My guess is that by the time you're done getting a craftsman to cut out the panel and put in glass, the time and materials might be more than buying a whole new door, or close to it. Start getting some quotes for the work and compare them to new door pricing and installation.

Sabrina, thank you for your input.

I have been online for days looking for door replacements. The problem is the larger 8’ High by 42” door size, add in the 2 1/4” custom thickness.

We have been feeling guilty every time we have torn out cabinetry and painted over beautiful cherry woodwork. So we like to re-use wherever possible.

I happen to love the original mahogany door. Can you take a photo of the outside of your home which would include a glimpse of the entire setting so that we can see which door looks best? Is it possible to have a carpenter modify the mahogany door to put glass in the top half?

That mahogany door is absolutely gorgeous. I would suggest using it. As Sabrina says, if you have to pay someone to change the glass in the oak door, it likely isn't worth it. I understand the need for more light, and I would suggest Solatubes.

You don't have to pay "custom" work prices. Home Depot has a company that does that very thing. I would update the window portion of the door, and then paint/stain the entire door and casing a darker color. And then upgrade the door hardware.

Went to a door supplier today and found that it would be about 3k for a new 42” wood grained fiberglass door with Clear glass that would fit the existing frame.

To replace the side lights would be 2200, to get a new 72” double door set would be about 5500, so cutting a hole out of the existing door using a carpenter and ordering custom tempered glass HAS to be less expensive than purchasing new.

Looked into zabitat and they don’t service our area. Besides, their standard glass is smaller than the 24x44 glass size that is required because the door is so big.

Our oversized custom 2 1/4” solid wood door thickness has been a problem for any standard solution.

Tomorrow we have a carpenter coming to give me an estimate. My cabinet maker also may “know a guy” :)

Will checkout Home Depot but i suspect that they deal with more moderate price points where this is becoming very expensive to replace. Wish the previous owner had picked a simple door when she built the house 18 years ago

simple is always better!!

Am leaning toward the solid mahogony door that she left us in the garage but my husband doesn’t like that door and would rather have a glass option.

thanks for the ideas!

Get estimates: You should consider keeping the door and sidelights (second pic) as is and getting a carpenter to build you a door frame to fit the custom 2 1/4" door. Also ask the carpenter(s) to include in their estimate adding a window over the new door frame.

https://exovations.com/images/before-after-pictures/full-images/Door%20Fortener%201B_JPG.jpg