Most homeowners think about getting entry doors with glass, and often have trouble deciding because of the rumored downsides and supposed benefits. If you’re getting a new entry door from a replacement window shop in Sacramento, CA, you’re probably considering getting one with glass.

There are definitely good and bad things about entry doors with glass. Read on to learn more so you can decide for yourself if a door with glass is right for you.

• Light – The amount of light you want in your home is completely subjective. Some homeowners want as much as possible, while others don’t really mind either way. Having glass in your entry door can bring lots of natural light into your entryway, and make it seem more welcoming. However, this same natural light can also heat up your entryway, making it too warm and causing your air conditioner to work overtime and your energy bills to go up. You need consider what’s important to you: welcoming light, or saving on energy?
• Style – Adding glass to your entry door really comes down to what style you want, and balancing that style with function. If you’re worried about glass, there are lots of other ways to add some style to your entry door like door color or stain, different hardware shapes and colors, unique materials beyond fiberglass, transoms, sidelights and many more.
• Durability – You need an entry door that’s durable, but you want one that’s beautiful. While glass cut outs and inserts look wonderful, they lower a door’s durability considerably. Your top priority should be durability, as your entry door needs to stand up to the elements and potential intruders.
• Privacy– A glass entry door lets beautiful light in, but it also lets people see in. If you can see out, others can see in. Unless you spend a lot of money on special glass, any glass you add to an entry door will be a big whole in your privacy. Depending on where you live, and how close your house is to your neighbors or the street, this can be a big issue. Also, it’s important to note that if you neighbors can see in, so can people with potentially nefarious intentions.

Balancing all these factors can make it confusing to decide whether or not to add glass to your new fiberglass entry door. That’s where your door and window consultant comes in. Use your window and door provider or manufacturer for advice. They hopefully have years in the industry and can take a look at your home to make a more personalized and effective recommendation.

The Window and Door Shop, Inc. is here to help if you want to choose the right windows and doors for your home. We have plenty of experience in the Sacramento, CA replacement window and door field, and would love to use our expertise to help you decide if adding glass to your entry door is right for you and your home. Please give us a call today for more information.