French doors are super cute and European, these two doors installed side by side that can both open simultaneously to create a larger opening into a room than a single door provides. They are often used to separate two interior rooms, or as patio entry doors. The beauty of the French door is its glass panel that allows you to see into another room or outdoors, but those same glass panels can also reduce your privacy and let in unwanted light. You can attach blinds to your French doors, so you can control the amount of light and privacy by opening and closing the blinds. In this article, we’ll explain how to attach blinds to French doors, what tools and materials you need, and what tips and tricks you can use to make this DIY project easier.
How to Attach Blinds to French Doors?
Attaching blinds to French doors is not very difficult if you have some basic tools and skills. You can use mini blinds, which are horizontal blinds that consist of thin slats that can be tilted up or down using a cord or a wand. You can also use roller blinds, which are vertical blinds that consist of a single piece of fabric or plastic that rolls up or down on a tube using a cord or chain mechanism or a motorized system. Here are the steps to attach blinds to a French door:
- Take measurements of both doors. You will need to measure the width and height of the glass area of each door. Add two inches to the width measurement and five inches to the height measurement. Make sure your doorknob placement does not interfere with the width measurement. Reduce the width measurement to accommodate the doorknob, if necessary.
- Inspect your blinds and hardware upon receipt. You will need one blind for each door. Make sure your blinds fit your measurements and have all the necessary hardware, such as mounting brackets, screws, clips, etc.
- Mark the screw spots. Hold your blind above the door glass about two inches from the top. Use a level to ensure that the blind head rail is level. Use a pencil to mark both ends of the head rail on the door frame. Remove the blind and place another mark about 1/8 inch to the outside of the head rail marks. Position the mounting brackets against the outside marks and mark the mounting holes on the door frame.
- Drill the screw holes. Attach a 1/16 inch bit to a power drill and make 1/16-inch pilot holes at the mounting hole locations on the door frame.
- Install the brackets. Reposition the mounting brackets against the door frame and line up the pilot holes with the mounting holes in the brackets. Use the screws provided with the blinds to attach the brackets to the door frame.
- Install the blinds. Install the blind head rail into the mounting brackets according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For mini blinds, you may need to snap or slide the head rail into place. For roller blinds, you may need to hook or clip the head rail into place.
- Test and adjust the blinds. Test your blinds by opening and closing them using the cord or chain mechanism or the motorized system. Adjust the length of the cord or chain if needed by tying a knot or using a cord cleat or tension device.
What Tools and Materials Do You Need?
To attach blinds to French doors, you will need some basic tools and materials, such as:
- A tape measure
- A pencil
- A level
- A power drill
- A 1/16 inch drill bit
- A screwdriver
- Blinds
- Mounting brackets
- Screws
- Clips (optional)
- Cord cleats or tension devices (optional)
Cute Tips
Here are some tips and tricks that can help you attach blinds to French doors more easily and effectively:
- Choose blinds that are suitable for French doors, such as mini blinds or roller blinds that are narrow enough to fit between the doorknob and the door frame.
- Choose blinds that are suitable for your needs and preferences, such as light filtering, room darkening, or blackout blinds that can provide different levels of light control and privacy.
- Choose blinds that are suitable for your style and budget, such as wood, metal, vinyl, fabric, or PVC blinds that can offer different looks and prices.
- Choose blinds that are easy to install and operate, such as cordless or motorized blinds that can eliminate cords or chains that may get tangled or caught in the door hinges.
- Choose blinds that are easy to clean and maintain, such as dust-resistant or moisture-resistant blinds that can withstand outdoor conditions.
Final Words
French doors are a type of doors that consist of two doors installed side by side that can both open simultaneously to create a larger opening into a room than a single door provides. They are often used to separate two interior rooms, or as patio entry doors. The beauty of the French door is its glass panel that allows you to see into another room or outdoors, but those same glass panels can also reduce your privacy and let in unwanted light. You can attach blinds to your French doors, so you can control the amount of light and privacy by opening and closing the blinds. You can use mini blinds or roller blinds to attach to your French doors, and follow some simple steps to install them. You can also use some basic tools and materials, and some tips and tricks to make this DIY project easier and more effective.
Dale is the colorful mind behind HuetifulHomes.com, where he shows you how to create a home that is as fun and fabulous as you are. He has a passion for color and a knack for DIY, with years of interior design experience he shares his tips and tricks on how to create a home that reflects your personality and style. He believes that color is the key to happiness, and he wants to help you make your home more Huetiful.
