If your front door has one or two glass panels beside it, replacing the entrance can raise a few more questions than replacing a standard single door.
Do the sidelights need to be replaced too? Can you keep them and replace only the door? Can the glass be changed separately? Could the entire opening become a French door instead? And how much do sidelights add to the cost of the project?
Those are all reasonable questions to ask before comparing entry door estimates.
The narrow panels beside an entry door are called sidelights, or sidelites in ProVia's product terminology. Depending on the design, they may contain clear, decorative, or privacy glass and can have a major impact on the appearance, natural light, privacy, and cost of your entrance.
At Energy Swing Windows & Doors, we specialize in complete entry system replacement. Experience has shown us why it is important to look at more than just the door itself when evaluating a front entrance.
In this guide, we'll explain what homeowners should know about replacing a front door with sidelights, including cost, partial replacement versus complete replacement, glass choices, French door options, energy efficiency, and what to compare before choosing a contractor.
Key Takeaways
- Sidelights can significantly affect the price of a front door project. The number of sidelights, glass, door collection, finish, and hardware all influence the final cost.
- Replacing only the door slab is not the same as replacing the complete entry system. With a slab-only replacement, many of the components surrounding the door remain in place.
- An existing door-and-sidelight opening may give you several design choices. You may keep a similar configuration or, in some homes, consider a French-door system.
- Privacy glass deserves careful consideration. Sidelights can provide natural light without necessarily giving someone outside a clear view into your home.
- Compare the scope of the project, not just the price. Two contractors may both quote a "front door replacement" while including very different amounts of work.
Table of Contents
- How much does a front door with sidelights cost?
- Can you replace the front door and keep the existing sidelights?
- Can you replace just the glass in a sidelight?
- What design options do you have when replacing a door with sidelights?
- Can a door with sidelights be changed to a French door?
- How do you choose sidelight glass for privacy?
- Are front doors with sidelights energy efficient?
- What should your front door proposal include?
- Frequently asked questions
- Planning your front door replacement in Pittsburgh
How Much Does a Front Door With Sidelights Cost?
In the Pittsburgh area, Energy Swing's current 2026 pricing guidance places a professionally installed single entry door with sidelights at approximately $9,300 to over $17,000.
That is a broad range because "a door with sidelights" can describe many different entry systems.
A steel door with one simple sidelight is a very different project from a premium woodgrain fiberglass door with two full-view decorative sidelights, upgraded hardware, and a transom above it.
Our current 2026 ProVia entry door pricing guide estimates that sidelights can add approximately $2,000 to $4,000 each depending on the configuration and glass selected.
You can also review our broader Pittsburgh replacement door pricing for current installed ranges by door type.
A Real Pittsburgh-Area Example
One Energy Swing project in Greensburg, Pennsylvania provides a good example of a complete entry system with a sidelight.
The entrance included a ProVia Signet Mahogany fiberglass door with one sidelight, Coffee Bean finish, full-view Esmond decorative glass, and black Georgian hardware.
The 2026 price for that configuration is approximately $15,150.
What Affects the Cost of a Door With Sidelights?
| Project Detail | How It Can Affect the Project |
|---|---|
| Number of sidelights | A door with sidelights on both sides generally costs more than one with a single sidelight. |
| Door material | Steel and fiberglass collections have different price points, finishes, and construction. |
| Glass | Clear glass, privacy glass, decorative glass, and larger glass areas can vary significantly in price. |
| Finish | Paint, woodgrain textures, stains, and custom finishes can affect cost. |
| Hardware | Handle sets, electronic locks, multipoint locking systems, and finish selections can change the price. |
| Configuration | A single door with sidelights, an entry with a transom, and a French-door system are different configurations with different costs. |
| Installation conditions | Trim, wall depth, existing damage, and other conditions around the opening can affect the work required. |
For more detail, read our guide to the factors that affect entry door prices in Pittsburgh.
Can You Replace the Front Door and Keep the Existing Sidelights?
