How do you dress a naked window?
More specifically, what are good blinds for sliding doors?
After 15 years in the window coverings industry, I can tell you without a doubt that sliding doors pose the biggest dilemma for homeowners. The love affair with vertical blinds has come and gone, but many people have no idea what else to do to cover a large area. Sliding glass doors present big challenges with energy loss and light control. They are usually in high traffic areas of the house – so very functional, energy efficient, and, at the same time, beautiful treatments are needed. That is a lot to ask from a window treatment! Your only option is no longer blinds for sliding doors!
Fortunately, vendors have responded to the need. Today there are several innovative solutions to this age old problem. Determining your needs for light control, privacy, energy savings, and fashion will help you to select the best treatment for you.
Here are three of my favorites.
- THE most exciting trend in window fashions is the Natural Woven Shade Vertical Drapery. These are the ultimate blend of functionand fashion. The shade operates with a simple push on the guide rail, so there are no cords to tangle or break. With so many natural woods, reeds, or grasses to choose from, ranging from sheer to opaque, there is a style for everyone!
- For a very sleek and contemporary look, Sliding Panels are one of the fastest growing new trends in window fashions. Flat panels of fabric slide one in front of another as you open and close the shade using a wand. Fabrics range from opaque shade cloth to natural woven wood materials, again offering much versatility.
- Vertical Cellular Shades offer great function and superior energy efficiency. Available in many colors and fabrics, this shade coordinates with the other cellular shades in your home, but slides easily along a track with a push of the hand, providing a truly cordless option.
Vertical Cellular Shade
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source http://windowaccentsinc.com/window-treatments-for-sliding-doors/
Well no matter what style of window treatment you have, you will do well to remember two basic rules:
To keep and maintain the natural look of your faux wood blinds, we recommend wiping them off with a soft cloth, a feather duster or using the brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner. Unlike real wood blinds, faux-woods can be cleaned with a mild non-abrasive soap and warm water. Always remember to rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely in the open air before placing back in the window. Remember to never use hot water and to clean on a weekly basis, and you will always be able to enjoy the natural look of wood.
with stains, blot with a damp sponge and a very mild soap. If this does not take out the stain, you can remove the honeycomb cellular from its mounting bracket and soak it in warm, mild soapy water. Be very careful! Make sure to test the soap on a discreet corner first and rinse thoroughly. When you are ready to put your honeycomb cellular shade back in the window, make sure to raise the shade tightly to re-crease the pleats.
Mini, Wood, Faux and Vertical blinds should all be lightly cleaned on a weekly basis. By lightly cleaned, we recommend simply dusting them off with a dust rag or feather duster once a week. Eventually, a light dusting will not remove all of the dirt, so you will need to be a little more aggressive.
Natural Woven Shades
Pleated shades are both durable and functional. To keep your pleated shades looking fresh and new, we recommend regular dusting with a feather duster. You can also use the brush attachment of your vacuum or even blow off dust with a can of compressed air. If you need to deal with stains, blot with a damp sponge and a very mild soap. If this does not take out the stain, you can remove the pleated shade from its mounting bracket and soak it in warm, and rub gently with mild soapy water. Be very careful! Make sure to lay flat to dry completely. Make sure to test the soap on a discreet corner first and rinse thoroughly. When you are ready to put your pleated shade back in the window, make sure to raise the shade tightly to re-crease the pleats.
Roman Shades
Shutters are made to be durable and easily cared for and easy to clean. Cleaning your shutters is simple and should be done periodically. It is important to remember that real wood can warp. Do not clean or soak with water. To keep and maintain the natural elegance of your real wood shutters, we recommend wiping them off with a soft cloth, a feather duster or use the brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner. Occasionally you may even want to use a non-wax furniture polish and a soft rag to rejuvenate the wood to its original luster. As for vinyl shutters, it is ok to use a mild soap and warm water. Clean your shutters on a regular basis and you will always be able to enjoy the beauty and durability of shutters.
Sheer window shades look delicate and elegant. But don’t let their looks fool you. They are constructed with sturdy knitted polyester. To keep them looking new it is simple and easy. Both vertical and horizontal soft sheers only require periodic dusting. We recommend you use a feather duster and lightly dust them on a periodic basis or even blow off dust with a can of compressed air. In case you require cleaning a spot or stain, lightly blot with a damp sponge and some mild soap. Don’t use chemical cleaners as they may discolor the fabric. Clean on a regular basis and you will always keep your sheer window shadings looking beautiful for a long time.
Vertical blinds come in different types: vinyl, fabric, aluminum and wood. All are easy to maintain and keep looking beautiful. One mistake people make when cleaning their vertical blinds is that they tend to be a little too aggressive in thinking that these are very sturdy and can handle anything. Although vertical blinds are quite durable, you still need to take care when cleaning them. When cleaning your vinyl and aluminum verticals, begin by giving them a light dusting like you would treat your fine furniture. Then clean with soap and water. It is highly recommended to clean each vane one at a time. It is best to use a mild non-abrasive cleaner. As for your fabric vertical blinds, you will want to dust them off lightly with a feather duster, then use a vacuum (brush attachment) and run it over all of the vanes.
The single most important thing to remember is to never wash your drapery by hand. This includes putting them in a washing machine or even cleaning them with mild soap and water. Just don’t do it! You can (very carefully) lightly vacuum your drapery using the brush attachment of your vacuum. But remember to be gentle.
