Door Window Blinds

     Entry doors and French doors with glass panels are wonderful architectural design accents in any home.  The glass panels allow light to enter the room and brighten up the space.  However, there are times privacy is needed or desired and times when you want to block the hot sun from entering your space and that’s where door window blinds come into your decorating plan.

     There are two styles of door window blinds on the market today.  Door blinds can be hung on the door to be raised and lowered over the glass expanse or can be encased inside two glass panes which are custom fit to the door opening.  We’ll focus on the former style.

     As you consider blinds for your doors, think of them as a window.  A blind or shade style of window treatment can easily work for a door and can be coordinated to match the other window treatments within the same space.  A door blind is fastened to the bottom of the door using brackets to help prevent the blind from swinging around and catching in the doorjamb when the door is opened or closed.  The blind can be easily removed from the brackets for cleaning purposes and then replaced again at your convenience.

     In order for your door blind to provide the privacy and safety you desire, it must be at least 2 inches wider than the glass, but ideally 3 inches wider if you have the space available.  When blinds are not fitted properly using these basic rules, the door glass will not be completely covered and people will still be able to see into your home by looking between the sides of the blind.  You’ll also want to make certain there is space enough for the blinds to fit in between the door handle and frame.

     French doors are a unique style of door and require somewhat of a different mindset in order to properly fit them with blinds.  Here are some basics to remember:
          1) The shape of French doors makes it a bit more challenging, but not impossible, to fit them properly with blinds.
          2) The position of the lever handles is important.  Choose a window blind or shade that isn’t very deep to allow the handle to move freely.  Good choices include a 1-inch wide wood or faux wood blind, roller shade, or a Roman shade that will hug the glass of the door. 
          3) Choose door window blinds that will allow you to have complete light control and privacy when you want it.
          4) Make sure to choose a treatment that will allow you to raise and lower it regularly without hindering the opening and closing of the door.  If you plan to install and leave the blind or shade closed most of the time, install brackets to hold down the bottom of the blind.  The brackets will anchor the blind and keep it in place.

     Window blind styles that seem to work well on doors are rollup blinds or shades, faux wood blinds, wood blinds, mini blinds, cellular shades, and Roman shades to name a few.   Slatted-style window treatments give you more versatility in the area of light control whereas shades bring in a softer drapery and fabric element into the room.  There are several colors and styles of door window blinds available; making it easy to custom fit your home or office with just the right door covering.

Fabric Vertical Blinds