Not a pro. I like the clear. If privacy is a concern, add a curtain.

There are companies/artists that will come and do an etched design on your clear glass door. That way you can choose a design that gives some privacy, but still allow you to see through some clear parts.

There should be a mandatory class on how to design with shutters.

Constructive criticism and suggestions for the shutters would be much better than this comment.

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

So this is not a class, just a tutorial that might be helpful to make the most of any shutter install you may be planning. I think the ones above the garage door should look like the ones far left if that window arches. The double window does not require them. If you have a green thumb, that might be the spot for a window box. You might want to increase the size of the lantern lights to about 1/3 the door's height.

Thank you for sharing this link. We have even considered changing the shutters/window l above the garage to a vent that matches the vent above the window on the left side of the house. This is solely for the purpose that they are wanting to charge the same amount for the mini shutters as full size. The fear of not adding shutters to the double window under the porch is that there won’t be enough visual interest and the house will look boring. We are doing painted brick exterior with stained wood shutters. Attaching a picture of a house in the same elevation and it’s so boring. Trying to avoid this.

Attaching below our exterior selections. Agreeable gray is the paint color and we have changed the trim/garage doors from SW anonymous (pictured below) to gauntlet gray.

There is a beauty in simplicity, but it is a fine line and involves proportion, massing, rhythm, composition, line, and detail. Without careful attention simplicity becomes boring. Hiring a talented local designer may be your best way of achieving something aesthetically pleasing.

Painted brick almost always turns a nearly maintenance free material into a reoccurring capital expense.

As far as the glass in the door, flexibility is beneficial and Elaine's advice is good (or using window film).

I think, with those garage doors, you could lean into a bit of French Tudor by adding some timbers on the two larger gables. Perhaps put the same siding on the garage gable as is on the center one, then add some subtly painted timbers. They can be almost the same color as the body of the house if you don't like high contrast or dark stain for them. As for the three small upper windows/vents, the two on the right seem to be positioned well enough for shutters. The one above the far left window would be crowded with shutters, so I would leave it as the vent (seems that may be the case already.)

Does anyone else see the cat's face with a handlebar mustache and his tongue sticking out in the small image above? Maybe I should go back to work.

What you drinking, Mark B.?

Where is this door available?

What is the product name and manufacturer?

Built in a neighborhood of mostly custom builder doing spec houses from 2004-2007, glass doors were the thing. We did it as one of the last houses there in 2008. So fun to see all the ways that people covered them over the years. The asian style folding walls, the ridiculous appearing curtains etc. We did seeded but it still was a privacy issue. See - you design a front entrance with a good view to the house on purpose. A glass door just automatically has that view. IMO - a fantastically terrible idea.

Go wood, Go steel, Go anything but glass.

Perhaps in the right setting but the house design here implies tight suburban lot. Lots of folks getting a view.

I voted for the Flemish glass.

I would be very concerned about privacy if it were my home.

What type door?? Wood, steel, fiberglass? What will the finish be? The amount of windows seems a bit scant on this elevation to me. If the second floor is actual rooms that get used I would not lose the window over the garage. I also agree with Mark on not painting the brick.

I love our glass door for the light, but choose one where at least one pane is clear enough to see put of, for safety-of course ours being a leaded glass design it works very well.

I would choose Flemish glass over clear, but that is only because that is my personal taste and we are in the country so privacy is not an issue. Go with a solid door and add a transom above it for light in the entrance hall. So many inexpensive cameras out there today that allow you to see who is at the front door with a phone or tablet.

I also agree that painting the brick would be a mistake. Choose a brick or stone that will enhance you chosen style of home, or if you are set on white exterior then go with board and batten siding.

From a security standpoint I’d don’t see how what type of glass really affects security. Either way it’s possible to see through the glass. All the Flemish glass does is blur what is seen. Since neither is really secure, I’d use what I want.

Mark Bischak, yes, almost instantly.

Personally for the privacy I would pick Rain.

I watch way too much Dateline, so I went with a Flemish glass on my front door.

And since Mark started it...does anyone else see Norman Bates mother in the top right window?

Another question, what’s on the other side of the door? Is it an entry or foyer? Or is it living space, living room, a direct line to the kitchen? If it’s clear glass, people on the outside will be seeing what’s on the inside.

Certainly not clear. I liked pebbled glass or the stripey kind used a lot in the 50's. Something that will let light in but not prying eyes.

Get the cheaper one, and if it is clear and privacy is a concern put a curtain up.

We did an opaque stained glass kind of thing. I really like it.

Flemish glass is also available in designs engraved on them. It will retain your privacy as well as look attractive.

