Can I Add Sidelights On My Door?

You’ve worked hard keeping up with the Joneses and trying to make your home the prettiest in the neighborhood, but something’s still missing. You stand in your yard, looking at the house, and wonder, “Can I add sidelights to my door?”

The short answer is yes. But is it worth it, and what should you look for? Here’s what you need to know about adding sidelights to your existing door.

Can I Add Sidelights to My Door?

As we said, yes, you can, but there are some conditions to consider.

If your current entryway has enough space on either side, installing sidelights is absolutely possible. However, if your front door is tightly framed without much room, you may need to modify the entryway’s structure to make space. Here are the keys to consider.

Structural Space: The wall width needs to be wide enough to accommodate the sidelights without compromising stability.

Door Frame Modification: Adding sidelights means replacing your door frame with one that’s designed for sidelights.

Permits and Codes: Depending on your area, modifying the entryway might require permits, especially if you alter load-bearing walls.

Professional Help: While some experienced DIYers can handle this project, most people will need to hire a contractor to ensure proper installation and avoid costly mistakes.

Benefits of Adding Sidelights

Now you know that it’s possible, what are the benefits of installing sidelights?

More Natural Light

Sidelights are an excellent way to brighten your entryway. If the current front door has minimal (or no) glass, adding sidelights can flood the space with natural light, making the home feel warmer and more inviting.

Natural light has positive benefits, too, including improved mood, productivity, and overall well-being.

Enhanced Curb Appeal

Sidelights can transform your entryway from ordinary to extraordinary. They provide a modern, upscale feel and come in various styles to match whatever decor you have.

Improved Visibility

More glass around the entryway makes it easier to see who’s at the door without opening it.  Loosely textured or decorative glass can still give privacy while still letting you see what’s going on.

Higher Home Value

Curb appeal improvements often pay off when it comes to resale value. A beautiful, well-lit entryway can boost your home’s perceived value, making it more attractive to a potential buyer.

What to Look for When Choosing Your Sidelights

Okay, so you’re convinced that sidelights are the way to go to take your home’s style and curb appeal to the next level. But what do you look for?

Glass Type

The choice of glass will impact privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal.

Popular options include:

Clear Glass: Maximizes light but isn’t very private.

Frosted or Etched Glass: Maintains privacy while still letting in light.

Stained or Decorative Glass: Stylish flair with light diffusion.

Impact-Resistant Glass: Great for areas prone to storms or break-ins.

Frame Material

The frame material should complement your existing front door. Here are some options to think about.

Wood: Warm and classic, but may require more maintenance.

Fiberglass: Durable, low-maintenance, and available in various finishes.

Metal/Steel: Excellent for security and durability but may have limited decorative options.

Security Features

Many people are concerned about the security risk of adding more glass to the entryway. While that’s valid, you can opt for tempered or impact-resistant glass to deter break-ins and flying debris from storms.

Energy Efficiency

Glass panels can increase heat gain or loss, so to improve energy efficiency, choose sidelights with insulated or Low-E (low emissivity) glass.

Privacy Needs

If your home is close to the street or neighbors, you might prefer frosted or patterned glass for extra privacy.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Handy homeowners might be tempted to tackle this as a DIY project, but keep in mind that modifying your front entryway requires precise measurements and expertise. The last thing you need is to get halfway through or completely finished and realize that something’s wrong, and now you need a pro to fix the mistakes.

Hiring a pro ensures your new sidelights are correctly installed, sealed, and structurally sound.

The Glass Door Store is your local expert on exterior doors, sidelights, glass door inserts, and interior doors. We’ve proudly served homeowners in Lakeland and Tampa for decades and offer a complete turn-key solution to transform your ordinary front door into something extraordinary. If you want to know more about sidelights or are ready to order, call us or stop into our showroom.