Custom Luxury Glass Sidelite Windows | Features & Costs

July 23, 2024

Key Takeaways

Custom luxury glass sidelite windows add style, character, and natural light to any entrance, transforming it into a statement piece.
You can personalize your sidelites by choosing from various designs, glass types, frame materials, and operable options to reflect their unique style.
Prices vary based on size, design complexity, glass type, installation, and frame material, with custom designs and high-end materials significantly increasing costs.
Investing in custom luxury glass sidelites elevates your home’s aesthetic and will contribute to its energy efficiency.
Panda Windows & Doors offers a meticulous process from design to delivery, ensuring high-quality, durable, and beautiful custom luxury glass sidelite windows.

What are Custom Luxury Glass Sidelite Windows?

Sidelites, also called sidelights or door glass inserts, are the slim, vertical windows that flank a door, typically found in entryways – and are designed to add style, natural light, and functionality to a home.

Whether single or double, sidelites transform simple entrance doorways into statement pieces that complement both your facade and interior (while letting in extra natural light inside.)

Although often used for front entryways, sidelights can also be used anywhere in the house – including back door spaces leading to a garden, patio, or terrace. They can be combined with upper transoms as well and are also an excellent solution for particularly large entrance areas.

Features of Custom Luxury Glass Sidelite Windows

Now, why should you consider these for your home? For starters, they’re the easiest way to infuse style and character into your facade… but there’s much more to them:

Benefiting from Natural Light and Elegance

A key benefit of adding sidelites is the extra natural light it allows into your home. They can flood your foyer – the area immediately following the front door that’s notoriously known for being dark without artificial lighting – with sunshine.

And as the sun shifts, so does the ambiance in your space, providing a dynamic element to your home’s atmosphere.

Designs That Reflect Personal Style

You can choose designs that echo the architectural theme of your home or pick something that provides a striking contrast. From sleek and modern to ornate and traditional, sidelites can be customized to reflect your style.

Door sidelites are usually built into the same frame configuration as the door, but you can also buy them separately and have them installed individually.

Customization at its Finest

With customization comes the power to decide on every aspect of your sidelites. You can select the width, height, glass type, and the frame material.

And even though traditional sidelites are fixed and don’t open or close, you can choose to make yours operable for an inviting entryway and brighter home.

An example of our wooden frame custom door with a left-side glass sidelite window.

Glass Options for Sidelite Windows

The glass you choose plays a huge role in the look and functionality of your sidelites. Here’s a rundown of your options:

Type of Glass	Description
Clear Glass	Offers an unobstructed view and maximum light transmission.
Frosted Glass	Provides privacy while still letting in light, with a smooth, satin-like appearance.
Decorative Glass	Incorporates patterns or designs, often with colored glass, to add artistic flair.
Textured Glass	Features a surface with raised or indented patterns that distort the view for added privacy.
Low-E Glass	Has a special coating to reflect infrared light, helping to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Clear Glass

Clear glass is the go-to option if you’re looking to keep it simple yet elegant. It’s transparent, so it allows the most light into your home, brightening up your entrance area.

But remember, while it maximizes light, it doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy, so you might want to pair it with curtains or blinds.

Frosted Glass

Frosted glass is the perfect option if you’re looking for more privacy but still want the benefits of natural light. Its surface has been etched or sandblasted to create a translucent finish. As a result, it blurs and softens the incoming light, creating a cozy atmosphere inside.

It allows light while maintaining privacy.
Its texture is smooth to the touch, unlike other privacy glasses with raised patterns.
Frosted glass is versatile and works with many design styles.

Decorative Glass

Decorative glass allows your creativity to shine through. This glass type includes stained glass, leaded glass, or glass with intricate patterns. It’s the best option if you’re looking to make a statement or add a pop of color to your entrance – and it can also be used to reflect your personality or the historical style of your home.

Textured Glass

Textured glass, with its distinctive patterns, offers privacy and style. The textures can range from subtle to bold, and they play with the light in unique ways. Textured glass can obscure the view from the outside while still allowing light to pour in, making it another great option for sidelites.

