Door Glass 101: What Glass Is Best for Front Doors?

Anytime you're replacing an entry door, it's useful to know what different types of glass are available. The glass on a door doesn't just impact how it looks--it influences everything from privacy to energy efficiency and even safety. 

What is insulated glass?

Insulated glass refers to two panes of glass separated by air or an inert gas such as argon. This prevents heat loss and regulates the internal temperature of a building. At RealCraft, our entry doors come with insulated glass as standard, in either a clear or frosted finish, as shown on the Rodanthe Pivot Door below. 

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass has been heat treated. It goes through extreme heat and rapid cooling. This introduces competing forces—the inside remains in a state of tension and the outside is compressed. It's these competing pressures that make it much stronger than non-tempered glass. Should tempered glass break, it shatters into much smaller pieces that are not as sharp. For this reason, tempered glass is used for things like shower doors.

Clear Glass

Our standard door glass is clear, insulated glass. As classic as it gets, this type of glass is the most versatile and most popular kind we offer.  

Satin Etched Glass (Frosted)

Satin etched glass from RealCraft is also insulated. This classic option obscures details while allowing light to pass through, making it optimal for spaces where you need both privacy and natural light.

Seedy Reamy

This glass type is your go-to for historic or traditional designs. It has "seed"-like bubbles and lines throughout. This glass, along with other textured options, is preferred by our clients for sidelights as well.  

Velvex Glass

Velvex offers a softly mottled, wavy look. Choose it if you want more texture than frosted glass, while obscuring details for bolstered privacy.

SolarBan Glass

SolarBan Low-E glass bounces back UV radiation while allowing visible light to pass through. The end result is greater insulation power, keeping homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. SolarBan 60 and 70 each have a very faint green tint that you may notice in comparison to regular insulated glass. But this type is ideal in climates with extreme temperatures. Save money on energy bills and keep your home more comfortable with SolarBan glass.

Fluted Glass

Fluted glass has vertical grooves in it. This style is not only beautiful--it’s also privacy-enhancing. The clean, regular pattern on this glass makes it suitable for both classic and modern door designs.

Flemish

Flemish glass has a wavy, slightly distorted appearance that mimics the look of hand-blown glass. It’s another popular option thanks to its old-fashioned feeling, but it isn’t as privacy enhancing as some other specialty glass types.

Cotswalds

This glass type features organic striped grooves for an appealing, Old-World look. It's another popular choice for sidelights.

Stained And Leaded Glass: Beautiful And Specialized

Stained glass is created with metallic salts that color the glass. Different minerals and metals create different colors. For example, chromium and iron oxide will make glass a dark green. Stained glass is a common feature in Craftsman style homes and other historic homes and buildings. Note however that stained glass may not be suitable for all climates or situations. In the photo above on one of our custom doors, the stained glass is also leaded. What's leaded glass? Glad you asked...

As seen here on one of our flagship designs, the Sirius Round Top Door, leaded glass is an Old World speciality. The glass panels (also called "lights" or "lites") are set together with genuine lead. But don't be alarmed by the word "lead"--unlike paint, leaded glass doesn't flake, which is why it's safe to use for this application. Our leaded glass is crafted for us by a local glass artist. Note that leaded glass may not be suitable for all projects.

What type of glass is best for an exterior door?

This isn't an easy question to answer, because it really depends on the situation.  But insulated or SolarBan glass are best for exterior doors overall. This is because they have greater insulation value and prevent thermal energy transfer. As exterior doors play an important role in insulating and regulating your home’s internal temperature, this is an application where upgrading to insulated glass really matters.

However, those in milder climates can still incorporate single-panel and specialty glass into their designs. At RealCraft, we offer all of the specialty glass types above, plus dozens more. Reach out to us for a custom door quote with the specialty glass you're looking for.