A glass panel in a front door has several jobs at once. It lets light into the hall, it controls what can be seen from the street, it needs to be safe and secure, and it sets the character of the house from the pavement. Four kinds of decorative glass are used most often: etched, bevelled, leaded and stained. Each does these jobs differently.
The four main choices
| Glass | Look | Light | Privacy | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etched (sandblasted or acid etched) | Frosted and clear areas forming a design, from fine line work to bold shapes. | Lets in a lot of light, softened. | Good. Dense frosting hides the view in. | Modern and period homes; clean, restrained designs. |
| Bevelled | Clear glass with polished angled edges that catch the light and throw small rainbows. | Very good. The glass stays clear. | Low on its own. Often combined with textured or coloured pieces. | Victorian, Edwardian and traditional homes. |
| Leaded lights | Glass pieces held in lead bars, in diamonds, squares or flowing designs. | Good, depending on the glass used. | Varies. Textured glass gives more privacy than clear. | Period homes of nearly every age, and modern homes wanting a traditional look. |
| Stained or coloured | Coloured glass, sometimes painted, in a pattern or picture. | Reduced by dark colours, rich by day. | Good with strong colours. | Entrances, halls and landings where colour is the point. |
These are not exclusive. Many door panels combine bevels with leaded lights, or etched designs with a leaded border, and the best choice is often a mix.
Choosing by the age of the house
- Victorian (1837 to 1901). Coloured and etched panels, bevelled glass and floral patterns suit the period. See Victorian photos in the gallery.
- Edwardian (1901 to 1910). Lighter designs, with stylised flowers, leaded lights and bevels, often in a central panel with clear borders. See Edwardian photos in the gallery.
- 1920s and 1930s. Geometric patterns, sunbursts and Art Deco lines work well in leaded, bevelled and etched glass. See Art Deco photos in the gallery.
- Mid-century and later. Simple geometric etched or leaded designs; clean lines are more at home than elaborate scrolls. See contemporary photos in the gallery.
- New builds. A single decorative panel gives character to an otherwise plain door, and etched or bevelled panels tend to look clean in modern frames.
The photo gallery can be browsed by period, which makes it easy to see what suits a particular type of house: Victorian and Gothic Revival, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco and Contemporary. Photos of residential glass show how it looks in ordinary homes.
Practical points
- Safety. Glass in and next to doors is a “critical location” in the building regulations, which generally means safety glass (toughened or laminated) in many situations. Ask the supplier how the glass will meet this and check the current rules for your area.
- Security. Laminated glass and well-fitted frames are harder to break through. Decorative glass can be set inside a double-glazed unit.
- Privacy. Look at a sample against light and view it from the street before deciding; the effect changes with the time of day.
- Maintenance. Etched and bevelled glass need only normal cleaning. Leaded lights should be checked every few decades for loose lead or putty.
- Workmanship. How a panel is made and fitted matters more than the label on it. Ask to see examples and ask who makes the glass.