Low-E Glass

Low-E, or low-emissivity glass, is coated with a thin metallic layer that reflects thermal radiation. It helps keep your home’s temperature consistent by reflecting heat into the room during winter and keeping the sun’s heat out during summer. It’s a smart choice if energy efficiency is a priority for you.

Residential Voyage Select Pivot Door Petra

An example of our custom pivot doors with sidelites on both sides.

Costs of Custom Luxury Glass Sidelite Windows

Custom luxury glass sidelites are a premium product, and they cost accordingly.

Pricing Breakdown: What to Expect

For a standard clear glass sidelight with basic hardware, prices can start from a few hundred dollars. However, when you opt for custom designs with high-end materials, the costs can jump significantly. Here’s a general breakdown:

Clear glass sidelites: $200-$600 per panel
Frosted or textured glass sidelites: $300-$800 per panel
Decorative glass sidelites: $500-$1,500 per panel
Low-E and other energy-efficient options: Add 10-15% to the base price of the glass

Factors Influencing the Cost

Size: Larger sidelites will, of course, cost more due to the increased amount of glass and materials required.
Design complexity: Intricate patterns or custom designs will add to the price.
Type of glass: Specialty glasses, like Low-E or decorative, are pricier than standard clear glass.
Installation: Professional installation is recommended and will add to the overall cost.
Frame material: The type of frame you choose, such as wood, aluminum, or vinyl, will also impact the price.

While the upfront costs might be higher than standard windows, the long-term benefits of enhanced curb appeal and potential energy savings are well worth it.

Shop Custom Luxury Glass Sidelite Windows at Panda Windows & Doors

At Panda Windows & Doors, we’ve been honing our skills since 1991, and our passion for creating exceptional glass window & door systems is evident in every piece we produce. Our team of artisans takes pride in every detail, ensuring that your custom luxury glass sidelite windows are beautiful and also built to last.

The Panda Process:

1. Design: Share your vision for a custom luxury glass sidelite window and we’ll help you choose from over 80 options to meet your design, function, and performance needs.

2. Manufacturing: Our project manager gets all materials, including automation components, ready. We use precision CNC machining to cut and shape materials. Our skilled craftsmen then assemble your custom windows.

3. Quality Control: We thoroughly test each product to ensure it works perfectly and meets our high standards. We provide photos and videos of the final product before packaging.

4. Packaging & Shipping: We carefully wrap your custom luxury sidelite windows for safe transit. Whether we ship domestically or internationally, we ensure your order arrives intact and ready for installation.

5. Delivery & Warranty: Inspect your order when it arrives and register it to activate the Limited Warranty. Follow our guidelines to properly install and finish any wood components within 7 days to protect against environmental damage.

6. Care & Maintenance: Keep your Panda products looking and working great by following our care and maintenance guide. Regular cleaning and proper care will ensure your sidelite windows provide lasting functionality and beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of installing custom luxury glass sidelite windows?

Custom luxury glass sidelite windows enhance the natural light in your home, add a stylish touch to your entryways, and can be customized to reflect your personal design preferences. They also offer potential energy savings with options like Low-E glass.

What types of glass are available for custom luxury sidelites?

The available glass types include clear glass for maximum light, frosted glass for privacy while allowing light, decorative glass for artistic flair, textured glass for privacy with style, and Low-E glass for energy efficiency.

How much do custom luxury glass sidelites cost?

Costs vary based on size, design complexity, type of glass, installation, and frame material. Prices generally range from $200-$600 per panel for clear glass to $500-$1,500 per panel for decorative glass, with additional costs for specialty options like Low-E glass.

Can I customize the design of my sidelites?

Yes, sidelites can be customized in terms of width, height, glass type, frame material, and even whether they are fixed or operable..

What should I consider when choosing sidelites for my home?

Consider the amount of natural light you want, the level of privacy needed, your home’s architectural style, the cost of materials and installation, and whether you prefer fixed or operable sidelites. Remember that choosing the right glass type is also crucial for balancing light, privacy, and energy efficiency.