You have finally hired a contractor to install a sliding glass door in the master bedroom! Now you will have instant access to the patio right from your beautiful and cozy bedroom.
Life could not get any sweeter than that. But first, you’ll need to figure out the dimensions of the wall. And later you will have to buy curtains for the sliding glass door.
You had better get started! How do you measure a sliding glass door?
In order to measure a sliding glass door, measure it from the inside of the room. Make sure you measure the height and width of where you want the door to go.
Read on for more tips on how to measure your sliding glass door for curtains and blinds as well.
How to Measure a Sliding Glass Door for Curtains
The curtains that protect and block a sliding glass door must be slightly taller than the sliding glass door. If a sliding glass door is 85 inches tall, then the curtains must be slightly longer. Curtains for an 85-inch sliding door are 89 to 90 inches tall.
The most common size for sliding glass doors is 80 inches tall, which is less than 7 feet.
The curtains are taller because the rod that holds the curtains will be installed above the doors. The curtain rod is not installed at the same height as the doors.
If you already purchased a curtain rod, get on a chair and place the curtain rod above the threshold of the sliding glass door.
How to Measure Sliding Glass Doors for Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds come in a set of 15 to 25, depending on the size of the sliding glass doors.
A vertical blind is a set of panels that block out most of the sun, but still allow a miniscule amount of light to peer through the pockets between the panels.
Here’s how to measure vertical blinds for a sliding glass door:
Vertical blinds, just like fabric blinds, need to be taller and larger than the sliding glass door. The vertical line should extend two to six inches on either side of the door.
Also, the slider mount that holds the vertical blinds should be positioned one to three inches above the threshold.
How to Measure a Sliding Glass Door for Replacement
As the years go by, the curtains in front of sliding doors will eventually grow old and worn. Unless something happens to the curtains, curtains won’t need to be replaced for 8 to 10 years.
Curtains can become dusty, animals can urinate on the fabric, and dust mites, roaches, and mites can chew on through the fabric and make holes.
When you notice your curtains looking drab and tattered, then it is time to replace them.
If you plan on buying the same type of curtains, then you do not have to re-measure the sliding door and the curtains.
If you want to install a different type of curtain, like paneled curtains, then it would be a good idea to re-measure the area.
Measure the area around the sliding door from the top of the carpet or floor up to the curtain rod. If you want to replace the curtain rod with a different type of rod or a different installation, then measure the full height of the wall, from the ceiling to the floor.
Do You Measure a Door from The Inside or Outside?
When measuring a sliding glass door for its size, measure it from the inside of the room. Likewise, when you measure the blinds, measure the side of the door that the blinds will cover.
For example, if you have a sliding glass door that opens into the patio, then the curtains should be installed in the room’s inside. Measure the inside of the room to get the accurate measurements for the interior blinds.
Now I know what you’re thinking: is it possible for curtains to be on the outside of the sliding glass door, in the exterior patio area?
Yes, but only a specific type of decor style fits with exterior blinds. I’m not saying it’s impossible, I’m just saying you may need to change up your decor and look if you want exterior buns.
Safety Tip
When the contractor finishes the sliding glass door, ask them about installing a video camera on the patio right outside the door.
Now that you have a sliding glass door, someone with a strong rock or piece of concrete and a good arm could break into your home easier than ever before.
Ask the contractor to find the best spaces for a small wi-fi controlled camera. Do not place the cameras in obvious areas. The cameras should be placed in secret or subtle locations where intruders will not notice them.
Also, install fake cameras in more obvious areas so the intruder will back off from invading your bedroom.
Conclusion to Measuring a Sliding Glass Door
Measuring vertical blinds or curtains for a sliding glass door is easy. Just remember that the blinds and curtains have to be taller and wider than the sliding glass door.
If you can, ask the contractor to take measurements for blinds for you. Also, plan to replace your blinds every 8 to 10 years. And wash your blinds and curtains every three to four months. If you have animals, then it should be every 2 months.
