One of the often-mentioned terms when discussing home improvements is “curb appeal.” Making your home look attractive from the first approach is a priority for many homeowners, and that starts with the front door.
When exploring types of glass for front doors, you’ll find options that span the range of design trends, from clear glass to decorative patterns and ones that can be customized to your personal style and needs. There are numerous considerations in choosing entry doors with glass, including how much natural light you desire in your home, safety and security features, and being able to include more visual interest.
In This Article:
- Factors to Consider When Choosing Glass for Front Doors
- Types of Glass For Front Doors
- Maintenance and Care for Glass Front Doors
- Choosing the Right Glass for Your Home
- Frequently Asked Questions
Factors to Consider When Choosing Glass for Front Doors
There are a variety of types of glass available for your front door, so it’s important to choose one that meets your needs. Some primary areas of consideration could be:
- Security – Choose a glass that will enhance your home security features, such as impact-resistant glass or laminated and tempered glass.
- Privacy – Frosted, tinted, patterned, and textured glass all decrease the visibility into your home giving you greater privacy.
- Energy Efficiency – Double- and triple-glazed glass, as well as low-energy glass coatings, can help keep heating and cooling costs low and your home aligned with sustainable advancements in home design.
- Aesthetics – Choose a design and style that aligns with your home decor and compatibility with home architecture.
Types of Glass for Front Doors
Clark Hall offers nine available styles of glass panes for our custom steel doors. All Clark Hall Doors come standard with clear double-insulated, tempered glass that is compliant with ASTM C1036 quality criteria. Clark Hall doors can be customized with impact-rated glass to meet specific building codes and requirements.
The best type of glass for your home’s front door comes down to efficiency, cost, design, privacy, and safety. While clear glass allows for maximum visibility and light, decorative glass like Flemish, Aquatex, Rain, or Seedy Baroque provides different levels of privacy.
We weigh the pros and cons of different glass options to help you make the best choice for your home’s front door.
Have questions about which glass is best for your custom door? Contact our design experts!
1. Clear Glass
If you want a clear, unobstructed, and cost-effective view out of your home, clear glass is the best choice for your front door. It is the most commonly used glass for inlaid glass doors and windows and allows you to easily identify visitors outside your home.
Pros
- Widely available and compatible with many construction materials and colors
- Cheapest of glass inset options
Cons
- May require more frequent replacement
- Offers no additional enhancements to privacy or security
2. Clear LoE Glass
Clear low-emissivity glass (Low-E) glass is coated to maintain interior temperatures by keeping infrared and UV light out. It lowers energy costs for the home while protecting the visibility and clarity of the light that enters. For maximum energy efficiency, low-E glass can be paired with insulated glass units. Front doors in the path of direct sunlight for most of the day can benefit greatly from low-E glass. Homes in hot climates can save on energy costs but may trade off on decorative aesthetics.
Pros
- Reduces glare and protects interior furnishings
- Increases home energy efficiency
- Perfect for modern and eco-conscious homes
Cons
- More expensive than standard or decorative glass
- Limited in patterns or visual texture
- May slightly alter the appearance of natural light indoors
3. Citrus Glass
If the aspects of clear glass appeal to you but you want more privacy, Clark Hall Citrus glass panes may be a good choice for your home. This frosted glass on your front door is an ideal balance of letting in natural light and enhancing privacy by not allowing in a direct line of sight.
Pros
- Offers enhanced privacy at the door
- Decorative and adds visual interest
- Allows filtered natural light into your home
Cons
- High opacity can reduce visibility in or out
- Allows less light than patterned glass options
4. Reeded Glass
Reeded glass—available in both vertical and horizontal patterns—is a stylish and contemporary option for front door panels, offering a textured aesthetic that enhances privacy while still allowing natural light to filter through.
The distinctive lined pattern—resembling narrow “reeds” in the glass—creates visual interest and adds character to modern, mid-century, or transitional home styles. Vertical reeds are more common and evoke height and elegance, while horizontal reeds lend a more modern, linear look. Though primarily chosen for its design appeal, reeded glass also provides functional benefits for homeowners looking to balance privacy and illumination.
Pros
- Obscures direct views into the home while still admitting natural light
- Available in vertical and horizontal orientations
- Adds a subtle yet sophisticated design element
- Hides fingerprints and smudges better than clear glass
Cons
- Limits outward visibility
- Dust or grime can collect in the grooves, requiring more detailed cleaning.
5. Flemish Glass
Flemish glass is a type of patterned glass known for its gently distorted, hand-blown appearance that resembles the ripples and imperfections found in antique windowpanes. Often described as having a watery or pebbled texture, it allows light to pass through while blurring details, making it a popular choice for homeowners who want both privacy and elegance in their entryways.
Flemish glass works particularly well in traditional, cottage, or craftsman-style homes, offering a balance of character and functionality without heavily compromising brightness.
Pros
- Obscures visibility into the home while maintaining a soft, artistic look
- Complements older or heritage-style homes
- Softens direct sunlight, reducing interior glare
Cons
- May not match the style of contemporary or minimalist architecture
- The textured surface may require a bit more care to keep fully clean
- Shapes and movements can still be faintly seen from outside
6. Rain Glass
A textured rain-like surface on one side of the glass pane is the hallmark of rain glass. This glass allows ample natural light to flow through doors and creates privacy.
Known for its durability, this low-maintenance glass is popular in humid or rainy climates. Homeowners who prioritize safety and style gravitate towards rain glass. Its textured surface complements homes with nature-inspired designs.
