Sliding and patio doors are a brilliant way to bring light into your home, but dressing them can be tricky. You want privacy, light control and insulation, without compromising the view or blocking the access. So what are the best blinds for sliding doors?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Can you buy blinds for sliding patio doors?
Yes, and you’ve got more choice than you might think. While many people assume curtains are the only option for large glazed areas, modern blind systems are far more versatile. At Specialist Blinds, we make blinds tailored to your exact patio or sliding door measurements. Whether you’re after discreet, minimal panels or something more statement, we’ve got a solution that works with your door, not against it.
How do sliding door blinds work?
Most of our blinds for sliding and patio doors are fitted freehanging within the doorway reveal, with a slim top rail holding the blind in place. Rather than moving in a frame, they operate either vertically or horizontally depending on the blind style.
Roller blinds and Duette® blinds move from top to bottom, offering a clean finish when raised. For a side-to-side movement, vertical blinds or our soft Nordic Drapes are the best choice.
In some cases, we can fit individual blinds to each pane of glass if there’s enough space in the recess — but you’ll need at least 25mm of depth to allow for the fabric and operating handles.
We offer both manual and automated options, so you can choose between traditional control or the luxury of remote, wall switch or smart-home operation, ideal for large or hard-to-reach doors.
Do roller shades work on sliding doors?
They can and we often recommend them. For sliding doors, we usually fit two or three roller blinds across the width, giving you one blind per door panel. That way, you can raise just the blind covering the panel you want to walk through, without lifting the whole thing.
For larger spaces, our multi-roller system offers even more flexibility. This clever design fits multiple blinds onto fewer rollers, so you can mix different fabrics across your doors and still enjoy a neat, concealed finish. The blinds tuck away behind sleek fascias when not in use, keeping things simple and stylish.
Can you put Roman blinds on sliding doors?
Roman-style blinds, like our Pinoleum blinds, can add a beautiful, natural look to sliding doors. But it’s worth knowing they have a larger stack depth when open, which means they sit further into the room compared to other options.
They can work on patio doors, but if you’re using the space regularly, something slimmer like Duette® blinds or vertical styles will give you easier access and a neater finish.
Are Perfect Fit blinds suitable for sliding patio doors?
Perfect Fit blinds are often chosen for perceived ease, but they aren’t the best solution for patio doors. While they clip directly onto window frames, they can obstruct door movement and won’t always suit large or sliding panels.
At Specialist Blinds, we don’t use Perfect Fit for sliding doors. We use our made-to-measure blind systems, which are crafted by our experts to fit your specific door size and style, giving you a seamless finish that works beautifully and lasts longer.
Can you add blinds to an existing sliding door?
Absolutely. Whether you’re moving into a new home or upgrading your current setup, we can install blinds to existing patio doors with minimal disruption. We often retrofit Duette® blinds, thanks to their energy-saving honeycomb design and sleek stack when open.
Motorised folding door blinds are also an excellent upgrade, especially if you’re looking for clean lines and touch-free control.
Need help choosing the right blinds for your sliding doors?
Get in touch for free expert advice, or see how we’ve styled other patio doors over on Instagram.
