When you begin shopping for doors, it can be hard to know where to start. There’s a variety of factors to consider, regardless of whether you’re replacing front doors or installing new French windows. The selection, costing and fitting of external doors in particular isn’t something that should be taken lightly by individuals looking to enhance their homes.
As with window designs, trends evolve from year to year. The number of door styles is growing – just take a look at our latest door brochure! In addition to customising the colour of your door, choosing from a long list of hardware options is certain to make your new door stand out from the crowd. Many of the doors we so proudly stock and fit also feature door glass, with contemporary and classic styles benefiting greatly from a range of diverse door light and glass options. In this blog post, we take a closer look at the factors you should consider when selecting glass to accompany your wider door design so you can upgrade to the very best finish.
Design
Door lights and glass look great on all types of doors. Although back doors are generally solid designs with basic features, personalising the design of your property’s front door is an excellent creative option. In addition to selecting the colour; hardware and wider door design carefully, your choice of glazing design can add the final touch. There are numerous door light and glass designs available here at Unicorn Windows. Customers can choose from door lights with the classic diamond design or opt for something a little more curvy and contemporary.
Size & shape
Light plays an extremely important role in any home. A good level of natural light within the home not only makes the interior look more aesthetically pleasing (perfect if you’re looking to sell your home), it has also been linked to numerous health benefits, as explained here by Architectural Lighting:
“Scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC), in Troy, N.Y., for example, have reported that daylit environments increase occupant productivity and comfort, and provide the mental and visual stimulation necessary to regulate human circadian rhythms. Utilizing natural light can lead to substantial energy savings. Electric lighting in buildings consumes more than 15 percent of all electricity generated in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.”
If your hallway or the space positioned just behind your front door is a little dingy and lacking light, your door glazing could be instrumental in altering the atmosphere within your home. Door lights and glass are available in a range of sizes and shapes, including square and arch. These can be explored to improve the presence of natural light further. Matching sidelights can also be added to increase light flowing into your property.
Position
The position of your door lights and glass is integral to the overall door design and the amount of light allowed into your home as a result. Many go for a half glazed option to strike the right balance between a light enhancing and solid design. Door lights and glass can be positioned singularly and centrally for a more minimalist feel or off-centre with a repetitive stacked design for an interesting, contemporary twist.
Energy efficiency
We understand that the energy efficiency of your doors and windows is important. You want to keep your family comfortable from season to season. We use premium quality glass to ensure high levels of energy efficiency are delivered across all our glazed door designs.