I would use the flemish glass so you get the light, but people can't see clearly inside. I like the curved shutters on your windows that are designed for them, but not the inset window near your front door. Keep your small windows, and the shutters, instead of vents. The reason the white house looks boring is the lack of color on the door, the basic landscaping, and the all painted brick. You can avoid a boring house by choosing a light colored, neutral brick and keeping it natural. The stained shutters and glass door will add the interest it needs and it will be virtually maintenance free.

the flemish distorts the view enough so there is privacy while letting in the light and it looks more high end.

We have glass in our door and lites that is beveled and has metal outlined design, making it harder to see inside to our tv/living room. There are times I’ve crossed my fingers that people aren’t able to see inside. I voted for Flemish for privacy issues but I also think it’s beautiful!

You want a front door to be secure . . . neither type of door with this much glass would provide that. I'd go with a nice looking solid, paneled door, painted an attractive, inviting color to perk up your house's appearance You could even choose a solid door with a small window (higher up- head height) with seedy glass-- the period detail might complement the period style of your house.

Do you really think anyone who wants to do harm will come to a door where they know they’ll be in full sight? We have a steel door with blinds between two glass panels. I always have the blinds open but they close in a flip of a switch. Got the door at Lowe’s Hardware. I’ve used it in two houses, replacing a double door with storm door in the first house.

We have gone with the clear glass. I appreciate the comments that were actually constructive.

I had the same dilemna! I went with the flemish glass. And am very happy. You can still see through it up close and it allows the light to come in beautifully. When you stand back and look through it, it is like a impressionist painting! For a front door - where people just approach, the little bit of privacy that it does afford is really nice.

I chose clear glass and wish I had chosen flemish or seeded glass!

We had ordered a Pella door to replace the one that leads into our kitchen. It was a full light with the blinds inside. To our disappointment, it was the wrong swing. Since it was custom ordered, we couldn’t return it and had to purchase another. So as this $1700 door sat in our garage, I asked my better half it perhaps it was the same size as our front door? It turns out, it was with the correct swing. The only problem was we did not like the binds for our front door. So again, I get the brilliant idea of calling Pella and ordering another glass for the door with a better choice than the blinds. Nothing doing! Pella said we could only order the same one as was there. So I searched the internet and found diydoorstore.com Their web sight was a bit tricky to figure out, but once I learned my way around, it was easy. The hard part was choosing the design. We found one we loved and ordered it. To our surprise, the glass was shipped UPS! It was perfectly packed, came with the frame, and better than it’s photo on our monitor! Here’s the best part, if we had ordered the door with the decorative glass from Pella, the cost would have been $1000 more than the door we ordered. This glass replacement was $500.

So if you regret your decision on the glass of your door, check out this site. It took longer to unpack it from the shipping box than it did to install.

Dgalism would you mind sharing a picture of your front door?

i have flemish glass. our house faces west and holy smokes does the sun come in like a laser beam. We are considering a solar roller shade. You can definitely see through the flemish glass. Kids smash their faces up to it when they ring our bell. I still love it and would put it on my next house.

Hi Whitney!

Here‘s the glass replacement we chose.

daylight. when standing 5' from the door I cannot see in. once I am in reach of the doorbell I can see all the way through my house and identify a cup on the table, a lamp, sofa etc.

Thanks for sharing! Gorgeous doors.

ONCE AGAIN I WANT TO UNSUBSCRIBE RIGHT AWAY. THANKS.

Susan Goering... I share your pain so I went thru the steps to not receive more notifications and it worked for me, absolutely no trouble at all. Suggest you re-boot your device, then use a stylus to pinpoint the sentence that removes any further comments to this discussion. Hope one or both of these steps works for you.

"ONCE AGAIN I WANT TO UNSUBSCRIBE RIGHT AWAY. THANKS."

Telling and yelling at us does what to help you?

Susangoering, on your emails, if you scroll to the bottom of the page, there is a link to unsubscribe. Complaining on here will give you more emails.

@The_Lane_Duo where did you get your door? I really love it

Would also love to know the source or the door!

any one have advice on this.....3 windows 58 x 36 in master bath(one above tub and one between sinks and one facing bedroom all same size single hung) and want all 3 obscure glass...i am between flemish and rain.. anyone?

Rain for a contemporary or transitional house, Flemish for something more classic.

well its a standard 25 yr old 2 story in highlands ranch colorado..I like both so its hard...also doing a small bath window on same floor rair(boys bath) as the boys prefered rain. I am just thinking these are 3 pretty good sized windows on 2nd floor facing se and i still want the light but also privacy if i raise the hunter douglas shades.

also rain is rougher feeling so is it harder to clean? All i have is small samples taped on the windows to tell.. would the flemish let more light in? or maybe the same? any pics of larger windows in each anyone can direct me to?