French doors look great until you realize you need window coverings for them. The glass panels let in too much light, neighbors can see in, and standard blinds don't fit right. This guide covers what works, what doesn't, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Why French doors are tricky to cover
French doors have shallow window panes with almost no depth between the glass and the door surface. Most blinds need 1-2 inches of depth to mount inside the frame, but French door panes typically have less than half an inch. The door handles also get in the way of anything that hangs too far from the glass.
Add to that the fact that doors swing open and closed constantly, and you need blinds that won't rattle, swing, or fall off with daily use.
Mounting options
Outside mount (most common)
Since French door window panes lack depth, outside mounting is usually your only option. The blinds attach to the door surface around the window frame rather than inside it. This works fine, but measure carefully. You want the blinds to cover the entire glass area plus about 1-2 inches on each side to block light gaps.
Inside mount (rare cases)
Some French doors, particularly older or custom-built ones, have deeper window frames that can accommodate inside-mounted blinds. Check your door's depth before assuming you need outside mount. Inside mount looks cleaner if your door can handle it.
Hold-down brackets
When doors open and close, blinds swing and bang against the glass. Hold-down brackets attach to the bottom of the door and clip onto the blinds to keep them flat. Not every blind type works with these brackets, so check compatibility before buying. Cellular shades and roller shades usually have bracket options available.
Blind types that work well
Roller shades
Roller shades are probably the best option for French doors. They sit flat against the glass, don't have slats that rattle, and operate smoothly. You can get them in blackout, light-filtering, or sheer fabrics depending on how much privacy and light control you need.
Look for roller shades with a low-profile cassette (the housing at the top). Bulky cassettes can interfere with door handles or look awkward on narrow door frames.
Cellular shades (honeycomb shades)
Cellular shades work well because they're lightweight and sit close to the glass. The honeycomb structure also adds insulation, which helps if your French doors let in drafts. Most manufacturers offer hold-down bracket accessories specifically for door applications.
Choose single-cell over double-cell for French doors. Double-cell shades are thicker and more likely to interfere with handles.
Wood and faux wood blinds
These can work, but they're heavier and noisier than fabric options. Real wood blinds may warp if your French doors get direct sun and heat. Faux wood holds up better to temperature changes and moisture.
If you go this route, choose 1-inch slats instead of 2-inch. Smaller slats look more proportional on door-sized windows and don't stick out as far when tilted open.
What to check before buying
Door handle clearance
Measure the distance from your window frame to your door handle. Your blinds need to fit in this space without blocking the handle. This is the number one mistake people make. They buy blinds that look great but make the door impossible to open normally.
Operation type
Cordless blinds are easier to use on doors since you don't have cords dangling and getting caught. Motorized options exist if you want to control multiple French doors at once with a remote or phone app. Standard corded blinds work but can be annoying on high-traffic doors.
If you have young children, cordless or motorized is also safer. Corded blinds on doors put cords at a height where kids can reach them easily.
Light control needs
Think about what the French doors face. Doors to a backyard might need blackout shades in a bedroom but just light filtering in a living room. Doors facing a busy street probably need more privacy than doors to a private patio.
Door material
Wood doors accept screws easily. Metal doors need special anchors or magnetic mounting systems. Fiberglass doors can crack if you drill in the wrong spot. Know what your door is made of before planning your installation.
Price ranges
For a standard 24x72 inch French door panel:
- Basic roller shades: $30-60 each
- Cellular shades: $50-120 each
- Faux wood blinds: $40-80 each
- Real wood blinds: $80-150 each
- Motorized options: add $100-200 per shade
Custom sizes cost more. If your French doors are non-standard dimensions, expect to pay 30-50% above these ranges.
Installation tips
Mark your drill holes with painter's tape first. This lets you step back and check that everything is level and positioned correctly before making permanent holes. On doors, even small mistakes are obvious because you look at them at eye level every day.
Use the screws that come with your blinds for wood doors. For metal or fiberglass doors, take a screw to the hardware store and get appropriate anchors. The included screws almost never work on anything except wood.
Install hold-down brackets at the same time as the main blinds. It's easier to align everything when you can see how the shade hangs before drilling the bottom brackets.
