1. Introduction
Without a doubt, the entryway to any house is the first thing most visitors will notice, and first impressions are crucial. Many Americans with a taste for the older, more elegant architectural styles are opting for a restored or preserved older home, particularly a Craftsman, Tudor or Colonial Revival style. One of the most popular features in these styles of homes is the use of decorative glass on doors, and often sidelights, to create a focal point in an otherwise ordinary entryway. Glass in or around a door is a sign of welcome, an entryway filled with sunlight is warm and inviting. Unfortunately, many older homes with beautiful doors have long since lost their original glass and have had it replaced with mediocre clear or patterned glass. This is a loss of a significant detail in the design and a lost opportunity to create a nice entryway.
1.1. Definition of sidelighted doors
There are wide varieties of door styles in home design, widely ranging from modern to traditional. One specific type, known as a sidelighted door, is an excellent choice to make in regards to classic homes. Sidelighted doors usually come in pairs, with one or two sidelights. Because the Craftsman style involves the use of natural materials, it is only fitting that the doors themselves are also made using high quality woods. Unfortunately, no specific woods were mentioned. Glass is often used in Craftsman doors, usually in the form of a window at the upper area of the door. Sidelighted doors take this a step further by inserting an entire glass panel as the door, allowing for maximum light exposure from the outside. This is still in tune with the Craftsman style, as their use of windows is most notable for maximizing natural light in a time they mostly relied on artificial light. This will in turn help save on energy costs during the day. While it is not directly stated, it can be safely assumed that the doors are not painted, and left with a natural finish to further emphasize the use of wood. The exact styling of the door may vary, but one common theme for sidelighted doors is the intricate designs often etched into the glass. This is certainly in line with the Craftsman style, adding another artful touch to an already artistic door.
1.2. Importance of entryway radiance in classic homes
Classic Craftsman homes were designed to be bungalows. At the time, the bungalow was a new concept in urban living; it allowed the common folk a chance to own a portion of the American Dream that had once been reserved for the upper class. The bungalow was easy to build, with a simple design, and it was set in a community of other bungalows. Each house was slightly different in interpretation of the style, but the overarching theme created a sense of unity within the community. The interior of the Craftsman was designed to create a unified flow from room to room. This created an open atmosphere. In essence, the interior was meant to draw people in from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, to experience warmth and comfort. Today’s fast-paced life makes that hard to achieve, but that warm and comforting environment is still something that many people desire in their homes.
Entryways and front porches often represent a home’s initial statement to its guests. However, they serve plenty more to the homeowner. The entry is a transitioning space; it’s the place that separates the outside world from the cozy nest of the interior. Because the Craftsman home is known for its comfortable and cozy nature, it is essential to have an entry that sets the tone for the rest of the interior. Therefore, the design of the entry doors and the surrounding entryway are crucial. A commonly overlooked feature is the effect of sunlight on the interior of the entry. The use of sidelights and the reflection of light off of the entry floor can vastly affect the look and feel of the interior.
2. Historical Significance
Louis L. Wassell, in his book Bungalow Basics, points to the growing availability of plate glass at the turn of the century as the material condition that made the sidelight – and the development of the sidelighted entryway – not only possible, but desirable. With the major exception of the Prairie style, whose design orthodoxy tended toward elongation and a horizontal orientation, craftsman houses were for the most part modest in size, often quite dark, and always in need of finding that delicate balance between the hermetic refuge from the outside world and a home that was welcoming to its occupants and their guests. Sidelighted entry doors provided a practical solution to this design conundrum: they offered a source of natural light that was less direct and less likely to be harsh (and therefore more in keeping with the ideal of the sheltering eave), yet still abundant enough to create an interior more bright and airy than was typical in many craftsman structures. In addition, the sidelight was a stylistic fit with the craftsman era’s fondness for Colonial and English architecture, both of which frequently employed the feature, and as such it achieved a broad degree of popularity across regions and neighborhoods of varying economic circumstances. By the 1920s, though still an element chiefly found in upscale homes, the sidelighted entry door had become a recognized standard for residential design.
2.1. Origins of sidelighted doors in craftsman architecture
To develop a simple, economical, and efficient transportation package, the best way to move a large quantity of a product at a lower cost, that won’t be damaged in the process was and still is the crate. This was the same concept then as that of IKEA now. To move a pre-cut home from a crate stack to the foundation and the best way to unload a heavy object is most easily done in a straight line. Since the path to the front door of a new home is always the same in a freshly dug foundation and porch, and even without an installed door, a sidelighted entryway was a neatly lit path to the front door through a crude entrance. This was a time the craftsman took great pride in his skills and his creations, and the concept of a lighted, clean, and dry entrance in the harshest of weather was a status symbol. He could show his peers and family his practice of what would become modern-day job site safety, by unloading a lantern and a shovel from the covered wagon and setting stones to the door. This clean and safe entrance to his home would soon be available to the public who would later mimic the same method in hopes to maintain a safe environment for their loved ones and a sign of an achieved success. A path well lit. This concept was paralleled again later in history by door installations out of the rough and into the finished product. Today, the craftsman is able to offer a well-lit path to an old-style modern, old-time strong and sturdy custom-made door.
