Patio doors lead to outdoor living areas and bring beautiful natural light indoors. However, without the right window treatments, patio doors can create issues:
Excess sunlight can cause fading of furniture and floors. It can also make indoor spaces uncomfortably warm. UV rays entering through glass can damage furnishings over time. Curtains filter light beautifully for protection.
Maintaining Privacy
Despite scenic views, patio doors offer little privacy. Relaxing spaces become exposed. Curtains restore privacy control. You dictate when closed curtains become opened views.
Glass doors and walls create modern yet sterile spaces lacking coziness. Soft curtain fabrics introduce warmth and texture, balancing hard lines.
Protection from Elements
While fixed glass panels withstand weather, patio doors bring exposure. Open-shut access makes sealing out drafts difficult. Cold air, dust, and rain can enter causing interior damage or discomfort. Snugly overlapped curtains create insulation barriers, protecting interiors.
Unobstructed Access
Of course, the benefit of patio doors is enjoying open-air access and breezes. With curtains pushed aside, transition between outdoor living areas becomes easy. The right curtains don’t hinder views or airflow when doors open.
Measuring Curtain Rods Properly
When selecting curtain rods, allow ample mounting space for unencumbered doorway access. Extend rods 4-12 inches wider than the actual patio door width. This gives curtains room to open fully without blocking doors or views.
Use this formula when measuring for curtain rods: Door Width + At Least 4 Inches Extending on Either Side = Rod Length Needed
Avoid Length Issues
When curtain rod length is insufficient, panels cannot slide far enough off doors. Passage blocking causes frustration with snagged fabric or obstructed walkways.
Rods too long also pose challenges. Excess space allows curtains to blow around violently. Blowing fabrics ultimately cause strained curtain stitching and loosening of hardware.
Choosing the Right Curtain Width
To achieve full light filtering and privacy, curtains must overlap generously when closed. Measure across the exact patio door width. Choose curtains spanning 1.5 to 2 times this measurement to prevent gaps.
Panels too narrow strain to meet and won’t cover expanses properly. With insufficient fabric, interior views and furnishings remain visible from outside. Overly narrow curtains also risk exposing wire and wall around patio door edges.
Allow Proper Dusting Room
Just as panels shouldn’t appear too stretched, curtains shouldn’t dust the floor when closed. Pinching pleated curtains often create ampleness needing an inch of floor clearance. If such dusting room is unavailable, consider less voluminous styles.
Figuring Out Curtain Height
For functionality and visual appeal, curtain height deserves attention.panels should clear patio door tracks and flooring by about an inch without appearing too high.
This prevents vacuum cleaner damage, dirt smearing from feet or shoes, and fabric discoloration over time. It also avoids posing safety hazards to children or pets.
Accommodate High Ceilings
Especially with modern architecture, ceilings often tower. Adjust long curtain panel height by using decorative holdbacks. Other solutions include S-hook rings, Velcro strips, or channel pockets holding excess fabric off flooring.
Best Curtain Styles for Patio Doors
Vertical Rather Than Horizontal
Due to walking clearance issues, horizontal window treatments like Venetian or mini blinds don’t function well as doorway covers. Valances also tend to seem strangely suspended without connecting windows.
Vertical curtains offer movement ease. Rod pocket, grommet, and pleated styles glide smoothly off patio door handles. Passage through remains simple.
Avoid Catching Pocket Curtains
Since patio doors open and shut frequently, choose options avoiding fabric catch. Curtains catching handles grow frustrating quickly. Stuck panels also risk ripping when forcibly slid off jutting handles.
Grommets, rod pockets, and pleats move effortlessly without patio door hardware snagging. Classic looks remain achievable without sacrificing function.
Lightweight Fabrics Filter Beautifully
Sheer linens or lace filter sunlight elegantly for spaces wanting airy brightness. For increased durability and easy cleaning, washable cottons and machine-sewn linens work wonderfully.
Light fabrics slide apart easily when opening patio doors. They won’t resist motion or strain door mechanisms when moved.
Using Tiebacks to Control Curtains
To avoid blown curtains when patio doors open, install tiebacks. Hook wall-mounted tiebacks onto each leading curtain edge. This secures panels flat against walls for entryway clearance.
Tiebacks prevent interference with open-shut motions while keeping curtains contained. Control window treatment billowing without fully closing for adjustable breezes.
Enhance Safety and Accessibility
Utilizing tiebacks also enhances room safety. Curtain edges stay secured against walls rather than dangling. Eliminate loose panel tripping hazards for safer room circulation.
For homes needing increased accessibility, tiebacks ease transitions. Wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches move freely without navigating curtain obstacles.
Installing Curtain Rods Properly
Mounting curtain rods above patio doors challenges amateur installers. But when adequately braced and reinforced, rods function beautifully without safety issues or operational problems.
Distribute Weight Evenly
Rather than using simple curtain rod brackets, install additional support. Center support hooks along rods distribute weight evenly. Prevent rod bowing under heavy use.
For stronger anchor points, drill mounting screws directly into wall studs. Wall anchors in drywall alone won’t provide enough security over time.
Check Operation After Installing
When installing longer traverse rods for patio doors, verify door functionality afterwards. Fully open and close patio doors to check clearance. Ensure curtains stacked on either side allow unencumbered motions without catching long drapery pull cords.
Troubleshooting Problems
Despite careful measurement and reinforcement, patio door curtain issues still occasionally occur. But solutions exist for every problem.
Sagging Curtain Rods
Over time with weight and motion, weakened rods start bowing. Reinforce sagging rods by installing additional support brackets between end mounts. Brace drooping rods every 24-30 inches to share load.
Blocked Walkways
Billowing curtain panels frequently blow into walkways despite tiebacks. Retrain curtains directionally using small binder clips. Clip leading curtain edges at several points onto tieback hooks. This keeps panels under control.
Curtains with grommets sometimes snag on protruding door handle bases. Switch to smooth curtain styles like rod pockets or pleated to resolve catching. Ensure sliding motions glide cleanly off doors without pausing mid-swing.
The patio door curtains enhance spaces beautifully. Follow these guidelines when updating window treatments. Achieve perfectly tailored styles complementing outdoor access without functionality or appearance compromises.
