Why Custom Entry Doors with Sidelights Transform Your Home’s First Impression
Custom entry doors with sidelights create a stunning first impression while flooding your entryway with natural light. Here’s what makes them an excellent investment for Chicago homeowners:
Key Benefits:
- Increased Natural Light – Sidelights bring 30-50% more light into dark foyers
- Improved Curb Appeal – Creates a grand, welcoming entrance that boosts home value
- Design Flexibility – Over 100 glass designs available for complete customization
- Wider Visual Appeal – Makes entryways appear larger and more open
- Energy Efficiency – Modern insulated glass units reduce heating costs
Popular Customization Options:
- Materials: Fiberglass, steel, or wood construction
- Glass Types: Clear, frosted, decorative, or stained glass options
- Configuration: Single or dual sidelights for symmetrical design
- Hardware: Multiple finish options to match your home’s style
As homeowners increasingly seek ways to improve their property’s value and aesthetic appeal, the front door has become what industry experts call “the portal to the soul of your home.” The installation of sidelights adds an additional 3 to 4 hours during front door installation, but the change is immediate and lasting.
I’m Voytek Glab, owner of Perfect Windows & Siding, and I’ve been helping Chicago-area homeowners design and install custom entry doors with sidelights for over 20 years. My hands-on experience in carpentry and door installation ensures every project delivers the perfect balance of beauty, security, and energy efficiency your home deserves.
What Are Sidelights and Why Do They Matter?
When we talk about entry doors, especially custom entry doors with sidelights, we’re referring to more than just a door. We’re talking about a complete entry system. Sidelights are vertical pieces of glass that are placed on one or both sides of your main entry door. They are designed to flank the door, creating a cohesive and often grand appearance for your entryway. Think of them as neat companions to your door, extending its visual presence and adding a touch of architectural charm that truly welcomes you and your guests home.
These vertical glass panels are not just for show; they serve significant functional purposes that can completely transform the feel of your home’s entrance. Whether you’re looking for a classic look or a more modern aesthetic, sidelights can be customized to complement any home design.
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The Purpose of Sidelights
The primary purpose of sidelights is to maximize the amount of natural light entering your home. Many foyers and entryways can feel dark and enclosed, especially if there isn’t a window nearby. Sidelights effectively brighten these spaces, creating a more open, inviting, and airy feel. By bringing natural light into your entrance, they eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day, which can even contribute to energy savings. Beyond illumination, sidelights improve the visual width of your entryway, making it appear larger and more expansive than it actually is. This contributes significantly to improving your home’s overall aesthetics and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Single vs. Dual Sidelights
The choice between single and dual sidelights largely depends on your entryway’s width, the architectural style of your home, and your personal design preferences.
- Dual Sidelights: These are ideal for wider entryways, creating a beautiful, light-filled, and symmetrical aesthetic. If your home has a grand entrance, a set of dual sidelights can provide a wide-scale visual impact, offering a balanced and impressive look. They maximize light and create a truly grand statement.
- Single Sidelight: If space is a bit more constrained, or you prefer an asymmetrical design, a single sidelight can be a perfect fit. This configuration can still bring in ample natural light and improve curb appeal without requiring the wider rough opening needed for dual sidelights. For instance, if your home has a small front porch, a smaller door without sidelights might be appropriate to avoid extending beyond the width of the porch. However, a single sidelight can still offer significant benefits in such cases.
Both options offer design flexibility, allowing us to match the sidelights to your home’s unique architectural style and your personal taste.
The Transformative Benefits of an Entry Door with Sidelights
When you choose custom entry doors with sidelights, you’re making an investment that goes far beyond curb appeal. These beautiful entryways deliver real, measurable benefits that improve your daily life while boosting your home’s value. From the moment you install them, you’ll notice how they transform your entire entrance experience.
The change is immediate and lasting. Your once-dark foyer becomes bright and welcoming. Your home’s exterior gains the kind of architectural presence that makes neighbors take notice. And best of all, you’ll enjoy improved energy efficiency and improved security features that protect your family while reducing utility costs.
Balancing Natural Light and Privacy
I understand the concern many homeowners have about adding glass to their front entrance. You want that beautiful natural light flooding your entryway, but you also value your privacy. The good news? Modern sidelights offer incredible flexibility to give you exactly the balance you need.
Clear glass maximizes light and provides an unobstructed view, perfect if you love seeing your landscaping from inside. Frosted glass has become incredibly popular because it allows abundant light while keeping your home’s interior private from curious passersby.
Patterned glass options add an artistic touch while diffusing light beautifully throughout your foyer. These designs can complement your home’s architectural style, whether you prefer subtle textures or more dramatic patterns. For homeowners seeking something truly special, stained glass creates stunning colored light displays while ensuring complete privacy.
We help you choose glass with specific privacy ratings based on your neighborhood and personal comfort level. Sometimes strategic placement of a single sidelight or mixing different glass types creates the perfect solution for your unique situation.
Enhancing Security Without Compromise
Adding glass to your entrance might seem like a security risk, but modern custom entry doors with sidelights are engineered with robust protection features. I’ve seen how today’s security technology transforms these beautiful doors into formidable barriers against unwanted entry.
Reinforced frames form the foundation of a secure entry system. We build these frames to withstand significant force while maintaining their structural integrity. Impact-resistant glass options like laminated or tempered safety glass are incredibly difficult to break, often surprising homeowners with their strength and durability.