Our first sighting of homes built with sidelights, built at the same time as the first small city homes and bungalows, is one of the most important periods in the history of entryways. Throughout the pre-1920s US, using the mail order system, many new homeowners were able to choose their home from a wide selection of plans. Many of these homes were built at railway stops where they could be easily built from a pre-cut kit being transported by rail. It was the doorways of these homes that first featured sidelights.
2.2. Evolution of sidelighted doors over time
From the standpoint of repairing old houses and providing a dream entrance for a new build, a fine hardwood door with true divided light windows is an investment in the image of your house. This is visually best complemented with sidelights of similar construction and a porch having either a gabled or hip roof. A rather pessimistic forecast is made in the 21st century. New building is taking a direction towards a simulated woodgrain door constructed from UPVC which will be sold as “virtually maintenance free”. This is a disappointing trend for the craftsman and certainly for the owner of a period house. For the former, it is a decrease in demand for skilled work, and the owner of a period house will know that replacement of a 1970s style door with a new one will be an ineffective change.
In modern building, the use of sidelights has become almost essential in the installation of an entrance door. During the period of the Second World War and subsequently, a decline in quality in many trades, particularly building and joinery, led to the mass production of low-quality doors. Often, these were composed of a softwood frame and hardboard infill fixed with staples or nails, the memory of which still haunts many people to this day! Such doors are quite ugly and more often than not, warp and twist with the variations in climatic conditions. Usually, these doors were built into a house with brick or stone moldings and were fronted by a porch with a flat roof. In this situation, sidelights are the only way to add life to an otherwise dull facade. Step outside and take a look at your neighborhood, or any piece of suburban development from the 1950s to 1970s, and you will see an example of this. Coming into the 1960s and 70s, the innovation of the double-glazed unit was beginning to replace the single large piece of glass in windows and doors. This was also a major factor in sidelights becoming the norm.
Sidelights as features of entrance doors to American houses can be traced back to the post-Medieval era in England. Early examples of this feature are found in the grand houses of the wealthy, and much early work was done in oak. Sidelights were often small windows, but they could also be a large piece of decorative glass with leading. In more modest examples, the design of the door and sidelights was revived through the use of a “Lent” and small “Jewel” of Flemish or Colonial design. While the designs could be different, the objective was consistently to light the dark passage of English houses, and certainly in America, where the Dutch/French influence on this form of building was felt, this was considered essential. Such doors and sidelights are commonly found in modest Dutch Colonial style houses from the last century, particularly the “Urban Townhouse”, an indigenous American design. The example at Fig. 1 shows a matched pair of Colonial revival style houses in Morristown NJ built in the 1920s.
3. Design Elements
While wood is the material of choice, typically certain parts of a door, such as raised panels or the decorative shelf under sidelights, will be better expressed in alternative materials. Be cautious when selecting a door made of multiple materials, as they may not hold up over time and exposure to the elements, or offer the same aesthetic appeal as an all-wood door. An alternative material will be appropriate if it maintains the color and can be crafted to coordinate with the wood door components.
The most authentic, high-quality entry doors are constructed from solid wood, such as the doors made by Craftsman. Wood is a warm and inviting material. It is natural and renewable, and with minimal care, will endure the test of time. The grain and color of wood are unique fingerprints that can be expressed in countless style variations. Consider the distinction between selected species of wood, and the subtle effects of wood grain that can be brought out by various finishing techniques. All of these options can help create a door, and an entryway, that is truly one of a kind.
The exterior doors of a home are visible by all and thus, should express the homeowner’s individuality and the home’s style. Sidelighted doors offer a unique design opportunity to do this. Using a selection of fine hardwoods, door construction methods, and decorative glass, doors can be designed to complement the architecture of the home and to express the personal style of the homeowner.
3.1. Materials used in crafting sidelighted doors
A variety of materials are used in crafting sidelighted doors. Some of these are specific to the door and others to its glasswork. Wooden doors contain a series of stiles and rails, as well as a section of paneling. The panel is a flexible, lightweight, and versatile material consisting of a series of thin rails that are edge-glued at vertical and diagonal angles to ash, oak, birch, or mahogany. White pine is also a practical choice, but it is prone to decay and insect damage, so it must be protected in some fashion. Medium Density Overlay is a type of paintable plywood with a very smooth and even surface. Glass doors obviously contain no paneling; instead, their framework consists of many small pieces of wood surrounding glass. These frameworks are assembled with just stiles and rails, which can be insufficient for withstanding certain weather conditions. Therefore, many glass doors are built with stiles and around at least one panel of either solid wood or plywood. Patterned or decorative glass can be made from two different types of glass, plate and float, but is always cut while in its normal annealed state. Insets are then placed between the cut glass piece and a sheet of plate glass, and the two are sealed around the edges with putty or a butyl adhesive. This glass comes in a multitude of thicknesses and colors and can be used to create different effects with light.
