HELP! Window treatments for sliding windows!

[KimRaye]

My new windows were installed today...Yahoo!! Only problem is I now have a HUGE sliding windows/picture window combo that needs a covering....QUICK! We also had the awning removed, so the opening (to us) is twice as large! It's really gorgeous, and I almost hate to cover the new wood & windows, but I feel like we're in a fishbowl, being watched by ALL the neighbors.

So, if you have sliders (especially a one-piece combo), what do you have for treatments? If you've ever SEEN sliders, please tell me what the coverings were. I need some ideas QUICK!

(I just know this is gonna cost a lot of $$!)

TIA

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I have a vertical blind covering my sliding door. I can't tell you the price because I had it installed when we built the house.

 

[slo]

My picture window has a large, custom pleated shade that I use in the evening.

My dining room window has wood blinds that I lift if I want to open the window.

Both of these items did cost a lot, but I do like how they look.

 

[KimRaye]

I guess it's the combo I'm having trouble with (3 windows in one unit). I figured blinds were my only option.

If I could ask, are the sliding door blinds you have one-piece, one unit? How do they open - from one side, I presume? Or, the middle?

See, with the slider sides to the middle picture window, I was HOPING I could get something stationary in the middle, and something blind-like on the ends for the sliders. So when the windows are open, the air will come through without opening the whole unit up for 'inspection' (so to speak).

My living room window combo is ok, for now. The sheers I have are in panels, so when I open the sliders, I can push the sheers open on both ends, towards the center/picture window. The other combo is in the kitchen (also facing the front of the house), and I don't like the idea of sheers in the kitchen.

Thanks for replying!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Typically, I have found, if you are willing to pay, you can get most anything you want. Contact a sales rep and go from there.

 

[Dopeygirl]

I was willing to help until I opened the thread and realized I had no idea what you're talking about. You've lost me.

 

[catsrule]

We have vertical blinds also.

 

[mamajoan]

Neurotic goosey am I... LOL.. all my windows are covered. So everything is "matching" when viewed from the outside.... I also like the privacy they provide. Had reg. horizontal blinds in two other homes... like the verts much better.

Thru the entire house I have vertical blinds.. and then I have various sheers, toppers, drapes over all the windows.. which ain't easy with the vert. blinds. Dh had to build a few extension blocks to add the rod drapes over the verticals on the Slider to the patio.

Verticals are easy to use, easy to clean and usually easy to replace if one breaks.. and they do break if the breeze gets a bit overwhelming and you don't have the blinds pulled back enough.
I used plain old ivory verts.. utilizing the drapes etc for color.

 

[trishy]

We have vertical blinds on our sliders.

 

[Christine]

All my windows are sliders. Not like yours because they are only two-piece. They open from one side to the other. Also, my windows are kind of "deep set" meaning that they are inset into the wall. I have no trim on the sides of the windows (contemporary look). I put vertical blinds on all my sliders because of the side-to-side opening. With a blind that draws up, you will always have to open it when getting air. With the verticals you just open the side you need. Now, just like mamajoan, I think all you window coverings should be the same when viewed from the street. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for my house, only our picture window is seen from the street. Most of our windows are on the side and back of the house. That is where I deviated. My front picture window (a slider also) is not covered with a vertical blind. I use a horizontal cloth honeycomb shade. I get so much sun in the front that I had to get something insulated. The verticals didn't quite have enough to do it. Although, nowadays they probably do.

Since yours open on either side, I would look for a vertical that you can customize. I would look at the Smith and Noble window coverings website. They have just about everything and they can customize I believe. In my experience, they have been cheaper to go to than ordering from somewhere around your house. Good customer service and fast shipment.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Vertical blinds here, Kim.

 

[HollyJoy]

We don't have a slider, but instead a french door in it's place, but we have vertical blinds there to cover them. They work nicely. My Mom has a sliding door, and she has a heavy curtain in front of it. Seems a bit bulky to me. I like the blinds better.

 

[always quiet]

We have this exact window! Big picture window in the middle..........side windows on each side slide into the middle window. Gives you lots on venelation. We have sheers on the window. Works out fine. (and very easy maintenace! )

 

[Disney Doll]

I think I'd do it with long curtains. Maybe a tab top curtain, so you can just kind of "scrunch" all the curtain into the middle window when you want the sdies open for ventilation or you can push them to the sides if you want to let in light, or you can push them all to one side. I'd get 6 panels (2 per window) and one long rod and put them all on the same rod.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I had custom louvered shutters made for all my windows and sliding glass doors, that I can open and fold back out of the way. Just dust them or vacuum them.

 

[KimRaye]

WOW! Take the day 'off' and I get really great ideas! Thanks everyone! I am so NOT a decorator. The tab tops sound nice for my kitchen, with the same principal as my sheers in the living room window. But, this....

Originally posted by Christine
I would look at the Smith and Noble window coverings website.

is something I'm gonna check out! THANKS again, EVERYONE!

 

[Meefirst234]

Hello! I would have to recommend vertical blinds. We use vertical as well for the sliding doors around our house and it works out fine for us, and they're some lightweight material (something in between plastic and paper I think), they clean easily and are practical too. To make you decide easily here is a description of the qualities of this type of blind: Suitable for floor to ceiling, patio doors, conservatories as well as smaller more standard windows in your home you can control the light or the heat and glare from the sun to enhance your living environment. Our top quality louvre blinds are manufactured from a vast range of fabrics including blackout, voile and flame retardant. Using the quality chain operating system, however, you prefer your made to measure vertical blind will glide easily to the left or right or order your blind to split bunch in the middle. Order one of our vertical blinds today for next day delivery and enjoy a simple, durable window blind for years to come.
I hope these work for you as good as it did for us! Let me know how it goes!