Hate vertical blinds, but need something on your sliding glass door? Here are some other options.

• 2 on 1 headrail - this feature also you to have one continuous headrail but 2 separately operable blinds. So you could keep the side the door is on up and out of the way, and keep the other closed. This gives you more privacy but is also functional. Most common shades used on a sliding glass door in 2 on 1 headrail are Cellular shades (or honeycombs), pleated shades and aluminum blinds. I’d suggest staying away from wood blinds and Faux wood blinds because when you have the shades open they have a huge stack that hangs down in the door frame. Meaning anyone taller than me (5′4″) is in danger of whacking their head.

• A new shade type that can help replace vertical blinds are sliding panels. It works great on sliding glass doors or can even be used as a room divider. Bali and Levolor make them. Depending on the width of your window you have several panels that just slide out of the way. Most sliding glass doors will have four panels. This means that the stack on your blinds will be approx. 18″ on a standard slider. The same or less than most standard vertical blinds. Also if you get tired of the fabric panels you’ve chosen in a couple of years, you can purchase new ones. They are made to be switched.

• A cellular shade mounted with tracks and running vertically instead of horizontally. A few companies make this style shades. Bali’s is called Verticell and Hunter Douglas’s Vertiglide . These accordion style shades give you the vertical application of a vertical shade, but are quieter and more energy efficient.

These are just 3 of the most popular shade alternatives to noisy vertical blinds. Depending on your style you’re sure to find an alternative that suits you.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Flooring Diva Blog!