French doors add a touch of timeless elegance to any home, but they also invite in bright sun and the gaze of neighbors. Choosing the right window coverings is key. The right French door window treatments provide privacy and light control without sacrificing the door’s function or beauty. Installing them yourself might seem daunting, but it’s simpler than you think.
At Blindsgalore, our family has been handcrafting custom window coverings for over 25 years. We believe you have everything you need to get the job done right. This guide will walk you through how to install blinds on French doors, turning a weekend project into a rewarding home upgrade.
Why Choose French Door Window Blinds?
Covering your French doors with blinds does more than just complete the look of a room. It’s a practical choice that offers real benefits. The right French door window blinds give you command over privacy and sunlight, protect your furniture from fading, and can even add a layer of insulation. Because they are door mounted blinds, they move with the door, so you never have to wrestle with a swinging window covering to get outside.
Best Blinds for French Doors: Types and Options
The best blinds for French doors are lightweight, have a shallow profile so they don’t interfere with the door handles, and can be secured at the bottom. Here are some of our favorite options.
Roller Shades for French Doors: Pros and Cons
Sleek and simple, roller shades for French doors offer a clean, contemporary look. They roll up into a tight, neat tube, leaving your view completely open. You can choose from “soft, linen textures” that gently filter light or blackout fabrics for total privacy . Our Blindsgalore Envision Blackout Roller Shades are perfect for bedrooms, while the Envision Light Filtering version is great for living areas .
Roman Shades for French Doors: Classic Style
For a touch of softness, Roman shades for French doors are a fantastic choice. They bring the elegance of drapery with the simple function of a shade, folding up into soft, graceful pleats. And yes, Roman shades are definitely still in style. Our Blindsgalore Designer Roman Shades come in a huge variety of fabrics, allowing you to make a real design statement.
Wooden Blinds for French Doors: Natural Look
Wooden blinds for French doors can add natural warmth and texture. The key is to choose a lightweight version with 1-inch slats. This smaller slat size has a shallower profile, ensuring it will likely clear your door handles and won’t add too much weight to your door.
Mini Blinds for French Doors: Affordable Choice
Durable and budget-friendly, mini blinds for French doors are a workhorse solution. They are incredibly resilient, making them a great choice for high-traffic doors, especially in homes with kids or pets. If you’re looking for extra durable options, our guide on cat-proof blinds has some great tips.
Perfect Fit & Clip-In Blinds for French Doors: No Drilling Needed
The ultimate solution for renters or anyone hesitant to drill into their doors is a no-drill option. We are excited to be introducing “No-Drill” shades very soon. These innovative shades use a tension headrail that locks into place inside the window frame, giving you a secure fit without a single screw. These perfect fit blinds for French doors and clip in blinds for French doors will make installation easier than ever.
Measuring Your French Doors for Blinds
Accurate measurements are the foundation of a successful blind installation. Don’t worry, it’s a breeze. Since every blind for French door windows we make is custom, getting it right is simple.
How to Measure for French Door Window Coverings
For French door window coverings, you will almost always use an inside mount, meaning the blind fits inside the window frame on the door.
- Measure the Glass: Using a steel tape measure, measure the exact width of the visible glass. Do this at the top, middle, and bottom, and use the narrowest measurement.
- Measure the Height: Measure the exact height of the visible glass from top to bottom.
- Check the Depth: Measure the depth of the window frame, from the glass to the edge of the frame. This ensures your blind’s headrail will fit without sticking out too far. Compare this to the “minimum inside-mount depth” listed on the product’s page.
- Check for Obstructions: Open and close your door handle. Make sure there is enough clearance between the handle and the window frame to accommodate the blind. Slim-profile options like Cellular Shades are perfect for this.
For more detailed instructions, you can always visit our comprehensive measuring guide.
Tools and Materials Needed for Blind Installation
You don’t need a professional workshop for this project. Gathering your tools beforehand makes the actual blind installation go smoothly.
