How To Add a Decorative Glass Window To a Door
Back when we built a recessed wainscoting wall, I mentioned how I thought we needed a new front door. Guess we have at least a little talent in the DIY world. Instead of buying a new door, we ordered a decorative glass window to transform it.
I have to say, the thought of ordering a new door, knocking out the old frame and installing a new door and frame was more work than we wanted to do together. So that is another reason we decided to fix up the old door. Plus the cost of cutting out the door and adding decorative glass was a lot less.
I am happy with the result. My intention was to add more natural light to the area. Adding the decorative glass window and painting the door white tied the entry together nicely.
The natural light that streams through the entry now is wonderful. It took us awhile to get used to coming down the stairs and being hit with light like the front door was wide open.
Here’s a look at our plain 6-panel fiberglass door.
We picked out a Tuscan style decorative glass window that was a special order:
Mastercraft 22″ x 36″ Decorative Glass for Exterior Door TU-106.
Cost: $327.25 at Menards. They often have 11% discount days so our cost was $291.25.
It is actually a replacement window for doors that already have a window. However, this glass window kit comes with all the directions and list of tools you need to install the window.
Since we had never done this before I was a little nervous. If something went wrong, then what? Nevermind that, we hauled off and just did it.
Measured, marked and taped off the area to be cut.
Before cutting the door we scribed a line for a nice clean cut.
Fiberglass will splinter, so adding masking tape is a smart precautionary measure.
Next step we did was drilled holes in opposite corners to start the cut with a jigsaw. It’s very important to use a dust mask when doing jobs like this, especially fiberglass.
Here is the door all cut and ready for a decorative glass window.
We recommend installing the door before inserting a glass window. It was at this point that we precisely followed the directions for installation of a window replacement that came with the special order decorative glass window.
It was actually easier to install than we thought.
Removed the door hardware and taped off the window area to paint the door white.
A nice close up of the Tuscan style decorative glass insert. It is hard to take a photo of the door and window because of all the light.
New door hardware dressed up our entrance beautifully and is a quick and easy home improvement to do yourself. There are so many choices for door hardware it is hard to decide. I second guessed myself and thought perhaps I should have picked the color black, but the silver color and style looks elegant. I could not be happier.
Never in my dreams did I think the door would turn out as beautiful as it did. We love how easy it was to transform it into something brand new. It feels good to finish this project.
We remodeled our hallway, but the ceiling is not done yet. I hope to be able to share that home improvement before and after next.
Thank you so much for making Housekaboodle part of your day.
See How to Make a Recessed Wainscoting Wall From Scratch and
Update Your Home with Budget-Friendly Interior Doors
I have a nice stained glass piece that i bought at a sale for $10 and I’ve been wanting to put it in my front door. After reading this, it gives me more confidence to do the project. My only concern is what to use to seal the window into the door. Insulation,trim,etc.
I somehow did not see this Eric. That would be tricky. Since we ordered a kit that came with the frame I am not sure what you could do other than maybe go to a hardware store and special order a window door frame to fit your stained glass piece. That would be beautiful in a door.
Thank you so much for sharing this information! It is a great article.
amazing how a simple change can be so effective. Just out of curiosity how long did it actually take to do?
Hi Sophie, it took us a day to cut the opening and insert the new decorative glass into the door. Then we painted it the next day. Thanks for the visit.
I’ve been looking at DIY posts today and really like when the COST and TIME/DURATION and ‘complexity’ is mentioned at the beginning of the post.
O my that door is amazing. It looks awesome and did seem easier than I thought it would be after reading this. Bold, Brave & smart payed off! Way to go Sue! Fantastic
Thanks Suzie for the cheerleading, you made my day.
What a fabulous job you guys did on this door. No one would even think it wasn’t store bought like this. Bravo its stunning now. Luff how this turned out.
Big huge thank you Anj. This door made a huge impact and was not all that hard to do either.
What a beautiful transformation! I love the detail on the glass and it matches so perfectly with the work you guys did before. Love that you did this yourselves. You should be very proud!
Thanks Heather so much. I do get a lot of joy from the glass in the door with the way the sun shines through it to just looking at the design.
Beautiful work Sue! What an amazing transformation. I love the silver hardware and the glass you chose is a perfect fit! What a great idea doing the work yourself. Tim is a master!
Thank you Carol. I am usually the one who comes up with the ideas. In this case it was his idea to do the door this way instead of buying a new door. This was probably one of the most OMG I don’t believe we are doing this projects, but it turned out to be easy.
What a beautiful entry you have created. I love the open look and that you were clever enough to do the work yourself.
I would love to change 3 of my kitchen cabinet doors from flat wood to windows. I wonder if we could do that ourselves?
Thank you Carol, we are enjoying the happy, bright entryway. I know I have seen how-tos on the kitchen cabinets like you are thinking about. Maybe Apartment Therapy and for sure Hometalk would have a post about it.