Glass Exterior Doors Make a Stunning Statement — But Are They Safe?
Whether you’re going for a classic or contemporary look, glass exterior doors are a beautiful addition to your home. They make your front door stand out, and your curb appeal shine. From the inside, they allow the entryway to be flooded with natural light. They’re certain to be a boon from an aesthetic perspective, but the nature of the glass surface does present an important concern for many homeowners: that of safety. How safe are these glass exterior doors, and is there a way to make them safer? In today’s blog, let’s discuss everything you need to know about glass exterior doors.
Pros And Cons Of Glass Exterior Doors
Is a glass exterior door the right choice for your home? With so many different styles, you’re certain to find something that suits your home’s design, but glass doors might not be for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons to help you make your choice:
PROS:
- Optimized sunlight through the entryway, an otherwise often dimly lit space.
- Lower maintenance — it doesn’t require painting or staining.
- Comes in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles to suit any home.
- Boosts your curb appeal and makes your home feel more open and airy.
- Offers more extended views of your outdoors.
CONS:
- Not as private as solid doors.
- Less energy-efficient than a solid fiberglass door.
- Can potentially be less safe than solid doors.
Types Of Glass Exterior Doors
Tempered glass must be used when it comes to glass exterior doors. Tempered glass has been treated in order to be up to five times stronger than average glass. It also shatters into smaller squares rather than sharp jagged edges. With that said, there are several different types of glass exterior doors or entry doors that can use glass. This includes:
French Doors
French doors have the most open and airy feeling when it comes to glass exterior doors. These are often double doors with panes of glass that take up most of the door. These doors may have grids to break up the glass or may remain open. When these are front doors, they often have glass that is fogged, frosted, or designed in such a way that it is less transparent. This way, you can enjoy the light without sacrificing so much privacy.
Wrought Iron Doors
This is less to do with the glass itself and more to do with the decor that surrounds the glass. In this case, you’ll find a door that has glass — whether it be a small portion or most of the door. A wrought iron design runs across the glass, which adds style and fortification to the glass.
Doors With Windows
In some cases, the glass will not span the majority of the door but rather a small section towards the top. Some doors will have windows of sorts. These are typically fixed windows with frosted, decorative glass or even stained glass. They come in all shapes and sizes but are typically installed some distance from the handle and lock.
Doors With Sidelights
Sometimes glass is a part of the overall entrance, but not necessarily a part of the door itself. Sidelights are long vertical panels that span the height of the door and allow light into the entryway without actually compromising your privacy.
Glass Exterior Doors And Safety
So now, of course, the question is: are glass doors safe? While it can vary depending on the way the doors are manufactured, glass exterior doors tend to be safer than one might think.
For one thing, tempered glass is — as stated above — considerably stronger than standard glass. It also doesn’t shatter the same way and is often tested for impact resistance before it is released as a glass exterior door. Glass panes built within doors are also sometimes fortified by grids or wrought iron or even the fiberglass of the door material itself.
In terms of privacy, frosted or decorative glass can help. This glass is often not as transparent as other types of glass. It lets in light, but not necessarily any clear view of what’s on the other side. Of course, this also limits your view of the outdoors, but it can help to keep the privacy you love while still having a glass exterior door.
Glass doors are already popular when it comes to patio doors, which often run along a track and have a bar lock in order to remain secure. These doors are already thicker than typical window glass. There is some risk, as there is with anything else, but so long as the manufacturing takes security into account, your glass entry door can still be a relatively safe option for your home.
Are you interested in the various door options? Today’s Entry Doors can help you find the perfect fiberglass entry doors, whether with glass or not. Contact us today to learn more about our doors or to get started with a free estimate.