- Steel Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Drill with appropriate drill bits
- Screwdriver
- Level
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Install Blinds on French Doors
Ready to install blinds? Let’s get it done. Whether you’re a DIY expert or not, this process is straightforward. No guessing, no stressing!
Step 1: Preparing the Door for Blinds
Start with a clean slate. Wipe down the window glass and the frame where you’ll be installing the brackets. This ensures you have a clean surface for marking. If you’re replacing old blinds, now is the time to remove them. We have a handy guide on how to take down blinds if you need it.
Step 2: Marking and Drilling: Safe Methods
Hold one of the installation brackets up in a top corner of the window frame. Use your pencil to mark where the screw holes will go. Repeat for the other side. Using your level, double-check that your marks are even. Pre-drilling small pilot holes will make it much easier to drive the screws and will prevent the door material from cracking. This is an important step for any window blinds installation.
Step 3: Attaching the Brackets Securely
Using your drill or screwdriver, attach the brackets to the door using the screws provided. Make sure they are snug and secure.
Step 4: Hanging and Adjusting the Blinds
Now for the satisfying part. Hold the headrail of the blind up to the brackets. Most blinds will simply click into place. For example, with cellular shades, you’ll insert the front of the headrail into the brackets and rock it backward until it clicks securely. Make sure the fabric of your shades for French doors isn’t pinched between the headrail and the bracket.
Step 5: Installing Hold-Down Brackets
This is the most important step for hinged door blinds. Hold-down brackets are small pieces of hardware that attach to the bottom of the door and secure the bottom rail of the blind. This prevents your door window blinds from swinging, swaying, or clanking every time you open or close the door. Simply screw the brackets into place and snap the bottom rail into them.
Step 6: Testing Blind Operation and Safety
Lower and raise your blind a few times to make sure it operates smoothly. Since traditional corded blinds were banned in the US and Canada as of June 2024, your new blind is likely cordless or motorized. We strongly recommend these options for all homes with children and pets for ultimate peace of mind.
No Drill Blinds for French Doors: Quick Solutions
If you want to avoid drilling altogether, no drill blinds for French doors are a game-changer.
Clip-In Blinds and No Drill Roller Blinds
As mentioned, we will soon be offering custom no drill roller blinds and other styles that use a tension mechanism. These are ideal for renters, metal doors, or anyone who wants the simplest installation possible. These blinds without drilling offer a secure fit and a clean look.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips for French Door Blinds
Keeping your French door blinds and shades looking new is easy. The most important rule is to never submerge your blinds or shades in water. This applies to all materials, including blackout and motorized versions. A simple dusting or a gentle pass with your vacuum’s upholstery attachment is all that is needed for regular cleaning.
A Final Thought
Choosing and installing your own French door blinds is a project you can tackle with confidence. You get the exact custom look you want and the satisfaction of a job well done. At Blindsgalore, we’re here to help you every step of the way. All our products are backed by a free 3-year warranty (with an optional 5-year upgrade) and the industry’s best guarantee: a 30-day satisfaction guarantee that includes free product exchanges for any reason. We want you to love your view.
Frequently Asked Questions
A hold-down bracket is a small piece of hardware that secures the bottom of your blind to the door. Yes, it is absolutely essential for door-mounted blinds to prevent them from swinging and getting damaged when the door is opened or closed.
Yes! Motorization is a fantastic option for French doors. It provides a clean, cordless look and allows you to operate your blinds with the touch of a button, which is especially convenient for doors you use often.
It’s always a good idea to check with your door’s manufacturer. However, the shallow screws used for blind installation brackets are typically very small and rarely cause issues with the door’s structure or warranty.
The key is to select a blind with a shallow profile. Cellular shades, 1-inch wood or faux wood blinds, and roller shades are excellent choices. Always check the product’s “minimum flush-mount depth” and compare it to your door’s measurements.
The main differences are the need for a shallow depth to clear the door handles and the absolute necessity of hold-down brackets to keep the blind secure during movement. Otherwise, they offer the same great styles and features.