Putting new glass in the door you already have is a pretty simple project once you know what happens and when. There are five steps, and only one of them involves anybody working on your door.
The steps are the same for every exterior door we work on. That goes for the front entry door, a garage door, the cabana or pool-bath door, and side, service or patio doors. Here’s how one of our custom glass door inserts goes from an idea to installed.
Step 1: Reach out and tell us about your door
Call us at (866) 326-9947 or fill out our free estimate request. We’ll ask a few easy questions: which door you have in mind, roughly what it looks like now, and what you’re hoping to change. More light in a dark hallway? More privacy on a door that faces the street? A cabana door that needs both? Or maybe you’re replacing an old door glass insert that has fogged or cracked.
A photo of the door is handy if you have one, but it’s not required. From there we set up a time to come out.
Step 2: Your free estimate and choosing the glass
At the estimate we look at your door in person and measure. Inserts can go into most exterior doors, and this visit is where we make sure yours is one of them.
Then comes the part most people enjoy. We’ll talk through the options and help you narrow them down:
- Privacy level: privacy and textured glass is rated Low, Medium, High or Max. A front door facing a busy street might call for High, while a back door facing a fenced yard could be fine with Low.
- Style: decorative glass inserts have bevels and textures held in metal caming. You can also go with clear or Low-E glass, with optional grilles inside, or enclosed blinds built in between the panes so there’s nothing to dust.
- Finish: the easiest way to choose the metal around the glass is to match something you already own, like your door handle or porch light. Bronze and patina tones feel warm, nickel and chrome feel crisp, and there are wrought-iron looks, aluminum and some brass designs too.
- Impact options: a lot of designs come in impact-rated versions. Separately, gray “turtle glass” is a tinted choice that helps soften glare on doors that take strong sun or face the water. An impact rating applies to a whole tested assembly of glass, frame and door, so an insert alone doesn’t make a door hurricane-rated, and we’ll talk through what makes sense for yours.
There’s no pressure to decide on the spot, and our design catalog lets you keep browsing styles at your own pace after we leave. You might want to think it over or check with your HOA or architectural review committee first, especially in a deed-restricted neighborhood.
Step 3: Your insert is sized to fit your door
Inserts come in a range of sizes, so along with your glass and finish you pick the size that suits your door best. On install day we cut the opening in your door to fit that glass, which is why the finished door looks like it was built that way. We’ll let you know when it’s ready and set up your install date.
Step 4: Install day
Install day is one visit, and the work typically runs about 1–2 hours. In most cases the door remains hung while we fit the glass. There’s no trim removal and no repainting afterward.
The area around your door is protected during the work and cleaned before we go. You don’t need to clear your schedule for the day, and in most cases the door is back in use as soon as we’re finished.
Step 5: Enjoy the light (and the compliments)
That’s it. You’ve got the same door you already knew, now with new glass and more natural light. The curb appeal boost comes from a look you picked yourself. Once your new front door glass insert is in, though, the garage door or pool-bath door might start to look a little plain by comparison.
If that’s you, you’ll find those doors covered under garage door glass inserts and, for pool doors, cabana door glass inserts. We also have tips for new construction homes with builder-grade doors and for homeowners in 55+ communities.
Questions about how it works
Do I need to be home for the whole install?
It helps to have someone there at the start and the end, so we can confirm the plan and show you the finished door. Since most installs take about 1–2 hours, it’s usually easy to work around.
Can I use my door the same day?
In most cases, yes. When we leave, your door should open, close and lock the way it did before, just with new glass in it.
What if I can’t decide between two designs?
That’s what the estimate visit is for. Looking at your actual door together and talking through how you use it usually helps settle it, and you can keep browsing the catalog afterward. We’re happy to leave you time to think it over.
Do you come out to my area?
We work with homeowners across a large part of Florida. Check our areas served to find your county and town, or just call and ask.
Start with a quick call
Front door, garage door or the pool-side cabana door, the first step takes a couple of minutes. Give us a ring at (866) 326-9947 or ask for a free estimate online, and we’ll take it from there.