sliding doors with blinds between glass, need room darkening tips

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We have two sets of Milgard sliding doors leading to the backyard, which have the blinds between glass feature. The blinds are quite skinny, and I hadn't realized how much light is still allowed in through the blinds. Since one of the sets of doors is off the bedroom, it's making it hard to sleep once the sun is up. They're also not the best from a privacy standpoint - there's still a fair amount of visibility when they're all the way closed, depending on which direction you're looking. That said, overall, I'm happy with the purchase...one of the reasons I got them is that I have a dust mite allergy, and I didn't want a lot of dust-collecting surfaces or fabrics to deal with. In that, they're great. Very easy to use, and nice and sleek, contemporary appearance. There is one other smallish window in the room on the north side, which has dual light-filtering/blackout honeycomb cellular shades. So, with all of that going on... does anyone have any recommendations for doctoring our current situation to add some kind of blackout window treatments to the doors? Would it look odd to install blackout roman shades in addition to the existing door blinds and window shades? Or should they be the same honeycomb type as for the window? (Seems to me that cell shades over slat blinds would look weird, but I can't picture it in my mind too well.) Are drapes the best way to go, from a decorating standpoint (even though they're my least favorite window treatment to deal with in general)? What's the best way to bring all these components together in a way that lets us block the light better, without creating a jarring look? Thanks in advance!

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Comments (3)

suezbell
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
A picture might be useful. Knowing the look you want -- formal or casual -- might as well.

First thought is doing something outside -- porch or pergola or awning.

Vertical blinds for patio doors come in wood, faux wood, fabric and vinyl.

There are ways to add tinting to the window, too.
Lori Silverman
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the reply, Suezbell! Ok, I'll post a picture when I can. Style is casual, no frills, fairly contemporary. Since the doors are west-facing, we're not getting direct sunlight in the mornings through early afternoon, but it's still quite bright in the reflected Southern California sunshine. I'm not sure if an awning would block enough of that, though retractable awnings is something we've considered for a future project, when our budget recovers. Honestly, I personally would be able to sleep with just a little improvement in the light blocking in the morning, but my husband wants to be able to make it DARK in the middle of the day so he can nap, which is why I'd like to find a true blackout solution. I'm seeing some nice panel track blinds which perhaps could work... I do like the flat appearance of the panels. Nice contemporary look that is a change from standard verticals. Not sure if that will clutter up the look of things though, with too many unmatched elements.
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Drapes for sliders have been a genuine pain for me. For one, it would be best to have a single wide panel. These are not readily available in good variety. So I have a pair of panels that both draw to the left. They are pinch pleats hung on a traverse rod with rings, and the stack back is 42"!!!. Do you have that much wall space on the stationary side of your slider? If not, you will be blocking the light even when the drapes are open. If you don't get the blinds will you be forced into a decorating decision due to the need for privacy or a dislike of black glass at night? I'd rather not be forced into choosing fabric before I'm ready. I'd get the blinds. Also, I like to layer windows, but it's hard to layer a sliding glass door. With the built-in blinds you have a built-in first layer. You didn't ask, but if I had a choice between french doors and a sliding doors I'd take the french door in a heartbeat. A center opening is so much easier to work with, and you can attach sheers or blinds directly to the doors, which really opens up the options.
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graywings123
6 years ago
I was going to suggest exactly what you are thinking about - black-out panel track blinds. I wouldn't worry about adding the panel track to the insert-blinds. It would be nice if you could somehow add the same fabric to the small window in some way. For example, Comfortex offers their Envision Panel Track Blinds in a gray called Toulon Glace. They also make a roman blind in the Toulon Glace color.
Panel Track black-out

sliding doors with blinds between glass, need room darkening tips

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suezbell

Lori Silverman
Original Author

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sliding doors with blinds between glass, need room darkening tips

Comments (3)

suezbell

Lori SilvermanOriginal Author

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Lori Silverman
Original Author