When shopping for a new front or back entry door, you’ll no doubt be inundated with different possible materials, finishes, style options, and sizes. What you choose ultimately depends on the style of your home and the amount of maintenance you’re comfortable with. In general, most door slab materials are reasonably strong, with almost all premium-priced slabs meant for entryways strong and sturdy enough to resist being easily broken down or damaged.
However, many door shoppers are curious about doors with glass. When safety and security are concerned, it might seem that having a door partly made of glass is an invitation for trouble – that the benefits of an added window are outweighed by the security compromise inherent in glass.
We’ve got quite a few windowed entryway doors here at ETO, so we want to let you know up front: that’s not necessarily true. Just because your door features glass, don’t assume your safety is at risk.
Why is a Glass in a Door a Good Choice?
Let’s talk about the benefits of having a glass front door – including how it can actually lead to better safety and security.
Natural Light
Scientific studies have proved that natural light boosts your mood and leads to overall improvements in your mental health. But we didn’t need science to know that, did we? Natural light always feels better than artificial light, because it makes you feel less cooped up and more like you’re outside.
Natural light looks better, too! Consider that all of the best realtors and leasing agents shoot home interiors in the daytime, with the windows open, to make interiors look more spacious, inviting, clean, and cozy in photos.
Increased Value
Windowed doors are just classy. Something about using glass in a front door shows a lack of material want, elevating a home’s curb appeal. That means your home will be worth just a little more when it comes time to liquidate – if the time comes – and especially since everyone knows windowed doors require a little more effort on the craftsman’s side, and thus are more valuable themselves.
Maintenance
A solid wood door requires solid maintenance. Keeping up with your door requires paying attention to its finish, which may include repairing sun damage, applying oils, and full refinishing jobs. By letting a window take up part of you door, you reduce the amount of real estate that requires periodic servicing, making refinishing jobs and general maintenance less time consuming. And when it’s time to clean the glass, all you need is a paper towel and a little window cleaner!
Optional Privacy
Having a window on your door doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing your privacy; most doors can be fitted with blinds, shades, or curtains, meaning you’ll only be seen when you want to be seen. Plus, not all windowed doors are made equal. You don’t have to have a big honkin’ pane of glass for a door if you don’t want to. At ETO, we have doors to fit anyone’s style and privacy requirements.
Laminate Glass
Not into window shades and curtains on your door? We don’t exactly blame you. Thankfully, there are plenty of laminate glass options to choose from, perfect for when you want to let in natural daylight while keeping out prying eyes at all hours of the day and night.
Visibility
Finally, having some of your front door made up of perfectly clear glass means you’ll have total visibility. If someone’s standing outside, you’ll know exactly who, with no need to look through unreliable, myopic peepholes that can be easily covered. An alternative is a sidelite, or pair of them, which will allow you the same full visibility that may very well increase your sense of safety and security.
What Makes Windowed Doors Trustworthy?
There are two things that should help you feel more comfortable about glass doors: the decorative iron grill doors featured on many of them, and the quality of the glass itself.
No one ever wants to experience a break-in, but in the unfortunate event of an intruder managing to break your front door’s glass, you’ll be thankful to have a door reinforced with an iron grate. Unbreakable and stylish to boot, ETO’s iron grate door options are sure to ward off potential intruders, and discourage them from progressing if a break-in is attempted.
As for the glass used in a quality front door, ask yourself: have you ever tried to break a ¾” pane of glass? It’s not the most difficult thing to do in the world, but it’s also not the easiest. While low-end glass used in budget doors might break under the slightest antagonism, our ¾” glass will take a little more than a punch to crack.
For all questions regarding exterior entryway doors, and especially those that make use of glass, feel free to call or email us at ETO doors!
