Sidelights: a Home Improvement Option Worth Considering (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of a sidelight? ›

Natural Light: One of the primary benefits of sidelights is the influx of natural light they allow into the entryway. They brighten up the space but also create a warm and welcoming ambiance. This is crucial in making your visitors feel welcome right after they take the first step into your home.

Repairing existing sidelights

It is often possible to replace just the glazing (glass) on a sidelight window without having to replace the entire door/window assembly.

Sidelights are the vertical windows installed on one or both sides of an exterior entry door. Door sidelights are usually built into the same frame assembly as the door, but you can also buy them separately and have them installed individually. They come with different types of glass: clear, frosted, or tinted.

Retrofitting two double doors in the place of a single door with sidelight system is a popular way to upgrade an entryway.

What are sidelights? Also known as parking lights, sidelights tend to be found in the headlamp unit of your car's front corners. They aren't as bright as headlights, so they're best used when it's not quite dark enough to switch to your full beams. They're usually found on a dashboard dial or steering wheel stalk.

It costs an additional $500 to $2,500 to install sidelights next to a front door according to HomeAdvisor. Learn more about of cost of different types of entry doors with sidelights: Steel front door with sidelights cost: $700 to $3,700. Fiberglass front door with sidelights cost: $700 to $5,000.

If the current setup is in good shape, you can replace the door without worrying about the sidelights.

If you are planning on adding sidelights to an existing door opening, keep in mind that sidelights can take a significant portion of the door's width, especially if you're adding sidelights to both sides of the door.

If your door is black or wooden, your sidelights can follow suit to match the door; however, white sidelights to match the trim is also common and beautiful!

Are sidelights considered part of a door? ›

Figure 1. Shows Door Parts including: Head Jamb, Side Jamb, Casing, Mullion (Mull), Threshold, Sidelight and Glazing.

Measure the width of the sidelights by measuring the distance between the inside of the jamb on both sides. Record the exterior door and sidelight values separately. Measure the height of the front door, from the top of the door panel to the bottom on the edge.

The side windows are actually called sidelights! They are usually “fixed”, meaning that they do not open. We often build these single door openings with a sidelight that operates like a double door. This allows the homeowner to open the sidelight when the need to move large items into the home.

Car sidelights, or parking lights as they are sometimes known, are usually found in the headlamp unit in the front corners of your car. Sidelights aren't as bright as headlights, so are used by drivers to make themselves visible to traffic during times when it's not dark enough for main lights.

So, when it's not dark enough, or poor enough weather, to warrant headlights, using your sidelights still helps you remain visible to others. This is particularly important in helping other road users judge how far they are away from you, how fast you're travelling and what type of vehicle you're driving.

Side light illuminates the subject from the side. This lighting tends to cast clear shadows on the subject, creating strong contrast between light and dark. It is the most suitable for creating depth by adding shadows to the subject.

If you are travelling under 30MPH and in a built-up area, side lights alone are not illegal, but most conscientious drivers will put their headlights on. You must check your brake lights regularly before any journey, as blown bulbs can be a chargeable offence. You could be pulled over and cautioned.