photo of Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors are a challenge to dress for many homeowners.  But don’t despair, there are new and exciting shades, blinds and soft treatments that are functional and aesthetic.
For the budget conscience, vertical blinds are the most widely used solution.  Manufacturers such as Graber offer interesting options such as the one below.

These verticals have wonderful textured cloth panels to add to the interest of the window.  Verticals are custom made to order to fit the sliding door and can be mounted inside or outside the frame.
A recent adaptation of the verticals are sliding panel tracks where the panel is much wider than a typical vertical.  The panel width is 12 inches or wider depending on the size of the sliding glass door.  These also work as a wonderful room divider when mounted to a ceiling.

The example above is a solution from Jessitt Gold, available through decorators and designers.  Panel tracks can be wood, fabric, or wovens.  For more selections, consult a designer, decorator or window fashion store.  These experts can help with the selection, measuring and installation.  They can make recommendations on the best solutions for your needs.
An option to verticals is shades.  Shades provide a contempory flair to a rooms decor.  Shades can provide privacy and sun control depending on the fabric selected.  Below is an example of  solar shades by Phifer.  Solar shades protect your home from the heat but do not provide privacy.  These shades can be motorized for ease of use.
 
If you select shades as an option but would like to have a more traditional look, consider adding a decorative cornice or valance above.  Valances and cornices hide a shade when in the up position to soften the look.

The sliding door shades above are Phifer 5000 Series which assimilates a woven but is a synthetic fabric.  The homeowner selected these shades because they wanted sun control and the ability to see the outdoors when the shades were drawn.  Privacy was not needed.
Traditional drapery have become a popular choice in recent years.  Drapes can be lined and interlined to provide privacy and sun control.  Traditional drapery can provide a contempory or traditional look depending on the fabric and header selected.

Plantation shutters are a clean solution to consider.  When using plantation shutters on windows in a room, complete the decor and use the shutters on the sliding glass door.
 
Lastly and more recently, manufacturers have taken horizontal shades and turned them on their side to accomodate the sliding glass door.  An upscales version has the appearance of a sheer drape but the function of a vertical shade.  Below is an example from Jessitt Gold.
 
The window coverings industry continues to develop unique solutions for sliding glass doors and windows.  Consult a local designer, decorator or window fashions store in your local area to get solutions that meet your needs.
source http://www.classicinteriorsolutions.com/blog/?p=31