WRITER | KYLE RHINE
PHOTO| THERMA-TRU DOORS
Natural light does more for a living space than almost any other element introduced into it. Daylight gives life, movement, and color, and it fills a space with an energy that makes us healthier and happier. Popular home design trends blur the lines between indoors and outdoors, using daylight to create ambiance. And with the desire for natural light comes the need for privacy and a desire to express personal style. All these factors come together when homeowners select a new entry door – especially a front door, which can have a significant impact on a home’s curb appeal.
Door Configuration and Style
Single door. Double door. Sidelites. Transom. When building a new home, there are plenty of options available that allow the homeowner to control the amount of light that comes into the home. When remodeling, the configuration can often be altered to incorporate a new style. A good building professional will advise you on which door configurations will work best for your home’s structure.
From a Craftsman-style door with a smaller portion of glass to a full-length piece of glass that maximizes the natural light, there are many options available. Also, consider the home’s architectural influences. Traditional or Modern? Southwest or Coastal? Every home has an architectural style, and a great place to begin the door selection process is identifying options that suit the home’s unique design characteristics. Therma-Tru’s Architectural Home Styles Guide helps pinpoint some door options at a range of prices.
Glass Design
There are many glass options that determine the amount of natural light that comes into the home. The glass itself can be customized to balance natural light and privacy, and there is a wide variety of choices, from simple to ornate, that will welcome light into your home while expressing your personal style.
Decorative Glass Designs
Handcrafted decorative glass designs combine an assortment of glass colors, textures, shapes, and caming (the lines in some windows) possibilities to create a look that makes a statement. These designs offer a wide range of opacity that allow for more or less privacy.
Privacy & Textured Glass
For a simple, yet artistic approach to glass that combines privacy and natural light, homeowners might consider textured designs. There are diverse textures with higher opacities that still allow natural light to brighten a home’s interior available in the marketplace.
Internal Blinds
For homeowners who want clear views but also complete privacy, internal blinds offer the best of both worlds. Protected between two panes of tempered glass, internal blinds allow homeowners to change the level of natural light and privacy by simply sliding a handle to open, close, and tilt the blinds. As a bonus, these cordless blinds never need to be cleaned.
From small to large, ornate to simple, and clear to opaque, there are many ways for homeowners to welcome in as much natural light as they want and maintain their privacy, all while playing seamlessly into their personal style.
