Choosing Ideal Glass for Your Front Door

There are many features that have come to define front doors over the years, and one of the more common is the use of glass on some part of the door. Used for everything from outdoor views to aesthetics and more, glass on front doors is available in several different formats – and several different high-quality types depending on your needs.

At Price’s Guaranteed Doors, we offer a huge range of front door and entry door options to clients around Sandy, Draper, Midvale and other parts of Utah, from modern doors to industrial, farmhouse, traditional and many other styles. Let’s look at the kind of front door glass setups typically available today, the kinds of glass you might consider using for them, and some other factors to be considering while making your choices here.

Formats for Front Door Glass Design

There are several different ways that glass can be inserted into front doors for basic use. These include:

• Quarter panel (top): This is when the glass takes up around one quarter of the total door space and is found mainly at the top of the door. In these cases, the glass is semi-recessed, and typically additional trim or molding can be added around it for extra points of visual detail.
• Half panel: Another common format is when the glass takes up around half of the total door space, either horizontally or vertically. This offers a more pronounced effect – and can also help to make your property stand out from its neighbors.
• Three-quarter panel: When around 75% of the door is made up of glass, this can provide a striking visual impact and allow for the maximum amount of light to enter.
• Full panel: If you want the entire door to be made up of glass, or as close to this amount as possible, you can opt for a full panel design.
• Side lights: This refers to a setup where there are glass panels on one or both sides of the door. In some cases, side lights can be coordinated with another design above.

Kinds of Glass to Consider

There are also a few different glass types to think about for your front door, including:

• Clear: The simplest and most common type, clear glass is just that: regular and unaltered. It offers the most straightforward view of the outdoors and the greatest amount of light entering your property. However, it’s not as ideal when it comes to privacy or insulation.
• Textured: If you’re looking for something a bit more obscure, textured glass might be a good option. This form of glass has various designs like glazed, ripple glass and beveled, all of which help to obscure the view from outside while still allowing some light in.
• Translucent: If you’ve heard of glass options like “frosted” or “satin” varieties, these are all examples of translucent glass, which offers the greatest amount of privacy and insulation. This type does still allow plenty of light in, but not in a way that allows for clear views inside.
• Stained: Finally, there are also stained glass options available. This type can offer the most visually stunning designs, and is best used as either a full panel or side lights setup.

These are just some of the many types of front door glass designs and materials you can choose from for your entryway.

Factors to Consider When Making Your Choice

Here are some of the key variables to consider when choosing the ideal glass setup for your front door:

• Security: When looking for the right glass type, always consider the security implications first. Translucent and textured options provide more of an obstacle to burglars, while clear glass might be better suited in areas with low crime rates.
• Privacy: Another key factor is privacy. Clear glass offers the least amount of privacy, while textured or stained glass can offer more natural obscuring effects.
• Insulation: Take into account the insulation properties that different kinds of glass provide. Textured and translucent options are best at blocking out heat and cold air, while clear glass can often be a better choice in colder climates.
• Efficiency: Also consider the efficiency of the glass you intend to install. Look for options that offer double or triple-glazing and those with Low-E coatings, as these will help keep energy costs down in the long run.
• Style: Lastly, don’t forget to factor in the style you’re trying to achieve. For example, if you have a more traditional house, stained glass might be the perfect choice, while modern residences often suit clear or textured varieties better.

Overall, there are plenty of options for front door glass to suit all kinds of houses and preferences. By considering the security, privacy, insulation, efficiency and style of your new door glass, you can make sure that you get something that looks great and functions even better.

For more here, or to learn about any of our entry doors, garage doors or other exterior door products and services throughout Sandy, Midvale, Draper and other parts of Utah, contact our team at Price’s Guaranteed Doors today.