A glass front entry door is a great way to add a decorative touch to the outside of a home. These doors also have several other benefits as well.
Benefits of a Glass Front Entry Door
A glass front door can add curb appeal to a home. This type of door is much more appealing to look at than a plain front door. A front door is one of the first things that a person notices about a home. Having a front entry door with glass can leave a positive first impression of the home.
A front entry door with glass also allows natural light to filter into the home. This can help a homeowner save on electricity. Natural light can also make a room appear larger and more inviting than artificial light from inside the home.
Lastly, glass entry doors add a unique touch to your home to help it stand out among others. This can come in handy when you are trying to sell your home or you just want your house to look different from the others on the street.
Designs
There are several designs that glass doors are available in. Some are almost completely all glass while others may just have a small window. Selected designs available include:
- Full plane glass
- Half pane glass on top of door
- Side glass panels
- Glass windows of varying degrees
- Combination of side glass panes and a window
- Arched windows on top of door
There are also added accessories into these designs. Grids on windows add a clean and contemporary look, while wrought iron patterns provide a creative touch. If looking for privacy, install internal blinds in the glass areas of the door. Hang curtains on the inside of the door to provide privacy as well.
Types of Glass
A glass front entry door can be made with different types of glass. Some are basic and others allow for a more decorative purpose. The different glass types serve different functions.
| Glass Type | Function |
| Decorative/Art Glass | Decoration/Light filtering |
| Stained Glass | Decoration |
| Privacy Glass | Privacy/Light filtering |
| Clear Glass/Leaded Glass | Simple/Light filtering |
What to Look For
- Doors should be made of tempered glass. Tempered glass is a strong safety glass that won't break into sharp shards. Instead, it shatters into small pieces that don't contain sharp edges. Tempered glass is also harder to break which means more security against possible break-ins.
- Check the weather-stripping and thresholds on the door to make sure that they align properly and don't allow air to come into the home.
- Be sure that there are no gaps by the glass that allow air to pass through. Choose double-pane glass for energy efficiency.
- Try to match the exterior of the home to the front door. A front door should not look out of place and should flow well with the style of the home.
- Choose a door that fits your needs. If you need privacy, then a door with privacy glass or internal blinds would be the best choice.
- Do not add screen or storm doors that have conflicting patterns or designs. The entry door will get lost and will not look right. If needed, a plain storm door looks best.
Where to Buy
Glass front entry doors can be installed by homeowners with kits that are sold at home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's. Another option is to buy a door from a vendor and have it installed by a professional contractor. A homeowner has the additional option to contact a local contractor or door supply company to pick from their available choices of glass front doors.
