What Type of Shades Are Best for Sliding Glass Doors?

Bedroom featuring Refined Fabric Vertical Blinds in Sahara Smoke Stripe
Refined Fabric Vertical Blinds in Sahara Smoke Stripe

It’s no debate that vertical window blinds are the best window covering for sliding patio doors. With summer around the corner, you’ll need something that’s beautiful and easy to utilize.

At SelectBlinds, our vertical blinds come in various colors, fabrics and textures to complement any interior design style! Plus, all of our vertical products are available as 100% cordless to keep young children and pets safe. Read more about our six types of vertical shades and blinds below.

Vertical Blinds

We have a few variations of the tried and true vertical blinds. Our economical Casual Vertical Blinds or Select Textured Vertical Blinds stand up well to every-day use.

Modern, minimal living room featuring Casual Vertical Blinds in Off White
Casual Vertical Blinds in Off White

Meanwhile, the SelectWave Vertical Blinds give the ripply flow appearance of drapery with their elegant S-curved vanes.

Bedroom featuring SelectWave Vertical Blinds in White
SelectWave Vertical Blinds in White

Panel Tracks

Inspired by Japanese shoji screens, panel tracks give your home a soft, finished look, similar to curtains, but with the functionality of a full window shade.

Japandi styled living room featuring Premier Modern Solar Panel Track in Polished Silver
Premier Modern Solar Panel Track in Polished Silver

Faux Wood Vertical Blinds

Have peace of mind with these affordable and durable Select Faux Wood Vertical Blinds. They’re also humidity and moisture resistant, which makes them perfect for sliding glass doors located in the kitchen.

Farmhouse styled kitchen with Select Faux Wood Vertical Blinds in Natural
Select Faux Wood Vertical Blinds in Natural

Vertical Cellular Shades

This energy-efficient cellular design helps lower your energy bills by keeping out the heat and cold! Smaller pleats look more natural in narrow window frames; the wider pleats, like in the 2″ Premier Light Filtering Vertical Cellulars, are more proportional for wider sized windows.

Moody, contemporary living room with 2" Premier Light Filtering Vertical Cellulars in Storm
2″ Premier Light Filtering Vertical Cellulars in Storm

Sheer Vertical Shades

The Modern Sheer Vertical Shade has alternating vanes between sheer and opaque fabric. Enjoy the flowing elegance and coverage of curtains with the separate, hanging vanes and spacing of vertical shades.

Coastal living room with Modern Sheer Vertical Shades in Grey Sea Haze
Modern Sheer Vertical Shades in Grey Sea Haze

Fabric Vertical Blinds

Create a warm, cozy atmosphere with vertical fabric blinds, like the Designer Fabric Vertical Blinds. Its high-quality polyester gives window a smooth, modern flow.

Contemporary bedroom featuring Designer Fabric Vertical Blinds in Woven Charcoal
Designer Fabric Vertical Blinds in Woven Charcoal

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to talk through which style is your perfect match. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

What Types of Blinds Lifts Are There?

Man on living room couch using remote control operated window blinds

Think past the the common, outdated dangling cords associated with window blinds. It’s time to live in the present! At SelectBlinds, we have three main Cordless Lift types, or categories: motorized, wireless and cordless.

Cordless window coverings are stylish, practical and, most importantly, they are the safest lift choice for homes with small children and pets. It’s why we became the first custom window covering company to go cordless on all products in March 2016! When choosing your blinds, see what lift options are available for your product.

Motorized

The motorized wand is attached to the headrail and has two buttons – one to raise the window covering and one to lower it.

Remote control dual shade

The remote control option is perfect if you want to operate a single shade or multiple shades from across the room.

The motorized pull wand acts similarly to a ceiling fan pull cord. Pull the wand down briefly to move the shade in one direction, pull again to stop it, and pull a third time to move it in the other direction.

Wireless

Everything else is automated. Why not your windows? While the shades come with a motorized pull wand, it also has the option to utilize Bluetooth to pair with your phone, Alexa, Google and Apple products and operate with voice control.

