We checked out five of the most popular choices for French door blinds available on the market and found TailorView Custom Made 2 Inch Faux Wood to be the best choice.
Choosing the right window treatments for French doors can be cumbersome and overwhelming because of the various factors and the number of style choices. We did interior design work for multiple clients and worked on home improvement projects to try out some of these products, so you do not have to.
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Here are the top 5 French door blinds based on the results of our one-year test period:
Best Overall: TailorView Custom Made 2 Inch Faux Wood
The TailorView Custom Made 2 Inch Faux Wood blind for French doors is made of Polyvinyl-blend. It is resistant to weather and temperature changes and moisture and warping, making this product durable and long-lasting. It comes in various sizes, custom-made to fit your French doors perfectly.
This product has a cord to raise the shutters and open the slats to let light in. It also comes with a hold-down bracket to secure it when in use.
Best Value: SEEYE Zebra Blinds
Made of 100% Polyester fabric, the SEEYE Zebra Blinds have good light control and air permeability, giving you adequate shade and insulation. Cleaning these shutters is also a breeze, as you can clean them with water, a soft brush, or a feather duster without detaching or unmounting them. Its best feature, though, is the safety buckle or rope tensioner that can be attached to the wall. While not the most affordable of all the options, this product is a bargain, given all these features.
Best Budget: H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout French Door Curtain
If you are on a tight budget, the H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout French Door Curtain is one of the better options on the market. These curtains are perfect for keeping the sun out for a room that gets too much light in through the windows. Moreover, its easy-to-install feature is best if it is your first time installing window coverings for French doors, as there’s no need for tools, drilling, or rods to put it up.
Most Stylish: HOTSOON Aluminum 1″ Horizontal Mini Blinds
The HOTSOON Aluminum 1″ Horizontal Mini Blinds is an inside- and outside-mount blind suited for French doors and windows. It is made-to-order and customized according to customer specifications to fit any size door and window frame perfectly. It has a slim design due to having flat slats, which makes it not only easy on the eye but also easy to clean. Most importantly, as it is made with high-quality material and comes with endless features, you cannot go wrong with this product if you are after durability, safety, and versatility.
Most Customizable: TWOPAGES Rock Grey Linen Roman Shade
Of all the roman shades you can find on the market, the TWOPAGES Rock Grey Linen Roman Shades turn out to be the best. If you like to fully customize your window treatments for your French doors, this product allows for that. The ability to choose different linings and rope material give you full control of its shading performance, as well as its accessibility and ease of use. Moreover, as it comes with a sticky top, your roman shade can easily come off from the hardware for a quick clean-up.
Product Mini-Reviews
Best Overall: TailorView, Custom Made 2 Inch Faux Wood
The TailorView Custom Made 2 Inch Faux Wood blind is the best option based on our French door window treatments test. We had to order multiple packages to look at the product’s consistency, and we noticed that some do not come with instructions. You can wing it, but it could be a challenge for first-timers. But this is nothing a call to their customer service could not fix.
Aside from this, we could not say any other bad thing about this product even after a year of testing. It is a perfect fit on our French doors, which makes it look good. We were also amazed at its eco-friendly features, which make it a good choice for those with children at home. Ultimately, the durability of this product won us over as this was our top priority.
Features
- Polyvinyl-blend, heat and moisture resistant
- Eco-friendly: Air Control Quality, and Children and Schools Greenguard Certified
- Comes in a variety of sizes
- Easy-to-install
- Outside-mount
Pros
- Fits perfectly
- Durable and visually-appealing
- Comes with an extra set of mounting supplies
- Provides a replacement for parts
- Includes hold-down brackets for securing the bottom of blinds
Cons
- Inconsistent packaging: some do not come with installation instructions
- Can be hard to install without instructions
Best Value: SEEYE Zebra Blinds
We had high hopes for the SEEYE Zebra Blinds because of all the unique features it offers. However, when we tested for durability and functionality, they seemed to have missed the mark. Rolling up can be a hassle, especially if you are in a rush. And if you tug on it accidentally, the curtains could easily fall off. This might be a good option if you are not as careless as we were.