3.2. Architectural styles that complement sidelighted doors
Colonial – Colonial houses are often quite symmetrical, with a centrally placed door. A sidelighted entryway can be made to fit this design by using two doors and two sidelights, for a grand entrance. The doors may be French double doors, which are also suitable for this style of home. The interior design of a colonial home often features exposed wood and is a rustic style. This can be complemented by using wood doors and sidelights, which can be stained to show off the wood grain.
The following is a list of some architectural styles and how their traditional designs can be adapted to incorporate a sidelighted entryway.
A sidelighted entryway is a flexible and timeless design that complements a variety of architectural styles. It can take the form of a single or double door with one or two sidelights. The door is suitable for both formal and informal structures, and any type of home, from new build to pre-war home will be enhanced by this dignified entryway. The use of wood for the door and sidelights remains constant, and decorative glass is an option regardless of the architectural style of the home.
3.3. Incorporating decorative glass panels in sidelighted doors
Decorative elements on a door tend to draw the eye, arousing intrigue and prompting a closer look. This being said, it is important to think about the use of decorative glass panels at the early design stage. By introducing the textures and colours of glass, the play of light and shadow can add a whole new dimension to the door set. A good starting point in understanding how to use glass is to think about the visual balance of the door and the glass area to be used. Creating symmetry between the door and glass sizes often gives a feeling of stability and harmony. Doors can be created with full length glass, half glass or just the odd panel; this will dictate the balance of the door with the glass and also the positioning of furniture within the house. An example would be a solid wood door with two square panels of Cathedral glass: this will give a weighting to the bottom of the door and may suggest using a heavier, more decorative furniture style. Another consideration would be the use of light and privacy within the home. Interior doors will often use clear glass, allowing light to pass between rooms, but a degree of sound insulation is still required. However, using glass as a source of exterior light in the front door must be balanced with the desire for privacy and security. Privacy can be achieved by simple sandblasted or obscure glass and there is now a vast choice of decorative glass that still allows a good degree of light, but acts as a screen from the outside world.
4. Enhancing Curb Appeal
The front entryway is the focal point of every home, and enhancing curb appeal is always a wise investment. There are many ways to improve the aesthetic presence of an entryway, yet few can compare to the sheer elegance and beauty of a crafted wood sidelite and/or transom. But why sidelights? Along with an in-swing door, the front entryway will appear more spacious and grand with the additional light an opening will transmit. Despite the obvious aesthetics of a single or pair of sidelights, the added natural light and feeling of grandeur they provide, one must consider their maintenance and energy costs, especially those who reside in extreme climates. This article primarily focuses on those who desire replacement of their existing entryway for something more attractive and efficient, while keeping the overall design and spatial effect that their in-swing door and sidelights already provide.
Now, our doors are our specialty and in your search for a more efficient and attractive entryway we offer an immense array of designs to suit your home. In the pre-modern era (approximately 1950 and earlier) exterior doors were solid wood and quite often double or single panel. While we do manufacture some single or double panel doors, it is the more traditional door with glass that we recommend if you are trying to add light and a more spacious feel to your entryway. This door allows light to pass through and brighten the entryway, yet it still has insulating properties and the overall design and craftsmanship are sure to leave a lasting impression. For those with a slight contemporary preference, we also offer doors with an increased amount of glass that can be quite effective in transmitting light.
4.1. Sidelighted doors as focal points of the entryway
Sidelights are narrow windows installed on one or both sides of an entry door. Often times the entryway becomes neglected because of its small size and lack of decorative options. This is the best reason why sidelighted doors will benefit your entryway. The additional light they bring into the home and the attractive entryway statement they make are an ideal alternative. Sidelights are worthy of consideration when revamping your entryway. Sidelights are a beautiful solution for your entryway. This will make your small space expand into a bright and welcoming environment. Entryways, no matter what the size, need to be functional.
They should be a transitional space for the outside and inside and provide a welcoming area for guests. Sidelights create a smooth transition between the inside and outside, providing a clear view of the outside from the inside. With the wide range of glass and caming options, you have the ability to tailor the amount of privacy your entryway has. Privacy can be a concern with the see-through construction of sidelights, but there are many options to ease this issue. Textured glass and caming will distort the view from both inside and outside, and if privacy is still a concern, there are enclosed blinds and shades available for the ultimate seclusion.
