Doors are harder to dress than windows. They move. They have handles. They fold, slide, or swing open. And any blind you choose needs to work with all of that rather than against it. The right choice depends on the door type, the frame material, and whether you need the blind to move with the door panel or sit independently above it. This guide covers the non-motorised options for each door type. If you’re specifically looking for smart or motorised control, there’s a separate guide for that in the blog.
Bifold Doors: Panel by Panel or Full Width?
With bifold doors, you’ve got two approaches: dress each panel individually so the blind folds with the door, or cover the full opening with a single blind above the frame. The bifold door blinds page lays out the compatible options for each approach. For panel by panel dressing, perfect fit pleated blinds are the most popular choice. Each panel gets its own blind that clips into the beading with no drilling. The blind moves with the door as it opens, closes, and folds. You can operate each panel independently, so you might keep the south facing panels closed while leaving the others open. The cordless tension system makes them inherently child safe too.
One thing to be aware of: the perfect fit frame sits proud of the glass by approximately 12mm. On some bifold door systems, this can prevent the panels from folding completely flat against one another. Check your specific bifold mechanism before ordering. If clearance is tight, the slimmer profile of a perfect fit roller may give you the millimetres you need.
For covering the full opening with a single blind, vertical blinds are the traditional solution. A vertical blind can span a wide opening, the slats tilt for light and privacy control, and they draw to one side when you want the doors fully open. The 75mm depth clearance required for the headrail means face fitting above the door frame is usually the best approach.
French Doors: Solving the Handle Problem
French door handles protrude into the room, and any blind that hangs in front of the glass will either foul on the handle or get caught as the door opens. The cleanest solution is a blind that sits against the glass rather than in front of it. Perfect fit blinds do exactly this. They clip into the uPVC beading and sit between the glass and the frame, completely clear of the handle.
For French doors with older wooden frames that lack internal beading, StickFit blinds are the alternative. They use a tested adhesive panel to attach directly to the glass surround without needing beading to clip into. The folded down operating handle is designed specifically for doors, giving a compact profile that doesn’t interfere with the door’s swing. Compatible with a wider range of frame types than Perfect Fit.
A face fitted roller blind above the door frame also works for French doors, provided the blind clears the handle when lowered. Measure from the top of the handle to the lintel to check there’s enough space for the brackets and cassette.
Sliding Patio Doors: Keep It Clear
Sliding doors need a blind that doesn’t obstruct the sliding mechanism. Perfect fit blinds are not suitable for sliding doors because the frame sits proud and prevents the panel from sliding freely. The sliding door blinds page lists the compatible alternatives.
Vertical blinds are the most common choice for standard patio sliders. They stack to one side when drawn, leaving the sliding panel clear. For a more contemporary look, a face fitted roller blind above the door frame covers the full width and retracts completely into the headrail when not needed.
Measuring for Door Blinds
Door blinds need more precise measuring than window blinds because the tolerances are tighter. Handles, hinges, and opening mechanisms all need clearance. Use the measuring guides for your specific blind type before ordering. Measure in three places for both width and drop, and use the smallest measurement. If you’re unsure about clearances, the customer service team can check before you commit.
Add MeasureSafe protection to your order for peace of mind, especially on door blinds where the measurements are critical. All door blinds from Blinds by Post are made to measure at the Bradford factory and come with a three year guarantee.