Are Patio Doors with Blinds Inside Really Worth It?

Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever tried cleaning traditional patio door blinds or wrestled with tangled cords, you know it’s not exactly fun. That’s why many homeowners are turning to patio doors with blinds inside. These are blinds sealed between the glass panes, offering a clutter-free look and a no-maintenance experience.

But are they really the upgrade your patio doors need? In this guide, we’ll walk you through how they work, their benefits and drawbacks, and why Magic’s Slide’N’Hide system might be an even better choice!

Key Takeaways

• Blinds between the glass within a patio door are stylish and low-maintenance—but they come at a higher cost and are difficult to fix if something breaks.
• Hinged or sliding doors with blinds inside are great for kid and pet safety, but they can lower energy efficiency by limiting the use of insulating gases.
• Magic’s Slide’N’Hide system is an alternative to built-in blinds. It offers full retractability, better insulation, and a modern, fully customizable look.
• Unlike integrated blinds, Magic’s system is easy to clean, repair, or replace—no need to replace the whole door panel.

How Do Patio Doors with Built-In Blinds Work?

Patio doors with integrated blinds feature blinds sealed between two panes of glass in a factory-assembled, insulated glass unit (IGU). These are commonly found in sliding glass patio doors or hinged patio doors.

They come in three main operation types:

• Magnetic sliders. A magnetic control slider lets you raise/lower the slats or keep them tilted without physically touching them.
• Sliding track controls. Some models have an exterior slider bar mounted on the frame edge to control the blinds.
• Motorized systems. These are often remote-controlled or app-integrated and are especially useful for large patio doors where manual control might be inconvenient.

Note: The blinds are permanently sealed inside the glass, so if the internal mechanism breaks, you’ll likely need to replace the entire IGU—not just the blinds.

Why Do Homeowners Love Built-In Blinds for Patio Doors?

Wondering whether built-in blinds are worth it for patio doors? Below, we've included their most sought-after benefits that certainly justify the higher initial cost!

1. Practically No Cleaning & Added Safety

Since the blinds are inside the glass, they don’t gather dust or pet hair—ever. That’s a huge win for allergy sufferers and anyone tired of weekly dusting.

And because there are no exposed cords, they’re also safer for houses with children or curious pets. No more worrying about tangled cords or choking hazards.

2. Fewer Indoor Allergens

One often-overlooked benefit of patio doors with built-in blinds is their impact on indoor air quality—especially when it comes to airborne allergens. Conventional blinds or curtains can collect significant amounts of dust and pollen, particularly on patio doors that cover large wall-sized openings.

Since built-in blinds are sealed between the glass panes, they’re completely protected from exposure to these airborne particles. That means no vacuuming, no dusting, and a much lower chance of reintroducing allergens into your living space every time you open or close the blinds.

3. Sleek, Modern Look

Integrated blinds offer a clean, minimalist appearance—especially important for patio doors, which are often focal points in a room. They eliminate the need for bulky curtains or external shades that can interrupt your indoor-outdoor flow.

4. Complete Door Access

With built-in blinds, you get full and effortless access to your doors — no cords, slats, or external coverings to get in your way. Because the blinds are sealed between the glass panes, the door operates smoothly.

So, they're perfect for high-traffic areas: you, your children, pets, and friends can easily get in and out of the house!

5. Built to Last

Because the blinds are protected by the glass, they’re not exposed to UV rays, dust, or wear and tear. Many patio doors with integrated blinds are also made with Low-E coated glass, which helps shield the blinds from sun damage.

Some internal blinds are made from insulating materials, which can improve energy performance by reducing glare and heat gain—especially important for sunny backyards.

6. No More Irritating Noise

Ever notice how vertical blinds tend to clatter or sway with even the slightest breeze? Whether it's from a draft, an open door, or your HVAC system, those plastic or metal slats can create an annoying background noise.

Built-in blinds eliminate this issue entirely. Because they’re enclosed between two panes of glass, they don’t move or rattle. There’s no noise, no clattering in the wind, and no disruptions when someone walks past the doors!

Why Built-In Blinds Aren’t Ideal for Patio Doors

Everything sounds perfect, right? Why would anyone not want integrated blinds for their patio doors? Well, there are several disadvantages that serve as decisive factors for many homeowners, which we'll discuss below.

1. Higher Price Upfront

Patio doors with integrated blinds are significantly more expensive than standard configurations. Since the blinds are enclosed within the IGU, the system has to be custom-fitted and manufactured, increasing both product and installation costs.

Depending on the size and style, expect to pay $500–$800 more per door panel. Motorized options or larger French doors can push that number even higher.

2. Repairs Are Often Impossible

Unfortunately, if something breaks—say the magnetic track misaligns or the motor stops working—you’re often left with one choice: to replace the entire Insulated Glass Unit. This can be especially expensive if you have triple-pane doors with argon gas or high-performance coatings.