4.2. Choosing the right sidelighted door design for your home
Our Premium Hardwood Series Mahogany doors have matching engineered stile and rail solid hardwood sidelights and transoms. An engineered stile and rail door construction is far superior to traditional and very commonly done all wood sidelights and transoms. High humidity and direct rain will cause wood to warp and rot, an engineered system will not. These solid hardwood sidelights and transoms provide matching design and high quality with our mahogany doors. The SDL (simulated divided lite) and TDL (true divided lite) option is available on these sidelights and transoms, as well as Acid Etch and Beveled glass options to match or coordinate with your door glass. High-performance glass options, with Low-E and wrought iron caming, are also available to offer better energy efficiency and more privacy. These Premium Hardwood sidelights and transoms are available in the Radius Top and Square Top design and have a double-pane raised molding glass construction with engineered panels no different from our doors. They can be purchased unfinished or prefinished in our 7 stain or paint colors to match our doors. Matching wood species and engineered construction also make it possible for these sidelights and transoms to be stained or painted in the field with the same guarantee as our doors.
The most effective way to diminish the sense of separation and subdivision between indoors and outdoors is the use of GlassCraft sidelights and transoms. These additional door products can be used with radius top doors, in double door configurations, and can really make a dramatic difference with single doors. GlassCraft offers two series of sidelights and transoms to fit different architectural and budget requirements.
4.3. Complementary landscaping and lighting
Exterior lighting can be looked at in a new light (pun intended) with a well-designed entryway. A popular lighting choice is low voltage electric lighting. These come in a broad range of styles and designs, and installation is most often a simple DIY project. Before you begin, plan the layout of your lighting, remembering to include wires and fixtures near the door and around the pathway. Transformers and wiring should be placed near an external power outlet and should be tested with bulbs before burying any lines or permanently installing the fixtures. The benefit of low voltage electric is energy efficiency and ease of use. Fixtures can be left on for long periods with only a small increase in your power bill, and they often include a light sensor and timer, lessening the need to manually turn them on and off. Any lighting along the pathway should clearly define the edges and direction without being intrusive. Spotlights can be used to highlight plants or other features but should not be too bright or overbearing. Position lights so that there are no overly bright or dark spaces. Remember, the goal is to create a welcoming and attractive environment.
The most noticeable choices in landscape design are usually the colors and style of the plants and their containers. While it is often good to have some contrast to catch the eye, too many clashing colors or plant styles can make the whole display look too busy or messy. Try to avoid the temptation of planting too many different things at once. Remember, an entryway is often seen at a distance from the street, and many small, intricate details may become lost in the overall effect. Any plants placed near the main pathway or door should be trimmed to leave plenty of room to walk. Overgrown or unmanageable plants can cause damage to the door, sidelights, and other entryway structures, and hinder the ease of movement.
Landscaping should be considered early in the planning stages, especially if you are planting trees or large bushes near the entryway. Better Homes and Gardens have a simple tool you can use to plan out a landscape design. Use the interactive Landscape Planner to layout a flower garden, vegetable garden, or a walkway. Choose different style gardens to help you decide an overall look for the yard before you begin. With the landscape planner, it is best to print the final draft and make appropriate measurements to transfer the dimensions to your entryway.
Sidelighted door installation without considering the surroundings can result in entryway designs that look out of place. Complementary landscaping and lighting emphasize the new sidelighted entryway and draw the whole facade into a single, appealing display.
5. Functional Benefits
During the early 20th century, the presence of natural light was recognized as a health benefit, making it an important principle in both home designs and their entranceways. Sidelight windows flank a door to lend the grace of natural light into an entryway and will often work in consort with a transom window over the door. All too often though, modern-day entryways in homes with sidelights have solid doors with no way to open the inner door and outer door simultaneously for increased light and ventilation. Craftsman’s Sidelighted Doors are sold as a complete pre-hung assembly, not just the door, and are specifically designed to provide increased light and a ventilation path for the functional needs of today’s homeowners.
When architecture designed the old “mud room,” it was an unheated vestibule between the outer door and the interior of the house such as a cloak or boot room. It acted as a thermal barrier for cold air and provided a buffer from the exterior to the inside of the living spaces in the home. Today, we still have an interest in trying to minimize the cold air drafts and heat loss from our living spaces that open directly into an attached garage or to provide a thermal barrier and a way to increase fresh air ventilation in our homes with central air conditioning. High-efficiency homes with added “natural” insulation from air exchange often have higher humidity levels and are more prone to problems with indoor air quality. A pathway for natural air movement, an ability to open the inner door and outer door simultaneously, and a durable insect screen are ventilation features that can help accomplish modern-day goals for improving air quality, adding fresh air exchange, and decreasing energy costs.
The increased light along with better quality of comfort in modern-day homes is an obvious reason why people choose doors with sidelights. Many interior doors are sold today with a variety of panel configurations, but the only true way to increase indoor comfort with natural light is to use the door’s open and close mechanism to control the amount of light via the position of the door and wall. This, however, is ineffective if the sidelight windows have no open path for the door to mimic the same ventilation process while allowing bugs and other outdoor debris to freely enter the home. The only solution to this problem is an entryway with a same rectangular or larger-sized area of natural light, using a door and one or more screen doors that can be left open to increase an indoor-outdoor lifestyle during warmer months.
