Considering glass doors for your heritage building? Ion Glass explore the benefits
July 2025

Many churches and heritage properties have recognized that traditional heavy wooden doors can be off-putting, creating an unwelcome barrier for visitors. Replacing timber doors with a bespoke structural glass alternative, whilst keeping the original doors fixed permanently open offers all the benefits of a contemporary glass door without losing any of the intrinsic heritage.

A glass door, with an open view of the interior is significantly more welcoming
Use of glass improves light flow, increasing the levels of natural light to the interior of the building
Glass doors can be fully automated, allowing easier, more inclusive access
Replacing a timber door with glass can do much to save energy, alleviating heat loss and avoiding draughts,
The glass door can be made fully secure and fitted with alarms as required
Glass has minimal impact on the structure of the building, meeting listed building requirements
Use of a bespoke glass manifestation to meet building regulations can also add a contemporary style note

Use of a glass transom and side panels can facilitate the use of more simple double doors within an arched space. Ion regularly employ this technique to perfectly accommodate glass doors in arches of different dimensions.

These fully bespoke Ion Glass doors at different churches and heritage sites have created functional and stylish entrances in traditional – often listed – environments:

The original wooden front door at St Dionis Church in Parsons Green, London, looked dark and uninviting, discouraging visitors and minimising light to the interior

Replacing the wooden door with glass and opening up the bricks on either side to include two full height side windows transformed the entrance, creating a welcoming entrance with a light and airy space within.

A complete re-ordering of Holy Trinity Church at Wantage involved enclosing the open porch with glass and installing bespoke fully automatic double doors. The original wooden doors were retained but kept permanently open, allowing light to flood into the interior.

Removal of the original wooden doors and replacing them with bespoke glass created a welcoming entrance for St Mary’s, East Molesey. Use of computer aided measuring techniques, careful design and accurate manufacturing ensured the glass fits perfectly around the stonework. The custom designed manifestation was created to reflect the new styling and re-ordering of the church.

For more information on Ion’s solutions in fully frameless or minimally framed bespoke glass doors, porches, glass linkways, glass shower screens, internal or external balustrades (curved or straight), glass screens or other architectural glass installations call us on 0345 658 9988, send us an email via info@ionglass.co.uk or make an immediate appointment to speak to one of our experts.

www.ionglass.co.uk