In short, you could end up replacing an otherwise functioning patio door just because the blinds stopped working.

3. Limited Design Options

Built-in blinds typically come in neutral tones like white, gray, or beige. If you're hoping to match a bold decor, it's worth considering that this may not be an option for hinged or sliding door integrated blinds.

And while you can pair them with external treatments, doing so might cancel out the minimalist appeal that made you choose built-in blinds in the first place.

4. Thicker, Heavier Doors

Since the doors have blinds integrated between the glass panes, the IGUs are thicker and heavier than standard hinged or sliding patio doors. This can increase installation costs and can impact how smoothly the glass panels open and close, especially if they are triple-glazed.

5. Less Energy-Efficient

Insulated Glass Units (both on windows and doors) normally have the space between two glass panes filled with inert gas. It serves as an insulating barrier that makes the glass unit energy efficient.

Well, integrated blinds take up the space that is typically reserved for the insulating gas. These built-in systems are filled with less gas, making them less efficient.

Pro tip: some manufacturers offset this by adding a third pane, placing the blinds between the two layers of glass, and filling the second space with insulating gas. However, this increases the cost and the weight of the door.

A Smarter Alternative: Magic’s Slide’N’Hide System for Patio Doors

What if you could get the same clean aesthetic and easy access and light control without sacrificing customization, energy efficiency, or ease of maintenance?

That’s exactly what Magic’s Slide’N’Hide system delivers.

1. Fully Retractable and Out of Sight

Instead of being sealed inside the glass, Magic’s blinds and shades are installed in a slim, stylish, and sturdy cartridge mounted to your door frame. Here’s how the system works for maximum convenience:

• When not in use, the blinds retract completely, and you can enjoy splendid garden views!
• You can pull them out for full coverage whenever privacy or light control is needed.
• No clunky valances or dangling cords—just clean lines and full views of the outdoors.
• You have complete access to your sliding or hinged patio doors when the blinds stay hidden within the frame.
• The blinds can stop anywhere along the track, which means you can keep one door panel covered and use the other panel to access your patio.

Whether you have sliding patio doors or hinged patio doors, our system fits seamlessly and adds a refined, high-end touch. It can also be integrated into our Window Wall systems.

2. Superior Energy Efficiency and Safety

Because our window and door blinds are external to the glass, they don’t interfere with your door’s insulating gas fill. In fact, they enhance energy performance:

• Our solar shades cut down on heat during the summer months.
• Our thermal blinds help keep warm air in during winter.
• Combined, they can boost a patio door’s energy efficiency by up to 40% - whether it's a sliding patio door or a hinged patio door.

Moreover, our blinds and shades have no cords or any other elements that pose a safety risk. You can easily make sure they are secure and fixed to the frame. To open them, you have to simply push a button to pull them out of their cartridges.

3. Easy to Clean, Repair, and Replace

Unlike sealed-in blinds, Magic’s system is accessible anytime:

• Need to clean them? Simply wipe them down.
• Something's broken? No problem—just send us the cartridge. You don’t have to replace the entire door panel.
• Want to upgrade later? We’ve got you covered with a wide range of materials and different colors to complement any home design!

Want to see the Slide’N’Hide system in action? Watch this video to check out our retractable solar shades for patio doors:

Time to Upgrade Your Patio Doors?

If you’re ready to modernize your home’s back entry with stunning, energy-efficient, and ultra-functional patio doors, Magic has the solution!

Here’s how to reach us:

• Call us at 647-362-4075 or 1-866-OK-MAGIC.
• Fill out our online form to request your custom quote.
• Email us at [email protected] to book a free in-home consultation.

Let’s turn your patio doors into something truly magical!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sliding patio doors with built-in blinds worth it?

Sliding patio doors with built-in blinds can be worth it for a sleek, cordless look and low maintenance—but they also come with downsides like high cost, no insulating gas fills, and expensive repairs. Magic’s Slide’N’Hide technology gives you the same benefits and more without the drawbacks.

What are the disadvantages of integral blinds?

Integral blinds are expensive, hard to repair, and offer limited style options. They also cannot be filled with inert gas for insulation. If the internal mechanism breaks, you often have to replace the whole glass unit, not just the blinds. Magic’s Slide’N’Hide blinds avoid all of these issues—easy to clean, energy-efficient, and fully repairable.

Do blinds between glass get dirty?

The blinds between glass don’t collect dust or allergens since they’re sealed inside the glass. However, the space between the glass can still fog up or develop residue if the seal fails.

Do built-in blinds improve energy efficiency?

Built-in blinds may improve energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer through the door, but they can also decrease energy efficiency because these windows cannot be filled with insulating glass.