8+ Options for Your Entry Door
When you’re designing the perfect entry door for your home, it’s not just about color or hardware. It’s the little details—like the glass design—that really bring your style to life. One of the most beautiful, timeless details you can add to a door is Simulated Divided Lites, also known as SDLs.
If you’ve ever admired the elegant, gridded look of historic wood windows or French doors, that’s the effect SDLs create. And the best part? You can get that classic style with modern energy efficiency and durability—especially when you choose a ProVia entry door from Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement.
In this post, we’ll explain exactly what Simulated Divided Lites are, why homeowners love them, and the 4 ProVia SDL options you can choose for your new entry door.
First Things First: What Are Simulated Divided Lites?
Way back when, window and door glass was often made by joining together smaller panes with wood mullions. This style created a beautiful, handcrafted look. HOWEVER, it wasn’t great for insulation, strength, or longevity.
With Simulated Divided Lites (SDLs), you can have your cake and eat it too! They provide the same traditional look. And instead of using individual panes of glass, decorative grids are applied to the surface of a single, high-performance piece of glass.
What does that mean?
- You get the aesthetic of real divided lights
- You maintain excellent energy efficiency
- You reduce maintenance and cleaning hassle
Think of it like this: You get the charm of the past with the performance of the present. It’s a win-win.
Why Louisiana Homeowners Love Simulated Divided Lites:
Here in Acadiana, style matters—but so does resilience. With our hot summers, storms, and humidity, you want doors that can stand up to the elements while turning heads for all the right reasons.
And SDLs are more than simply adding strips of wood. A shadow bar between the glass gives the SDLs the appearance of true divided lights.
That’s why we offer high-quality ProVia entry doors with SDL options. Whether you’re in Lafayette, Broussard, Alexandria, or the surrounding areas, you can have a door that looks like it belongs in a Southern Living magazine and performs like it was made for a hurricane zone.
The 8+ SDL Options for Your Door
ProVia offers 2 main types, with 4 SDL choices to match your home’s style—whether you’re going for modern farmhouse, coastal cottage, or traditional Acadian charm. Here’s a quick breakdown:
1. Classic Simulated Divided Lites
This is your go-to option if you want that authentic, hand-crafted look. The exterior and interior grids are applied to the glass surface, perfectly aligned for a clean and traditional style.
Whether you are looking for simple, high-end, or modern, each of these styles include shadow bars for the appearance of true divided lights at every angle.
Best for: Colonial, cottage, and traditional homes.
- Craftsman for a simple colonial design.
- Contoured for a traditional or farmhouse look.
- Beveled glass for high-end homes where authenticity matters and every detail counts.
- Smooth for that additional modern edge.
2. Internal Simulated Divided Lites – Grids Between Glass
Okay, technically not SDLs—but they sure look like it. These are grids inside the insulated glass unit. That means no dusting each little pane! It’s easier to clean and a little more budget-friendly while still offering a classic look. Not only is the single pane of glass more energy efficient, but most of ProVia’s internal grids are available with triple-glazed glass (the addition of a third pane for added energy efficiency) or double-glazed glass for ENERGY STAR certification.
This is best for: Homeowners who want the style with easier cleaning. Who really wants extra upkeep?
Here are the choices below:
Bonus: Customization Galore
At Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement, we work with you to design every detail of your entry door. Besides material, type of finish, and type of glass, we can also customize these SDL options.
- Want SDLs in a custom pattern?
- Prefer prairie-style grids or a 6-lite setup?
- Need optimal energy efficiency?
We’ll guide you through your options, from woodgrain finishes to decorative glass. And because we install ProVia doors, you’re getting a product handcrafted in the USA, built for beauty, security, and energy efficiency.
Final Thought: Details Make the Door
Your entry door is the first impression your home makes. Simulated Divided Lites are one of those small details that elevate a door from “nice” to “absolutely stunning.”
If you’re thinking about replacing your door—or just want to explore what’s possible—we’d love to show you the ProVia difference. At Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement, we’re here to help you love your home again, one beautiful entry at a time.
Call now or fill out a form to set up a free consultation with a Jim Olivier expert. We can’t wait to help you love your home again.
