I want modern and sophisticated window treatments for sliding glass doors. I have been able to pull most of my decor together, but I cannot figure out the best way to cover my sliding glass doors. They are approximately 7′ tall x 10′ wide. I enjoy the light that comes in during the day, but wish for privacy at night.
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Because 10′ is a lot of window space, you may want to consider a window treatment that is simple and effective without being fussy to use and always looks fresh.
I would install a wooden drapery rod 5" above the uppermost molding with a center support and install the brackets 12" beyond the sides of the sliders. Do not use a skimpy rod or it will look out of proportion to the sliders. The reason to have the rod extended beyond the width of the sliders is so that when the drapery is opened, there is some stack space for the drapery in order to allow more sunlight into the room. By hanging the rod higher than the window, you are adding height to the room and also leaving wall space so the drapery hardware can be seen instead of being distracted by the molding.
A sophisticated window treatment is one that is timeless and looks as good open as it does closed. May I suggest panels with either a box pleat header or a pinch pleat header or a goblet pleat header — all of which should be hung on the rod from wooden drapery rings. I would use two large panels, one on the left and one on the right. I suggest a wooden rod and wooden rings because metal drapery hardware makes a horrible and annoying noise and the telescoping rods always catch on the rings as you attempt to open and close the drapery. Use drapery wands (long dowel like ’sticks’) that you pull to draw the drapes open and closed as not to tug on the fabric and leave stains on the fabric from oils in your hands.
Traverse rods are an effective way to open and close a slider window treatment; however, you will see the ugly utilitarian rod when the drapery are opened. Not sophisticated enough for your taste, I’d say.
Do not select a printed fabric as most people tend to regret a large space with that much busy. Instead try to select a solid fabric with a texture or a tone on tone print or perhaps an embroidered swirl design to keep the eyes moving. Love the fabric you pick and do not settle for anything you have to think twice about because after you buy 21 yards of fabric and lining plus the labor for custom drapery, you do not want to regret your choice.
I hope my words have been helpful.
There are traverse rods with a pulley system and the drapes you put hooks on and you pull the string and they can stack to one side. Or there are curtains with large grommet holes at the top you hang on a rod and you just pull them by hand. To get other ideas, go to hgtv.com. Hope this is helpful. Roxanne
The most common window treatment for sliding glass doors are vertical blinds, but it does not sound like those would be a fit for you.
I would look into cell shades or honeycomb shades. They are made from a translucent material that offers complete privacy yet still allows light to enter the room. They can be built to stack on either side of the window or even in a split design where they open in the middle.
Another option for you would be privacy sheers. Those are like curtains that have fabric vanes that can open and close giving you great control over the light entering the room.
You can either call a local dealer or find both products online and install them yourself.