Patio Doors With Built-in Blinds Problems
If you have a patio, it’s worth framing the outdoor view with clear windows instead of opaque door panels. However, privacy, the changing seasons, and natural light can cause you to reconsider because of different patio doors with built-in blinds problems.
This is where flexible window blinds are a perfect design solution for glass doors. A relatively modern window blind system is built-in blinds. There are many benefits of built-in blinds that make it an attractive option for homeowners. It offers control of privacy, natural light, and ambient heat that’s perfect for patio doors.
But before making a decision on specifying this type of glass treatment, it is best to know the possible problems of patio doors with built-in blinds. In this article, we’ll know more about the patio doors with built-in blinds issues and if there are alternatives that provide similar benefits.
Common Problems With Blinds Inside Doors
Difficult to Repair: Like any other device or equipment, integral blind windows of patio doors can get damaged over time. Whether the blinds themselves or the control components and because the components are encased in glass, you’ll need to remove the glass to access the components.
This may require an in-house technician from the company. It is best to get a professional technician, especially if there’s an existing warranty on your patio door product.
Mechanical Issues: There are many causes for doors with built-in blinds to malfunction. Too much pressure applied when sliding the controller, dust accumulated from a broken seal, or where components of the controller have been damaged or loosened are some of the problems you might have with integral blinds windows.
The louvers themselves can also get tangled and won’t properly close or angle themselves. So, when looking for integral blinds for your patio doorways, make sure to test the controllers. It should have a smooth glide through the track. It also helps to wipe off any dust along the tracks to prevent the outside debris from getting through the controllers.
I personally have seen a door with internal blinds get stuck in the open position which can usually happen when the magnets inside become disconnected from the operator that controls their functionality. In this case you’ll want to start the operator from the bottom and very slowly move it all the way until you hear an audible click sound. Often you will need to push a little further until you hear a second click sound.
According to Brennan Corp, these mechanisms will occasionally get stuck due to inactivity. In. this case you will need to ‘exercise’ them by fully opening them and then proceeding to lower and raise them until they are functioning properly again.
Potential for Window Seal Failure: A quality-made integral blind patio door system should have a properly sealed window to prevent dust from going into the sandwiched panel.
But if, for whatever reason, the window seal is broken, it has the potential for dirt, debris, and insects to go into the double glass windows. A broken window seal can also cause the double glass to insulate, making the system less energy efficient.
Temperature Fluctuations and Condensation: Many homeowners may not be aware that condensation can still occur for double or even triple-glazed type of windows. This happens when the interior temperature is warmer, and the inner glass has a colder temperature. This is easily demonstrated when you blow warm air into a cold glass window, and it forms a frost-like vapor on the surface of the window.
Dust Accumulation Inside Glass: As a result of a broken window seal, dust from the outside can get through the crack and can be difficult to remove unless you disassemble the built-in blind windows. This can also lead to many other problems, such as condensation, which can further cause dust to clump up and stick to the window frames’ crevices.
Once you’ve noticed dust or dirt coming into the encased blinds, you should immediately contact your supplier or get a professional to reseal the windows. Leaving the crack or broken seal for a few days can potentially worsen the damage and cause other components to get damaged due to moisture.
Insects Getting Inside the Patio Door System: Like dust, insects such as ants can find a broken seal and an inviting passageway to the window casement. Not only are they unsightly, but insects can cause further damage to the components and the glass itself.
The presence of insects inside the glass can be challenging to address. It may require disassembling the window or seeking professional assistance to properly address the issue. Prevention is key, and maintaining the integrity of the seal is crucial not only for the efficiency of the blinds but also for keeping unwanted pests at bay.
Limited Customization: While there are a lot of additional features being provided by integral blinds patio doors, the number of design options is still far from the conventional patio doors. Having Venetian blinds along a patio door may not be everyone’s preference and can block a panoramic patio door or window even when the blinds are opened all the way up the top frame. Special order
Failure to Acclimate the Blinds: If you’re familiar with acclimating hardwood floors or other types of materials, this also applies to patio doors with built-in blinds. Allowing your patio door install to settle with the existing temperature allows the material to expand and contract. It is advisable not to operate the blinds for at least a day or two before using the blinds.
However, the length of acclimation will depend on the material, location, temperature, and air pressure in your home. This also allows the chords to relax, making it easier to operate in the future.
Cost Implications: When you’ve decided that built-in blinds are the best choice for your patio doors, expect to pay from $1,456.00 to $ 8,450.00, which includes the material and installation costs.
This can be a hefty upfront cost, but the rough estimate will still depend on many factors, such as the window size, number of panels, material, brand, size, and installation. Added features such as automated controls or solar-integrated glass windows will further increase the cost.
How Do Doors With Internal Blinds Work?
The mechanism of internal blinds operates with the basic principle of your conventional blinds, but the difference is having the chord attached to a magnetic component. The magnetic component slides through a track and is controlled by the user by hardware accessible from the side frame of the built-in blinds (usually at the right).