Pros
- Creates privacy without sacrificing light
- The textured surface complements craftsman, cottage, and traditional styles
- Diffuses light and reduces glare
Cons
- May not align with ultra-modern or minimalist designs
- Offers low visibility
- Limits style variations
7. Seedy Baroque
Seedy baroque glass is a decorative glass style that mimics the look of antique hand-blown glass, characterized by visible “seeds” or small air bubbles throughout the surface. It often combines slight waves or texture with those inclusions to evoke an old-world, artisanal charm.
This makes it an excellent option for homeowners seeking a blend of historical elegance and diffused light in their front door design. The look works well in both rustic, historic and vintage-inspired homes, adding personality without sacrificing brightness.
Pros
- Softens incoming light while maintaining brightness indoors
- Adds depth and artistic flair
- Unique finish means no two panes are alike
Cons
- Doesn’t completely block visibility like some other textured glasses
- May not suit modern or minimalist architecture
- May require more attentive cleaning
8. Cotswold
Cotswold glass is a type of patterned glass featuring a distinctive vertical, bark-like texture that creates a dramatic yet naturalistic visual effect. Its deep ridges and organic striations give it a rustic, earthy charm—ideal for countryside homes or properties seeking a warm, traditional feel.
Cotswold glass excels at diffusing light while maintaining strong privacy, making it a practical and attractive choice for front door panels where both aesthetics and discretion are priorities.
Pros
- Deep texture blurs shapes and obscures interior views
- Allows plenty of daylight to pass through
- Adds visual interest and dimension
Cons
- Can be more difficult to clean thoroughly
- Eliminates almost all clear views of the exterior
9. Aquatex
Aquatex glass is a textured glass style with a rippled, water-like surface pattern that resembles gentle waves or droplets across the pane. This design offers an elegant blend of subtle privacy and soft light diffusion, making it a versatile and visually soothing choice for entry doors.
Its fluid texture complements a wide range of home styles—from coastal and transitional to modern craftsman—and adds a serene, spa-like quality to the front entryway without overpowering the design.
Pros
- Blurs outlines and blocks direct views
- Pairs well with both natural and contemporary finishes
- Works well with many architectural styles
Cons
- Not as opaque as more deeply textured or patterned options
- Smooth areas may show water spots or smudges more easily
Glass Types: Comparison Table
| Glass Type | Best For | Not Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Unobstructed and cost-effective views | Privacy |
| Clear Low-E | Saving on energy costs | Decorative aesthetics |
| Citrus | Balancing between natural light and privacy | Maximizing natural light |
| Reeded (Horizontal or Vertical) | Balancing privacy and illumination. | Unobstructed views |
| Flemish | Maximizing natural light and enhanced privacy | Minimizing cleaning and upkeep |
| Rain | Providing durability and low maintenance | Matching ultra-modern designs |
| Seedy Baroque | Creating a bold statement | Entry doors that face full sun and need to block UV rays |
| Cotswold | Complimenting cottage, farmhouse, or traditional home styles | Matching ultra-modern or minimalist architecture |
| Aquatex | Maintaining bright interior lighting | Creating a distinctive, bold look |
Maintenance and Care for Glass Front Doors
To ensure your glass panels remain pristine, you’ll need to take extra precautions depending on which glass you’ve chosen. For glass with special laminates, coating, or treatments, be sure to discuss care instructions with your install team as some common household cleaners can degrade it and reduce effectiveness.
To avoid general scratching and damage, avoid keeping pots, planters, or decor directly in front of your glass front door, as wind and general foot traffic may cause contact damage to the glass.
In general, glass front doors are easy to clean and maintain. If you’re looking for some additional assistance in keeping your windows and doors pristine, you can also consider a cleaning and care package.
Choosing the Right Glass for Your Home
With so many options for entry doors and glass, it’s important to have an expert guide you through the process. While there are always trending styles of front doors, the most important elements are security, efficiency, and that the design reflects your personal style and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of glass is best for a front door?
Homeowners prioritizing safety gravitate towards tempered glass for its durability or laminated glass that’s difficult to break and remains intact even when shattered. Double- or triple-glazed glass maximizes insulation and energy efficiency, making it a recommended choice for homeowners seeking lower energy costs.
What are the different types of glass doors?
Common types of glass for front doors include safety options (tempered and laminated glass), energy-efficient choices (insulated, double/triple-glazed, and low-E glass), privacy varieties (frosted, textured, patterned, and sandblasted glass), and decorative styles (stained, leaded, rain, and reflective glass).
What’s the best material for an exterior front door?
When it comes to quality and lifespan, there’s no match for the durability of iron and steel doors.
Can you just replace glass in the front door?
Yes, most glass can be replaced without having to replace the front door as long as the door is in good shape. Damaged or outdated glass panes can be updated for security or style preferences.
Which type of glass is most often used in and around exterior doors?
Glass in and around exterior doors, such as sidelights and transoms, is typically tempered due to its safety features. Insulated glass is also common around exterior doors with direct sunlight for its energy efficiency.
How thick should front door glass be?
The thickness of front door glass ranges from 1/8″ to 1/4″ for single-pane tempered glass in inserts. Insulated glass is thicker and may range from 1/2″ to 1″ depending on the number of panes.
What is the glass on the side of a front door called?
Sidelights are glass panels installed vertically on one or both sides of the door. These architectural elements not only enhance the door’s appearance but also increase natural light entering the home’s entryway.
