The three main ways to cover patio doors
You can cover patio doors with vertical blinds, cellular shades, roller shades, or curtains and drapes. Each handles light, privacy, and temperature differently, and each costs a different amount to buy and install. Vertical blinds slide to the side and work well if you want to open the door fully without removing anything. Cellular shades fold up compactly and insulate better than other options. Roller shades mount flat against the frame and take up almost no space. Curtains hang from a rod and give you the most control over how much light enters, but they don't seal against drafts the way shades do.
The choice depends on whether you want the door to open fully and easily, how much heat loss matters to you, and how much you want to spend. A door you use every day needs something that moves out of the way quickly. A door that stays closed most of the time can have something heavier or more decorative.
Key Takeaways
- Vertical blinds slide completely to one side, letting you open the door without removing the covering.
- Cellular shades insulate better than other options and fold up compactly, but they block the door opening if you don't remove them.
- Roller shades mount flat and take up minimal space, making them a good choice for doors you open frequently.
- Curtains and drapes offer the most light control and look finished, but they don't seal against drafts and require a rod mounted above the door.
- Measure the door frame width and height before ordering, and decide whether you want the covering inside the frame or outside it.
Vertical blinds for doors you open often
Vertical blinds are slats that hang from a track and slide to the left or right, stacking against one side of the door. When you open the door, you push the blinds to the side and they stay there. This makes them the easiest option if you use the door multiple times a day.
Vertical blinds come in vinyl, fabric, or aluminum. Vinyl is the cheapest and easiest to clean — you wipe them with a damp cloth. Fabric blinds look more finished but collect dust and are harder to clean. Aluminum blinds are durable and lightweight. Most vertical blinds cost between $150 and $400 for a standard patio door, including installation by a professional, though you can buy them without installation for $80 to $200 and hang them yourself if the track mounts straight.
The main drawback is that vertical blinds don't insulate well. Air moves around the slats, so they won't reduce heating or cooling loss the way a cellular shade will. They also don't block light completely — you'll see gaps between the slats even when they're closed.
Cellular shades for insulation and light blocking
Cellular shades (also called honeycomb shades) have hollow cells that trap air and reduce heat transfer through the door. They fold up compactly when you raise them, and they block light almost completely when closed. If your patio door faces south or west and gets strong afternoon sun, or if you want to reduce heating loss in winter, cellular shades outperform other options.
Cellular shades come in single-cell and double-cell versions. Single-cell shades are lighter and cheaper, around $150 to $300 installed. Double-cell shades have two layers of air pockets and insulate better, costing $250 to $450 installed. Both mount inside the door frame or outside it, depending on how much light you want to block at the edges.
The trade-off is that cellular shades don't move to the side — you have to raise them completely to open the door. If you go in and out frequently, you'll be raising and lowering them constantly. They also require a cord or motorized lift, and the cord can be a hazard if you have small children or pets in the house.
Roller shades for a clean, minimal look
Roller shades are a single piece of fabric that rolls up and down on a tube. They mount flat against the door frame and take up almost no space when raised. They're simpler than cellular shades and usually cheaper — expect $100 to $250 installed, or $50 to $120 without installation.
Roller shades come in room-darkening and blackout versions. Room-darkening fabric blocks most light but lets a little through. Blackout fabric stops nearly all light and is better if you want to sleep during the day or keep a room completely dark. They also come in motorized versions that you control with a remote or phone app, though motorized models cost two to three times as much as manual ones.
Like cellular shades, roller shades don't move to the side, so you have to raise them to open the door. They also don't insulate as well as cellular shades because they're a single layer with no air pockets. If blocking light is your main goal and you don't mind raising the shade each time you open the door, a roller shade is the most affordable option.
Curtains and drapes for style and light control
Curtains and drapes hang from a rod mounted above the door and pull to the side. They give you the most control over how much light enters — you can open them partway, fully, or leave them closed. They also look more finished than blinds or shades and work well if you want the door area to match the rest of your room's decor.
