The Overlooked Mistake To Avoid When Covering Sliding Glass Doors

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Sliding glass doors have gained significant popularity over the past few years. And honestly, it is easy to see why. Not only do they let in tons of natural light, making indoors and outdoors feel connected, but they also save space as they don't need swinging door clearance. Plus, they look good. Homeowners, however, often cover sliding glass doors with curtains and shades. And if you are also planning to do that, one mistake you should definitely try to avoid is choosing a shade that either lets in way too much sun or blocks the light and view entirely.

This is important because if you choose a shade that allows too much sunlight through, the room may get too bright. This matters even more in spaces where the sliding glass doors face the sunrise or sunset. Too much light also brings heat, glare, and UV into the room. This can not only make rooms uncomfortable but also damage the things kept inside. 

Similarly, a shade that blocks too much light is also not a good choice. It can leave the room feeling dull and closed off. Plus, a shade that does not let any light in defeats much of the purpose of having a sliding glass door. The goal is balance. Ideally, you need to choose a cover that softens sunlight but without completely taking away the view. However, if you do not want to invest in curtains or shades at all but still want privacy with light, you can instead try DIY frosted glass ideas to cover your sliding glass doors.

Solar shades are one of the best options for sliding glass doors. They are designed to reduce glare, UV, and heat without completely shutting off the room from the outdoors. This makes them especially useful for indoor spaces that have a sliding glass door with a view. Plus, they are one of the best ways to keep sliding glass doors covered and private. Even better? Solar shades often come in rollable designs. This way, you also get the flexibility to adjust how much light to let in.

Just keep in mind, though, that rollable solar shades might not be the best option for a sliding glass door that opens and closes frequently during the day. In that case, you might want to look into panel track shades. Instead of rolling up and down, these slide side to side. This makes them very practical for doors you use often. Plus, they come in solar and light-filtering fabrics as well. GoDear Design's Adjustable Sliding Panel Track Blinds are definitely worth a look if that sounds like something you would want.

Cellular shades are another option to consider as well. They are especially useful if you want to block excess light along with the heat. Also called honeycomb shades, they are designed with small air pockets. This helps insulate the glass instead of just covering it and keeps the indoors cool. You just have to make sure that you choose cellular shades with translucent materials when you are looking for ways to cover your sliding glass doors.