Yes, it can be done in some situations. A contractor may be able to replace only the door slab while leaving the existing frame and sidelights in place. At Energy Swing, however, we do not replace entry doors that way.
When we replace an entry door, we replace the complete entry system, including the door, frame, threshold, weatherstripping, and sidelights when they are part of the existing system.
The reason is that your front entrance works as one complete system. The door has to fit properly within the frame, and the frame, threshold, weatherstripping, hinges, locking points, and sidelights all play a role in how the entrance operates and protects your home.
With a slab-only replacement, many of the problems you had with the original entrance can still be there after the new door is installed.
For example, if the existing frame is out of square or the reveals around the old door were uneven, simply installing a new slab does not correct the frame. The new door still needs to fit and operate within that same opening.
The same is true for other problems around the entry. An older or improperly installed frame, worn threshold, deteriorated weatherstripping, or poor sealing can still contribute to:
- Uneven reveals around the door
- Difficulty opening, closing, or locking the door
- Air leakage and energy loss
- Water infiltration
- Drafts around the entrance
- Premature wear on the new door or hardware
In other words, you could spend money on a brand-new door while leaving behind some of the same conditions that caused problems with the old one.
That is why Energy Swing does not install replacement door slabs into existing frames or replace only the door while leaving the existing frame and sidelights in place. We believe replacing the complete entry system gives the installer the best opportunity to properly square, level, seal, and align the entire entrance so all of the new components work together.
So while replacing only the slab may technically be possible, it is not the approach we recommend or offer.
Can You Replace Just the Glass in a Sidelight?
Yes, in some entry door systems, sidelight glass can be replaced separately. At Energy Swing, however, we do not replace sidelight glass by itself. If we are replacing an entry door with sidelights, we replace the entire entry system.
Whether glass-only replacement is possible depends on the manufacturer, age of the system, type of glass, availability of replacement parts, and condition of the surrounding sidelight.
If you have a relatively new entry system and the only problem is one damaged piece of glass, a glass or door-repair company may be able to replace that glass without replacing the entire entrance.
That can make sense when the rest of the system is still in good condition and performing properly.
When Does Complete Replacement Become Worth Considering?
Complete replacement may make more sense when the damaged glass is only one of several problems with the entrance.
For example, perhaps the sidelights are older and you also have:
- A door that is difficult to open or close
- Drafts around the entrance
- An aging frame or threshold
- Worn finishes
- Outdated glass that no longer provides the privacy you want
- A desire to change the style of the entire entrance
At that point, replacing one piece of glass may solve one problem while leaving the rest of the aging entry system untouched.
Energy Swing only replaces these projects as complete entry systems. That means the door, sidelights, frame, threshold, weatherstripping, and related components are replaced together rather than repairing or replacing one individual part of the entrance.
What Design Options Do You Have When Replacing a Door With Sidelights?
Replacing the complete entrance gives you an opportunity to rethink much more than the color of the door.
You can decide how much glass you want, how private the entrance should feel, what material fits your priorities, and whether you want the new entry to look similar to the old one or noticeably different.
Keep a Similar Configuration
Many homeowners like the overall layout of their existing entrance and simply want an updated version.
You might keep:
- A single door with one sidelight
- A single door with two sidelights
- A door with sidelights and a transom above
While keeping the general configuration, you can still completely change the door style, color, stain, glass, hardware, and privacy level.
ProVia currently offers sidelight configurations across its Signet fiberglass, Ascent fiberglass, and Legacy steel entry door collections.
You can browse ProVia door and sidelight styles to get a better idea of the available combinations.
Should You Choose Steel or Fiberglass for a Door With Sidelights?
The sidelights do not determine whether you need a steel or fiberglass entry door. You can build a complete entry system with sidelights using either material.
The better question is what you want the entrance to look like and what matters most to you in the finished product.
Steel doors are often associated with a smooth painted appearance, like the example shown here. ProVia Legacy steel doors are also available with a woodgrain-textured surface if you want more of a wood-inspired look.
