--- title: "Sliding Glass Door Window Coverings | Shade Design Gallery" description: "The best window coverings for sliding glass and patio doors: vertical blinds, custom drapery, motorized drapery and shades, and how a designer chooses." url: https://www.shadedesigngallery.com/sliding-glass-door-window-coverings.html updated: 2026-10-24 --- Patio & Sliding Doors · Designer Guide # Window Coverings for Sliding Glass Doors Sliding doors open side to side and get used every day. Here is how to cover them beautifully. By [Layla, Lead Designer](https://www.shadedesigngallery.com/our-story.html), and the Shade Design Gallery team · Updated October 24, 2026 Almost every home in Spokane has at least one sliding glass door, and it's often the hardest window in the house to get right. It's wide, it opens sideways, you walk through it every day, and it usually lets in the most heat and glare. Here is how we help clients choose. ## What makes sliding doors different A sliding door needs a covering that clears the opening completely, works side to side, stays out of the way of the handle, and holds up to daily use by kids and pets. It also has to handle strong sun in summer, cold glass in winter, and privacy at night when the room is lit and the yard is dark. ## Vertical blinds Vertical blinds are the classic choice because the vanes stack neatly to one side so you can walk right through, and they tilt to control light and privacy without opening fully. Today's fabric and textured vanes look far softer than the plastic verticals many people remember. See our [vertical and patio door blinds](https://www.shadedesigngallery.com/blinds.html#vertical). ## Custom drapery Drapery on a traverse rod or track is the most elegant option. Panels glide open and stack beside the door, they add warmth and color, and lined drapery helps insulate cold glass in winter. For a door you open many times a day, [motorized drapery](https://www.shadedesigngallery.com/motorized-drapery.html) opens and closes with a tap, a schedule or your voice. ## Shades on a sliding door A wide roller or solar shade mounted above the door can cover the whole opening and cut glare while keeping your view of the yard. Because you raise the shade to walk through, it works best on doors you don't use constantly, or paired with drapery. On very wide doors we may recommend two shades instead of one so each is easy to operate. ## French doors are different Hinged French doors swing, so the covering usually mounts on each door itself, with clearance for the handles. Shades mounted on the door, or drapery that opens fully to the side, are the most common solutions. ## How to choose - **Used all day:** vertical blinds or drapery that stacks completely off the glass. - **Strong afternoon sun:** solar shades or fabric vertical blinds. - **Cold glass in winter:** lined or thermal drapery. - **Kids and pets:** cordless or motorized options. - **The most finished look:** drapery, on its own or layered over a shade. ## Designer's Tip Decide which side everything stacks on before you choose a product. The panels or vanes should gather on the side of the door that doesn't move, so they never block the opening you walk through. From our design team, led by Layla · 20+ years in interior design ## Common Questions **Q: What is the best window covering for a sliding glass door?** It depends on how often you use the door. For daily use, vertical blinds or drapery that stacks completely to the side work best. For glare and heat, solar shades or fabric vertical blinds. For the most finished look, custom drapery. **Q: Are vertical blinds outdated?** Not the modern versions. Fabric and textured vanes look much softer than old plastic verticals, and they remain one of the most practical choices for sliding doors. Drapery is the alternative if you want a softer look. **Q: Can I put a shade on a sliding glass door?** Yes. A wide roller or solar shade mounted above the door can cover it, but you raise it to walk through, so it suits doors you don't open constantly or works best paired with drapery. **Q: Can drapery on a sliding door be motorized?** Yes. Motorized drapery on a track opens and closes with a remote, app, voice or schedule, which is ideal for a door you use every day. **Q: Do you install sliding door coverings in Spokane?** Yes. We measure and install across Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Hayden, with a free in-home design consultation. ## Related Guides ## Let's Solve Your Slider We'll bring samples, look at how you use the door, measure precisely and give you a clear written quote. No pressure, ever. --- Shade Design Gallery · 720 N Argonne Rd, Suite C, Spokane Valley, WA 99212 (showroom by appointment only) · (509) 599-7034 · https://www.shadedesigngallery.com/ Lead designer: Layla, 20+ years of interior design experience. Free in-home design consultation, measuring and quote.