Your sliding glass door curtains should cover the door width plus 20–30 cm on each side, with total fabric 2 to 2.5 times the track width, and finish 1–2 cm above the floor. Those three numbers decide whether the curtains close fully, open clear of the glass and hang straight. This guide shows the sums in centimetres and inches, the right track or rod, and the fabrics that work on wide glass. If you prefer a made-to-size set, our team fits Curtains in Dubai for villas, apartments and balcony sliders.
How do you measure a sliding glass door for curtains?
Measure the full frame width, the height from the floor to the track position, and the free wall space on each side. Use a metal tape and measure twice.
- Width: outside edge to outside edge of the door frame.
- Height: floor to the point where the track or rod will sit, not floor to the top of the glass.
- Side space: clear wall on the left and right, so the curtains have room to stack when open.
- Obstacles: door handles, AC units, light switches and skirting that the fabric must clear.
Our In-Home Measuring Guide for Blinds & Curtains covers the same steps for every window type.
How wide should sliding door curtains be?
Add 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) on each side of the frame for the track, then make the total curtain fabric 2 to 2.5 times that track width. The extra track length lets the curtains stack off the glass, so the door opens and the view stays clear. The fullness gives soft folds instead of flat, stretched fabric.
Use 2 times fullness for a clean, modern look. Use 2.5 times for heavier, richer folds on blackout or velvet.
How long should sliding door curtains be?
Fix the track 10–15 cm above the door frame and finish the curtains 1–2 cm above the floor. A raised track makes the door look taller and stops light leaking over the top. A small gap at the hem keeps the fabric off dust and sand and lets it glide every time you open the door.
For floor-to-ceiling glass, mount the track on the ceiling and measure from the ceiling to the floor.
Sliding glass door curtain size chart (cm and inches)
Here is the full sum for an example door 240 cm wide and 220 cm high. Swap in your own measurements.
| Step | Rule | Example in cm | Example in inches |
| Door width | Measure frame edge to edge | 240 cm | 94.5 in |
| Track width | Door width + 20–30 cm each side | 290 cm (25 cm each side) | 114 in |
| Total fabric width | Track width × 2 to 2.5 | 580–725 cm | 228–285 in |
| Panels | Split the total into 2 panels | 2 × 290–363 cm | 2 × 114–143 in |
| Track height | 10–15 cm above the frame | 235 cm from floor (15 cm above) | 92.5 in |
| Finished drop | Track height − 1 to 2 cm | 233–234 cm | about 92 in |
Two panels that meet in the middle suit most sliders. If the door only opens one way, one wide panel that stacks to the opposite side keeps the walkway free.
Should you use a rod or a track for a sliding door?
Use a track for wide or floor-to-ceiling sliders, and a rod for standard doors with wall space above the frame. A track lets the curtains run the full width without centre brackets catching the fabric, which matters on a door you use many times a day.
- Ceiling or wall-mounted tracks: best for glass that runs to the ceiling. See our Curtain Track Systems with single, double and motorised options.
- Double rods: carry a sheer and a blackout layer on one fitting. Browse our Curtain Rods for double, extendable and bay window rods.
- Rod material: for balcony doors and humid areas, choose stainless steel or aluminium, which do not rust.
- Tension rods: skip them on sliding doors. A wide door needs a fixed rod or track that holds the weight when you pull the curtains daily.
Which curtain heading glides best on a sliding door?
Wave and eyelet headings slide most easily, so they suit doors you open several times a day. Wave curtains run on a track and fold into even curves. Eyelet curtains slide straight along a rod with no hooks to catch. Pinch pleat works too, but it needs hooks on a track and a little more stack-back space.
Which curtains work best on a sliding glass door in Dubai?
Pair a sheer layer for daytime light with a blackout layer for heat, glare and night privacy. Sliding doors face balconies, gardens and pools, so the glass takes strong afternoon sun.
- Sheer Curtains soften the light and keep the view. At night, indoor lights make a room visible through sheer fabric, so add a second layer.
- Blackout Curtains block glare and keep bedrooms dark. Hang them on the room side of a double track.
- Motorized Curtains open wide or heavy panels with a remote or phone app. They suit tall glass and doors that are hard to reach behind furniture.
Ready-made or made-to-measure for a sliding door?
Choose made-to-measure when your door is wider or taller than standard panels, which is common with villa and apartment sliders in the UAE. Ready-made panels come in fixed widths and lengths, so on large glass they often fall short or need joining. Made-to-measure curtains are cut to your track width and drop, with the fullness and stack-back worked out before sewing.
Our Curtain Installation team also resizes existing panels to fit sliding glass doors and patio doors.
Get your sliding door measured for free
- Free measurement at your home across Dubai
- Tracks, rods, motorised systems and fabric fitted in one visit
- Call or WhatsApp +971 50 637 9229 to book
FAQs
What is the standard curtain size for a sliding glass door?
There is no single standard size, because sliding doors vary in width and height. Measure the frame, add 20–30 cm on each side, and order total fabric 2 to 2.5 times the track width.
How many curtain panels do I need for a sliding door?
Two panels suit most sliding doors, one on each side. If the door opens only one way, one wide panel that stacks to the fixed side keeps the opening clear.
How high should I hang curtains above a sliding glass door?
Fix the rod or track 10–15 cm above the door frame. For glass that reaches the ceiling, use a ceiling-mounted track.
Should curtains on a sliding door touch the floor?
No. Finish them 1–2 cm above the floor so they glide freely and stay clean.
Can I put blackout curtains on a sliding glass door?
Yes. Hang blackout curtains on the room side of a double track or rod, with a sheer layer behind them for daytime light.
