Last Updated on 9 December 2024 by Josh Lucas
The most popular vertical blind alternatives include sliding panels, long curtain panels, solar shades, sliding shutters, panel track blinds, cordless cellular shades and roman shades.
Sliding glass doors provide an elegant and functional entry to your outdoor space, offering a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas. However, when it comes to privacy, covering these doors can be a bit of a challenge.
While vertical blinds are a popular choice amongst homeowners, they are certainly not the only option available.
In this article, we will explore the various alternatives to vertical blinds for sliding glass doors, ones that can offer both style and functionality to your living space.
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Alternatives to blinds for sliding glass doors
Here are the most common alternatives for sliding glass doors:
1) Sliding Panels
Sliding panels, also known as panel track blinds, are a contemporary and stylish alternative to traditional vertical blinds. They consist of large fabric or natural material panels that slide horizontally to cover the door. Sliding panels come in a variety of colours and textures, making it easy to find a design that complements your interior decor.
One of the key advantages of sliding panels is their ability to filter light effectively while maintaining privacy. You can choose the level of opacity you desire, allowing you to create the perfect ambience in your home. Sliding panels are also easy to operate and maintain, making them a convenient choice for sliding glass doors.
2) Long Curtain Panels
With easy installation and simple maintenance, long curtain panels are a great alternative to blinds for sliding doors.
Long curtain panels provide a timeless and versatile solution for covering sliding glass doors. These floor-length curtains can be installed on a curtain rod and their length can be customised to fit the dimensions of your door. Curtain panels come in a wide range of fabrics, patterns, and colours, allowing you to achieve the desired look for your space.
Curtain panels provide a great level of flexibility when it comes to light control and privacy. You can easily open or close the curtains to adjust the amount of natural light entering the room. Moreover, curtain panels are relatively easy to install and maintain.
3) Solar Shades
Solar shades are a modern and energy-efficient alternative to traditional blinds for sliding glass doors. These shades are made from a specially designed material that blocks harmful UV rays and heat while maintaining a view of the outdoors. Solar shades are available in various opacities, allowing you to control the amount of light and heat entering your living space.
For homes that want to reduce energy consumption and protect their furnishings from sun damage, solar shades are an excellent choice. They’re also easy to clean and maintain, making them a practical option for sliding glass doors.
4) Sliding Shutters
Sliding shutters, or plantation shutters, are a classic and elegant choice for covering sliding glass doors. These wooden or faux wood shutters are mounted on a track, allowing them to slide open and closed to cover the door. Sliding shutters provide a timeless look and excellent insulation properties.
One of the key advantages of sliding shutters is their ability to regulate light and privacy effectively. You can adjust the louvres to control the amount of natural light and airflow in your home. Sliding shutters also add a touch of sophistication to your interior decor, enhancing the overall aesthetics of your living space.
The Cortizo Cor Vision Sliding Doors represent a new breed of sliding doors that have super slimline frames.
5) Panel Track Blinds
Panel track blinds are another contemporary and functional alternative to vertical blinds for sliding glass doors. They consist of large fabric or natural material panels that slide horizontally on a track. Panel track blinds are available in various patterns and colours, making it easy to match your decor.
With these types of blinds, light control and privacy can be easily achieved by selecting the level of opacity you prefer to create the desired ambiance. Additionally, the blinds are also easy to operate and maintain, making them a convenient choice for sliding glass doors.
6) Cordless Cellular Shades
Cordless cellular shades are a sleek and modern solution for sliding glass doors. These shades are made from honeycomb-shaped cells that trap air, providing effective insulation and energy efficiency. Cordless cellular shades come in various colours and opacities, allowing you to customise the look and functionality to your liking.
One of the key advantages of cordless cellular shades is their energy-saving properties. They help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing energy costs. These shades are also cordless, making them a safe and child-friendly option for homes with young children.
7) Roman Shades
Roman Shades offer a timeless and elegant look for sliding glass doors. These fabric shades can be customised to match your interior decor, and they operate by folding into neat, horizontal pleats when raised. Roman shades come in a variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary.
Roman shades are known for their versatility in light control and privacy. You can choose from different opacities and patterns to create the perfect atmosphere in your living space. They’re incredibly easy to operate and maintain, adding a touch of sophistication to any space.
8) Sheer Shadings
Sheer shadings are a combination of sheer fabric panels and horizontal vanes, making them a unique and stylish alternative to traditional blinds for sliding glass doors. These shadings allow you to adjust the vanes for different levels of light control and privacy. Just like many of the alternatives, sheer shadings also come in various textures and colours to match your interior decor.
Sheer shadings are great for diffusing natural light and maintaining privacy at the same time. They create a soft and inviting ambiance in your living space. They’re extremely easy to operate and maintain, making them another practical choice alternative for sliding glass doors.
Sliding doors are a great way to bring the outdoors indoors and instantly enhance your home’s aesthetics.
Find your next vertical blind alternative with GFD Homes
Here at GFD Homes, we understand the importance of finding the right window treatments for your sliding glass doors.
As well as our door products, we’re also proud to provide a vast range of Integral Blinds with Glass options for any of our Sliding Doors, Bi-Folding doors and windows.
Integral blinds are the modern day solution for privacy and light control, with the blinds encased within the double-glazed unit, stopping them from collecting any dust. Over the years, Integral blinds have become extremely popular amongst homeowners thanks to the touch sophistication they bring, as well as how easy they are to maintain.
When choosing options for your Sliding doors/ Bi-Fold doors in our designer, you’ll be presented with an option to add Integral Blinds with glass. As we have a range of different options available to suit different preferences, you can choose whichever option you feel is best for you.
If you’d like some more information on any of the products in our Integral Blinds range or Sliding doors range, feel free to get in touch with our team directly via 01642 309 576.
Alternatively, if you live close to our Teesside showroom and would like to see our Integral Blinds in action, please call us to book a showroom visit.
FAQs about vertical blind alternatives for patio doors
Are vertical blinds outdated?
Vertical blinds have been a popular choice for covering sliding glass doors for many years. While they are not necessarily outdated, many homeowners are now exploring different options that offer a more modern and stylish look.
The choice between vertical blinds and their alternatives ultimately depend on your personal preferences and the aesthetic you want to achieve in your living space.
What is replacing vertical blinds?
One of the most recent options that is replacing vertical blinds in the industry is Integral Blinds with glass as they operate with minimal maintenance and add a touch of sophistication to the overall look.
Whether you’re looking for a cordless system or a blackout system, our Integral Blinds range provides an array of options that cater to every preference.
Click here to view our Integral Blinds in Glass range.
Can vertical blinds be repaired?
Yes, vertical blinds can often be repaired if they are damaged or malfunctioning. Common issues with vertical blinds can include broken slats, tangled cords or malfunctioning mechanisms.
Many blind repair services can address these issues and restore your vertical blinds to their proper functionality.
What are Integral Blinds in Glass?
Integral Blinds in glass are a modern solution for privacy and light control in Bi-folding doors, Sliding doors and windows, with internal blinds encased within the double-glazing unit, stopping them from collecting any dust.
Here at GFD Homes, we have a range of Integral Blind options to suit every preference. Head over to our designer where you will be able to add the option that you want.
If you enjoyed this article, here are some others we think might be useful..
- Sliding doors: everything you need to know.
- Sliding doors vs bifold: which door should you choose?
- Alternatives to sliding glass patio doors?
- Integral blinds in glass: a clear solution for light and privacy.
- What are the different types of patio doors?
