Keep Sliding Glass Doors Covered And Private With One Customizable Solution

Integrating expansive sliding glass doors into your home floods it with natural light all day long and provides a seamless view of the outside that makes your space feel immediately larger. That is, until you inevitably have to contend with privacy and sun damage issues. With so many window treatments on the market, finding the best one for your sliding glass door that balances light, privacy, protection, and style can feel overwhelming. There is one solution, however, that could be just what you've been looking for: solar shades.

In essence, solar shades are roller shades made from special UV-ray blocking synthetic fibers like polyester. This fabric is then woven more or less tightly to create a range of transparency levels. The result is a unique kind of window protection that blocks dangerous radiation, without excessively obstructing natural light. It also ensures a decent amount of privacy. However, even the most opaque solar shades will not conceal the inside of your home during the evening. 

Solar shades offer a great balance between all the requirements that window treatments are expected to fulfill. They're an upgrade from options like UV-blocking curtains or blackout shades, which protect from the sun and prying eyes, but seriously reduce the beautiful natural light entering your home. Alternatively, regular curtains and shades in sheerer fabrics maintain the moderate privacy and light intake of solar shades, but bring none of the incredibly important protection from the sun. 

With solar shades, you can have a little bit of everything. Their biggest selling point is their exceptional ability to block UV rays without plunging the room into darkness. This helps preserve both the humans and the furniture living inside the home. While the health risks of UV exposure are well known, some people may not be aware of how the sunlight can fade, age, and dry materials like wood, leather, and textiles. 

Additionally, by blocking this radiation, solar shades are an easy solution that can help reduce heat in your home without blasting the AC. This will help keep energy bills down during the summer, benefiting both your wallet and the planet. Plus, by reducing the sun's glare, they're also particularly suitable for rooms with screens.

Thanks to all the customization options, solar shades are one of the most stylish ways to cover up your large windows. When searching for the best fit for your home, you can choose between transparency levels, colors, and textures. 

For maximum privacy, choose solar shades with 1% openness, meaning less transparency but also near total UV ray protection. These will give you decent coverage during the day. Then, when the sun sets, simply layer them with thicker drapes. In sliding glass doors, you can opt for one panel per window or larger panels that cover two or more windows.

As for how this window treatment will fit your interior design, you'll be happy to know that most brands offer a wide range of colors and weave patterns for any percentage of openness. Solar shades' sleek, rectangular design is a perfect match for a modern home. However, by playing with the different fabrics available, they can blend in with many other decor aesthetics. There are models in basket, rib, strié, striped, waffle, herringbone, and even bouclé weave patterns, as well as more understated textures that mimic linen and cotton, which would look great in a rustic or farmhouse style home. Finally, you can also make your solar shades cordless and motorized for extra comfort.