5.1. Increased natural light in the entryway
Adding sidelights to a Craftsman entryway will open up the space and provide more light than the single door. In the original Craftsman homes, the entryways are generally very dark and closed off. Adding light can have a dramatic effect on the look and feel of the home. Whitefish sidelights are often used in conjunction with a matching transom. In some cases, two sidelights will be used, and the door removed altogether. While this approach may not work from a functional standpoint in keeping the front entry secure from the elements and intruders, it certainly can create a stunning effect. The impact of this approach at times can be too contemporary and will take away from the classic feel of a Craftsman home. It’s likely the doors will be stained or finished in a natural clear coat. This will allow the light to pour in through the glass and really transform the dark entryway.
5.2. Improved ventilation with sidelights
Improved ventilation with sidelights:
The home is often considered a sanctuary, and proper ventilation plays a significant role in human satisfaction throughout the year. During the summer, heat can lead to humidity and drafts inside the home, causing discomfort and a decrease in the quality of living conditions. Well-ventilated homes are easier to live in and provide a healthier environment. Extensive research and customer feedback have shown that ventilation is a major concern for many homeowners in New Zealand. A door, as a crucial component of a home, can make or break the decision to purchase. Sidelighted doors have been recognized as an excellent solution to fulfill the desire for space and light while still maintaining the entrance area’s privacy and preventing heat loss.
Functional Benefits:
Sidelighted doors offer several functional benefits that can improve the overall satisfaction of homeowners. These include natural light, ventilation, and added security. These factors are important considerations when purchasing a door.
Many homeowners realize over time the elegance of an ordinary front door, which can become split and distorted due to the impact of the elements. This not only detracts from the curb appeal of the home but also reduces its value. In this article, we will address the functional benefits of sidelighted doors and how they can enhance the entrance to the home.
5.3. Enhanced security features of sidelighted doors
The more sidelights are present in a door, the more profound implications are made on home security. Practically, in order for a burglary to occur, there needs to be a certain amount of available space for those contemplating a break-in. Wide doors and double doors can allow enough space for a burglar to break a simple door window and unlock the door from the inside. As the size of the door increases, the overall security decreases. The conception that French doors having two hinged doors are not as secure as one solid door is made particularly alarming when it is considered that sidelights essentially double the available space for potential break-ins. This in mind, most French doors do have a solid locking point where the two doors meet, and for added security, homeowners can opt to drill through the top of the active door and the inactive door to hold them together. High-end security bars exist that can be bolted in above the doors on the inside and the assembly of the doors can’t be completed until the bar is removed.
Most importantly, homeowners can want to install a wireless home security system based around movement detection. This is useful in that if set while the homeowners are upstairs sleeping, it will monitor any potential activity occurring downstairs during hours in which the doors would be left unbolted. If guests are over for an evening, the system owner can temporarily disable the system. This is in contrast to constantly leaving a security system on, in which false alarms will occur any time the door is used. A cheaper alternative for monitoring nighttime activity revolving around the door area would be to install a simple pressure switch, triggering a low voltage light above the door when someone approaches. Any outdoor lighting is proven to deter burglars from choosing to attack that location.
6. Installation and Maintenance
Be prepared, there may be a wait time of one to a few weeks for installation depending on the demand of the company you hired. High quality work is often not available immediately. Setting a specific time and date before the ordering of the door is a good idea. This will prevent on onsite storage which can result in a poor rack or warp of the door. When scheduling the installation, be mindful of the fact that construction of sidelighted entryways does create an inconvenience to regular traffic and access of the home. It may be wise to schedule installation at a time of vacation or plan a weekend getaway.
Installing a sidelighted door is not a typical, cookie cutter type job. Sidelighted doors are individual units constructed and pieced together onsite. An ideal situation would be contracting a sales/installation company instead of a lumber yard or door shop. Sales/installation companies provide a start to finish service usually with one easy to swallow price. There are door and installation professionals who work as separate entities and sometimes are not in agreement on who is responsible for what when things go wrong. Installation done by the actual builder of the door is another way to go. This is sometimes the best information of how the job should be done and often results in a lower cost, however there are some very skilled door installers out there who are not the greatest sources of information.
Quality sidelighted door purchase and careful craft installation are investments in your home. This is a concise guide to help you know what to expect when contracting the services of a door installation professional and basic care and maintenance of your sidelighted door.
