Natural light teeming through your home’s windows creates an uplifting atmosphere to enjoy year-round. One way to increase your home’s natural light is to add transom and sidelight windows around your front door.
Transom windows sit horizontally above the door while sidelights are located to the left and right side of your door. These attractive features not only brighten your home interior, but also add distinct curb appeal to your home, boosting its value.
Your front door is the focal point of your home, and transom windows and sidelights enhance its looks.
Transom Windows 101
A transom is the structural beam located above your door frame. It separates your door from the (transom) window above it. Transom windows are fixed, and come in a wide variety of shapes and styles.
- Rectangular
- Arched
- Square
Sidelights 101
Sidelights are vertical windows located on one or both sides of an entry door. They are fixed, and unable to be opened. Depending on how much glass you want in your sidelights, choose from these popular options:
- ½ lites
- ¾ lites
- Full lites
Tips on Sidelights Style
If your entry door is a vibrant color, paint the sidelights the color of your trim.
- If your home has a low roofline, a large door with sidelights makes your entry look short if it’s all one color.
- Contemporary and Mid-Century Modern homes should have sidelights with thin frames and lots of glass.
- If you have a tall entryway or a high roofline, sidelights can be the same color as your door, creating the illusion that sidelights are actually part of the door.
- If you have an arched door and arched sidelights, your sidelights will extend the stylish look of your door. If your door is wooden, sidelights should be wooden as well.
- For Colonial or Cape Cod homes, your trim and windows should be white. And white sidelights designed to match your trim are customary and gorgeous.
Learn more about how you can update your home’s entryway with our “Homeowner’s Guide to Replacement Doors.”
Inspiration for Adding Sidelights or Transom Windows to Your Home
There are a host of customization options when it comes to adding transom windows and sidelights to your front entryway. Surrounding your front door with these classy features brings out the best in your home’s looks.
Here are some inspiring ideas to spark creative designs for your home entry door’s surrounding sidelights and transom windows.
Choose an arched entry door to maximize your home’s style
An arched entry door with a transom window and sidelights that follow the curved shape of the door is a work of art that gives your home a unique, stylish flair.
Add Colonial grids
The clean lines of an entry door with a ¾ lite with Colonial grids and sidelights to match give your home a stunning, clean, modern look.
Consider a repetitive theme
Windows add a design statement to your home as well as great views of the outdoors. When you install transom windows and sidelights around your entry door, know that you can continue the transom window theme throughout your living space to add visual interest. Enjoy all the benefits of transom windows: natural light, energy savings, and beauty.
Complement your home’s architecture
Curb appeal creates first impressions of your home in your guests’ minds. Your front door, sidelights and transom windows should design the perfect complement to your home’s beauty and accent its charm. Add style and cohesion by coordinating your window frame materials with the materials on your soffit panels.
Combine window and door installation
The best way to get a cohesive look in your home is to purchase your windows and doors from the same contractor. Collections are designed to bring a coordinated look to your home.
Details make a difference
The detailed beauty of a Craftsman-style home with a Craftsman-style door, matching sidelights and matching transom windows with grids can be repeated in the windows throughout your home for a well-coordinated look.
Add light and privacy
Textured glass in your transom windows and sidelights give you the benefits of natural light in your home while creating more privacy for you and your family. Half-paneled sidelights also add privacy along with increased natural light to get the best look for your home.
Get a contemporary look
With textured glass in your transom window and sidelights, wide panels make less room for glass and more of a design statement. With warm wood tones in your window and door frames, you can create a modern look for your home’s entry.
Add contrast with color to your front door and sidelights
If you choose a black door with black sidelights, add a contrasting trim—like white—to make your entry door a focal point that stands out more. Trim should also add a pleasant contrast to the color of your home.
Create an entrance you’re proud of
The combination of your entry door, transom windows and sidelights can be designed so beautifully that you’re proud of it. Welcome your family and friends into a home you love with a warmth that begins when they pull up to your home and spot your entryway.
Upgrade your home’s looks
If your home is in need of a new look, add curb appeal by installing sidelights and transom windows.
Expert Entry Door Installation
Add beauty, security, and energy efficiency to your home with a new entry door, transom windows, and sidelights. Kelly Window and Door delivers detailed door installation so you get the long-term performance you deserve.