Cordless

Classic Cordless: Operate these with ease by simply push up and pull down on the bottom rail.

Cordless Lift & Lock™: When you press and hold the button, you can move the blind up and down to your preferred position. To lock it into place, simply let go of the button.

Easy Lift and Tilt: These blinds won’t go up until you grab the bottom rail to lift and tilt it.

Pull Tassle Lift: A tassel hangs closely to the bottom rail so there are no dangerous, long cords. Pull it down and let it raise the blinds automatically.

Cordless Top Down Bottom Up: These shades can be raised and lowered from the top and the bottom for privacy and light control. Lift the bottom rail to raise, and pull to lower. If you choose a Lift & Lock™ system, both rails will have a push button.

Want to talk through these three cordless lift categories? We’re happy to help! Chat with one of our Design Consultants, or call them at (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Are Vertical Blinds Out of Style?

Designer Fabric Vertical Blinds in Salibello White

The dingy white, metal vertical window blinds you’re probably thinking of right now are out of style. Since their inception in the 50s, there have been a number of improvements to vertical window blinds, which is why they are still the best option as sliding glass door blinds.

At SelectBlinds, these versatile verticals come in various colors, fabrics and textures to complement any interior design style! Plus, all of our vertical products are 100% cordless to keep young children and pets safe.

Check out our current favorites!

SelectWave Vertical Blinds

Invest in these economical verticals that stand up well to every-day use. With their elegant S-curved vanes, these vertical blinds give the ripply flow appearance of drapery.

SelectWave Vertical Blinds in White

Classic Fabric Vertical Blinds

Create a warm, cozy appearance with fabric blinds. Its high-quality polyester gives window a soft, more modern flow.

Classic Fabric Vertical Blinds in Soft Ruby

Modern Sheer Vertical Shades

This sheer vertical covering has alternating vanes between sheer and opaque fabric, similar to our dual shades. Enjoy the flowing elegance and coverage of curtains with the separate, hanging vanes and spacing of vertical shades.

Modern Sheer Vertical Shades in Oyster Grey

Select Faux Wood Vertical Blinds

Have peace of mind with these affordable and durable faux wood blinds. They’re also humidity and moisture resistant.

Select Faux Wood Vertical Blinds in Maple

2″ Premier Blackout Vertical Cellulars

These blackout, cellular coverings are ideal for home theaters, bedrooms, nurseries, or for any other room you need to block outdoor light. The energy-efficient design can also help lower your energy bills by keeping out the heat and cold.

2″ Premier Blackout Vertical Cellulars in Pebble Rock

The real question is: are your vertical blinds out of style? Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to find out which style best suits your home. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Are Room Darkening Shades Worth It?

Premier Room Darkening Dual Shade in Fossa

If having a private, low-lit room is important to you, then absolutely, they’re worth it! Room darkening shades do exactly what they say – they darken a room.

Because of their vinyl material, they block up to 95% of incoming light. This results in lower energy costs, increased privacy, and increased protection against UV rays.

Room darkening shades are the ideal option for rooms that needs less sunlight, such as theater rooms or nurseries. They also are great for people who want to improve their sleep cycle. Dark rooms have been shown to help people fall asleep faster and even improve their health!

Common Questions About Room Darkening Shades

What’s the difference between room darkening shades and blackout shades?

Room darkening blinds, or shades, block out up to 95 percent of incoming light. Blackout shades can block out up to 99 percent.

What if a shade I like isn’t technically “room darkening”?

Several window shades, like woven wood shades, have an option to upgrade to a room darkening or blackout liner. The liner restricts light from going through the shades’ fabric.

How can I block or limit light coming in from the sides?

Whether you have a room darkening shade or not, you can mount your window covering on the outside to prevent extra light from filtering in through the sides. Another way to accomplish a room darkening effect is to layer curtains over your window treatment.

Here are some we’re loving right now!

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn more about room darkening shades. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Three Questions to Ask When Buying Solar Shades

Traditional Solar Shades in Dark Iron 10%

The six extra weeks of winter are almost over, and we cannot wait for warmer weather. (That’s saying a lot given SelectBlinds is based in Arizona.) As you’re getting ready for more sun, consider incorporating solar shades into your home.

