French doors are elegant and graceful when used in any home; however, they come with their own special set of challenges when it comes to finding the perfect window treatments. Since the windows in French doors aren't stationary like regular windows are, you have to find blinds or shades that will move freely when the doors are opened and shut but which will also remain in place on the doors. Fortunately, manufacturers have answered your needs by producing a variety of lovely French door window coverings.
Have you ever been somewhere where there have been French doors with window coverings that weren't attached at the bottom of the windows? That annoying problem is the result of people trying to use regular shades or blinds to solve their door needs. French door coverings need to be attached at both the top and bottom of the window in order to be used as a window treatment without moving every time the door does. By purchasing specially-designed coverings that have rails at both the top and bottom, you can get rid of the problem permanently.
Solid wood blinds, in either a 1" or 2" width, are lovely choices for wood french doors. Many blinds are pre-stained, and if you're lucky enough to find some that are an exact match, it will be a simple job to purchase them in the size you need and hang them. However, for perfect matches of wood grain and color, you will usually need to buy unfinished blinds and stain them to get the look you want. Of course, blinds don't have to be stained. They can also be painted to match or contrast with a room. If you live in a damp climate, you might want to consider faux wood blinds instead of hardwoods, because although faux wood looks the same, it won't warp like wood will.
All different kinds of shades are popular choices for French door window coverings and can give your room a much softer look. Depending on the amount of privacy you want and the quantity of light you would like to let in, you can get shades that are either opaques or sheers. Basically any style of shade you can find can also be made to fit a French door. The difference will be that on doors, the shades are mounted outside of the glass frame, so you may have to use extension brackets or spacer blocks to get the clearance you need.
