The Sliding Glass Door Window Treatment That's Perfect For A Clean, Modern Look

You can't underestimate the importance of a good sliding glass window treatment, whether you're looking for a clean, modern aesthetic or just want something more practical than your drab curtain. Where practicality is concerned, having a proper window treatment offers just one of a few ways to help reduce your energy costs at home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, "about 30% of a home's heating energy is lost through windows," but energy-efficient window treatments can help. They can also limit glare from natural light during the day, protect your home from cold air seeping through your windows, and, along with window film options that provide privacy for your home, help keep your home free of prying eyes.

Where a clean, modern look is concerned, we like vertical cellular shades with sharp lines and angles for your sliding glass door windows. Available in a plethora of colors and materials like vinyl, aluminum, and fabric, you can customize them according to your style. The vertical slats are perfect for keeping light out or allowing the perfect amount of filtered light into your home. Better yet, they can be motorized for you to manage your shades by remote control, so you don't need to struggle with height issues or stubborn blinds. But that's not all. There are a few more reasons why vertical cellular shades are the perfect mix of modern and practical.

Vertical cellular shades for your sliding doors are typically made from insulated material and, unlike standard vertical blinds with open slats, are connected without openings, folding inward like a concertina when opened. That's why, aside from being one of the best window coverings for street-facing rooms to protect your privacy, it's also considered high on the list of energy saving window treatments, lowering heat loss in fall and winter by at least 40%, while limiting the heat from natural light in late spring and summer by 60%. 

Of course, you can always plan around your day and nighttime temperatures by keeping your cellular shades open when it makes more sense to you and closing them when appropriate. It turns out that only 25% of residences ever change the position of their window coverings throughout the day, which means 75% of us are throwing money out the sliding glass door window. How much money? Vertical cellular shades can save you 10% in cooler seasons and up to 20% in warmer seasons.

According to a study conducted by the Alarm Industry Research & Educational Foundation, 67.6% of the time, burglaries happen in low-traffic areas. Considering most sliding glass doors face the rear of people's homes, it might be safe to assume that your glass door windows are facing low traffic. Even more surprising is that just over 32% of burglaries happen between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., in broad daylight. Breaking a window and forcing a back door open take the number one and two spots for methods of entry, which should demonstrate the importance of privacy and limiting what the outside world sees of your home.

With vertical shades, you don't have to worry about any slits that allow for a stranger to see who's in the home, and with the benefit of a motorized function you can pair with a home automation system, you can even close your blinds when you're not home. Just be sure that the material you choose for your vertical cellular shades stays opaque at night since some are less effective when it's dark outside and your lights are on indoors.