These days, most homes will have at least one (if not more) sliding door(s) leading to the backyard, balcony or deck. While these sliding doors are great for visibility, letting the sun in, and even adding warmth to a room on a chilly morning, by themselves they can also be very unnerving at night, as they necessarily allow anyone in the vicinity to see into the inside of your well-lit home…when you can’t see them. Furthermore on those long summer days when the weather can become unbearably hot, they can also lead to sun-damage on your furniture or carpet, and higher cooling bills because of their greenhouse effect. As a function of these factors, if your home has these kinds of doors, either window tinting or window treatments for sliding doors may be an option to consider.
Pros and Cons of Window Tinting
window tinting
Getting the windows tinted is one option you may want to consider in this case. It will most certainly still allow you to see out during the day, as well as help block the greenhouse effect. The drawback of window tinting, however, is that it is not easily removed at the times that you want to let more heat and light in (such as in the winter months) and it actually does very little for giving you privacy at night.
Pros and Cons of Vertical Blinds
As getting your windows tinted may only resolve a few of the problems associated with sliding glass doors, another option you may want to consider is getting vertical blinds. As a window treatment, vertical blinds are often considered to be the most versatile choice as they can be opened or shut to let sunshine and heat in as you please or closed completely to afford as much privacy as you like. At the same time however, they are still certainly not perfect, as they tend to make a lot of noise on windy days, and usually must be pushed all the way to one side on days that are excessively breezy.
The fact of the matter is regardless of what kind of window treatments for sliding glass doors you chose, there are always going to be a range of positives and negatives, and the only way to know what is best for your situation is to do your homework. As with anything, the more you learn about what options you have available, the better your chances of successfully choosing what works for you.
Window Tint Film
- Film clings with static electricity, instantly
- Film protects home from damaging light
- Reduces electric bills during hot months
- Cut to custom fit any non double pane window
- Reusable. Vinyl, 18 x 64″
Window tint film converts windows into anti-glare, reflective shades. Film clings with static electricity, instantly. “Smoke” film protects home from damaging light, reduces electric bills during hot months. Cut to custom fit any non double pane window. Reusable. Vinyl, 18 x 64″.
List Price: $ 9.98
Price: $ 9.98
Insta-Cling Extra Dark Professional Tint Film
- Easy to apply, just press on
- Holds instantly by static cling with no glue required
- Removable and reusable
- In various shades and degrees of darkness
- Measures 26 x 78 inches
The Auto Expressions Professional Tint Film offers a quality window tint for cars, trucks, vans and home use. This film applies easily by just pressing on and holds instantly by static cling with no glue required. Removable and reusable, the window tints come in various shades and degrees of darkness. The lower the number, the darker the film. For professional-looking installation, all you need is a utility knife, straight razor, spray bottle, and professional, pointed squeegee. This tint has been tested for endurance, clarity, quality, fade and bubble factors. This popular higher-quality tint is made with a metalized layer to reflect heat and a scratch-resistant coating. This film measures 26 x 78 inches.
List Price: $ 13.99
Price: $ 13.99
Etched Leaf Window Film 24-by-36-Inch
- Easy to install and remove-applies in minutes to smooth glass
- Uses no adhesives
- Available in 24 in. x 36 in.- repeating pattern simply add panels to the top, bottom, left or right
- Ideal for specialty windows: sidelights, transoms, arches
“ARTSCAPE” ETCHED LEAF WINDOW FILM 24″ X 36″ Translucent film for windows, showers and glass Allows light to enter yet provides privacy Great to block unwanted views or in places where blinds/curtains remain closed regularly Self-adhering (static) – no adhesives Easily trimmed to fit and matches patterns like wallpaper Easily removed without leaving any residue
List Price: $ 20.98
Price: $ 17.99