All you need to know about Sidelights

Jan 27, 2023 | Doors

You walk up to the door of a friend or relative and notice some windows in their Calabogie door, on one or both sides of the main entrance. These windows are called sidelights, a small but exciting highlight for your home’s entryway. Usually included in the door frame and assembly, these are vertical panes of glass that do not open and frequently have a horizontal pane over the door. They are available independently if you want to remodel and upgrade your front door area.  

What purpose do sidelights have?

Sidelights contribute to the ambiance of the entrance to your home. They work with all styles of architecture and interior design. They are built with tempered glass with energy-saving measures to help keep the front of your home insulated.

In addition, they provide welcome natural light to the foyer, and they come in handy to see who may be coming to the door. The flip side is that you can be concerned about someone seeing inside your house. This is easily remedied by having them made of tinted or coloured glass, including sheer curtains or blinds.

What options are available in sidelights? 

They are available in clear, frosted, or tinted and sometimes are patterned or can be left plain. While they generally don’t open, today, you can find options that do open and close and function just like a regular casement window.  

Where length is concerned, sidelights come in half, quarter, full-length, or craftsman and generally are 12 or 14 inches to complement an 80-inch door.  

Do I need to replace my door if I want to install sidelights?

If you would like to add sidelights to your home, start by deciding if you want to replace the doors of your Calabigie home as well. If so, select an assembly that includes both the door and sidelights. If you are satisfied with your current door, you can shop for the material and glass style.

You can have the trim and door the same colour or find something complementary. Although most choose the same colour, contrasting colours will give you a pop of colour.

Can I have my old sidelights repaired?

If there is some damage to one or both sidelights, it is advisable to have it repaired, which is less expensive than new sidelights. It is possible to replace the brickmould or other wood components while salvaging the glass.

Centennial Glass serves as a one-stop solution for all your glass needs, including sidelights. From installing new ones to repairing your pre-existing sidelights, Centennial Glass will ensure the job is easy and durably done. Contact us today!