Fiberglass gives you more options if a realistic wood appearance is a priority. ProVia Signet fiberglass doors offer deeper, more natural-looking woodgrain textures designed to more closely resemble real wood.
The material you choose can affect:
- The overall appearance of the entrance
- Available textures and finishes
- How closely the door can resemble real wood
- The amount of customization available
- The final price of the project
The sidelights should be considered as part of that same design. The door material, finish, glass, sidelight style, and hardware should all work together rather than being selected independently.
If you are trying to decide which material makes the most sense for your home, our steel vs. fiberglass entry door comparison goes deeper into the differences.
Can a Door With Sidelights Be Changed to a French Door?
In many homes, an existing door-and-sidelight opening may be able to accommodate a French-door or double-door entry system.
This is an option Energy Swing commonly discusses with homeowners.
A door with sidelights already occupies a wider opening than a standard single entry door. Depending on the measurements, that existing width may allow the space to be used differently.
Instead of installing another door with sidelights, the existing opening may be able to accommodate a French-door system.
Why Would You Change to a French Door?
Homeowners may prefer a French-door entry because it can provide:
- A wider and more dramatic entrance
- More usable opening space when needed
- A different architectural appearance
- A symmetrical design
- An alternative way to use the width currently occupied by sidelights
A Real Pittsburgh-Area French Door Example
Energy Swing completed a project in North Huntingdon where an entry was designed with a ProVia Signet Cherry fiberglass French door system.
The entrance included American Cherry stain, three-quarter-view Barcelona decorative glass, and black Addison grip hardware.
It is a good example of how a wider entrance can be configured very differently from a traditional single door with sidelights.
Will a French Door Work in Every Sidelight Opening?
Not necessarily.
The width, height, jamb depth, and exact dimensions of the existing opening have to be measured before determining which door configurations will fit properly.
If a French-door entry interests you, bring it up early in the design process so you can compare that option with another door-and-sidelight configuration.
How Do You Choose Sidelight Glass for Privacy?
Privacy is one of the most important decisions when choosing sidelights because the glass is positioned directly beside your front door.
The right glass can bring natural light into the home without necessarily providing a clear view inside.
Before choosing a glass design, think about what someone outside would actually see.
Ask yourself:
- Does the door face a busy street or sidewalk?
- How close can visitors get to the sidelights?
- Does the entry open directly into a living space?
- Would someone be able to see a staircase, hallway, or valuables from outside?
- How much natural light do you want to preserve?
| Your Priority | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Maximum natural light | Clear or lightly textured glass generally provides the most open appearance. |
| More privacy | Frosted, textured, and privacy glass can obscure the view while still allowing daylight into the home. |
| Decorative appearance | Decorative glass combines different textures and patterns and can become a major part of the entryway's design. |
You can explore ProVia's privacy glass options to see examples of different privacy levels and designs.
Do Not Judge Privacy Only During the Day
One thing homeowners sometimes overlook is nighttime visibility.
Glass that appears fairly private from outside during daylight can look different when the interior lights are on and it is dark outside.
If privacy is important to you, seeing the actual glass in person is much more useful than relying only on a small catalog image.
Are Front Doors With Sidelights Energy Efficient?
Yes, a properly selected and installed entry system can include sidelights and still provide good energy performance.
The amount of glass is only one factor in how the entry performs.
The energy performance of an entryway depends on several components working together:
- The door construction
- The glass package
- The frame
- The weatherstripping
- The threshold
- The installation and sealing around the opening
You may see ratings such as U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient when comparing doors and glass.
The ENERGY STAR guide to energy-performance ratings provides a helpful explanation of what those numbers mean.
Why a Draft May Not Be a Glass Problem
If your current entrance feels drafty, it is easy to assume the large amount of glass is responsible.
That may not be the case.
Air leakage can also occur around an older frame, threshold, weatherstripping, or areas where the entry was not properly sealed.
This is another reason to evaluate the complete entrance rather than focusing only on the door or sidelight glass.
What Should Your Front Door Proposal Include?
