Here we share our types of glass front doors guide including the different materials, front door options, and effective ways to preserve privacy.
Did you want something that offers a little bit of privacy? Did you want something that looks rain-streaked? Did you want something stately? Something that lets the maximum amount of light in? There are many options available to find the type of glass door that suits you best. Table of Contents
Clear Glass
Light transmission aside, it provides more heat gain which makes it a perfect front door material if you happen to be located in an area that is prone to cold temperatures for the most part of the year.
It also provides extra aesthetic value because of its clarity. You wouldn’t need a lot of artificial lighting in your reception area with this type of front door.
Frosted Glass
It allows a sufficient amount of sunlight in. But on the other hand, if you like a little bit of privacy, this glass door can provide that as well.
Frosted glass is also known to maintain indoor temperature as it allows the sunlight to filter through during the day without it getting too hot while at the same time blocking out the cold during the winter months.
This means you get to conserve a significant amount of energy monthly, helping you save up on your utility bills.
Rain Glass
It’s perfect if you have a modern space to complement it with as it’s also grounded with a bit of an earthy vibe to it. if you’re up for it, you’re in for quite a treat because this type of glass is the perfect décor splash you could ever need.
Stained Glass
Among all the other types of glass front doors, it can bring in an explosion of colors and add brightness and beauty to the entryway of your home all throughout the day. It’s certainly a conversation starter right from the moment guests step into your front door.
Ornate Glass
It’s usually paired with elaborate wrought iron framing and door knobs with a similar finish.. This means that on top of its obvious beauty, it also provides a good amount of structural support.
Tempered Glass
It’s also much tougher because it went through a thermal tempering process and can withstand temperatures of up to 470 Fahrenheit. And although it’s tough, it maintains its clarity so it remains crystal clear.
Annealed Glass
It got its name from a slow annealing process wherein the glass is slowly cooled, releasing any internal stresses once the glass has been formed. It’s great if you’re on a budget because it’s a cheaper option compared to the other types of glass doors out there.
Laminated Glass
It can reduce heat emissions coming from the sun so if you have air conditioning indoors, emissions are drastically reduced. It’s acoustically advantageous because it reduces noise pollution. It comes in plenty of designs and colors.
And lastly, it offers protection from natural disasters because it doesn’t shatter when broken. It stays in its frame the whole time.
Impact Glass
An impact glass door can improve your home’s energy efficiency because they’re specifically designed to reduce heat from emanating through the door during the hot summer days as well as from letting the cold in during the winter months. It offers noise reduction, giving you added privacy from the outside.
Insulated Glass
It also helps with sound insulation, improving your entryway acoustics. It is also very difficult to break into an insulated glass door compared to a regular clear glass one. Read more about our guide on how to soundproof a door here.
Textured Glass Options
They all come in triple-pane construction so thermal efficiency is guaranteed and it also makes the glass surface easy to clean.
Flemish Glass
It has an antique look and offers an old-world charm to your front door and once paired with a stately wooden or wrought iron frame, it can be very elegant.
Crested Glass
If you want something stately especially if you’re upgrading a high-end home, this can give you the visual impact your front door demands.
Citrus Glass
Taffeta Glass
Digital Glass
Reeded Glass
On top of that, they have the added benefit of making your front door look taller because of the optical illusion brought in by the embossed vertical lines or “reeds”.
Stippolyte Glass
Everglade Glass
Glue Chip Glass
Granite Privacy Glass
It brings in the element of design while at the same time, it stays minimalist so if you prefer something that marries form and function, this might be the textured glass for you.
Sandblast Glass
The result is a dainty texture that looks very similar to frosted glass and it offers optimum privacy as well so it can be a good choice among the other types of glass front doors.
Glass Front Door Options
However, the front door is the first and last thing that a person sees when they are visiting your home. It’s definitely the perfect place to make a design statement if any. Here are some options that you can review and check out.
Single Door
It’s also generally considered a safer option compared to the other door options because when locked, it’s securely latched onto one of the sturdy mainframes.
If you don’t want to think too much about it and if you don’t have a particularly large entryway, a single door should suit your home just fine.
Double Door
It can be very easy to lug big pieces of furniture in if you have a double door installed simply because it has a much larger opening. It’s important to consider that with double doors, you might need to adjust them from time to time.
