How to Choose the Right Glass for Your Door

We can source almost any glass on the market so if you have something specific in mind, get in touch.

Our three most popular styles are clear, reeded and cathedral glass. Here's how to choose between them.

Choosing comes down to three things

LIGHT

How much natural light do you need? All three options let light in, but clear glass lets in the most and the most directly.

PRIVACY

Is your door street-facing, or does it already have natural screening? Privacy is the biggest driver of which glass makes sense.

STYLE

What’s the aesthetic of your home and the feeling you want to create? Each glass type has a distinct character that suits different styles.

Clear Glass

Timeless. Maximum light. Clean and open. Best for private entries.

Light

Privacy

Texture

Clear Glass lets in the most light and gives your entry an open, welcoming feel. Because there's no texture or pattern, the look is clean and unfussy and it suits virtually any house style, from contemporary to classic.

The main trade-off is privacy: it shows the inside world as clearly as the outside one.

If your door looks out onto a garden, courtyard or view worth seeing, clear glass is the obvious pick - textured glass will blur what you're trying to frame.

Or if it's a side or back-of-house door like a laundry or side entry where privacy is less of a concern, it's also an obvious choice.

But when used as a front entry door, Clear Glass works best when the entry is already naturally screened - a front fence, porch, garden or a generous setback from the footpath. It also picks up fingerprints more visibly than textured glass, worth keeping in mind on a high-traffic door.

Reeded Glass

Most Popular. Privacy and light in equal measure. Suits almost any home.

Light

Privacy

Texture

Reeded Glass (also called Fluted Glass) has vertical ribbing that blurs shapes and movement while still letting plenty of light through. It's the best of both worlds - your entry stays bright without feeling exposed.

It suits a wide range of homes: modern, coastal, farmhouse, transitional, contemporary and even classic styles.

The vertical lines also add an architectural, refined quality - they make a door feel taller, more deliberate and more considered. It's a current look that won't date too quickly.

If you're unsure which glass to choose, reeded is usually a safe and beautiful default.

Cathedral Glass

Classic. Decorative and charming. Made for homes with character.

Light

Privacy

Texture

Cathedral Glass has a textured, patterned finish that mimics the look of rippling water or old hammered panes. It has a warmth and movement that no other glass quite replicates.

Like Reeded Glass, it blurs the view while still letting a good amount of light through but the feel is softer, more romantic and distinctly traditional.

It's best suited to cottage homes, Queenslanders, federation and heritage-style homes, and country or farmhouse facades. It brings a slightly traditional, vintage or old-world feel to a door - the kind of detail that gives a home real character and charm. It can also soften a newer home, adding something that feels considered rather than plain.

At a glance

Glass type
Light
Privacy
Best suited to
Glass typeClear
LightHighest
PrivacyLow
Best suited toAll house styles. Best for private entries, side or back-of-house doors, and doors where you want to capture a view.
Glass typeReeded
LightHigh
PrivacyMedium–high
Best suited toModern, coastal, farmhouse, transitional and contemporary homes. Adds a sophisticated, architectural feel that elevates any entry.
Glass typeCathedral
LightHigh
PrivacyMedium–high
Best suited toCottage, Queenslander, federation, heritage and country-style homes. Adds a traditional, vintage feel with an old-world charm.

Can't find exactly what you're after?

We can source almost any glass available on the market. If you have something specific in mind, a different texture, pattern or finish, we'd love to hear from you.

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