Do you want to spruce up the look of your home’s doors? Are you looking for privacy from your neighbors or in between rooms in your house? Could you use a break from the light and heat pouring into your home? Whatever you need for window and door coverings, you have plenty of options. Let’s take a look at the kind of door you want to treat and what sort of coverings suit your home’s style, function, and budget.

What’s the Difference Between Blinds and Shades?

Although used interchangeably, there are distinctions between the two. Blinds are typically made of a hard material like vinyl, plastic, real or faux wood, and even aluminum. They have vertical or horizontal slats that can be adjusted for full, partial, or very limited light. Shades are raised or lowered with a pull-cord feature and are more versatile than blinds regarding pattern and texture, but they are usually made of soft fabrics.

Deciding between the two depends on taste and function. Blinds are a more traditional approach and can be more cost-effective and neutral; they offer privacy and light control but not blackout capabilities. Shades come in diverse colors and styles, and they can filter or block light entirely but can be expensive to replace if you frequently change your aesthetic.

French Doors

If you have tried to cover these doors before, then you know that door handles can be a challenge. So you'll want to purchase fixtures that fit the space between the handle and window—most have a 1” clearance. Another small issue is the blinds flapping as the door opens or closes, so consider installing some brackets at the bottom of the window to hold full-length blinds in place. Besides these two considerations, you have many options of blinds or shades for French doors.

For interior doors, choose something that allows light to pass between rooms, affords some privacy, and matches the style of window treatments in those rooms. Try aluminum blinds or roman, roller, and zebra shades because they all fit easily behind handles. Aluminum shades are effortless to maintain and control light, while shades also offer creative possibilities.

With exterior or patio doors, pay attention to privacy and light filtering but also insulation – your windows and doors can release up to a quarter of your home's energy. Try cellular or shutter shades and faux or wood blinds; they block light and are easy to maintain. Cellular shades trap air from passing within their honeycomb pockets, and wood blinds are resistant to warping and moisture.

Sliding Glass Doors

Your sliding glass doors are a high traffic area of the house, especially if you do a lot of outdoor living and entertaining. So you need patio door blinds that are up to the task. Since these doors follow a vertical movement, it’s functionally and aesthetically pleasing to have your shades do the same. Sliding panels are an excellent option because they come in many styles to enhance the appearance of your space. The fabric panels can be custom fitted to the size and track of your doors for smooth and accurate movement. Again, cellular shades are good for exterior doors to regulate visibility and heat or cooling loss. For these doors, the vertical option will give you a discreet, contemporary look. You can get vertical hanging shades for these doors. Lastly, vertical blinds are a common choice or installation with larger windows and doors because they are less expensive while also being quick to set up, clean, and tilt for shade.

Exterior Doors

Whether it's your front door, side entrance, or patio door – you need to cover the exterior entryways to your home. Not just for privacy sake, but these doors also supply a lot of natural light and set the design tone for your home. You should note that many of the same options for French doors are available for your exterior doors.

For full or half glass doors consider roman or roller shades. Roman shades come in a variety of design choices and look attractive when extended for maximum window coverage. This style can give a touch of class and personality to your front door. As with roman shades, roller shades have a slim fit for doors with handles. Material choice will determine light flow, but they are simple to slide up and down when altering light or visibility.

If you have windows around your door, go for a classic look with corded sidelight blinds. Faux wood or aluminum blinds can be measured and installed for the exact dimensions of your space. They come in many colors, so pick yours according to the surrounding décor and whether you want them to stand out or not. These materials are superior in areas with lots of movement and humidity because they are resistant to dust and moisture, and the slats are easy to wipe clean.

When you're choosing blinds or shades for your doors, there are a lot of factors to consider. Think about which doors you want to treat and what kind of statement you’re looking to make. Once you’ve got a vision, you’re ready to shop the best materials, patterns, and styles to match the function you want in your home. At Chicology, we’ve got you and your doors covered!