The midsection where the two doors meet doesn’t have as much support as the other portions of the door. Stay aware of any changes in functionality. They can be easily remedied by adjusting the hinges or just replacing some of the malfunctioning moving parts.
Glass Door With Sidelights
Glass is an attractive material and can instantly make the door elegant as is. The added option of sidelights can compound the visual appeal of your entryway as they can come in the color and style of your choosing. Read more about our guide on doors with sidelights here.
Oval Glass
It’s highly customizable as it can come in any color or texture you prefer and is highly reminiscent of the charming glass door from the 80s.
Rustic
Another popular pairing with this glass door option is the iconic wooden exes reminiscent of wooden barn doors.
Craftsman
They’re quite simple in design but if you want an added aesthetic feature, you can get it customized or get it grooved. They were quite popular back in the early 20th century and to this day, they can be seen in cottages and cul de sacs.
Modern Glass
If you’re located in vistas with stunning views and lush greenery, this is among the perfect types of glass front doors for you to go for as it maximizes the views from the outside while showcasing the aesthetics from within.
Wood And Glass Door
You can pick out your glass type depending on the type of insulation, opacity, texture, thickness, or color you prefer and of course, you can update the wood in literally any type of wood material and paint color or stain you could possibly think of.
When it all comes down to it, you can’t really go wrong with a classic that has withstood the test of time and trend changes.
Glass And Metal Door
Glass and metal doors, however, have the added advantage of brightening up the home in ways that only a few glass and wooden doors can. This is mainly because steel is a much sturdier material compared to wood and can withstand the weight of the glass without eating up too much visual space.
They can complement any home design from contemporary, to modern, to classic. There’s bound to be one that can perfectly suit your home’s aesthetics as this option stands out from the other types of glass front doors
Glass And Wrought Iron
The craftsmanship from the wrought iron alone paired with the sophistication of glass can enhance the look and feel of any home right off the bat. Among all the different types of glass front doors, they’re also incredibly secure as they’re usually made out of 12-gauge steel with mounted flush bolts that can lock the door securely.
Fiberglass With Glass Window
Most of these frames come in rot-resistant composite materials so you’re sure to enjoy your front door for many years to come.
The glass can come in different ornate and beveling patterns that can surely upgrade the entryway look of any home. Read more about our guide on vinyl vs fiberglass windows here.
Arched
They come in different types of arches from the full arch, to the camber top, curved top, pointed top, and the famous cathedral top that can usually be seen in church doors and windows. They’re very stately and elegant.
The only downside to these doors is that you need to have them envisioned along with the construction of the house or if not, you would need to make a few structural modifications to accommodate the unique shape.
They are also among the types of glass front doors that can be a bit of a challenge to replace as they usually come custom-made with your specific door measurements for your entryway.
How Can I Make My Glass Door More Private?
Privacy film – This film can come in a variety of designs and colors that allows you to see from the inside but not from the outside. It also has the added benefit of UV blocking and temperature control. It has no adhesive and clings through static so installing it is a breeze.
Glass paint – This is a kind of paint adhered directly to the glass and is a permanent fix to your privacy woes. It’s also very easy to apply as you just need to wipe the glass surface clean and spray paint it on.
You can adjust the opacity based on the number of layers you apply. Just make sure that you allow it to dry for about 2 hours before spraying another layer on.
Etching cream – This is also known as acid cream. This is a great product to use if you’re only applying it to a small area of glass. You can usually apply it with a sponge, brush, or cloth and if you want to be more creative, you can use a stencil while you’re at it.
Let it dry for about 20 minutes and wipe the surface clean and you’re set. Etching creams are also very cheap when bought by the bottle.
Curtains – If you want privacy but don’t want the mess of installation or if you want to still be able to peep through the glass, curtains can be a great option. They’re easy to swap out in the event that you change up the look and color of the place.
Blinds – They can come in plastic, wood, or even cloth. Installation is usually pretty easy with some brackets, some screws, and a drill.
The plastic and wood types are easy to clean while they’re still hanging whereas the cloth ones can be easily removed and thrown in the washer.
See more related content at our article about the best front door colors on this page.