I think rectangular opaque glass may look better. Have you looked at “effect” glass such as rain or seeded? Are you looking to brighten up the entry? There are several ways to go about it I think though I’m not an expert by any stretch of the imagination.

I live in Williamsburg, VA - the colonial capital of the US (and I mean that quite literally!)

I don't see much that marks your home as colonial which means you are not constrained by that style. That being said, I would opt for a full view glass door to let light inside. I would then paint it a bright color, as a black/dark color will just make it dark all over again. Besides, I think a more welcoming shade would draw your eye to the entrance.

I might also think about beefing up the porch columns and doing some great exterior lights.

Don't do the oval door as noted above...it is not appropriate for you house. The second door you have shown us is a much better choice. A bright color, no black, will bring more light to the entrance area.

We had a solid door - it was in good shape but we wanted something with a window. The folks at the local door company recommended a vendor that came out to the house and, using, existing door, added a window and made it look brand new! It was much cheaper than a new door. We lived in a hurricane area, and never had an issue with leaking, etc. So, if your door is in good shape consider painting it and adding a window.

Thanks for all the Great comments, I am certainly taking it all in. While I’d love a full glass door I just don’t feel comfortable with the privacy of it so my compromise is the half lite rectangle. And yes, I’m over th oval... but I still like the black I think. My house is white w red brick. I’m just not so sure I like the other colors but again open to suggestions and photos for inspiration. Do I then match the shutters?

My reasoning for getting a new door is somewhat a long story
*we’ve been here for 3 1/2 years and have always hated this door.
*The side lites are clear glass and were originally covered with an ugly curtain which my husband removed to let in light but I didn’t want the whole neighborhood peering in so I did a quick fix and spray frosted the panes.
*We tried to get another storm door because ours is warped but they don’t make them anymore so we would have to get a custom one made.
*recently a guest was over and broke our door knob, which must’ve been here since the house was built, and to put in a new one we would need to drill all new holes into the door and frame as well as patch and repaint etc because they don’t make door knobs like that anymore and even if they do we don’t want them
*I want new side lights
*i want more light into the entry
*I want a new color door
(The main reason)*** Hubby isn’t saying no ... so I’m going for it.

Im sure there is a more cost-effective way to do it but it’s too many different pieces of the puzzle.

Attaching pics of the inside of this mess of a door. You can see the door knob situation and my oh so fancy sidelights. ;)

You can get a frosted or reeded glass door with sidelights. Something like this:

This one has a frosted section framed by clear glass.
Since you want to do a black door, do white sidelights so the entry is more visible from the street.

I just can't help but think of the old saying...if you knew how seldom people think of you, you'd care less about their opinions. It also seems to apply to windows - I mean, really! Are there really people standing in your front yard with binoculars, peering into your house? (If they are, perhaps moving is a better idea!) And are you in your front hall in the all-together? I bet 99.9% of the time you aren't!

Your front hall is not a bathroom or bedroom. Let the light in!

Ha sallypope! I like that. But I have two young kids ( girls) and im not sure what the future brings with them.

For now; black door and white sidelights. As budget allows; new large square posts and a straight, not curved, beam above them. Lastly, paint the house and trim a white that matches. Right now the body of the house looks to have aged more than the trim. They would both look better white, unless you have the opportunity to change the roof color and could change the house at the same time.

I recommend removing the shutters and not replacing them (you don’t have enough room for shutters wide enough to cover the windows if they could actually close). White sidelights for front door. If you go with a dark door, a blackish-green is less harsh than true black. Or go with an accent color like this blue so your door is visible from the street.

New planters, taller and not brick colored, would also brighten up your front entrance. If you go with an accent color on the door, try to repeat that color in some of the flowers out front.

Jeannie B: please articulate for me the connection between having two young girls and letting light into your front hall. I raised three young men who spent many a summer day in shorts or swim trunks....ie, next to nothing, and I still lived in a light filled home.

I don’t think the OP objects to light, she objects to lack of privacy which is understandable if the street is chock-full of neighbors or a busy place in general. Also, maybe her front entry opens directly into her living room like mine does? As she expressed interest in glass, hopefully she has found the above suggestions for frosted or obscured glass useful and is exploring her options.

OP, you may also like to consider glass on the top part of the door.

But when I look at the door now, the area looks like a black hole to me which is why using color may make more of a statement.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Just a general question: does anyone wonder about security issues with windows near door locks, being accessible for a break-in? Never had sidelights so I really wonder. I like the look.

So I think I have come to a decision. The mock up is below in photos. I am settling on a 1/2 lite with full sidelights. The doors and sidelights will be black and the trim white. I superimposed the mock-up onto a pic of my house.

Privacy-wise there’s not much difference between a full-lite door and a half-lite door. What matters is the glass. I’d much rather maximize the natural light with full-lite.

My youngest daughter is a bit of a streaker, so when we moved in and she was toddling about we obscured all the door glass. Like you, we have another window nearby that we can peek out to see whose at the door.

Window glass can be very private.

Jeannie, is that the glass pattern you’re selecting?

It’s a similar glass pattern. I couldn’t find the exact mock up on the company site but if I remember correctly It is a level 7 or 8 in obscurity. And I do agree, unless I totally block out all the view I’m not really maintaining ultimate privacy but, to me, it’s enough to feel like I am not in full view when a person comes to the door.

And while I do really like the look of the full lite as opposed to half lite for the door but I’m still leaning to the half lite for the final call.

It’s so hard to make these decisions without being able to see the finished product. I have a hard time imagining things in place unless I have a physical example or exact rendering. This has been making me insane!

Just one note about privacy and children. My girls are 5 and 9 and are not allowed to open the front door. (we get a ton of solicitors.) I like that with a frosted window people at the front door cannot make out my children's presence during the day (if it's lighter inside than outside, they can.) With the type of glass you're considering, people will still be able to see someone inside the door from the outside, just not clearly.

transome over door and high sidelights next to door will give you total privacy and light.