Solar shades operate like roller shades; however, the material is often less dense than rollers. This means solars can be fully lowered and still provide an outside view (more on that later). Other features include:

  • UV Protection: Solar shades reflect light and can block up to 95% of harmful UV rays. They keep furniture from being damaged while also reducing the glare on screens.
  • Energy Efficient: In the hot weather months, interior solar shades can reduce incoming heat by 30 to 70 percent, which will help decrease energy costs.
  • Kid Friendly: All our shades are available with a Cordless Lift, which is the safest style for homes with young children. Some solar shades have an option to upgrade to Motorization.

To match the right shade to your lifestyle, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where is the placement of the shade?

Lifestyle Motorized Solar in Pearl 3%

A basic but important question. Are these shades going inside or outside? That will determine if you need interior or exterior solar shades.

Both are made of durable PVC materials, but exterior solar shades are generally constructed from weather-proof materials. Interior shades are moisture and mold-resistant, so they can be in rooms regardless of humidity.

2. What level of openness do you want?

Left: Classic Exterior Sheer Weave Solars in Black 3%; Right: Classic Exterior Sheer Weave Solars in Black 14%

Openness refers to the tightness of the fabric weave, which is an indication of the percentage of light that can penetrate through. Our blinds range from 1% to 14%.

A low number, or low openness percentage, means the fabric is tightly woven. The low percentages (i.e. 1-5%) block out more UV rays and offer more privacy. With a low openness, the outward visibility through the shade is limited.

A high openness percentage (i.e. 14%) has a looser fabric weave, which means there’s more visibility and still a decent glare reduction.

Tip: Lighter colors for interior or exterior solar shades can block more glare, and darker colors improve your visibility to the outside.

3. Should you add a layer?

Designer Series Fashion Solar Screen in Balboa 4%

Remember, solar shades reflect light. During the day, it blocks a view into your home from the outside while allowing you to see from the inside out.

The effect is reversed during the evening. The solar shades reflect the lights in your home, which blocks your outward view and allows visibility from outside the home.

So, should you add a layer for privacy? It’s really up to you!

If the solar shade faces your backyard, privacy may not be a big concern. If your solar shade faces a street and you want privacy, consider layering curtains so that you can close them at night and block visibility from the outside.

Now that you know the basics, get ready for the first day of spring and order free Solar Shade samples! Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn which solar shade is best for your home. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Light Up Your Life and Home with the Right Window Shades

Architect Light Filtering Panel Track in Modern Gray

One reason people buy new window coverings is because they’re looking to increase their light control. After all, too much light can eventually fade your furniture or floors if there’s too much exposure to UV rays.

But don’t let that keep you from blocking away all light. Natural light does have its benefits like:

  • Boosting Vitamin D
  • Improving your sleep cycle
  • Producing serotonin and endorphins
  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Saving energy and money on electricity

Now that you know the benefits, you can decide exactly how much light you want in your home. Some products are better suited if you’d like more light versus if you want no light at all. We broke down our products into three broad categories based on how well they allow light in.

High Light Filtering

Designer Light Filtering Dual Shade in Coastal Cream

Light is softly diffused through the sheer fabric of these products.

Moderate Light Filtering

2″ Modern Wood Blinds in Fontana

Sunlight flows directly through when the slats are titled open. There is no fabric between the opened slats.

Low Light Filtering

Classic Fabric Light Filtering Roller Shades in Dove

Sunlight comes in when these shades are raised. When they are lowered, light typically does not flow through.

Visit our website for an in-depth look at which shade is best suited for your light control needs, or call our Design Consultant Team at (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Blinds Inspiration: Romantic Comedies

Credit: Karolina Grabowska on Pexels

Love is in the air, and streaming services are promoting romantic comedies like grocery stores are pushing heart-shaped chocolates. We’re jumping on the bandwagon and choosing window coverings that remind us of popular rom-coms.

