Sidelight

---

title: "Sidelight" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["architectural-elements", "windows"] description: "Type of window" topic_path: "technology/operating-systems" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidelight" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Type of window ::

::callout[type=note] a window ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Old_pretty_door_KGDs.jpg" caption="Door with sidelights"] ::

A sidelight or sidelite in a building is a window, usually with a vertical emphasis, that flanks a door or a larger window. Sidelights are narrow, usually stationary and found immediately adjacent to doorways. While most commonly found as supporting elements emphasizing the importance of a primary entrance, sidelights may be employed at any interior or exterior door where a visual emphasis is desired, or where additional light or visibility is needed.

Design

Sidelights are often found in tandem with transom windows and generally the pane size in the sidelights matches that of the transom. Typically narrow, sidelights can be placed on both or just one side of a door and can include a sash or have glass that is stopped into the frame.

Security and privacy concerns

While transom windows generally do not have any privacy concerns associated with them because of their height, sidelights usually need to be covered to ensure privacy.

When approaching building security sidelights can factor into entrance security. For instance, for proper security a sidelight should only be installed on the side of the door without the door knob or handle.

References

References

1. "Glossary of Architectural Terms {{!}} Trust for Architectural Easements".
2. Barr, Peter. "[http://www.sienaheights.edu/personal/pbarr/glossary.html Illustrated Glossary] {{Webarchive. link. (2009-01-25 ", 19th Century Adrian Architecture, accessed June 17, 2009.)
3. "[http://sunsite.utk.edu/cpc/downloads/Maryville.pdf The College Hill Historic District] {{webarchive. link. (2006-04-07 ", Community Partnership Center, accessed June 17, 2009.)
4. 1580113192).
5. 0071416323).
6. 0471289469).
7. 1420068075).

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::