Slide Glass

problem: 15ft length 4 panel sliding glass door, need window treatment to slide to one side. Best way?

I have a new home with a full sliding glass wall of 4 panels. Western exposure so we need to be able to have some privacy as well as block the sun. I would prefer not to have 2 sets of curtains where some meet in the middle, but rather gather to one side. Center support will be an issue due to overall length needing to span 15 ft. Solutions needed.

Options:

I would just get a curtain made up in one (1) piece. You don't have to get a curtain split in the middle. Just get a curtain made up in one piece and draw it to the one side when you need to, and close it when you want to block the sunlight.

I would put the curtain on an Aluminium track. A proper Aluminium track with the right number of brackets will be strong enough for the weight of the curtains, and will allow easability of moving the curtain. (do not get an extendable curtain track as you will have problems with the curtain catching when you move over the extending section)

I would recommend (depending on what country your in) a Auton tracking system (other name: Rollercoaster or Series 2000). This is a lightweight aluminium commercial track that is quite strong.

This is what the track looks like. You can get it made up to 20 ft length (6 metres). It's a square looking track. Get it made-to-measure to suit your size at your local curtain store.

http://www.coraleaproducts.com.au/showProduct/Curtin+Runners/Curtin+Runners/IMG_0084/Product+Name+Goes+Here

(photo of track).

I have found this track the best at work, as we don't have any problems with it. It's also interchangeable. For example, if you decide to later on have a sheer curtain, you can change it into being a double track or a triple track. It's very interchangeable and it's very easy to use. Sliding back and forth you have no problems.

This track can be hand operated (no cords), or you can have it cord operated (with a pulley system).

Another option is if you want to get a hand operated track, but still don't want to touch the curtain when pulling it across. You can put a flick stick (a long wand) on the end glide of the curtain and pull this when pulling across (cheap version of having a cord drawn track).

Then you just have to work out what kind of "style" of curtaining you want on your track.

There are basically two (2) types of styles.

PENCIL PLEAT

Pencil pleat (otherwise known as Gather Tape). Is a tape that is put on the top of the curtain, and pulled together with cords to make small pleats.

This style can come in 3 different tape sizes. 1" (25mm) tape, 2" (50mm) tape, 3" (75mm) tape.

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/958/55077736.JPG

(This picture is a 3" (50mm) tape) - showing the back.)

If you use this style, I'd go for the biggest tape.

PINCH PLEAT

Pinch Pleat. Is a "hand" pleating style. The style is all hand done to calculations. Usually you have a Pleat (that can be double or Triple. Then there is a space, then the pleat again.

http://www.curtain-company.co.uk/images/headings/site_triple_pinch_pleat.jpg

(This link shows a picture of a Triple Pinch Pleat. You can also get it like a double)

OTHER STYLES OF CURTAIN HEADINGS

http://www.curtaincompany.com.au/heading.htm

http://www.alternative-windows.com/curtain-headings.htm

(Do not recommend rod pocket curtains or tab curtains as they are a stationery look).

If you want to add a little bit of an interest to not just having a curtain only on the door.

You can add a pelmet or a valance to go over the curtain.

VALANCES (which are like a short curtain (about 35cm in length) - which can also have different curtain headings. (if you have a valance pick a fancy heading, then with the curtain just put a 2" tape pencil pleat heading as you won't see it)

PELMET

Can be upholstered or Padded - like a version of a valance, but is straight piece of fabric up the top. They can be a short length (20cm or 30cm) and can be straight with no trimmings, or can be as fancy as you want with different cut out shapes and trims.

examples

http://www.bqdesign.com.au/products/pelmets.php

http://www.curtaincompany.com.au/pelmets.htm

http://www.curtaindesign.me.uk/pelmets.htm

http://www.junelle.co.uk/curtains/pelmets.htm

I usually prefer a short straight pelmet, but that's my opinion.

BLINDS.

If you don't want to go the way of curtains. The best option for a blind system would be Panel glides.

I would not recommend verticals as they tend to suit more "air conditioned" environments, and the chains tend to break a lot.

If you want to go for something different then get a Panel Glide system.

You can go to the curtain shop and choose a curtain fabric, and get it made into the panel glide.

Or you can go to the curtain shop and ask for the "blind" stock fabric and get a panel glide made up.

This is a picture of a panel glide system. They can be drawn one way too.

http://www.luxaflex.com.au/au/en/exploringourproducts/panelglide/panelglide/sb.cn

If you want to add a bit of interest to the panel glide.

Get a Pelmet or a Valance made to go over the top.