Palm Springs

Left: Hulu Credits; Right: Designer Reserve Roman Shades in Palma Sea

This movie is a West Coast take on the classic stuck-in-a-time-loop-until-we-learn-something storyline. Staying in theme, we picked Designer Reserve Roman Shades in Palma Sea with its sketch-like palm fronds.

Crazy Rich Asians

Left: Warner Bros Picture Credit; Right: Cozy Curtains in Green Matte Velour

This was a hard decision given the beautiful, bold color palette. However, we went with one of the most memorable scenes: Colin and Aramint’s wedding. We loved the green hues that surrounded Aramint as she gracefully walked on the water-filled aisle, starting with those light olive green curtains. Hence our Cozy Curtains in Green Matte Velour.

Just Friends

Left: New Line Cinema Credit; Right: Lifestyle Custom Drapes in Anthracite Chandelier over Lifestyle Light Filtering Roller in Ancient Ivory

If you experience secondhand embarrassment easily, then you remember this movie. We wanted to elevate the drab window coverings Chris had in his childhood room – he had a happy ending after all. Instead of aluminum blinds, we went with the Lifestyle Light Filtering Roller in Ancient Ivory layered under Lifestyle Custom Drapes in Anthracite Chandelier. He needed a brighter outlook anyways.

When Harry Met Sally 

Left: Columbia Pictures Credit; Right: Premier Light Filtering Cellular Shades in Pumpkin Spice DC

We could feel the east coast crisp air watching Harry and Sally meet time and time again in New York City. They looked chilly as well with their jackets and sweaters. With that in mind, we went with the double cell Premier Light Filtering Cellulars in Pumpkin Spice. The burnt orange hue reminded us of the leaves changing in Central Park, and they’ll need the double cell construction for extra insulation against the cold.

The Notebook

Left: New Line Cinema Credit; Right: Sheer Curtains in Sheer Pure White Crepe

We know it’s not a comedy, but we had to add it to the list. Noah created Allie’s ideal mansion – blue shutters and all. We love his choice of flowing sheer drapes throughout the house that added to the romance. That’s why we picked our Sheer Curtains in Sheer Pure White Crepe.

*This blog is not endorsed or sponsored by any of the mentioned streaming services or shows.*

Brighten Your Home with Pastels

William Morris Roller Shade in Willow Bough Mocha

The emergence of pastels in interior design is here to stay. These muted, soft hues have been around for years, and they recently grew in popularity in 2020 when people were looking for a calming presence in their home. Fast forward to today and pastels continue to be the color of choice.

Pastels invoke comforting feelings and can make a room feel brighter. Incorporating these light hues is easy because they don’t compete with bold or deep existing colors in the home; instead, it compliments them.

Create a welcoming, warm atmosphere with our William Morris Collection, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. The luxury collection features 28 pastel color combinations across six sophisticated designs in roller shades, drapery and roman shades.

Breakaway from Bland with the V&A William Morris Collection

William Morris Drapery in Pimpernel French Grey

Bring the natural world indoors with the V&A William Morris Collection, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. This luxury collection features 28 color combinations across six sophisticated designs in roller shades, drapery and roman shades. 

William Morris was a great champion of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the 19th century. Morris’ designs interweave flowers, trees, birds, animals and insects influenced by the greenery in his own garden and from walks along the riverbanks.

If you’re exhausted from your monotonous window coverings, it’s time to break away from bland and entertain one of these delightful, renowned patterns.

Marigold – 1875

Marigold Steel Blue

No one did more to turn the Victorian interior into a romantic garden quite like Morris. But Morris’ designs were always subtle, stylized evocations of natural forms rather than literal transcriptions. With a natural eye for pattern, Morris produced furnishing textiles and wallpapers that not only balanced figuration and order, but which were (unusually for the time) distinctive. One of Morris’ most enduring patterns, Marigold demonstrates exuberant scrolling foliage and a gentle color palette. Designed in 1875, Marigold became one of a handful of designs intended for both fabric and wallpaper because Morris thought textiles and wall coverings needed to have different types of patterns.

