One of the best updates we made to our builder-grade home was updating our dark entryway with a glass front door. Before, our entry and this side of the great room were very dark. The windows on the front of our house are bedrooms, and on the other side is the garage. So in our great room, all the windows are on the backside of the house. Which is great for privacy however it felt very dark. I’m a “let in all the light” kind of person. I open all the curtains and blinds every morning no matter what time of the year because I just can’t stand being in a dark house. Luckily, Joe is the same way. And believe it or not, it was his idea to update our front door. (post contains affiliate links, see disclosure)
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT WE CHOSE
A quick trip to Lowe’s and we picked a custom door that is 8 ft and 3/4 glass. There isn’t much available online, especially for an 8 ft door. So we had to speak with a specialist and design our door. There are so many options for the glass from clear, to patterned with waves or bubbles. Or even some with a frost or opaque film. Again, we wanted as much light coming through as possible so we went with simple clear glass.
It was a pretty easy process, someone came out to measure, then the door was ordered and weeks later they came back to install it. It only took a couple of hours and seemed pretty simple. But is still not something I would feel comfortable DIY’ing myself. We chose white to save a little money and I painted the door to match our previous front door color. They also installed new black door hardware and hinges for us.
I painted the door Valspar New Black. However, sometimes it can appear more of a navy or charcoal color. So I’m planning to repaint it Valspar Dark Kettle Black. For years we had a curtain as a window treatment because I was scared to drill holes into our new door. And it was great for my farmhouse style. However, it wasn’t very functional. If the curtain was closed it was hard to come inside through the front door without ripping the whole curtain down. So we were forced to always go through the garage.
Last year, we updated the window treatment and it was a great decision. Because the door is so tall, I wanted something that was easy to use, allowed in all the light, and looked pretty too. Plus, it has a remote! So even if I’m deep into a Real Housewives binge, I don’t have to leave the couch to close the shade.
WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY
I wish I would have looked at more door options. My friends at Rustica Hardware, who did our laundry room door, now have front doors too! Stunningly beautiful and of great quality. Our front door has white grids between the glass, which at first didn’t bother me. But now I feel like it looks cheap, it can’t be changed, and I wish it had grids on the outside instead.
Even though I love all the light the clear glass allows to come through, I wish I would have picked a slightly opaque finish. Something to still allow a lot of light, but also allow for more privacy when delivery drivers, solicitors, or anyone else comes to the door.
I also would have spent the extra money on a door that was painted already. Even though I used primer and a topcoat, our paint is always chipping off. On the outside and inside. And lastly, for our motorized shade, I would have chosen a true black fabric instead of charcoal. It also appears blue sometimes.
Even with a few regrets, updating our entryway with a glass front door is still one of my favorite updates to our home. Not only did it change the look of our home, but it also changed the way we live in it too. And ultimately made me a lot happier having all the light and no longer feeling like a dark hole. Plus our dog, Scooby really enjoys it too!
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It looks great in your space! It’s amazing the difference natural light makes. I’ve been on the fence about a glass front door for a while now. I love the look and like you our space needs the natural light in the daytime, but privacy (especially in the evening) has been my hesitation. Thanks for sharing your experience and what you would do differently. So helpful!