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Window treatments for French Door with Transom

11 months ago

Hello! We are building a new house and are struggling with window treatments for this door. It is west facing and gets a lot of mid-afternoon sun, so we want some covering to reduce heat gain during day and for privacy at night.


It will be a high use door, leading to a patio and pool area, so having shades come from a box above the door feels like a bad idea (a child will forget the shades are down and try to open the door...).


Reaching out to this group for ideas for something that would mount to the door and look nice with something separate mounted to/above the transom?


Or instead of window treatments, could potentially use something like Smart Glass?




Comments (19)

  • PRO
    11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    It's a slider or it's a swing single door? You forget the transom.....Unless the heat and light are so bad, and then you get something with a remote control

    If it's a swing single door? You mount a VERY minimal roller screen shade, or a cellular shade, CORDLESS and you cover ONLY the glass.

    Or you apply a glass tint.....

    Or you order a door with frosted glass : ) .....smart glass etc. and plan it now.

    ccct2013 thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    I use solar shdes for windows to control heat gain, UV, and daytime privacy and allow you to keep the view . Witha transom the shades would be best hung above the transom in a sepaerate piece or even a permanent shade on the transom since nightime privacy not an issue for the transom but for sure to control the heat and UV. I usually add drapes for nightime privacy but really is thta a real must out to a pool area. I guess smart glass can be a choice but I don't love it . For me the view is a must and I like that on a cludy day I can just roll the shades up. Of course hung on each door seperatlely

    ccct2013 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 11 months ago

    Thank you! Yes solar shades was what we were thinking for the door. just didn't know if it would look odd attached to the door with nothing covering the transom.

  • 11 months ago

    Hi Jan - it is a single swing door. The door is already installed so too late to think about frosted glass, but not sure we would want that 100% of the time regardless.


    Definitely were thinking cordless, ideally motorized, so will investigate the smallest profile we can find for the door. Thank you!

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    LOL....... I wouldn't cover it at all. But that's me. I assume it is near a kitchen. New doors and windows are pretty efficient. I'm not much concerned on privacy either, unless half dressed.: ))

  • 11 months ago

    I hear you! Other family members want more privacy so.... I think we will try to find a very low-profile covering for just the glass on the door :) Thanks for your input!!!


  • 11 months ago

    ANd yes, it is right by a kitchen so we will be passing by quite a bit in pajamas :)

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    SO?! LOL THE HORRORS!

  • 11 months ago

    Look at Hunter Douglas Vertiglide or similar products.

    You can get them in sheer, opaque and room darkening fabrics, depending on privacy and sun/light control needed.




  • 11 months ago


    Thank you! these look nice!

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    I did say a permanent for the transom all that sun will ruin your flooring not to mention your fabric . IMO a pool needs to have a good view of what is going on in the pool if you have kids . As for privacy that is IMO mostly in your head not many people waitng to see you in jammies for sure

  • PRO
    11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    Eliminate the transom and frost the glass in the doors and buy nice pajamas.

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    Please take a look at this built-in cellular shade. It won’t be affected when you open or close the door. It fits snugly against the glass and allows for top-down/bottom-up operation. It can achieve 100% blackout and privacy.


    It requires a window frame depth of 1.3 cm. If your window depth meets this requirement, you can consider it.


  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    With a pool and kids, I would not want the door glass covered during the day.

    Ask the builder if you can upgrade the door glass and the transom to something with a higher than usual UV coating. It will change the look of the glass a bit but if the door and the transom match it won't be as noticeable.

    I would also think about what you can do outside to protect the floors, rugs and furniture from the sun, like a patio cover or awning.

    You can use one of the suggestions above for nighttime privacy.

  • 11 months ago

    Thanks all. If the kids were in the pool we would be out with them not inside, and/or keep the window coverings up. The door is in a hallway, so furniture not an issue but heat gain, possibly wood bleaching. The door is already installed so we would need to add a film (so am researching Smart Film)


    Will definitely buy fancy PJs :)

  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    If this is a new house with new doors/windows, make sure to read your warranty carefully. Most manufacturers will void the warranty if you add any window film. If any of the new windows/doors fail, they will easily point to the film and void the warranty. The window film company will point their finger at the window manufacturer. You will be left to pay for any repairs/replacements. Buyer beware.

    If you needed extra protection from sun, you should have bought windows with higher UV ratings and/or use blinds/shades to control the light exposure.

    ccct2013 thanked chispa
  • PRO
    11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    Wait a minute! You are concerned if your kids see you in your pajamas? You will be wearing pajamas right?

  • 11 months ago

    Thanks Chispa. Thats helpful to know. I started the thread asking about blinds and shades, as that is our intention.