A good front door proposal should clearly explain what you are buying and which parts of your existing entrance will be replaced.
This becomes especially important with sidelights because there are more components and design choices involved.
Our guide to what should be included in a door proposal goes into this subject in detail.
For a door with sidelights, make sure you understand the following:
| Area to Clarify | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Replacement method | Are you getting a new slab, a partial replacement, or a complete new entry system? |
| Door collection | Which manufacturer, material, and product line are included? |
| Sidelights | How many sidelights are included and what size and style are they? |
| Glass | What glass design, privacy level, and energy package are included? |
| Frame and threshold | Are they being replaced or reused? |
| Interior and exterior trim | What finishing work is included? |
| Hardware | Which handleset, lock, finish, and upgrades are included? |
| Installation | Who will perform the installation and how will the opening be sealed and finished? |
| Warranty and service | Who is responsible if the door needs adjustment or service later? |
Why the Cheapest Quote May Not Be the Same Project
Imagine one contractor quotes a new slab installed into your existing frame and another quotes removal and replacement of the entire door, sidelights, frame, threshold, weatherstripping, and trim.
The first price may be considerably lower.
But the two companies are not quoting the same scope of work.
That does not mean you should automatically choose the more expensive project.
It means you should understand why the prices are different before deciding which solution is a better fit for your home.
A very useful question to ask each contractor is:
"When this project is finished, which parts of my current entrance will still be here?"
That question can make proposal comparisons much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Front Door Replacement With Sidelights
Can You Replace Just the Door and Keep the Existing Sidelights?
Yes, in some situations a contractor may install a replacement slab while keeping the existing frame and sidelights. Energy Swing does not use that approach because the old frame, threshold, weatherstripping, and sidelights remain in place, along with any problems they may already have.
Can You Replace Just the Glass in a Sidelight?
In some door systems, yes. A glass or door-repair company may be able to replace an individual sidelight glass unit if compatible replacement parts are available. Energy Swing does not provide glass-only sidelight replacement. If we replace an entry with sidelights, we replace the complete entry system.
Do You Have to Keep the Same Sidelight Style When Replacing the Door?
No. A complete replacement gives you an opportunity to choose new glass, privacy levels, colors, finishes, and sidelight styles available with the new door system.
Can a Door With Sidelights Be Turned Into a French Door?
In many cases, yes. The existing opening may be wide enough to accommodate a French-door or double-door system.
The opening must be professionally measured to determine which configurations will fit. This is a type of conversion Energy Swing commonly performs.
Are Front Doors With Sidelights More Expensive?
Generally, yes. Sidelights add glass, framing, materials, and installation work to the entry system.
Energy Swing's current 2026 Pittsburgh pricing lists professionally installed single entry doors with sidelights at approximately $9,300 to over $17,000, depending on the exact configuration.
Do Sidelights Make an Entry Door Less Energy Efficient?
Not necessarily. Energy performance depends on the complete system, including the door, glass package, frame, threshold, weatherstripping, and installation.
When comparing products, review the ratings for the actual door-and-glass configuration you are considering rather than judging performance only by the amount of glass.
Planning Your Front Door Replacement in Pittsburgh
If your current entrance has sidelights, start by deciding what you want to improve about it.
Maybe you want more privacy without losing natural light.
Maybe you love the existing configuration but want a completely different style.
Maybe the door is becoming difficult to operate or the entire entrance is showing its age.
Or perhaps you want to explore whether the existing opening could become a French-door entry.
Knowing those priorities makes the product-selection process much easier.
ProVia currently offers Signet fiberglass, Ascent fiberglass, and Legacy steel entry doors with a variety of sidelight, glass, finish, and hardware options.
At Energy Swing's ProVia Experience Center in Monroeville, homeowners can compare full-size doors, glass, finishes, and hardware in person instead of making every decision from a catalog or computer screen.
Installation is also worth considering as part of the product. Energy Swing uses its own employee installers rather than subcontractors, and the installation is part of the coverage provided through our Triple Lifetime Warranty.
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