Sidelight Curtains

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Sidelights are the narrow window panes found on either side of many front doors. Their purpose is to bring in natural light from outside to the entrance hall. Unfortunately, leaving them open and uncovered leaves entrance hall visible to onlookers and also allows direct sunlight to potentially damage the floor and wall treatments. Choosing the right sidelight window treatment is important in order to be sure that the homeowner provides the correct amount of light to the interior, but still protects the furnishings and decorative  treatments and maintains home privacy. Sidelight curtains and sidelight sheers are an option for those who prefer traditional window treatments while sidelight blinds are more sleek and modern.

An important consideration before deciding on a window treatment is the size of the sidelight. Sidelight blinds have mechanisms that allow them to be raised or lowered that can only be made to a certain size. While the mechanism will not affect the length, which is the common measurement used to determine blind size, it will determine how wide the blind can be made. If one's sidelight is not only narrow but also lacks depth, a homeowner may wish to consider half sidelight curtains instead. Curtains only need the depth of the material and the rod in order to be effectively drawn and opened.

A second consideration to keep in mind is the amount of sun coming into the entryway through the sidelights. Certain materials can be easily damaged by long periods of direct sunlight. The best protection against sun damage is a curtain treated for the problem, but a neutral toned sheer or lining can do the job. Fabrics range from voile to silk, so choose the one that fits the overall design of the home. Blinds are also effective against sun damage since they can be opened in varying degrees. An elegant choice is a sheer shade. It diffuses sunlight through material vanes between blind slats. One has a fabric texture with a blind functionality.

Sidelights are a design feature that is overlooked in many homes. Rather than leaving them open to the world, consider a window treatment that adds elegance to the decor and privacy to the home. Sidelight curtains can complement a home's fabric choices while sidelight blinds add sleek and modern elegance to the entryway. You can find a large choice of sidelight window curtains, including lace sidelight door panel curtains online and at your local retail store.