH gets around to it. As I wanted the center opening, I took them about 15" beyond the door frame so when open they stack back behind the door. Before I had them all go to one side, but I like the symmetry of this arrangement better. If you do decide on a fabric treatment you can tie it in and dress up the wood blinds with a coordinating valance or roman shade. There are other options for vertical blinds (some with sheer material in between), bamboo, etc. Check out the JC Penny website for other options. Here is a link that might be useful: JC Penny draperies
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Comments (7)
What purpose would the door covering serve? Privacy? Light control? Decorative only? I would never use vertical blinds--I just don't like them. So that leaves either curtain panels on a rod with enough fullness to cover the entire span of glass, or some sort of Roman shade installed high up on the molding or wall (if you need privacy and/or light control). If it's decorative only, then curtain panels that cover part of the glass/frame, but that can be pulled back far enough to open the door.
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window treatments for sliding glass doors.
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Comments (2)
Hello, I'm attaching a photo from a recent kitchen remodel we did. This kitchen has sliding glass doors, and it doesn't have the intense morning light problem as you do and it has a very nice view to the back yard, so we left the motorized shade out and only did the boxed valance to create a nice tailored look. I would be a little nervous to do a motorized shade on the outside. If you added an upholstered box valance like the one we did below (custom made), you could make room for the motorized shade to roll up and hide behind it. That way it would look nice and clean, but also have the option to block out the strong morning sun. Hunter Douglas has great choices with many color options for a motorized shade, so I would look into them as well. Hope this helped!
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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
15 years ago
I tend to think the sales person is correct. If the drapes are in a place where they will be opened and closed frequently the traverse rod really is the best option. In my former house I had a sliding door from the dining room to the patio which was used very frequently and I can't imagine that any other method would have worked as well.
pagram
15 years ago
We had a one piece wooden rod with brackets (from Lowes) and matching rings. Had the Supreme pinch pleated drapes from Pennys. We just pulled them together each evening and then pushed open in the mornings. They did not wrinkle or get dirty. Solved my problem easily. I think you can buy closing rods which you grab rather that the fabric.

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