Honeysuckle and Tulip – 1876

Honeysuckle and Tulip Grey Blue

William Morris’ designs for fabrics, wallpaper and other decorative arts revolutionized Victorian taste and contributed to the revival of traditional textile arts, generating the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain.  Honeysuckle and Tulip, a design from 1876 and one of Morris’ personal favorites, was an experimental block-printed silk fabric produced in collaboration between Thomas Wardle (1831–1909) and Morris. Both men had ambitions to obtain the depth of color from natural, permanent dyes similar to those in Indian textiles.

Pimpernel – 1876

Pimpernel Sage

The pattern’s title refers to the small scarlet pimpernels dotted throughout the design rather than the large poppies entwined with scrolling willow leaves. Created in 1876 by William Morris, Pimpernel demonstrates how time and time again Morris conventionalized naturalistic elements in his patterns, training flowers and leaves into scrolling and curving shapes, embodying the reasons why Morris is the most celebrated 19th century designer with an enduring appeal today. The highly elaborate and symmetrical pattern was originally hung in the dining room of Morris’ own home, Kelmscott House in London.

Sunflower – 1879

Sunflower Honey

William Morris’ Sunflower pattern was first introduced in 1879 and was available in both regular distemper prints and the lacquered, embossed type used to imitate leather wall coverings. Sunflowers were a popular motif and symbol of the Aesthetic Movement and appeared in fashion, architecture and interior design. The concept of ‘art for art’s sake’, also known as the Cult of Beauty, permeated British culture during the latter part of the 19th century and was widely influential. The Movement originally started in the studios and houses of a radical group of artists and designers, including William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. 

Strawberry Thief – 1883

Strawberry Thief Vintage Blush

One of Morris’ most famous and most popular designs, Strawberry Thief, was intended to be used for curtains or draped around walls (a form of interior decoration advocated by Morris), or for loose covers on furniture. He based the pattern and name on the thrushes which frequently stole the juicy strawberries from the kitchen garden of his countryside home, Kelmscott Manor, in Oxfordshire. Despite the fact that this design was one of the most expensive printed furnishings available from Morris & Co., it became a firm favorite with clients and hasn’t been out of print since 1883.

Willow Bough – 1887

Willow Bough Vine

Many of Morris’ wallpaper designs were based on the natural world which he studied at firsthand. His exuberant designs interweave plants drawn from his own gardens and the wildflowers and trees which he had seen on country walks. This intricate and naturalistic pattern inspired by graceful willow branches was designed by Morris in 1887. Morris also found ideas for his designs in the simple woodcut illustrations in 16th century herbals (books describing plants and their various uses in medicine and cookery). He owned several books of this kind, including a copy of Gerard’s Herball (published 1597) in which a willow branch is illustrated. The willow was one of Morris’ favorite motifs, and he used it in several of his designs for wallpaper and for textiles.

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn more about the VA William Morris Collection! Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Why Skylight Blinds are Worth the Investment

With skylight blinds, you can control the amount of light in a stylish and functional way. It’s possible to create the perfect home environment with them. You can use skylight blinds to create an atmosphere that’s just right for any occasion and customize the lighting in a room.

Premier Light Filtering Skylights in Pale Winter SC

Why should you even cover your skylight window?

  1. Skylight blinds can help you save money. The energy-efficient cellular construction insulates your home from the heat and cold. As a result, billing costs can be reduced throughout the year.
  1. Skylight blinds can block harmful UV rays and direct UV glare. This is especially useful for rooms with TV or computer screens.
  1. Skylight blinds keep the outside out. They help soften outdoor noise, as well as protect furniture, walls and floors from fading and discoloration.
  1. Skylight blinds can improve aesthetics. No more distractions from outside when you’re hosting. Choose a color that matches your interior design.
  1. Skylight blinds are easy to install and use. Skylight blinds are generally easy to install and can be customized to fit any size window. All of our Skylight Blinds come standard as a manual lift. You can also add a Telescopic Extension Pole to your cart. Check to see if motorization is available as an upgrade. 
Premier Light Filtering Skylights in Barley SC

Check our Skylight Buying Guide for more information, or call or chat with one of our Design Consultants! Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!