6.1. Hiring professionals for sidelighted door installation
When deciding to hire help with installing a new door, it is often based on the notion that door installation is best left to professionals. There are enough complicated facets associated with entryways and doors that this is a valid point, and sidelighted doors are no exception. However, sidelighted doors are a bit different than regular doors, and in most cases, it is the window or door salesperson who will be installing them. Many salespeople are not experienced with this brand of installation and will often subcontract it out, which can lead to a bit of confusion. If the salesperson will be the one installing the doors, take the opportunity to get a detailed explanation of the installation plan before work is started. This will allow you to clear up any possible misconceptions about how the work is to be done. If the work will be subcontracted, plan to meet the actual installer and do the same. Ask to see other similar jobs that the person has done and get some reassurance that the work will be done properly.
When considering sidelight windows, the tasks of reconfiguring the existing entry to allow for sidelights and then cutting in a new door are best left to professionals. There are a lot of ways to screw these tasks up, and most of them are not evident right away. Unfortunately, getting just the right new door opening is a bit more complicated than simply removing the existing door and cutting open a new hole. Typically, there is a step on the interior, a threshold on top of the subfloor, and siding or other exterior wall cladding wrapped up and around the current door unit. These elements are built to different sizes with different types of materials, and in some cases, rot repair or other rehabilitation may be required before new doors or sidelights can be installed. It takes an experienced hand in renovation-type work to deal with all of this and not cause more problems than are being solved.
6.2. Proper maintenance and care of sidelighted doors
Doors require continuing maintenance. Inspect and finish your door annually to keep it in prime condition. The climate where you live, alongside the climatic conditions faced by the door, can affect the maintenance, frequency of finishing, and the door’s exposure to direct sunlight or rain. Contingent on exposure, more frequent finishing may be required. Though the door’s own finish is designed to be enduring, field finishing may be required sooner than prefinished doors. Use a quality finish on the entire door and follow the finish manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, the finish should be reapplied every 2-3 years depending on the exposure to elements. Failure to perform regular maintenance may diminish the door’s ability to resist warping, splitting, or cracking, and any claims to these issues on unfinished doors are invalid.
Doors can sometimes be damaged by misuse.
The removal of protective wrapping on the glass before substantial construction in and around the house avoids on-site cleanup of cement, mortar, or paint, which could damage the door’s finish. If the door is soiled during construction, it should be immediately cleaned according to the finish manufacturer’s recommendations. Damage can also be caused by alterations to the door or exposure to abnormal conditions. Any field alterations to the door, such as fitting a mail slot, pet entrance, or air conditioner, should be made in a proper workmanlike manner and finished immediately to prevent exposure of the wood. Any conditions causing unusual expansion or contraction of the door (exposure to abnormal heat or moisture, or storing the door in a damp place) could cause damage and should be avoided.
7. Cost Considerations
Budget-friendly options for classic homeowners – The main way of reducing the cost of sidelighted doors is to choose a simpler design. Clear glass is much cheaper than decorative glass and choosing steel or fiberglass instead of wood will greatly reduce the cost. If you do want wood doors, consider using them only on the interior with a steel or fiberglass front door. Prefabricated doors from home stores will generally be cheaper, but ensure that the quality is acceptable and the cost of altering the doors will not outweigh the savings. Be sure to consider the long-term energy and maintenance costs of different doors. Although wood doors are more expensive, they require less maintenance than steel doors and are better insulators. High energy and maintenance costs could turn a cheaper steel door into a more expensive option in the long run.
Factors influencing the cost of sidelighted doors – The cost of sidelighted doors can vary greatly depending on the specific design and manufacturer. More intricate designs with beveled or stained glass are naturally more expensive. Generally, the larger and more elaborate the glass design, the more the door and sidelights will cost. Wood doors are usually more expensive than steel or fiberglass doors. Another cost factor is the method of buying. Ordering doors to exact size and style from a manufacturer will be more expensive but there are no additional finishing costs. Home stores will often sell cheaper doors, but they will need to be altered to fit the doorway, incurring additional finishing costs. When obtaining quotes from manufacturers, clear up what the quoted price includes and if there are additional finishing costs.
7.1. Factors influencing the cost of sidelighted doors
An entryway project using solid, 100% accurate reconstructed mortise and tenon joinery doors in the craftsman traditions will add greater long term value to the home than the cost of the project. This is because eventually, steel and fiberglass doors will deteriorate and will have to be replaced again. More work on newer construction homes means that an old traditional entryway is often time replaced with modern inappropriate door styles. This is a tragedy because the entry door is the first impression and focal point of the front of the house. Steel and fiberglass doors often cannot replicate the style, class, and charm of traditional wood doors. This dilutes the overall look of the home. Rotted and deteriorated original wooden entryways on older homes could possibly drive the cost of replacement down as more structural work and door jam restoration will be required before a new unit can be installed. With consideration of the cost of modern door replacements and the condition of newer homes, it makes more sense to install high-quality wood doors from the start.
