Checking if Your Door Is Ready for Glass
You need to have a solid wooden door with a minimum thickness of 1 ¾ inches to add glass to your front door. Hollow core doors lack the structural integrity to support the weight of glass. Thus, before proceeding to the next steps, check the material of your door and measure its thickness.
Measuring for the Perfect Fit
Now that you know your front door can support a glass panel, it’s time to take some measurements.
- If your front door has an existing glass panel, remove it to get unobstructed measurements.
- Use a measuring tape to precisely measure the height and width of the space where you want to add glass to your front door.
- Each glass insert has a frame included and to make sure that the glass fits appropriately, measure the glass's measurements rather than the frame.
Picking the Glass
With your measurements in hand, it will be easier to choose from a variety of entry door glass inserts and frames. Here are some factors to consider before picking one:
- Type of Glass:
- Clear Glass: It is well known for letting in natural light inside the house though, it may not provide privacy.
- Frosted or Tinted Glass: It's often chosen for offering an ideal balance between allowing natural light to enter the house and at the same time maintaining privacy.
- Textured Glass:Gives your entryway a stylish flare while also providing the needed privacy because of its texture.
- Color Scheme: Before selecting a color scheme, think about how you want your home's exterior appeal. For a modern look, choose a clear or frosted glass. And if you prefer a touch of color, choose a tinted glass that complements your door's paint.
- Shapes and Frames: Most inserts are rectangular, but you can also consider decorative options such as arched tops or beveled edges. Glass panels for front doors typically come with preattached frames in materials like wood, vinyl or aluminum.
Tempered safety glass is a much safer option. If broken, it breaks into little pieces, reducing the chance of injury.
Installing the Glass
Remember each step carefully for a professional looking result. Follow safety first. Wear gloves and safety glasses throughout the process.
Prepare the Door
Before starting this process, prepare the door to ensure easier handling and safety while you work. Here’s what you need to do.
Removing Existing Hardware
Remove the door handle, locks and any other hardware on the door. This will make the door more accessible for cutting and shifting it.
Remove the Door
For easier handling and cutting, remove the door from its hinges. Use a hammer and punch to carefully remove the hinge pins and to lift the door off its hinges. We recommend having a helper for this step.
Measuring, Marking and Cutting
Now that the door is ready for modification, it's time to create the opening where you will add the glass to your front door.
Creating an Outline
Check all your measurements for an accurate cut. Mark the outline of the door opening with a pencil.
Preparing for the Cut
Drill a pilot hole at each corner of the marked opening to prevent the door from cracking.
Cutting the First Side
For this step, you will need a jigsaw. Follow the marked lines carefully to cut along the edges of the opening. This will be the first layer of cutting.
Work in a place with good ventilation to avoid inhaling dust particles when cutting the door. Don’t work near flammable materials, as jigsaws can generate sparks.
Taking Off the Second Side
After finishing the first side of the door, carefully turn it to the other side and measure, mark, drill and cut the door again to complete the opening. Make sure that all sides are correctly aligned for a visually appealing appearance.
Testing the Fit
Before moving on, place the glass insert inside the opening to make sure that the glass insert fits perfectly. If it's too loose, make minor adjustments to the edges with the help of a sandpaper.
Installing the Glass Insert
With the door prepped and ready, you can now add the glass to your front door.
Positioning the Glass
Lay the door carefully, exterior side down, on a level surface. With the front of the frame facing up, place the glass insert on the work surface. Check again that it perfectly fits the door's opening.
Securing the Glass Insert
Secure the glass insert to the front door using screws and firmly tighten. It needs to be a secure fit because the frame will hold the glass together. Be careful not to overtighten the screws because that can crack the glass.
Putting It All Back Together
The final step is to reattach your door. Before this, double-check that the glass is securely fastened to the door.
Reattaching the Hardware
It's time to make sure your door is functional. Reattach the door handle, locks and any other hardware you removed earlier.
Reinstalling the Door
Carefully rehang your door on its hinges and check that it’s properly aligned and adjust the hinges if necessary. The gap should be even around the entire door. Not wider at the top or bottom and consistent on both sides.
Checking Your Work
After adding glass to your front door, it’s essential to check the overall functionality of your front door with the glass panel installed. Doing this will help you address any minor issues before they become persistent problems.