Decorative? Obscure? Etched? A guide to choosing door glass
Thinking of getting some doors with glass windows but don't know where to start? Learn about the most common options in our handy guide to door glass.
In western India, there's a village called Shani Shingnapur. It's famous for two things. First, it's home to the temple of the Hindu god Shani. And second, it has no doors.
That's right – not a single door or lock. Yet in spite of this remarkable state of affairs, there have been no reports of theft in the village.
In the UK, the idea of a house without doors is likely to strike fear into your heart. But doors aren't just about keeping out intruders. They're also part of exterior and interior design and, as such, can say a lot about their owner or owners.
Your front door, for one, is a key part of your property's kerb appeal. One way to give this a boost is to add a bit of door glass.
Yes, door glass can turn a nice-but-dull door into something that makes an impression. Something that reflects your own personality and style. Something that signals status. That's quite a lot for a simple block of wood or uPVC.
So really, what's stopping you from investing? Well, we can't read your mind, but we suspect it's one of two things: either your budget or a bad case of analysis paralysis.
We can't do anything about the financial side of things (aside from stocking affordable products). But we can help you to understand your options with a bit more clarity.
That's why we've put together this guide to different types of door glass. We hope it helps you to decide on a design that will wow your friends, neighbours and couriers.
But first: door glass – what's the big deal?
Why get a door with glass windows?
The main reason to get a door with glass panels – or to get glass panels fitted – can be summed up in a single word: light.
Increasing the amount of light that gets in your property is an easy concept to sell. Not only does it make your home feel more welcoming and spacious, but it can also help reduce your electricity bills and, some say, have a
beneficial effect on your mental well-being.
But there's more to it than just giving your home a bit of extra natural light. Glass panels can create an elegant aesthetic, enhance your home security and improve your kerb appeal.
First, let's talk aesthetics. Door glass comes in a range of styles and adds an undeniable air of elegance to your home. Whether it's clear glass letting the light flood in or decorative glass creating gorgeous silhouettes, door glass can give your home a facelift.
Secondly, there's the security angle. This might seem counterintuitive – isn't glass easier to break than wood or uPVC? Well, not necessarily, as most glass panels these days are made from tough-as-nails toughened or laminated glass that takes an absurd amount of effort to shatter.
On top of this, door glass lets you see easily who's at the door – so you can make a better decision about who to answer to.
Finally, there's the question of kerb appeal. This is a significant factor in the value of your home and your ability to sell when the time comes. An attractive front door with glass panels or sidelights is an easy win where saleability is concerned.
Types of door glass
There are two main types of door glass: clear and decorative.
Clear glass is self-explanatory, but decorative glass is a broad church with a whole host of congregants. Some are patterned. Some are darkened. Some are partially see-through. Some are opaque. What they all have in common is that they're meant to be aesthetically pleasing and to change the look of the door.
In domestic properties, the most common types of door glass are frosted, etched and obscure glass. In commercial properties, you might see door glass that's been sandblasted or digitally printed with the company's logo or other text.
What is obscure glass?
This term refers to any type of glass that obscures or distorts the view. As such, it serves to improve privacy and is commonly used in bathroom settings.
Frosted glass is a popular type of obscure glass. It's glass that's been etched with acid, creating a pitted surface. Light can pass through – but you can't see much through it except for distorted shapes and silhouettes.
Other types of obscure glass include satin glass and sandblasted glass.
What's the difference between etched and frosted glass?
To look at, there's not much difference between etched and frosted glass. The difference lies in the extent of the treatment.
Etched glass has been sandblasted. This effect can be applied by degrees, from a light dusting to total opaqueness. Frosted glass is a term for etched glass that's fully or almost fully opaque.
What about doors that are entirely made of glass?
If you get a door made entirely out of glass installed in your home, you need to make sure that it's made out of toughened safety glass. Otherwise, you're putting your property at risk. Sandblasted glass is an option if you want to ensure privacy.
Glass doors are much more expensive than normal doors with glass panels – but they undeniably add a touch of class, as well as glass (sorry).
How we can help
Door glass can turn an unremarkable door into something special – and at Calder Windows, we have a range of options for you to look through.
We hope that this article has helped you to understand your options and perhaps inspired you to make a choice. Whether it's decorative, obscure or frosted glass you're after, we can sort you out.
Get in touch for anything from the austere to the eye-grabbing. We'd love to help you in your journey.
Calder Windows is a window and
door installation specialist based near Wakefield. With more than 100 years of combined experience, we're trusted throughout West Yorkshire.
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