Initially, sidelighted doors will be more expensive. For a comparable style and more detailed glazing, the price will be about 5-15% more expensive than the door units sold at the local home improvement stores. Sidelighted doors require a larger opening than a typical entry door and will require reframing the opening to accommodate the new unit. This price can vary greatly depending on the extent of work required to change the size of the entry. Many times, a structural header will need to be replaced with a larger one to support the load from the floors above. This can significantly add to the cost and time required by the project. An entryway with metal or fiberglass sidelights might need wood framing and brickmould to be changed into a unit that will accept full divided lite sash. This again will add to the overall cost of the conversion. For these reasons, it might be ideal to get a pre-hung unit with the sidelights already attached.
7.2. Budget-friendly options for classic home owners
When homeowners think of stained glass, an image of elegance and luxury comes to mind. While this is often the case, there are more affordable options available to those with classic homes who wish to install a sidelighted entryway. An increasing number of companies are offering discounted or secondhand pieces of high quality and craftsmanship. Some companies have a collection of window or door panels which were custom made and never installed, now being offered for reduced prices. Others offer pieces with minor imperfections – variances in color, bubbled or rough soldering, etc – which are often hardly noticeable yet significantly reduce the cost. An internet search will reveal a wide variety of sources for these products, or in the case of the salvaged building materials, local dealers or stores.
For an even cheaper alternative, classic homeowners might like to consider making their own stained glass sidelights. While this project will certainly be time consuming and requires a fair amount of skill and creativity, there are a number of resources available for those who wish to take on such a task. Books and websites on stained glass art offer a wealth of information on the process of building windows and doors, as well as the necessary tools and materials. In addition to a potentially fun and rewarding project, the cost of crafting the sidelights themselves would be significantly less than purchasing them.
In conclusion, the cost of a stained glass entryway need not deter the owner of a classic home. With the wide selection of both new and old handmade pieces and the option of creating the windows themselves, there is something available for every budget.
8. Case Studies
It was early in the spring when the Sullivans decided to replace their front door. They already knew they wanted a door with sidelights, a common element in traditional home entryways, because the added light that sidelights provide was one of the characteristics about their old entryway that Mrs. Sullivan really missed. Also, the front door and sidelights were the original set and the Sullivans wanted to have a similar wood door and more traditional 6-lite craftsman style sidelights installed. Mrs. Sullivan explains, “Our house was built in 1920 and we want to keep the character of that era. The door with sidelights is a common element in homes from the ’20s and ’30s, and of course it is a design that enhances natural light which is an attractive feature.”
After doing some homework, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan decided to contract a large home improvement company to remove the old door and sidelights and install a new prehung wood door with matching sidelights. Although the door and sidelights that they received were not the ones that they were promised, the quality of the installation was good and the Sullivans were happy for a while. However, after several months of use it became clear that the door was not holding up. After frequent sticking and weather-related problems with the door, the Sullivans learned that the door had not been installed properly, and now it was too late to get any satisfaction from the company that installed it.
8.1. Showcase of classic homes with sidelighted doors
Homeowners with older homes often find themselves planning an entry door replacement when trying to make a statement and add some character to their home. With the whole myriad choices today in prehung entry door units, the chances of finding something reminiscent of the home’s original style is slim to none without breaking the bank. Always drawn to a particular style or era, many homeowners seek an appropriate door unit that will maintain good continuity with the style of the home. A common slogan we’ve heard in association with our Craftsman doors is “They just don’t make ’em like they used to.” This rings true with many homeowners as they realize the traditional era of the solid wood door (prehung in 3 pieces and assembled on site) with a multitude of different glass options still cannot be emulated in terms of quality or price.
The following is a collection comparing some classic homes from each era fitted with (or with original evidence of) sidelighted doors to a contemporary home with a customary solid door and sidelite entry.
Historically, sidelighted doors were often used in both urban and rural areas in conjunction with other windows in the home to create an inviting entry. In style, the doors were often simple, with sidelights consisting of a single pane of glass above a number of smaller panes. As illustrated in the original ad above, doors and sidelights were frequently of different wood species. Surrounds for sidelights from this era are commonly found on older homes. The style had two revivals: one in the 1930s after the depression, and then again after WWII. In each case, the style of the doors was modified slightly and the way the door and sidelite units were constructed changed due to advancements in technology. A large percentage of this product was custom. Unfortunately, technology had made it difficult to economically reproduce these door units, so many homeowners compromised and installed a solid door with a simple pair of sidelights typically found in homes today.
