Best Window Treatments for French Doors

French doors bring character and natural light into a home, but covering them is a different challenge. Handles get in the way, shades swing and rattle, and anything too bulky looks out of place on that gorgeous glass.

The right window coverings need to stay put when the door moves, clear the hardware, and control light and privacy. Here are the best options.

Why French Doors Need a Different Approach

French doors open and close constantly, which means anything mounted on them has to move along without flapping or banging. Door handles also stick out further than expected, creating clearance issues for shades and blinds that sit too close to the glass.

Privacy matters too. French doors are mostly glass, often facing patios, yards, or busy streets.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through windows. French doors, with all that glass, can be some of the biggest offenders. The right window treatment adds an insulating layer that helps keep indoor temperatures comfortable.

Cellular Shades that are Best for Energy Efficiency

Cellular shades are the top pick for French doors. The honeycomb structure traps air between the window and the room, creating insulation values of up to R-2 to R-4.

What makes cellular shades practical here is how lightweight and low-profile they are. The shade sits close to the door frame without bumping into handles. A top-down-bottom-up option lets homeowners lower the shade from the top for light while keeping the bottom closed for privacy.

Cordless and motorized lift options keep things clean and safe. New safety standards effective June 1, 2024, require most window coverings sold in the U.S. to be cordless or have inaccessible cords. The Blindsgalore Select Blackout Cellular Shades block 99% of incoming light with an insulating honeycomb design, making them a strong choice for French doors in bedrooms and nurseries. Cordless lift comes standard, and top-down-bottom-up is available.

For a motorized option, the Blindsgalore Select Motorized Wand Cellular Shades pair honeycomb construction with a rechargeable battery wand.

Roman Shades for a Tailored Fabric Look

Roman shades bring the warmth and softness of fabric to French doors without the bulk of full-length drapes. When lowered, the shade sits flat against the glass. When raised, it folds into neat horizontal pleats that stack cleanly at the top of the frame.

The Blindsgalore Designer Roman Shades: Solids are available in Flat, Plain, European, and Soft fold styles with a wide range of solid colors and textures. Optional liner upgrades include thermal sateen for insulation and premium blackout for full light blocking. A decorative edge binding option adds a finished, custom look.

Cordless, cord loop, and motorized wand lifts are all available, so operation stays smooth whether the door opens once a day or twenty times. For more on roman shade styles, Roman Blinds Vs. Roman Shades covers the differences.

Budget-Friendly Faux Wood Blinds

For homeowners who want a classic, clean look without a big investment, faux wood blinds are hard to beat. The Blindsgalore Essential 2″ Faux Wood Blinds are made from moisture-resistant foamed PVC that won’t warp, crack, or fade, even on sun-drenched French doors.

The 2-inch slats tilt open for filtered light or close for privacy. A cordless lift keeps operation simple and child-safe, and a clean valance finishes the top of the frame. Regular dusting or a quick pass with a vacuum brush attachment is all they need to stay looking sharp.

For French doors near kitchens, bathrooms, or humid entryways, moisture resistance is a genuine advantage. For more on the difference between shades and blinds, check out Shades Vs. Blinds: What’s The Diff?

Vertical Blinds and Custom Drapery

Vertical blinds are another practical choice. The slats stack neatly to one side for full clearance, and rotating the vanes gives flexible light and privacy control.

Custom drapery frames French doors beautifully with floor-length panels that add texture and warmth. Drapery works especially well layered over a cellular shade or a roman shade for everyday privacy. For more living room styling ideas, take a look at 4 Living Room Window Treatment Ideas.

Why Motorization Makes Everything Easier

Motorized window treatments are especially practical on frequently used French doors. A motorized shade or blind eliminates cords entirely, improves child and pet safety, and makes operation as simple as tapping a button.

Motorized products at Blindsgalore work with smart home platforms including Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts, Samsung SmartThings, and Control4 through compatible smart hubs like the Connector Smart Hub. Schedule shades to open at sunrise and close at sunset, or adjust them with a quick voice command.

Installation Tips

Installing window treatments on French doors is straightforward, and 99% of Blindsgalore customers handle it on their own.

Inside mount vs. outside mount. Inside mount fits within the door frame for a streamlined look. Outside mount covers the entire frame and offers better light blocking.

Hold-down brackets. For shades and blinds on French doors, hold-down brackets keep the treatment from swinging when the door opens. Essential hardware that comes included with the order.

Handle clearance. Measure carefully around door handles before ordering. The treatment should clear the hardware without interference.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, the Blindsgalore Measuring Guide covers everything. For sliding glass doors, How To Install Blinds On A Sliding Glass Door walks through that process.

Ready to Cover Your French Doors?

At Blindsgalore, every product is custom-built to exact specifications and backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee with free exchanges on up to 4 windows. Custom shades ship in as little as 5 to 7 business days with free shipping across the continental U.S.

Call (877) 702-5463 or text (858) 550-4750 to talk with an in-house window treatment expert. For more guidance, check out The Ultimate Guide To Window Treatments on the blog.

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