If it’s a double swing door, this component is called the controller. A controller can be manually operated, meaning the user slides the controller up or down to adjust the louvers’ angle depending on the desired level of privacy or light.
High-end patio doors with built-in blinds usually have two separate control components, namely the open handle and tilt handle. The open handle usually sits on the side frame at the topmost of the window frame.
This controller is slid down to spread the louvers down, covering the window pane, and slid up when you want to totally open the glass window. The tilt handle meantime controls the angle of the louver blinds.
Other types of controller mechanisms:
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi: There are internal blinds that can have a controller integrated with Bluetooth or wifi, which will have a separate remote or can be controlled using a mobile phone.
Smart and Manual: These types of built-in window blind designs can be operated manually using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This makes it convenient for users as you can control the louver blinds anywhere in the home.
Solar Powered: The solar-powered internal blinds don’t need batteries or extra components for power, which means you get a sleeker profile. Although you’ll need to place a solar panel connected to your blinds on a roof or anywhere, it can collect constant sunlight.
There are newer models that use glass windows to collect solar energy, like the office project in Boulder, Colorado. Andersen Corp, who partnered with Ubiquitos Energy, introduced see-through glass integrated with photovoltaic technology.
The integrated blinds are generally sandwiched made from tempered or annealed glass and with a framing usually made from aluminum or PVC. Because the louvers are encased and sealed off by the panels, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the blinds for dust, and you also get an energy-efficient patio door window blind system.
Alternatives to Integrated Door Blinds
Self-tinting Windows: If you love automation and smart devices, then the self-tinting glass is an attractive option for your patio doors. A specialized film can be cut according to your required size and installed on the inside of your patio glass door. Its electrostatic cling technology easily attaches itself to the glass surface.
Using your WIFI connection, you can adjust the tint from clear to frosted through your smartphone. The great thing about the self-tinting window is that you can install it in any glass type, and because you can install it yourself, you won’t worry about installation fees.
However, you are limited to only two settings, which are opaque and clear with few colors. But it’s not impossible to have different degrees of tint in the near future, as soundproof self-tinting windows are already on the market.
Self-cleaning Blinds: While there are self-cleaning windows, a relatively new product features self-cleaning blinds. However, you’ll need to install the blinds outside your patio doors since the self-cleaning technology requires the sun to break down the dirt and allow rain to wash off the contaminants. The product is relatively new, but it’s a suitable alternative to built-in blinds if you want the blinds to be exposed but don’t have the luxury of time to clean the louvers.
Plantation Shutter Panels: If your primary concern is having shutters that might get tangled from a pet or from your little ones, then a plantation shutter patio door is a great option. These are door panels sized to fit your existing glass patio doors, like a double door that can be closed while the glass patio doors are opened up front.
There are plantation shutter panels with louvers that are easily adjusted with a controller component similar to the built-in blinds. It can be made out of wood, especially for French doors, or with arched headers, making it an attractive addition to an all-glass patio door. Plantation shutters can either be hinged for a swing open and close or have their own slide track so it’s easy to push on the side when you want a full view of your patio.
Retractable Roller Blinds: For homeowners who still love the traditional blinds but worry about safety issues from getting tangled on chords or damaged louvers, you can opt for retractable roller blinds. The series of louvers are attached to a tube fastened on top of your patio doors and concealed using end brackets.
The blinds will roll down and up when needed, and the angles of the louvers can be operated manually or with a smart gadget as well as a remote controller. Because the retractable roller blinds are installed outside your patio doors, it can minimize the amount of UV rays and heat that reaches the interior space. Plus, it’s easier to fix any damage in the components because of its accessibility.
Solar Panel Blinds: Another external blinds that can be installed in an expansive patio door system is the solar panel blinds. This is a more energy-efficient alternative to your patio doors with integral blinds and can look sleek and modern thanks to the photovoltaic components that resemble a glass-like quality.
The company that manufactures these solar panel blinds says homeowners and commercial establishments can save as much as 70% in energy bills. The solar panel blinds are best for south-facing patio doors and receive significant sunlight during the day. So, if your patio doors are covered with a deep overhang, it may not be an efficient option.
Are Internal Patio Door Blinds Worth It?
Weigh the pros and cons of internal patio door blinds and see if the pros outweigh the benefits. Another critical deciding factor is safety. Suppose you need adjustable blinds because of privacy, temperature changes, health reasons, or any crucial factor that involves your health and safety. In that case, the built-in blinds are a good option.
Blinds provide a simple, attractive, and sophisticated way to screen windows. – Popular Mechanics Complete Home How-to, Albert Jackson, David Day
However, the budget or how much you are willing to pay for the upfront cost of the internal patio is another factor to consider. There’s also the maintenance cost to keep in mind. You’ll need to have funds for a professional technician to fix your internal patio door blinds anytime the window treatment gets damaged or has stopped working properly.
In addition to the factors that outweigh the pros and cons, it is also best to look into alternatives, as more affordable options offer similar functions but with a trade-off.