Curtains come in lightweight fabrics like linen or cotton, and drapes are heavier fabrics like velvet or thermal-lined material. Lightweight curtains cost $50 to $150 per panel, and heavier drapes cost $100 to $300 per panel. You typically need two panels (one on each side of the door), so budget $100 to $600 before installation. A rod costs $20 to $80 depending on material and finish. Installation by a professional runs $100 to $200.
The main drawback is that curtains don't seal against drafts the way shades do. Air moves around the edges and between the panels, so they won't reduce heating or cooling loss. They also require you to move them out of the way to open the door, and if you open the door while they're closed, you'll have to adjust them afterward. Curtains also collect dust and require regular washing or dry cleaning.
Measuring and mounting your patio door covering
Before you order, measure the width and height of your door opening. Measure at three points — top, middle, and bottom for width, and left, center, and right for height — because door frames are often slightly out of square. Use the smallest measurement for width and the largest for height to may support a proper fit.
Decide whether you want the covering mounted inside the frame (inside mount) or outside it (outside mount). Inside mount looks cleaner and takes up less space, but it only works if your frame is deep enough and square enough. Outside mount covers the frame and any gaps, and it's easier to install on uneven frames. Most blinds and shades can be mounted either way, but curtains are almost always outside mount because the rod goes above the door.
If you're installing yourself, follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly. Most blinds and shades come with brackets and screws, and you'll need a drill and a level. Curtain rods require a stud finder if you're mounting into drywall, or you'll need to use heavy-duty anchors. If the door frame is metal or you're unsure about drilling, hire a professional — a bad installation can damage the frame or cause the covering to fall.
Cost comparison and durability
Vertical blinds are the cheapest option for frequent door use, running $150 to $400 installed. Roller shades cost $100 to $250 and last 5 to 7 years with normal use. Cellular shades cost $150 to $450 and last 7 to 10 years. Curtains and drapes cost $200 to $600 installed and last 5 to 8 years before fading or wearing at the edges.
Durability depends on how often you use the door and how well you maintain the covering. Vertical blinds wear fastest at the track where the slats slide — expect to replace the track or entire blind after 8 to 10 years of daily use. Cellular shades fail when the lift cord breaks or the cells get damaged, which usually happens after 7 to 10 years. Roller shades fail when the spring mechanism wears out, typically after 5 to 7 years. Curtains fade and wear at the hems and edges, especially if they're in direct sunlight.
If you plan to stay in your home for many years and use the door daily, cellular shades are the best long-term investment because they insulate and last longer. If you're renting or plan to move within a few years, vertical blinds or roller shades are better because they're cheaper and easier to remove without damaging the frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular window blinds on a patio door?
No. Window blinds are too narrow and don't have the hardware to handle the weight and movement of a door. Patio door blinds and shades are built with stronger tracks and brackets. Using window blinds on a door will cause them to fail quickly and may damage the door frame.
Do cellular shades really save money on heating and cooling?
Yes, but the savings depend on your climate and how much sun hits the door. In cold climates, cellular shades can reduce heat loss by 10 to 15 percent. In hot climates, they reduce cooling loss by a similar amount. The savings add up over years, but the payback period is usually 5 to 10 years depending on your energy costs.
What's the difference between inside mount and outside mount?
Inside mount means the covering fits inside the door frame, taking up no extra space. Outside mount means it covers the frame and extends beyond it. Outside mount blocks more light at the edges and works on uneven frames, but it makes the door opening look smaller. Inside mount looks cleaner but requires a square, deep frame.
Can I install patio door blinds myself?
Yes, if you have a drill and a level. Most blinds and shades come with brackets and instructions. Vertical blinds are the easiest because the track is straightforward. Cellular shades are harder because the lift mechanism has to be balanced. If your frame is metal or damaged, hire a professional to avoid making it worse.
How do I clean patio door blinds?
Vertical blinds: wipe with a damp cloth or use a vacuum with a brush attachment. Cellular shades: vacuum gently or use a soft brush — don't use water because it can damage the cells. Roller shades: vacuum or wipe with a dry cloth. Curtains: check the label and either wash in cold water or dry clean depending on the fabric.