the film you are talking about will deflect the sun's rays, we use it on most of our windows & sliding doors here in orlando, it will also significantly reduce the light in that room, almost making it dark in the room. it does nothing for heat radiating thru. we have the same problem you do because 1) the sliders are from 1969 2) our sliding doors cover an entire wall in our dining room from ceiling to floor, 9' tall X 24' long. in the winter the lanai which adjoins those sliding doors is 4 degrees warmer than the rest of the outside from the heat leaking from inside the house. in the summer tons of heat does radiate thru them, thankfully the lanai shades those doors but still because they are not double paned they are extremely inefficient.

do search around for new doors it will be expensive to purchase but you will save tremendous $$ on utilities in the long run. i've been searching for almost a yr to find exactly what i want. i have been having trouble finding doors big enough cuz i want all the doors to slide and not convert any portion to stationary panels. pella just came out w/ a nice wood trimmed, double paned slider in custom sizes w/ blinds inside that the homeowner can change out themselves for taste or seasons. i had been oppossed to blinds inside but i like the idea of being able to change them and get rid of the long multiple sections of curtains. i'm not sure what you mean about the window portion of the steel entry doors thou? ~ liz

Judy, my mother in law did the film thing, and was disappointed on how dark it made the room, formerly a "sun room".

I planted a tree outside my patio doors in Tulsa, and here am lucky with tall trees from the neighbors.

But before the tree, I had a roll down shade I used in the summer. Actually I used it till the tree did some good.

I like the built in blind option, but isn't that kinda expensive?

Moni

I sure don't want it darker in there -- this is what is called the sun-room! It's really the TV end of the living room.

Yes, Moni, it will be expensive. The door would have to be replaced completely. That means hiring someone to do it. The cost of the door and frame is $280 and we can't do it ourselves. That is why we were hoping to be able to take out the present glass (window) part of the door and replace it with one that is insukated and have the blinds in between the layers of glass. I think we could do that ourselves, but not the whole frame.

Here is a picture of the door:
{{!gwi}}

Judy, ask around to see if your neighbors know a good handyman. My friends next door bought a new storm door and were quoted $350 for installation by Home Depot. They came over and asked for the phone number of my handyman. I am betting Dan will charge them less than $100.

you can't add double paned glass w/ a gap between them large enough to accomodate blinds into a normal existing door. exterior doors w/ the double panes and blinds are usually thicker cored wood or aluminium-clad doors. that said i have seen companies advertising a service where they remove your existing exterior door and cut out the center to add decorative panels of glass. i don't know if they do double paned or glass w/ blinds sandwiched between them because those are usually thick doors. if you can get what you're looking for for $280 plus install that's probably the best deal. a pella exterior door w/ double panes and blinds is easily 10X that plus install. after posting above i went to search again at pella.com and found sliders w/ triple panes sandwiching cell shades between them. i'm sure they're expensive but we'll be here a few more yrs and i can't stand the thought of all that A/C and heat loss & i'll get my $$ back when i sell. ~ liz

How about some curtains like they use for french doors, the ones that tie in the center? You can pull them to the edges, covering the panes when it's hot and tie them back together when it's not.

Jodi-

If the windows aren't the problem --- just the door --- I'd think a good insulating shade would work. And with that many windows, a shade won't block ALL of your light. Nice room!

Can't recall where I read it- just know it was on GW or THS, but someone said using bubble wrap stick (w/bubble side against the windows) helped. I think they said spray water to make it stick. ???

Might give you some relief until you can decide on a more permanent solution...at least your room wouldn't be dark.

I hate dark rooms too & our big trees give shade in summer but winter time is something else! I happen to have several rolls I will try it this winter on our old windows- retired with huge medical bills & there's just no way we can afford replacements right now.

Suzi

Judy, here is a photo of the curtain style I was talking about.

{{!gwi}}

Jodi-

I have a blind on my windowed outside door. It is anchored at the bottom so I doesn't flop around when the door is opened and closed.

I'd put a nice venetian blind over it, cheap fix, can pull it up when you don't need it.
JoanMN

Plant a tree to shade the door and windows.

You're going to need to put up shades or blinds to block the sunlight. Yes it will be dark, but sun equals heat. If you want to keep the heat down you have to block the light.

I have a stained glass accent window that gets supremely hot in the summer. I put aluminum foil over it during the day. It's tacky but the heat goes down by 10 degrees in the hallway, I swear.

I'd strongly suggest you try the shade or blind. Keeping out the direct sunlight is what will keep out the heat.

You can buy a curtain rod with magnetic ends so you don't have to put holes in a metal door. That would probably be your least expensive option.

There is an enclosed blind (blind behind glass) that fits over the glass on your existing door.

The brand name is "ODL".

Here is a link that might be useful: ODL products

Maybe I'm confusing the ODL line with another...but I was thinking they don't fit all brands. ?? I should look...

It has been a very busy day!

Sorry I can't address each reply.

Jodi, That curtain is beautiful, I love that look, but I'm quite sure we have an insulation problem. None of the windows in that room let heat in before we put up the blinds, but the door is very hot.

Maddielee, We found one of those at Home Depot. We thought it was too expensive until we have seen what else is out there. I really think that might be the solution. Now, we need to see if the lever door handle will fit with it. I love all the lever handles in the house and would be very disappointed if I had to change it.

If I remember right it was a matter of loosening up the vinyl trim around the present window and hooking it into the trim, then tightening it again. We were not able to see what it actually looks like on the door.

Thank you everyone and I will try to remember to take a picture if we get this kind, and post it.

I'm going to watch the end of the olympics! We have it recorded.

Maddielee,
Today DH checked at both Menards and Home Deopt and they both have the ODL window cover that you mentioned. Home Depot has the best price at $117. If that will work with our lever handles we will be ordering it.

It is a dual pane with blinds in the middle. They make them to fit windows with flat frames and also for the windows with raised frames.