We appreciate that while you may have to shell out a bit more money on this product, you are guaranteed to deliver what it promised: providing adequate shade while letting in natural light. We also loved that the fabric material makes it eco-friendly and easy to manage, especially when it comes to cleaning.
Features
- Polyester material: scratch-resistant, dust-proof, air filtering, light control
- Non-toxic and eco-friendly
- Comes with a chain connector and safety buckle
- Inside- and outside-mount
- Comes in multiple sizes
Pros
- Affordable
- Light-weight and easy clean-up
- Visually-appealing contemporary design
- Versatile shade blocks sunlight
Cons
- Flimsy material easily falls off
- Installation instructions can still be improved
- Difficult to roll up
- Not a good choice if you need privacy
Best Budget: H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout French Door Curtain
The cheapest option on this list is the H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout French Door Curtain. We love that it could provide maximum shade that got us fully covered from the sun’s rays. Having good insulation, we noticed that our energy bill had gone down because we did not need to crank up the heater during winter nights or the AC during summer. The only thing we think it can improve is the material’s quality and design.
Features
- Polyester material, 100% blackout
- Machine-washable
- Comes in several sizes and color choices
Pros
- Good insulation and blackout cover
- Reduces energy bills
- Easy installation and maintenance
- Affordable
Cons
- Flimsy material
- Unpolished design
- Catches dust
Most Stylish: HOTSOON Aluminum 1″ Horizontal Mini Blinds
While we struggled a bit during installation, the HOTSOON Aluminum 1″ Horizontal Mini Blinds are our best bet for style and design. Using aluminum alloy material is smart, as it allows for maximum flexibility, making the slats deformation-proof. Compared to their fabric counterparts, these aluminum shutters make cleaning a breeze as you can wipe it off with a wet cloth as often as you would like. The tilt mechanism also works perfectly well, so you can also easily adjust the angle depending on the amount of shade you want. We installed this on our patio door and couldn’t be happier!
Features
- High-quality aluminum alloy material, resilient to deformation
- Water-proof, dust-proof, and anti-grease
- Comes with a safety buckle
- Light filtering or blackout
- Inside- or outside-mounting
- Comes in several sizes and color choices
Pros
- Slats are flexible, and ropes are made of strong material
- Easy to clean
- Effective cover from the UV rays of the sun
- Clean lines and elegant design
- Great value for money
Cons
- Can be challenging to install
Most Customizable: TWOPAGES Rock Grey Linen Roman Shade
We love that you can fully customize the TWOPAGES Rock Grey Linen Roman Shade upon ordering. It’s not just the color of the shades that you can specify. You can also choose between plastic or stainless steel for the cord material, with an additional charge for the latter option. You may also decide whether you want the cord to be on the left or ride side. There are four options for lining: 1) unlined, 2) 80% darkening liner for a white room, 3) 85% darkening liner for a grey room, and 4) 90% blackout liner. Most importantly, you can provide custom measurements up to a fraction of an inch for the width and request any additional customization. This roman shade is also beautiful, easy to maintain, and comfortable.
Features
- 92% Polyester, 8% Linen
- Machine-washable
- Easy to install
- Inside- or outside-mounting
- Comes in a variety of colors and sizes
Pros
- Cord material, lining type, and size are customizable up to a fraction of an inch
- Easy to pull up and down
- Easy to remove and wash because of velcro attachment
- Finished appearance
Cons
- Catches dust
Factors to Consider When Buying French Door Blinds
There is a wide selection of French door blinds out in the market, so it might get confusing to choose from among them. Here are some factors to take into account to help you make a perfect choice:
1. Functionality and Insulation
The first question is, for what purpose are you getting door blinds? Are you getting too much sunlight inside your house and want to block them out? Or maybe the heat is too much during summer, or you struggle to keep the cold out during winter, and you need some insulation? Perhaps your glass door is facing a busy road, and you need some privacy shutters. It is important to keep this in mind when buying blinds because different types of blinds have different purposes.
2. Ease of Use and Safety
Your house or room door is a high-traffic area, meaning you might want to choose blinds that give good access to door handles and/or locks and that you can easily and comfortably maneuver to let you through. Shallow blinds, like honeycombs and roller shades, are the best window coverings that still allow easy access to door handles.
If you have small children or pets at home, it is especially important to ensure that the shutters you will get for your French doors have safety features that keep away loose cords or chains to avoid anyone from getting strangled or tangled.
