Your home’s front entry is more than just a door—it’s the face of your house. It sets the tone, adds curb appeal, and plays a key role in energy efficiency and security. One of the most impactful upgrades you can make is installing front doors and sidelights.
A door with sidelights—vertical glass panels on one or both sides—adds elegance, light, and a custom touch that’s hard to match. Whether you’re renovating or building new, front entry doors with sidelights offer an unbeatable mix of form and function.
In this article, we’ll break down 8 stunning benefits of choosing a fiberglass entry door with sidelights, plus tips on styles, materials, and what to consider when upgrading your entrance.
What Are Sidelights?
Sidelights are narrow vertical windows that are installed on one or both sides of a front door. These side panels allow natural light to enter the entryway while enhancing the visual appeal of your home’s exterior. They come in a variety of styles, including full-length glass, half-length, and frosted or decorative glass.
Whether you choose a front door with side panel on one side or opt for front entry doors with sidelights on both sides, the result is a brighter, more inviting entrance.
Benefits of Front Doors with Sidelights
1. Enhanced Curb Appeal
One of the most immediate and noticeable benefits of a front door and sidelights is the dramatic improvement to your home’s appearance. These door systems naturally look more substantial and elegant, making your entrance stand out.
Whether you go for clean modern lines or a classic design with decorative glass, exterior doors with sidelights instantly elevate your home’s facade. When potential buyers or guests approach, the difference is striking.
A front door with side panel or double sidelights gives your home symmetry and structure, making it more visually balanced and inviting.
2. Natural Light
If you have a dark hallway or entryway, a front door with sidelights can be a game-changer. Sidelights allow natural sunlight to pour into your home without compromising security or insulation.
This added brightness makes the space feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. Homeowners often underestimate the emotional impact of natural light—but it can truly transform the vibe of your space.
Choose clear, frosted, or decorative glass depending on how much light you want and how much privacy you need.
3. Increased Home Value
Replacing an outdated front door with a new exterior front door with sidelights can significantly boost your property’s value. It’s a high-impact upgrade with an impressive return on investment, especially when paired with energy-efficient materials like fiberglass and insulated glass panels.
Buyers love a beautiful, well-lit entry. A home that looks maintained and stylish from the street is more likely to sell quickly and for top dollar.
4. Customization Options
From colour and texture to hardware and glass, entry doors with sidelights come with endless customization options.
At Window Seal West, we offer:
- Single or double doors
- One or two sidelights
- Full-length, half-length, or decorative glass
- Woodgrain or smooth fiberglass finishes
- Any colour or stain you like
- Hardware options in black, nickel, brass, and more
Whether your home is modern, craftsman, colonial, or rustic, we’ll help you design a door with sidelights that perfectly matches your exterior.
5. Energy Efficiency
Contrary to popular belief, adding sidelights doesn’t mean sacrificing insulation. Modern fiberglass front doors with sidelights are engineered for energy efficiency. Many models feature triple-glazed or low-E sidelights to minimize heat transfer.
At Window Seal West, our Canadian-made fiberglass entry doors with sidelights include:
- Foam-injected fiberglass for thermal insulation
- Weatherstripping to seal out drafts
- Energy Star®-certified glass options
- Multi-chambered frames to resist heat loss
The result: a stunning front door and side panel combo that looks great and performs well in Canadian weather.
6. Durable and Low Maintenance
Fiberglass doors are some of the most durable entry door options on the market. They resist dents, scratches, warping, and corrosion—perfect for Alberta and British Columbia’s variable climates.
Compared to wood, which requires regular staining or painting, and steel, which can rust or dent, fiberglass entry doors with sidelights are virtually maintenance-free.
A quick clean with soap and water keeps your exterior door with sidelights looking like new year after year.
7. Better Security and Peace of Mind
Your front entry door with sidelights might be beautiful—but it’s also your first line of defense. That’s why we only offer entry systems designed with Canadian safety and security in mind.
Our fiberglass doors come with:
- Reinforced lock areas
- Optional multi-point locking systems
- Tempered or laminated glass sidelights
- Heavy-duty frames that resist forced entry
Security doesn’t mean you have to compromise on design. With the right configuration, you can have both elegance and safety in one seamless front door with sidelights package.
