What Are Sidelights And Transoms? How Can They Upgrade Your Replacement Doors In Muncie, IN?

Make Your Doors Stand Out & Get A New Look!

If you’re planning a professional door replacement in Muncie, IN, consider adding sidelights or transoms to your design. These eye-catching and appealing elements make your door stand out, light up your entryway, and complement your home’s design.

What Are Sidelights And Transoms For Entry Doors?

But wait – what are sidelights and transoms? You’ve probably seen them, but the words don’t really come up in conversation much. (Unless you’re in the replacement door business.)

Sidelights are thin vertical windows that can be seen to the side of many front doors. Some doors have a sidelight on either side, some have only one.

Similarly, transoms are those little windows that go across the top of a doorframe. They can be seen combined with sidelights or on their own. While sidelights are almost always rectangular, transoms come in a wider variety of shapes. Semicircles, for example, are a popular choice.

How Can You Incorporate These Into Your Replacement Door?

Now that you know what sidelights and transoms are, you’re probably eager for inspiration to help you add them to your own door design. There are tons of ways you can incorporate sidelights and transoms to personalize your home’s entry. Here are a few ideas:

1. Keep Things Simple

For a chic and modern look, simple is best. If you want to make your entry feel sleek and new, go for minimalist rectangular sidelights and transoms in nondescript colors. You can even give it an asymmetrical look by combining a transom with only one sidelight.

2. Match The Windows

The style of your windows can give you a hint if you’re scratching your head trying to decide what to do with sidelights and transoms. When in doubt, ask your contractor what sidelight and transom options they have that would match your windows’ style.

Don’t forget to match the colors, too! Making sure your doorframe, window frames, and the frames of your sidelights and transoms all match is a sure ticket to home exterior harmony.

3. Think Outside The Box

Don’t limit yourself to squares and rectangles. Differently shaped transoms, especially, can lend interest to your front door. Give your home the impression of a grand entry, echo the shape of your roof, or do anything else your heart desires. Ask your contractor what kind of shapes they have available – you may be surprised.

4. Change Up The Glass

Don’t just think of your sidelights as just an extra window. Feel free to change things up and add privacy to your entry with creative glass options. Decorative glass is a great way to incorporate shapes and colors into your design that might otherwise be difficult to include.

From beautiful stained glass to geometric patterns and interesting textures, you can create just about any effect and complement any design with decorative glass. This is also a great way to let light into your entry without letting visitors see into your house.

5. Symmetrical or Asymmetrical

When you install sidelights, you have the option to include them on either side of the door or just on one side. Sidelights on either side of the door add drama and a stately appearance to your home. An asymmetrical design with just one sidelight, though, can be sleek and modern or warm and inviting.

Play around with your door design to get the effect that best suits you and your home.

How Do You Add Them To Your Muncie, IN Replacement Doors?

So now that you know about all of the possibilities that come with sidelights and transoms, how do you get them? For a project like this, it’s important to call a professional. A major change to your door frame is something you just can’t DIY. Not to mention, It’d be nearly impossible to find the parts needed at your local home improvement store.

If you’re sold on sidelights and transoms or want to see more examples, call Clemens Home Solutions at [tel] or visit our Muncie, IN showroom for a free consultation.