help with frosted or clear glass entrance doors
Comments (18)
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoRelated Discussions
Shower enclosure door: frosted or clear? FAQs?
Comments (1)There have been some previous threads on this and some people had some pretty strong opinions on this for clear, and some for frosted. As far as keeping the door clean, I think a frosted door gets just as spotted/dirty as a clear door, you just dont' see it as easily, but if you let it go too long it will be hard to clean. On a clear door you see the spots and will be more likely to take care it them sooner. I like the look of clear glass better because I want the tile in the shower to be seen. Frameless means no frame at all; not on the side nor on the top or bottom. The fixed glass (if you have any) attaches via small anchors, sometimes with a clear u channel on the bottom, somtimes not. The doors just have hinges. Wilson glass has a lot of information and some pictures you can look at: Wilson Glass...See MoreFront Entry Glass Door - Obscure glass or just a film?
Comments (13)Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. The reason I am hesitant to go the permanent route was it is so permanent. And if we don't like how it turned out, that's an expensive mistake. The reason I am hesitant on film is because I'm not sure how it holds up from a quality perspective. Oaktown: Wow, that's cool film. I wonder if it works? Very interesting. Virgil: We have tried pinging the architect on it. He hasn't responded to our emails. I wouldn't mind him being more engaged on the issue, but maybe he thinks it is too small an issue to get involved? I imagine if he did weigh in, he would say to just leave it all plain glass (no obscure). I will try to give him a call and ask about it. I get the impression that he thinks we over-think things....See MoreRefinishing entry doors-paint as clear finish
Comments (10)BINGO! I received an e-mail response from hardwoodlumberandmore.com with a link to an oil-based paint base. The product description recommends it for paint as a clear finish use and even cites the article. I called and spoke with Steve Mickley, a friend of the guy who did the control test with doors in his backyard. He wrote an article which expands the original one bobsmyuncle has linked on this forum. He was very helpful and encouraging. My doors are pine and probably original to the 50-year-old house. He cautioned against sanding to remove the finish so as not to remove the patina. He said if I use a chemical stripper, the pine should take stain evenly without having to use a conditioner. Drats! It would have been easy to sand the finish off these doors, but I'm going to follow his advice. My other problem is that we're consistently having temperatures of 108-110 degrees here. While miserable, I can sand when it's that hot, but the chemical stripper just bakes onto the finish. Moreover, the new finish shouldn't be applied in extreme heat either. My hardware, glass and finish should all arrive next week. I'm going to hope for a cold front, so I can get this project done. Here is a link that might be useful: oil-based paint base (as a clear finish)...See MoreClear glass or privacy glass for entry door
Comments (33)Sorry, but I suspect the type of glass won't have much to do with how your dog(s) behave at the front door since they have a high sense of smell and hearing. And once the doorbell goes off it's like opening the gates for a race--sight has little to do with it. So that's for the canine issue... Yeah, I was going to say much the same thing. Our dog knows when our cars are approaching. When he hears my husband's truck, he runs to the door to "greet Daddy" -- but he is at the door before the truck pulls into the driveway ... sometimes Daddy fools me and walks around the house to enter through the back door, but he never fools the dog. I'm told he behaves the same way when I approach the house. Yet he doesn't lift a paw when other people drive down the street -- he knows the sound of OUR cars. But woe to the UPS man who dares to walk onto dog's porch to leave a package or the yard guys who enter dog's back yard; the dog does not approve of them, and he makes his displeasure known. The real upshot of this situation: I'm talking about a dog who has been blind since birth. He doesn't look out the windows at all, yet he knows and reacts to people arriving at the house. So my guess is that your dog is going to do what your dog is going to do. The type of glass you choose will not change his behavior....See More
PROHALLETT & Co.
4 years ago- PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoI like pixelated glass doors they allow light in and you really can’t see in at all and IMO look better than frosted glass. I put them all down my hallway to allow natural light into there from the bedrooms. We even have them on the bathroom doors with no issues.You could use almost any of the textured glass this cat is right up against the door
decoenthusiaste
4 years ago
K R
4 years agoI have “streamed” sidelights, like the above photo when my poor doggy tries to look out (LOL) you can kinda see her outline from the outside but it’s hard, so these are definitely private.
victoriak326
4 years agoThanks for all your advice. I’m learning that there are more options out there than the frosted glass. It’s good to know that they do let in enough light.
victoriak326
4 years agovictoriak326
4 years agocalidesign
4 years agoI would use doors with a mediterranean style so they look like they belong on your home. You can use seeded glass, and keep the grillwork very simple so it doesn't look too ornate. Something like this without so many scrolls.
Tampa 72"x96" Iron Door Square Top With Eyebrow Doors, Right Hand Inswing · More Info
PROBeth H. :
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoleaded glass, rain glass, reeded glass, or anything with a heavy distortion factor, will let in the light but won't allow anyone to see in. Frosted will diffuse the light.
any of these types of glass will work and let in full light. I have the leaded glass panels and you can't even see inside with your nose on the glass!
victoriak326
4 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agowhite mediterranean look? i've never seen one in white
if you want to stay with white, your current doors aren't bad. switch up the hardware and get a nice pendant light in a medditerranean style to hang down in the middle. do iron hardware, switch out the brass. you could even call a glass company to see if they could cut panels in your current door and insert glass
these are mediterranean style. none are white
victoriak326
4 years agocalidesign
4 years agovictoriak326
4 years ago
Zabi tat
4 years agoHi Victoria,
If you are still looking for more ideas and options, Zabitat.com is a great resource to check out for door glass inserts, including severe weather glass as well! I think the Impact Resistant Low-E Door Glass would be a solid option, it provides energy efficiency, air/water tight performance, and impact resistant glass.It would be great to connect with you and provide design mockup services with our door glass products. Let me know!
calidesign