French Door Blinds

French doors can pose a problem for homeowners. They cause us to ask that age-old question: “Should I hang blinds or leave the windows uncovered?” While they are beautiful, they let lots of sunlight in. Those harsh afternoon rays can raise the temperature in your home up to 10 degrees, forcing your air conditioning unit to work overtime. They can also fade and damage your furniture, especially in the summer.

One of the most common problems for people looking for window coverings for French doors is that pesky handles get in the way of functionality. The solution is to buy shallow blinds like cellular shades that fit comfortably between the door and decorative handles.

Which French Door Blinds Are Right For You?

French door blinds should enhance the beauty of your doors. Something simple and neutral is always best. When possible, match the other window treatments in the room. If for some reason they cannot match because maybe you have shutters or draperies on other windows, choose something very basic that doesn’t draw much attention.

The blinds or shades you choose should be dependent on the amount of light you want to let in. If you prefer to completely block light, choose a blackout roller shade or honeycomb shade. If you prefer to allow some light in when the shades are lowered for privacy, choose a light filtering shade.

With door blinds, it's important to invest in a well-made, durable product. Doors get lots of wear and tear, so you don't want your new window treatments to break after a year.

Because French doors require long, narrow window treatments, we recommend choosing a cordless product. When the blinds are raised, the excess cord will be difficult to control. This is especially dangerous for homes with children and pets. Avoid this by ordering a cordless cellular shade.

NOTE: Never hang your blinds OUTSIDE of a French door handle. The handle will protrude out from behind the shade, causing an unsightly bump.