Window coverings for sliding doors?

amynicole21 wrote: What kind of window coverings do you use for your sliding doors?

Right now we have verticle blinds, but I HATE THEM! The ones we have are really gross and old. I do like that we can keep the room semi-private by opening them a little to let light in, but not enough for people to see into the house. I also like that the room isn't completely darkened when they are closed all the way. I've been looking into draperies, but it's so difficult to find some that let the light filter in without being completely transparent.

Any suggestions?

coasterqueen replied: I've been thinking about this same thing. We have vertical blinds too. We paid a lot for someone to come in, custom ordered, put them in, etc....but now after 6 years....I DESPISE THEM. One reason is because our white cat rubs up against them and so that shows badly and it's really hard to get hair off them. AND Megan pulled out all the chains/weights.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I've thought of sheered curtains that can easily be slid to one side and pulled back or I've thought about just some kind of pull roman shade. If I did that one I'd beg my MIL to design and make them. Otherwise I've thought about knocking the door out and putting one in that has the blinds built in to the glass..if they make patio doors that way.

Oh I just realized your title said sliding doors. Ours are french ???. One is stationary, I do know that.

kit_kats_mom replied: Check JC Penny's cataloge or online. We got ours from there. They are vertical blinds but they are fabric. They also have sliding panels, drapes and another option that I can't think of off of the top of my head.

amynicole21 replied: We're probably going to convert the sliders to french doors this year (we have two sets in the family room! It's going to be an expensive job ). I was thinking of getting the kind that have the blinds inside, but I don't LOVE the way that looks... I don't know what to do

JP&KJMOM replied: I feel you pain Amy. We have vertical blinds on our sliding door too and I can not stand them. I'm interested in suggestions too.

coasterqueen replied:
Oh no, don't tell me that. Well IF I ever get DH to change ours out, which is a big if, I'll go with these and then put a fancy looking sheer of some sort that I can pull off over to the stationary side.

Kaitlin'smom replied: I have vertical binds and LOVE them, infact that is all I have on all the windows. They are vinal and VERY easy to wipe clean and the cat hair does not stick to them. I had UGLY fabirc ones when we moved in but I got rid of them. Ours does not have a chain just a short stick kinda thing, Kait cant reach it. Hoep you find something you like.

mom21kid2dogs replied: Have you considered window film. They have come back with a rage in a host of styles and colors or clear opaque. They still give you privacy, have a nice style and let the light in.

Here's a website with examples:
http://www.decorativefilm.com/?OVRAW=%22wi...&OVMTC=standard

ediep replied:
oh AMy, we just replacd our slinding door and got the pella ones with the blinds inside. I love them! they look so elegant and clean! The only drawback was the door was incredibly expensive!!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: We are replacing our sliding doors with French doors, too....but they are inside doors (they lead into the sunroom...which used to be a patio)

Right now we have vertical blinds, too. They are okay for now. I really don't like them b/c that room is pretty elegant and it takes away from it.

holley79 replied: My aunt has always had verticles on her sliders. That's the only thing which comes to mind. sorry no help

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Our sliding doors (you are talking patio-type doors, right? ) lead out from our kitchen to the back yard, and there is 10 feet hedge at the back of our yard, on the other side of the hedges is school yeards, so we have lots of privacy. We just have a regular curtain rod with some olive green drapes slid on, courtesy of my MIL, bad sew job and all!