Would you have a full glass front door?

[Magenta999]

I'm looking to get a new front door on my house (not in the best neighbourhood to be honest). I was aiming to get a half glass/half panel PVC door. The kitchen is very dark so I do need some glass to let some light in. The salesman recommended a full glass door as he says the glass is just as tough, if not tougher, than the panels.
I think it would really brighten up the room but my instinct is that glass is unsafe (even if in reality it's fine, theres some sort of subconscious feeling that its unsafe).
Any thoughts as I am looking to sell the house and dont want to put off any potential buyers.
Sorry this is an intensely dull post!

Whenever I’m watching a (usually an American thriller) film and see a full glass door I always think “well shes going to get murdered” it just seems so risky.

However, conservatories have full length glass doors so I’m not sure why I feel that way. I supposed we just aren’t used to seeing a main door with full glass. It would probably put me off tbh.

I know at least 2 people who were injured as children by crashing into glass front doors, but I imagine the spec is different now from the 1960s!

I'd be more concerned about privacy tbh. I wouldn't be keen on it as a buyer.

Yeah I know what you mean. It would be patterned so passers by couldn't see completely through it. I'm sure it would make the inside of the house lovely and bright and I'm sure toughened glass is very strong. But psychologically theres something about them that says "unsafe"

Personally I wouldn't get an all glass front door. I'd worry about privacy and security. Could you brighten up in other ways? Very light (white?) paint, walls, ceilings etc with cream tiles? Keep curtains back off windows to get max light in during the day. Strategically placed lighting - so main lights then extra wall lights or a lamp?

I’d be more worried about privacy too tbh.

No.

What about panelled glass like these. Lots of light but gives the illusion of being more sturdy than a plain glass pane

We do. It's opaqued though. It's extra wide and asymmetric to accommodate a wheelchair.

We have full glass front door (and 2 full glass side panels). We had this for 16 years, I have just had a new front door and replaced it with the same style. Our front door is on the side though, so you can't see in unless you come down the drive to our door, or peek over next door's fence IFSWIM.
It is great as the light in the hall is lovely, and that is the main reason I really didn't want to reduce the amount of glass, as there is no hall window.
The glass is patterned, so you can see movement and colour but nothing else.

Talbot - I love that door. (Maybe if it were opaque like that I would)
Also I think it does depend on how visible your door is from the street.

We moved into our home with a full glass front door and the obscured glass was great during the day.
However we found that after dark with a light on in the hall it might as well have been conventional glass.
We opted for a 40% glass composite door with a curtain hung behind it.

It’s a lot warmer in the winter too.

Doors with over 50% glass need signing off by council / fensa. I don't think those with under 50% do. Just a note as it can increase your options and bring down the cost.

Even if people's can't see you, they can still see your shape and see you passing by, and at night when it's dark outside and you have lights on then you will be very visible to the outside so I guess it depends how comfortable you are with that, could always have a door curtain?

I have a glass front door and both panels either side. Also a wall which is windows and bifolds. They are triple glazed and safe, can’t be smashed with a hammer. Also I have integrated blinds inside the glass for privacy.

Aside from privacy and security concerns I think it would look a bit odd. I don't know if you have the space but what about sidelights or a window above or a couple of glass panels in the door e.g
images.app.goo.gl/z2sMmbUAqpc82E8i9

We did have one in the house we moved into but it seemed to be a target for both burglars and local yobs (we live in a nice area). It was always getting deliberately smashed or shot at with airgun pellets late at night or early in the morning.

I’d never have a glass door again.

Glass will be as tough if it's the right spec and standard, if you Google lots of police forces have really detailed advice on lock and door handle security when buying new doors or replacing locks, which may help inform your decision.

But I would hate it from a privacy aspect. We had a half glazed door in our first home and I didn't feel comfortable walking through the hallway or answering the door in the dark as I just felt exposed somehow as although it was stippled glass, you could see right through it so couldn't discreetly check who was knocking as they saw you coming. We ended up installing a blind to pull down at night. I guess a long curtain could also work. But I'm someone who has to have curtains closed at night, can't be doing with all these full length slaps windows and bifold doors people have with no curtains or blinds

Ours is the most opaque sort of glass, and if my friend can see me putting my coat on when she collects me in the morning, she knows she doesn't need to ring the bell. The hall is separate from the rest of the house so not a privacy issue. You can be seen coming to the door though, so if you see it is the JWs, it is a bit awkward.

The house over the road has a glass door and I can see the light from their television through it in the winter.

A full glass front door can indeed brighten up your kitchen and make the space feel more open and inviting. Modern glass technologies have made glass doors quite secure, often as tough as traditional panel doors.
To address safety concerns, you can opt for laminated or toughened glass, which are highly durable and resistant to breakage.
Considering you're looking to sell the house, a full glass door can be a unique selling point, adding a touch of modernity and style. It's always a good idea to consult with a reputable door supplier like Joinery for all Seasons to explore your options and find a door that meets both your safety needs and aesthetic preferences.