8.2. Success stories of homeowners who installed sidelighted doors
English style front door into our home. It was the original door, after some research, I was deeply impressed with the George and the construction of the Simpson doors! After I met with George and some of his crew, we decided on a double door with sidelights. I was also very impressed with Mark Morton, a local craftsman who works out of the George had told me the habits of his work and it was well known that Mark was the right man for the job. Well, as the story goes, Mark showed up to sand the old door down and refinish it and it appeared to be a veneer over plywood. I called Simpson and they agreed it could be a fire hazard and was not worth the risk to strip and refinish the door due to the age and what the veneer was made of. This is what started our wonderful trip and absolute admiration for our new door. Mark and George decided to construct a temporary door out of plywood and 2X4s in order for Simpson to duplicate the original door made in 1927. Simpson took the measurements and we received the door and sidelights in about 4 weeks. The construction of the door was fantastic and we decided to stain the exterior and paint white to the interior. Mark and his crew removed the old door and there was a 1/2 inch difference between the top and bottom of the door frame. They installed the door and had to construct a new and durable step. All of the said was completed and paid for by the way, I am so touchy when it comes to contractors charging more for hidden work to keep the original bid. A true test of the door came during our dead of winter trip to Iceland. We were hosed with a snowstorm and a power outage in the Bay Area, when we arrived home and opened the plywood door, to our surprise it was colder inside the house than it was outside. A check of the temp indoors was 34 degrees. That plywood door wasn’t the greatest, but the new door obviously works wonders.
9. Conclusion
In conclusion, sidelighted doors offer several benefits in terms of security, energy efficiency, and aesthetic charm. However, the true beauty with sidelighted doors is that they offer a cost-effective way to increase the perceived value of a home. This is due to increased curb appeal (from the outside) and the creation of a larger entryway (from the inside). Specifically, their design, sidelights create the illusion of a larger, grand entranceway into the home, making a fantastic first impression of your home. When it comes to installing sidelights to your entryway, size does matter. If you have a relatively small entranceway, using too wide a sidelight to fill in the space beside the door might be overpowering. On the other hand, if you opt for too narrow a sidelight in a larger space, it can end up looking insignificant with the door. It’s important to bring balance of door size and sidelight to the overall entranceway size in mind when considering the size of sidelights. Abide by these guidelines and you’re sure to create a more radiant and inviting entranceway to your home for years to come.
9.1. Recap of the benefits and aesthetic appeal of sidelighted doors
Summary: This essay has discussed the growth of sidelighted doors throughout history rather than focusing on a specific time bracket. They were first used as a decorative feature in Victorian style homes. This concept has evolved greatly and now they are used for both decorative purposes and to allow more light into a home. As seen in Craftsman homes of the 20th century, the initial placement of sidelights around entrance doors was a simple yet effective way of achieving a modern touch. Although today the concept of adding sidelights to a front entrance is used as a simple yet effective renovation; as they can completely change the appearance of a home. These doors can be built into any style of home and can achieve many different effects. A traditional sidelighted door uses clear beveled glass, providing a warm and inviting look. More modern styles front entrance doors may use frosted or stained glass and this can create a unique look.
9.2. Final thoughts on incorporating sidelighted doors in classic homes
When planning to incorporate and enhance the entryway of a classic home, it is important to take into account existing architectural elements to preserve the inherent charm and style of the home. Homes constructed in a certain period typically have distinct architectural elements, therefore it is important to enhance these elements and not take away. Adding sidelights to an entryway can be an effective way to enhance the entryway of a classic home. “Sidelights help define the entry by making it more of a ‘destination.’ They are decorative and are often a way to add color to what may be an otherwise plain entry. Sidelights can be combined with elliptical transoms to create a very elegant look for the entry. This look is especially popular on entry doors for bedroom or bathroom in more contemporary homes”. Because sidelights can be made into many sizes and shapes it is not difficult to find ones that will match the homes existing architectural elements. If an entryway is, say, simple and not very defined, sidelights can add character and definition. Similarly, homes with existing elegant entryways can add to the entryway with elliptical or full round transoms above the sidelights and door. Homes with more rustic or country style entryways can add to them well with simple, rectangular entry doors and sidelights. With a variety of types and styles of sidelights, it is not uncommon that one can find a style that will go well with the existing architecture of their home. This makes adding or replacing entry doors with ones containing sidelights quite easy and affordable.
Yet another type of home that can greatly benefit from adding sidelights to the entry door is a townhouse. Many townhouses are built to reflect a more elegant, city lifestyle. Adding an entry door with sidelights can make a modest-sized front entry seem grand and elegant. Additionally, this is an excellent way to add to an entryway with limited space. A somewhat plain or poorly lit entryway of today’s styles of townhomes can also benefit from addition of a more decorative entryway with sidelights. This will add character and better define the entry, making it more inviting to homeowners and visitors. With such a wide range of homes that can benefit from adding sidelights, it is no wonder that it has become a very popular home improvement. Although the above examples are among some of the types of homes that can benefit most from adding sidelights, the versatility of sidelights and their available options make them a viable option for any type of home.
Ready to illuminate your entryway with timeless charm? Explore our exquisite collection of Craftsman doors with sidelights at Todays Entry Doors. Visit our website now at todaysentrydoors.com to find the perfect combination of style and functionality for your home!