How To Add Glass To Front Door

We just gave our forepart door a total overhaul by painting information technology and adding a window (yes, I said we added a window to our front end door!), and the end result is absolutely stunning – and and so like shooting fish in a barrel to achieve! Encounter all of the details of our front door makeover in this mail service. This post is sponsored by Zabitat, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Y'ALL.

Y'all.

I really just don't fifty-fifty know where to begin with this 1. I mean, come on.

Before I fifty-fifty say annihilation, permit me remind you lot that before this by weekend our front door looked similar this:

And now information technology'southward that gorgeous door you saw at the get-go of the post.

WHAT?

I cannot even comprehend the fact that we did this ourselves.We did that!We added a window to our forepart door! All by ourselves! And it was (dare I say information technology?)like shooting fish in a barrel!

If y'all read my post introducing this project last calendar week, then you'll know that we partnered with the fabulous folks at Zabitat for this makeover. I had no idea this production existed until they reached out to me, and I really truly believe anybody needs to know near this because my listen is just blown. Head back to that post to read upwards on all of the details of Zabitat, what they make, and how it works – but read on to notice out how we totally transformed our front door in just an afternoon.

DIY Forepart Door Makeover

I know it'southward hard to imagine how this is really even possible, then let'southward start off with the most important part: I made a video of the entire process so you can run into how it works! I'll share photos and more details downwardly below, but youknow you want to encounter our reactions when we literally cut a giant hole in our front door (in the middle of Baronial. In Texas. While I'm 9 months pregnant).

Are you freaking out yet? Considering I'thousand still freaking out a lilliputian bit. It's so difficult to believe that this is my actual front door at present!

Wanna hear the full details on how we did it? Let's swoop in!

How to Add a Window to Your Front Door

AN IMPORTANT Note:

The first step in this project is to NOT follow my tutorial here and to head over to Zabitat for their fully detailed installation instructions. I'm sharing the procedure mainly to give you lot a general idea of what it'southward like (and how unproblematic information technology is), but if yous're actually tackling this project y'all're going to want to get your instructions straight from the source.

Got it? Good.

Stride 1: Remove Door

We painted our door before we fifty-fifty started the project, because it was badly in need of some color. And then,technically that was our starting time step. The color we chose is Georgian Bay from the HGTV Domicile by Sherwin Williams line. Then, Corey removed the door from the hinges so we could get to piece of work.

Step two: Mensurate and Mark for Your Cuts

Using the measurement guide on Zabitat's website, measure the size of your cut and mark it on the door. Have your time here because nobody wants a also-big pigsty!

We measured the size of the hole, and so used a Sharpie and a level to draw a perfectly straight line. Like I said, this is probably the most important role of the entire project considering it sets the stage for the rest of it. Don't rush, and measure more than one time!

Footstep 3: Add together Painter's Tape Around Your Line

Metal can splinter when cut, so you'll want to be sure to add painter'due south tape all around the edges of your cut to help prevent any issues. Again – move slowly and exist methodical with this!

Information technology helps if you lot accept a snobby 4-year-old supervising.

Step 4: Drill Starter Holes in All iv Corners!

Nosotros used a 1/ii″ drill fleck to drill starter holes in all of the corners. You might notice in the video that our starter holes went all the manner through the door – don't do that! We didn't realize until it was as well late that the holes were only supposed to exist on the top office. Thankfully, it had zip impact on the finished product because we were very careful, just we could accept hands messed things upward. It'southward a practiced reminder that you shouldfully read the instructions provided by the manufacturer (twice!) earlier diving in.

Step five: Employ a Jigsaw to Cutting Along the Line

Now it'southward fourth dimension for the super scary part – cutting out the hole. I was pretty terrified (because again, hello giant pigsty in my forepart door!), only it really was no big bargain and was a breeze to cut through.

A quick note: donon cut all the fashion through your door! You lot're going to be flipping the door over and repeating the process in a minute, so only cutting through one layer of metal.

Pace 6: Flip the Door Over and Repeat Steps two-5!

At present you're gonna do it all over again for the other side of the door. Once yous're washed, you should be able to easily remove the panel you but cut out – if you've done it properly, it'll slip right out!

Y'all're free to stop here and accept a minor panic attack almost the entire project failing and having to go buy a new front door.

We certainly did.

Just afterwards, get yourself together and chill out because I promise this isno big bargain!

Step 7: Install the Drinking glass!

At present, yous'll just lay your glass out on the sawhorses, then option your door up and (gently! carefully!) lay it on top of the glass. So, fit the frame back on elevation and screw it in!

For those who have already been asking, here's the link to the exact window nosotros chose for our front end door!

Footstep eight: Put Your Door Back up and Exhale a Sigh of Relief

Now you're prepare to re-install your door and take a deeeeeeeep breath becauseyous did information technology! You installed a window in a door that didn't have a window before! How amazing is that?!

In all seriousness, I really exercise call up this is a pretty incredible product and I amsoincredibly pleased at how the makeover turned out. I can't believe how gorgeous our front end door looks now and I literally still think that nosotros've left the front door open every time we walk by considering I'yard non used to having then much natural calorie-free in our entry!

I also feel similar information technology's important to note that the window we chose has a really loftier privacy rating and you absolutely cannot encounteranything through information technology unless the person on the other side is literally pressed confronting the glass. I love that we can maintain our privacy and keep ignoring door-to-door salesmen who ring the doorbell without them awkwardly staring at us.

You may too notice that while we were working on the door, we went ahead and replaced the handle and deadbolt. We were spoiled by having keyless entry in the onetime house and we've missed information technologydesperately since we moved hither. We bought the same setup we had earlier to install hither, and life is good over again – no more dealing with keys!

If you lot've got a front door that needs a quick makeover (but y'all don't want to purchase a whole new door), Ihighly recommend you bank check out all of the options on Zabitat. Their products are truly just absolutely genius and I'm so glad nosotros got the chance to try them out!

Would you ever cut a hole in your front door to install a window?!