Start with how you use the door
Do you walk through it ten times a day? You want something that slides to the side without raising: vertical blinds, vertical cellular or panel track.
Do you mostly look through it? Roller or cellular shades that lift from the bottom are fine and give the cleanest look.
Does the room go cold in winter? Insulation matters most: vertical cellular, or cellular shades.
Does the deck face south or west? Glare and heat matter: solar fabric in any of the formats below.
Your options
| Option | Opens by | Insulation | Look | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical blinds | Sliding sideways, vanes rotate | Low | Practical | Door used constantly, budget-conscious |
| Vertical cellular shades | Sliding sideways on a track | High | Soft, modern | Cold rooms, frequently used doors |
| Panel track shades | Wide panels slide past each other | Low to medium | Modern, architectural | Very wide doors and window walls |
| Two or three roller shades side by side | Lifting from the bottom | Low (high with cellular) | Cleanest | Door used less often, or motorized |
| Cellular shades side by side | Lifting from the bottom | High | Clean | Cold rooms where the door is used less |
Details that matter on doors
- Handle clearance. Sliding door handles stick out. We measure them and set the projection so nothing catches.
- Stack space. Verticals and panel tracks stack to the side when open. If there is a wall beside the door, we extend the track so the stack clears the glass.
- Hold-downs. On door-mounted blinds, brackets stop the bottom swinging when the door moves.
- Motorization. Big doors mean big, heavy shades. A motor makes them effortless and keeps cords away from kids and pets.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best blinds for sliding patio doors?
For doors you use often, vertical blinds or vertical cellular shades are the most practical because they slide sideways without needing to be raised. Vertical cellular insulates far better. For doors you mostly look through, side-by-side roller or cellular shades give the cleanest look.
What is a vertical cellular shade?
A vertical cellular shade is an insulating honeycomb shade turned on its side so it glides along a track at the top of a patio door. It opens sideways like a vertical blind but insulates like a cellular shade, and it does not clatter.
Are vertical blinds the only option for patio doors?
No. Vertical cellular shades, panel track shades, and two or three roller or cellular shades side by side all work well. The best choice depends on how often you use the door, how cold the room gets and the look you want.
How much do patio door blinds cost?
Custom patio door coverings typically cost about $400 to $1,500 installed, depending on the product and the width of the door. Vertical blinds are at the lower end; vertical cellular and motorized options at the upper end.
Read next: Best blinds for sliding patio doors