8. A Welcoming First Impression
Beyond the practical benefits, installing a front door and sidelights sends a message: this is a well-cared-for home. It shows pride in ownership and makes a welcoming statement to everyone who visits.
You can personalize your entrance even more with custom door handles, matching porch lighting, or decorative glass that reflects your personal style.
For many homeowners, that inviting entry moment—sunlight filtering through the sidelights, warm colours, and elegant design—is one of the biggest rewards of all.
Popular Styles of Front Doors with Sidelights
Beyond the practical benefits, installing a front door and sidelights sends a message: this is a well-cared-for home. It shows pride in ownership and makes a welcoming statement to everyone who visits.
You can personalize your entrance even more with custom door handles, matching porch lighting, or decorative glass that reflects your personal style.
For many homeowners, that inviting entry moment—sunlight filtering through the sidelights, warm colours, and elegant design—is one of the biggest rewards of all.
Why Choose Fiberglass Entry Doors with Sidelights?
When it comes to materials, fiberglass stands out as the top choice for Canadian homeowners. Here’s why:
Durability
Fiberglass front doors with sidelights resist dents, warping, and corrosion better than wood or steel. They’re ideal for withstanding Alberta and British Columbia’s harsh weather conditions.
Energy Efficiency
Our fiberglass entry doors with sidelights are insulated with high-performance cores and weather-stripped to prevent drafts. Many come ENERGY STAR® certified, helping reduce your energy bills.
Low Maintenance
Unlike wood, fiberglass won’t crack, rot, or require regular refinishing. A simple wipe-down keeps your door with sidelights looking new for years.
Custom Finishes
Fiberglass doors can mimic the look of natural wood or be finished in a wide range of colours and textures. Whether you prefer a rich mahogany tone or a sleek modern charcoal, we can customize it to match your style.
Choosing the Right Glass for Your Sidelights
The type of glass you choose can significantly affect privacy, light, and style.
Clear Glass
Great for maximum natural light but offers minimal privacy.
Frosted or Textured Glass
Maintains light flow while obscuring the view into your home—perfect for those who want privacy without sacrificing brightness.
Decorative Glass
Beveled, leaded, or stained glass designs can add a unique touch to your front door and sidelights, elevating the overall look.
Impact-Resistant or Triple-Glazed Glass
Ideal for security and thermal performance, especially in areas prone to harsh weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I replace just the sidelights without changing the whole door?
A: In some cases, yes. However, for the best visual cohesion and energy efficiency, we recommend replacing the full door with sidelights as one unit.
Q: Are fiberglass doors with sidelights secure?
A: Absolutely. Our fiberglass entry doors with sidelights come with reinforced frames, multi-point locking systems, and high-strength glass options.
Q: Do sidelights reduce energy efficiency?
A: Not when properly installed with insulated or triple-glazed glass. In fact, our entry doors with sidelights are designed to enhance thermal performance while allowing in natural light.
Q: Can I customize the design?
A: Yes! We offer endless design combinations—glass styles, colours, hardware, grid patterns, and more.
Why Choose Window Seal West?
We’re a proudly Canadian company with a manufacturing facility in Calgary, Alberta. Our doors are designed for the Canadian climate and built to last. Here’s what sets us apart:
- 100% Canadian-made entry doors with sidelights
- Energy-efficient, low-maintenance fiberglass doors
- Custom design options tailored to your home
- Expert installation teams across Alberta and BC
- Local customer service you can count on
Get Inspired: Door Ideas for Your Home
Here are some combinations loved by our customers:
- Modern Minimalism: Matte black fiberglass front door with sidelights and clear glass.
- Rustic Charm: Woodgrain-textured door in Chestnut with stained glass sidelights.
- Transitional Style: Crisp white exterior front door with sidelights and frosted glass panels.
- Traditional Elegance: Deep mahogany finish with arched decorative glass and wrought-iron grilles.
Ready to Upgrade Your Front Door?
A new front door with sidelights can elevate your home’s look and feel, increase natural light, and improve energy performance. At Window Seal West, we help you find the perfect fit—style, size, and budget included.
From design consultation to custom manufacturing and professional installation, we handle it all.
Contact us today to book a free estimate or visit our showroom to view our front entry doors with sidelights in person.
Proudly Canadian. Made in Alberta. Installed Across Alberta. British Columbia and Saskatchewan,
