Closing in Sidelights Dummy Sidelights?

10 years ago

Hello I hate the sidelights along my front door, which needs replacing. The easiest method is to swap out the front door with the same rough opening replacement--but that leaves me with a new set of sidelights. Does anyone know if you can get a door with "dummy" (no glass just wood) sidelights? That would be less expensive than closing it all in by hand. Pics below show what I have currently first and the look I'm going for second. TIA for any help!

Featured Answer

Biff Sarin

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

First and foremost, you need to realize that the door in the second photo did not come "stock" with that fancy Cornice and those columns attached. Those were added by the carpenter who installed the door. The door itself is (most likely) just a standard 3'0" x 6'8" exterior door to which some very nice trim work was added.

Your current door appears to be fairly new and in excellent shape. So, unless there is deterioration in the frame which is not evident in the photos, I would work with what you have.

I see a few options here. First option, you could literally paint the glass white (this of course doesn't quite address one poster's security concerns regarding breaking the glass and unlocking the door), then add some trim on the outside to achieve the column look in the second photo.

Second option, you could have a trim carpenter come over and simply build solid columns on the outside, (and inside if you wanted) of the side lights, covering them completely. He could start with a solid board spanning between the outside edge of the frame and the door frame on each side. When he was finished, you'd never know the door once had sidelights! It is actually possible this was done in photo two.

Third option, a good trim carpenter could build custom panels in his shop and simply swap them in to replace the glass sidelights, then continue to trim out the exterior to achieve the column look. In this option the columns would end up recessed within the sidelight frames.

Further, a good carpenter could also easily add a nice cornice over the door, as in the second photo, and make it look like it had always been there.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

susanalanandwrigley
10 years ago
Just a thought, but our door has sidelights with glass that is frosted so it lets light in still but you cannot see in nor do you get direct sunlight coming through. I don't love the frosted glass, but do appreciate the light.
safemommy thanked susanalanandwrigley
millworkman
10 years ago
That is not going to work, pull the existing unit reframe and put in the new unit. You cannot readily swap out a steel or fiberglass door unless you buy it from the same manufacturer and the exact same wholesaler as the hanging prep will not be the same. If the door needs replacing the frame will as well.
safemommy thanked millworkman
Related Professionals
Green Bay Interior Designers & Decorators · Oshkosh Interior Designers & Decorators · Edmonton Interior Designers & Decorators · Corpus Christi Architects & Building Designers · Norfolk Architects & Building Designers · Peoria Architects & Building Designers · Watertown Architects & Building Designers · Oxnard Architects & Building Designers · Victorville Architects & Building Designers · Kennewick Architects & Building Designers · Waycross Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Chattanooga Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Longview Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Colorado Springs Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Helena Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Diane
10 years ago
A handyman or carpenter should be able to remove the old door unit and reframe the opening to add a single door trimming out the glass area. It will cost more then an easy in and out, but should be very doable.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
You could put in a double door in the space and IMO with some glass , the sidelights are not what i dislike in the old set up it is the door itself
Raptor3400 .
6 years ago
I want to do the same, but for security reasons. I plan to reinforce the front door with a kit, but that leaves easy entry by breaking sidelight and reaching in and unlocking the door.
xycvaxe
6 years ago
Safemommy - were you able to close your sidelights? I am looking to do this too. Can you post pictures?
spiritflower
6 years ago
We used window film in our last house to 'close in' the sidelights. It worked great. We used a pattern that provided some interest on the outside and I changed it out after a few years when I wanted a new look. There are lots of choices, you just need to look around.

Something like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/COTTON-COLORS-35-4-in-x-78-7-in-Decorative-and-Privacy-3D-Window-Film-BLKM008/304890567
xycvaxe
6 years ago
Nice! Thanks.
Lori facas
5 years ago
I"m trying to do the same. Cannot find a 72" door prehung with side panels that either only have glass at the top (1/4" glass) or no glass in side panels. Do not want glass in side panels because they can b broken, then they can reach inside and open the door. Current section has no glass on sides but it's rusting. Can't afford crazy expensive custom door section. Was hoping to find this online at someplace like home depot. There are a lot of 72" X 80" but none is that configuration. I only want glass at the top of the door.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
5 years ago
Go to a real local lumberyard. Every manufacturer makes this configuration with a small 6” square window at the top of the sidelight and two in the door.
Chas Ross
4 years ago
Bi-fold closet door panels are nearly the same size as sidelights. It could work as a hack.
kshapirofl
3 years ago
The sidelights look so nice - they always make a standard front entry look much grander than simply a single door