French and Patio Door Blinds

Doors need different thinking

A window blind usually stays put. A door blind has to cope with the door opening and closing all day, handles that stick out and people walking through. That's why the right choice really depends on how your doors open — and it's something we'll look at with you.

French doors

Because French doors swing open, we'd usually suggest a blind that's fixed to each door. Perfect Fit® blinds clip into the glazing bead (the strip that holds the glass in place) and move with the door, with no drilling into uPVC frames. If you'd prefer a more solid, tailored look, French door shutters are a good alternative.

Sliding and patio doors

Sliding doors don't swing, so a blind can hang in front of them. Vertical blinds and panel blinds draw to one side, so you can still walk out easily.

Bi-fold doors

Bi-folds fold back on themselves, so they need very slim blinds. See bi-fold door blinds for the options.

Add a flyscreen

In summer, a flyscreen lets you leave the doors open without insects coming in.

Choosing French and patio door blinds

When we look at French and patio door blinds with you, there are a few questions we'll usually ask. How often do you use the doors? Which way do they open, and how far do the handles stick out? Does the room need to be dark in the evening, or is it mainly about glare and privacy during the day? The answers help narrow the choice quickly.

• Light and privacy: day and night blinds and pleated blinds give flexible control on French doors, while vertical blinds tilt to adjust light on sliding doors.
• Darkness: blackout fabrics are available for most styles, which helps in a bedroom with doors to a balcony or garden.
• Heat and glare: glass doors facing the sun can make a room warm, so it's worth looking at heat and glare control options too.

Matching doors and windows

Patio doors often sit next to windows in the same room. You might like the same fabric throughout, or a door blind that works differently from the window blinds but in a matching colour. We'll bring samples so you can see how they look together.

If the doors open onto a garden or patio you use a lot in summer, it can also be worth thinking about shade outside. A patio awning keeps some of the sun off the glass and gives you a shaded spot to sit.

Safety and fitting

Door blinds are used often, so we take care that cords and chains are fitted safely and kept out of reach of children. Our child safety guide explains more. We measure and fit every blind ourselves, checking how the doors open and where the handles sit, so the blind clears them every time.