Multi-point locking systems represent the gold standard in door security. These sophisticated mechanisms engage your door at multiple points along the frame, making forced entry extremely challenging. Steel doors paired with these locking systems provide exceptional security that gives families real peace of mind.
Our secure installation techniques ensure every component integrates perfectly with your home’s structure. Proper installation eliminates weak points that could compromise your security, which is why professional installation matters so much for these complex entry systems.
Improving Energy Efficiency
Chicago’s weather demands doors that perform year-round, and modern sidelights deliver impressive energy efficiency that directly impacts your utility bills. The technology built into today’s entry systems would amaze homeowners from just a decade ago.
ENERGY STAR® rated doors meet strict guidelines that translate into real savings on your electricity bills. These certifications aren’t just marketing – they represent measurable performance standards that benefit your budget and comfort.
Low-E glass coatings work like invisible thermal barriers, reflecting radiant heat to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler during Chicago’s hot summers. Insulated glass units with double or triple panes create additional thermal barriers, often filled with argon gas for improved insulation performance.
Professional sealing during installation creates the airtight barrier that makes all this technology work effectively. High-quality weatherstripping combined with compression seals and magnetic seals prevents drafts and air leakage that can undermine your home’s energy efficiency.
Designing Your Perfect Entryway: A Guide to Custom Entry Doors with Sidelights
When you start designing your custom entry door with sidelights, you’re starting on one of the most rewarding home improvement journeys. It’s where your personal vision meets your home’s unique character, creating something truly special that welcomes you home every single day.
The design process starts with understanding your home’s architectural style and your personal preferences. With over 100 glass designs available for inserts alone, the customization possibilities are virtually endless. Whether your Chicago home is a classic Victorian, a sleek modern build, or a cozy craftsman bungalow, we’ll work closely with you to create an entry system that feels like it was always meant to be there.
Choosing Materials for Custom Entry Doors with Sidelights
The material you select for your custom entry doors with sidelights will shape everything from how often you’ll need to maintain it to how it looks in 20 years. Each material brings its own personality and practical benefits to your entryway.
| Material | Durability | Maintenance | Cost | Aesthetics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | Excellent – resists warping, cracking, and rotting | Very low – occasional cleaning and refinishing | Mid-range – good value for longevity | Mimics wood grain beautifully, paintable |
| Steel | Outstanding – maximum security and weather resistance | Low – periodic repainting may be needed | Budget-friendly – lowest upfront cost | Clean, modern look with smooth finish |
| Wood | Good – with proper care can last decades | High – regular staining/painting required | Premium – highest initial investment | Best natural beauty and warmth |
Fiberglass doors have become incredibly popular among Chicago homeowners, and for good reason. They offer the best of both worlds – the gorgeous appearance of real wood without the constant maintenance headaches. These doors resist the harsh temperature swings our city experiences, from blazing summer heat to bitter winter cold, without warping or cracking.
Steel doors provide unbeatable security and are particularly appealing to families who prioritize safety. They’re also the most budget-friendly option upfront, making them perfect for homeowners who want the benefits of sidelights without a premium price tag.
Wood doors remain the gold standard for pure beauty. There’s something timeless about real wood that composite materials can’t quite replicate. However, they do require more attention in our Chicago climate, needing regular staining or painting to maintain their appearance and protect against moisture.
Styling Your Custom Entry Doors with Sidelights for Maximum Curb Appeal
The style of your entry door should feel like a natural extension of your home’s personality. Craftsman style doors work beautifully with Chicago’s many bungalows, featuring clean lines and often incorporating decorative glass panels that complement the sidelights perfectly.
Modern and contemporary designs are gaining popularity, especially in newly renovated neighborhoods. These doors often feature sleek panels, minimal hardware, and large glass sections that create a stunning visual impact with sidelights.
Traditional designs never go out of style and work wonderfully with colonial, Victorian, and classic Chicago architecture. Think raised panels, decorative molding, and neat proportions that create a sense of timeless sophistication.
For homes with a more rustic look, we can create doors with distressed finishes, wrought iron accents, and textured glass that adds character while maintaining the welcoming feel sidelights provide.
The grille patterns and panel configurations you choose can dramatically change your door’s appearance. True vs. simulated divided light is an important consideration – true divided light offers authentic charm with individual glass panes, while simulated options provide easier maintenance with the same classic look.
Selecting Hardware and Finishes
The hardware and finishes are like jewelry for your custom entry doors with sidelights – they can make or break the overall look. Hardware finishes should complement your home’s existing elements, whether that’s brushed nickel to match modern fixtures or oil-rubbed bronze for a more traditional feel.
Handle sets come in various styles, from sleek contemporary designs to ornate traditional options. The key is choosing hardware that feels proportional to your door and consistent with your home’s character.
Lock types range from standard deadbolts to sophisticated multi-point systems that engage at several points along the frame. For sidelights, we often recommend laminated glass and reinforced frames to maintain security without compromising the beautiful aesthetics.
Paint and stain colors should harmonize with your home’s exterior palette while allowing your new entry to make a statement. We’ll help you select colors that improve your home’s curb appeal and stand the test of time.
The beauty of custom work is that all these matching components – the door, sidelights, hardware, and finishes – work together as a cohesive system that looks like it was designed specifically for your home. Because it was.