• Sliding glass doors are common portals leading to patios.patio image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  Sliding glass doors often lead to decks and patios and allow lots of light to enter into your space. However, the transparency of these types of doors can sometimes be problematic, for instance when the sun is too bright, or when your outdoor space is messy. In addition, they are often draftier than standard doors. Several ideas for window treatments for sliding glass doors can help.
  
  

Vertical Blinds

• Vertical blinds are one of the most common treatments for sliding glass doors. They consist of multiple, vertical strips of material---usually plastic or vinyl---that hang down from a mounted track. To open and close the blinds, you often have to pull on a chain or drawstring, although some manufacturers make automated versions that you can open and close with the flick of a switch. According to the Window Treatment Expert, more modern vertical blinds feature strips made from wood, fabrics and cellular materials.
  
  

Cellular Shades

• Unlike cellular vertical blinds, which hang freely, cellular shades consist of rigid sections of cellular material that slide back and forth. The material features pockets or cells arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern. The cells help insulate your door by providing an extra barrier of air. According to Window Treatment Expert, some cellular shade units feature multiple layers that allow you to control how much light shines through your sliding glass doors.
  
  

Shoji Screen

• Shoji screens are essentially a second set of sliding doors that you can place in front of your sliding glass doors. They traditionally consist of latticed, wooden frames covered in rice paper. The paper is semi-translucent, so light coming in from the outdoors is filtered but not completely blocked out. According to iVillage, Shoji screens are one of the most regal choices for treating sliding glass doors. You can find them in a number of different styles, patterns and colors to match your existing décor.
  
  

Sliding Panels

• According to the Window Treatment Expert, sliding panels are a more stylish alternative to vertical blinds and consist of a series of connected sections of material, like wood or fabrics. These sections, which can sometimes reach 24-inches in width, run along a track and open and close on themselves like an accordion. You can choose your panel material based on how much or how little light you want to enter your space.
  
  

Valance

• If privacy and direct sunlight are not big concerns when you treat your sliding glass doors, try decorating them with a simple valance, which is a decorative swath of fabric that hangs horizontally above a window.