How to measure blackout shades for sliding doors

When it comes to blackout solutions for sliding doors, things can be tricky.

But with some know-how, your UBlockout Ultimate Blackout Shade can be installed cleanly, securely, and without compromise.

Let’s break it down.

Yes, UBlockout is compatible with some sliding doors.

To install UBlockout shades on a sliding door, there are a few specifications that need to be adhered to:

• Less than 98” width and 98” height
• No skirting boards and floor is level
• Solid structure on all four sides
• Fixtures and fittings removed or minimised
• At least 1” of free recess space

Sliding Doors = Windows with a Sill

We treat sliding doors exactly as we would treat windows for the purpose of measuring and installation. Think of the floor as the sill, and assess your space as either:

• Inside mount: when the shade can be fitted inside the doorway frame; or

• Outside mount: when it must sit on the outside or face of the wall or frame.

The mount type will depend entirely on your door’s structure.

How to assess for inside mount

To qualify for an inside mount:

• Your door recess must have a solid, flat frame on all four sides (including the floor).
• The recess depth must be deep enough to accommodate the side channels and roller.
• The middle beam of your sliding door must not protrude into the path of the fabric.
• There should be no obstructions (like hooks, ridged trims or handles) around the recess where the side channels will go.
• Also consider raised obstructions which might interfere with the fabric - for example, handles, locks or other elements.
• The floor (sill) must be level and smooth.
• The surface must be solid: no glass corners, soft trims, or rounded skirtings.

We recommend reviewing our Window Suitability Guide to double-check you meet the physical requirements.

What if the door has skirting or trim?

Sliding doors sometimes have skirting boards or trim running inside the recess, or trim that extends across the doorframe. If these prevent a flush mount, they’ll need to be removed or you’ll need to mount your shade outside the recess (outside mount).

How to assess for an outside mount

An outside mount requires a solid, flat surface around the doorway:

• If your door has ornate trims, ridged profiles or raised areas (like a jamb), you’ll need to remove or work around them to ensure a flush fit.
• Make sure the floor and the wall where the shade will be mounted are structurally sound. This includes the area above the door - the headbox will sit above the opening.
• Be aware of the projection of the headbox and side frames. These dimensions will affect how far the shade sits out from the wall.

Material? Doesn’t Matter. Structure? Critical.

It doesn’t matter what your door is made of - wood, aluminium, uPVC - provided there’s a solid surface to screw into.

Where it won’t work:

• Doors with glass corners or panels and no solid frame around them
• Areas where the wall surface is uneven, soft, or overly decorative

Still not sure? Let’s talk

Every sliding door is different, but most can be fitted with a UBlockout Ultimate Blackout Shade. The key is assessing your frame as a “window with a sill” and ensuring your structure meets the essential installation criteria.

Contact our support team with a photo and a couple of measurements, and we’ll let you know if your door is a great fit.

• Email us: support@ublockout.com
• Call us: (888) 488 4302
• Book a 15 minute consultation