When you upgrade your front door, you’ll also need to consider if you want to change out of your sidelights and transoms.
Sidelights are the slim windows on either side of a front door. A transom is the small window above it.
Many homeowners feel that their sidelights and transoms are dated and stale. They wonder “are there any sidelight and transom trends that can increase my home’s curb appeal?”
In this post, we’re sharing the top three sidelight and transom upgrades. These changes will complement your front door and make your home look amazing.
Ditch the Grilles
Here in Wake County, many homes built in the 1980’s and 1990’s featured 6-over-6 grille patterns in double hung windows.
A brick home with white double hung windows with a six over six grille pattern. This pattern was very popular in the Raleigh, NC area in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
To complement this, sidelights on the homes built in this era also commonly featured grilles.
Craftsman style wood front door with sidelights featuring five grilles.
Of course, sidelights could feature other grille patterns as well.
A black quarter light front door with sidelights featuring prairie grille pattern.
Now, however, many homeowners are choosing to ditch the grilles, for a decidedly modern look.
Black 3/4 light front door with black sidelights featuring no grilles.
Craftsman style, quarter-light front door featuring a dentil shelf and sidelights with no grilles.
Navy, quarter-light front door featuring sidelights with no grilles.
When it comes time to update your sidelights, consider if going sans grilles could be just the change you need. It’s a small difference with a big impact.
Embrace Asymmetry
Another option would be to reconfigure your door so that you have a sidelight only on one side. Executed with the right materials, this unexpected look can especially complement contemporary architectural style.
Wood front door featuring one sidelight
Modern black front door featuring a large sidelight.
Black front door featuring asymmetrical sidelight.
Go For An Arched Transom
Finally, when it comes to your transom, you may want to consider an arched or half-circle window. This small change can add loads of visual interest to your front door.
Wood front door with rounded transom overhead.
Wood double door with arched transom.
White front door with round transom window on top.
Summary
When you want to improve your curb appeal and refresh the front of your house, sidelights and transoms are an easy but often overlooked way to make a major impact.
Window Works Co. would love to help you create just the right sidelights and transoms to complement your front door.
Use the form below to tell us about your project today!