3. Door Design and Mounting
One thing to remember about French doors is that their window panes have no depth. This means that you can only mount it outside the window. Thus, when choosing window treatments for French doors, you will have to take a closer look at the styles and designs of the blinds as an outside mount to see how they will work.
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4. Durability vs. Aesthetics
Of course, we want French door window treatments that are both durable and visually appealing. And some choices can provide a balance between the two. However, you might want to prioritize one over the other to make decision-making easier. Not all blinds are created equal. Some use visually stunning materials but may not serve your purpose. While those that may be
5. Style and Material
The shades vary into the following types:
- Cellular shades: A cellular or honeycomb shade is a popular choice if you are looking for an energy-efficient option, as its cellular structure helps insulate your room from heat or cold. As a shallow blind that can be mounted outside, this can be a good option for covering French doors.
- Roman shades: Like cellular shades, roman shades are also made of fabric and can be categorized as a shallow blinds. It can be a good choice for French doors as its stylish folds not only make it glide behind the door handle when lowered or pulled up, but it also is a good design contrast with the French door’s clean lines. One salient feature of roman shades is that they can be good for completely blocking the sun’s rays out.
- Roller shades: For French doors with handles, these roller blinds can be both a practical and stylish option as it lies flat against the glass, completely sliding behind the door’s handles.
- Woven wood shades: One unique option that can also be used on French doors are wooden wood shades. Usually made with natural bamboo reeds, it can be a focal point and statement piece in your room. Additional lining can be added to your woven wood shades to adjust light control.
- Vertical blinds: Usually used on patio doors, vertical blinds are also a unique French door shade solution. They are easy to operate and adjust depending on the level of privacy and coverage you need.
- Faux wood blinds: Faux wood is another material for window treatments for French doors, as natural wood may sag over time. While stunning, it’s not a popular option as its dark stain makes it prone to warping and fading after prolonged direct exposure to the sun’s heat. They can also be categorized as deep blinds, which is not advisable to use with French doors as it makes operating the door handles challenging.
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FAQs for the Best French Door Blinds
1. What is the best window treatment for French doors?
The best window treatment for French doors matches the build of your French door and your purpose for installing one. Different blind styles and materials serve different purposes. Cellular and roman shades are the most recommended and used types of blinds for French doors as their slim structure makes them easily fit behind door handles.
2. What are the factors to consider when choosing blinds for your French doors?
When buying blinds, you have to bear in mind the following: 1) purpose for getting blinds, 2) ease of use and safety of the design, 3) door design and mounting style, 4) function vs. aesthetics and 5) the style and material of the blinds.
3. How do you install blinds on French doors?
Step 1: Prepare the tools you will need (e.g., tape measure, pencil, carpenter’s level, drill, 1/16-inch drill bit, and a flat screwdriver).
Step 2: Specifically for French doors, measurement should be done meticulously. Measure the glass portion of the door, adding 3 to 4 inches on all sides and being mindful to leave enough space for the door handle and hinges. Acquire your outside-mount blinds that meet these measurements.
Step 3: Make a mark 2 inches out from the edge of the glass on all sides with a pencil. Against the mark, you made on top, hold one metal mounting bracket and again mark the position where the brackets and screw holes should be. Make sure that these are aligned by using a carpenter’s level.
Step 4: Using your 1/16-inch bit, drill a hole at each screw mark. Line up your bracket with the screw holes, then use a flat-head screwdriver, and secure it with screws.
Step 5: Glide the head rail into the bracket grooves. It should easily fit and snap securely into place. Do the same for the bottom rail.
Step 6: Perform additional steps as instructed by the manufacturer of the blinds for custom blinds.
Our Verdict
With so many choices for window treatments and blinds for French doors, one product stood out: TailorView Custom Made 2 Inch Faux Wood horizontal window blinds.
Whether you are after securing your privacy, noise reduction, insulation, or light blocking, this product delivers! You cannot go wrong with this product, even if you work within a budget or after design and style.
If you are on the lookout for the best French door blinds, you can already stop looking. The TailorView, Custom Made 2 Inch Faux Wood blinds may be the best for you!
Get yours now on Amazon!