In these dark winter months, you may start to realize that you need more light in your home. What better way to add that extra light and make your home more inviting than adding door glass to your entryway. There are many advantages to letting more light into your home, but did you know there are other elements that you can benefit from as well? Take a look at our list for some considerations before purchasing your new door glass.

Consider energy saving, for instance. Low-Emission Door Glass (Low-E), contains a special film coating that provides a significant amount of protection from UV Rays. This thin coating, made of metal oxide, reflects radiant heat, helping to prevent any heat transfer through the glass. We can all agree that letting some light in during the summer can mean higher temperatures in the house. With Low-E, this wouldn’t be a problem.

There are two types of Low-E glass you can purchase. There is the standard Low-E, which is made with an invisible metallic hard coating that reduces heat flow. And there is Low-E+ Glass, which is made with two thin, metallic, soft coatings, which will give you additional reduction of heat flow.

And this glass doesn’t only work for one season, it helps in all four seasons. During the summer, it will reduce the direct sun rays and reduce the cooling loss from your home. An added benefit is that it filters out UV rays and blocks reradiated solar heat, which will even protect furniture and flooring from fading due to sun exposure.

During the Winter, Low E glass will reduce as much as 71% of heat loss from your home, while reducing drafts and cold spots from your door.

If you live in a zone that is prone to severe weather, Impact Resistant Severe Weather Door Glass should be a top priority when it comes to purchasing door glass. It is certified for use in a variety of entrances to meet Florida wind-borne requirements, including the areas where the wind speeds can exceed 180mph. The glass even meets the Wind and Missile Impact Code Requirement and Department of Defense minimum anti-terrorist blast standards.

The glass itself is fully insulated, protecting it from shattering even from high impacts. The Aluminum hurricane impact flat profile frame includes longer screws that will reduce the potential for strip outs. The frame is available in a white powder coat finish that meets AAMA 2604 and salt spray requirements. Impact resistant glass, also has an added benefit of helping suppress sound as well.

Below, you can see a missile impact test on our Severe Weather Door Glass:

Do you like the look of grilles? There are many things to consider when you compare Internal Grilles and External Grilles for your door glass. Both inserts outer frames are air and water tight, and are given a factory applied seal. But both have their own unique advantages as well, depending on what you are looking for.

Internal Grilles are found between the two layers of glass, keeping them from being exposed to the elements outside. The best feature of Grilles Between Glass (GBG) or internal grilles is in not needing to clean each individual panel of glass. The grilles are never exposed, keeping them clean from dust and dirt.

Internal grilles are available in various colors, profiles, patterns, and widths to accent the architectural detail in your home.  There are a variety of colors for the grilles to choose from, including White, Champagne, and Bronze.

External Grilles are where you would expect them to be; external. They give you that classic French Door look. External grilles allow you the option to purchase a Premium Paint and Stain-Ready frame so that you may paint the grilles any color you desire.

Example of Internal Grilles

Want Blinds? Add-On Blinds are the simplest way to go with DIY projects. They’re easy to install, and give that much needed light and privacy control for your door.  Add-on Blinds can be added onto a door with existing glass to give you the full benefit of blinds-between-glass. The Add-On Blinds consist of a single-pane of glass, with blinds on the opposite side of the glass pane. The blinds are enclosed between your existing door glass and the pane of glass on the Add-On Blind unit. Your blinds stay protected and you never have to worry about the hassle of traditional door blinds with tangled cords, broken blinds, slamming when opening or closing the door, and they require no cleaning!

Are you looking for extra sunlight in your home with the addition of some airflow? Look no further than our ODL Venting Door Glass. Keep the air flowing through your home! These vents allow you to enjoy a warm breeze when open, while shutting out cold wind and rain when closed. With 10 adjustment locations for latches, ODL Venting Door Glass gives you options on exactly where you want to place the vent latch on the frame. These windows come in clear and privacy glass, as well as an option for grille choices.You can also choose Low-E glass! The screen is also removable, allowing for easy cleaning.

ODL and Western Reflections door glass inserts come in a variety of colors. These colors can effect the transparency of the glass for some extra privacy. You can find a full list of the glass colors we offer on our website under our Door Glass Product Information and DIY guide.

The texture of your glass can have a lasting impact on the look of your door. Like the color, the texture of the glass can effect the transparency of the door glass insert. Like a majority of our decorative glass, the textured glass is between two smooth panels of tempered safety glass, making it three layers (or triple-pane glass). A full list of the glass textures we offer can be found on our website under our Door Glass Product Information and DIY guide.

You have the option to delve into different textures and colors with your new Decorative and Privacy glasses. The different colors and textures can impact the privacy rating and style of the door glass. Through the Custom Program here at Zabitat, we give customers an opportunity to create a design of their own or add personal touches to an existing design. A combination of textures and colors can go a long way, especially if you have a specific idea in mind. With these options for your glass, your door can display some personality of its own to match your home decor.

Blow is an example of a custom glass piece adding a personal touch to and existing design.

Other Considerations 

• Be sure of the style of glass you want for your door. Zabitat offers a Design Service that allows you to see your favorite design previewed on your door!
• You can find patio door glass in many styles, including Contemporary, Classic, Craftsman, Old World and others.
• Our glass inserts come in double and triple-pane glass. We do not carry single-pane glass.
• Moreover, the number of glass panes also affects the degree of noise cancellation. In other words, the more panes an insert has, the less outdoor noise enters a home.

Using Door Glass inserts is only one way you can improve your home. If you are looking to improve your front entrance or patio door, Zabitat is here to help with any advice needed. If you’re looking for help on finding that right size glass insert for your home, or if you would like help finding a design that fits with your home style, our customer service is available to give some wonderful advice.

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