{{Short description|Type of window}} {{About|a window|a vehicle light|Automotive lighting#Front position lights}}
thumb|right|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://architecturaltrust.org/outreach/education/glossary-of-architectural-terms/|title=Glossary of Architectural Terms {{!}} Trust for Architectural Easements|website=architecturaltrust.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-23|archive-date=2021-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828183015/https://architecturaltrust.org/outreach/education/glossary-of-architectural-terms/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sidelights are narrow, usually stationary and found immediately adjacent to doorways.<ref name=barr>Barr, Peter. "[http://www.sienaheights.edu/personal/pbarr/glossary.html Illustrated Glossary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125095349/http://sienaheights.edu/personal/pbarr/glossary.html |date=2009-01-25 }}", 19th Century Adrian Architecture, accessed June 17, 2009.</ref><ref name=maryville>"[http://sunsite.utk.edu/cpc/downloads/Maryville.pdf The College Hill Historic District] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060407014126/http://sunsite.utk.edu/cpc/downloads/Maryville.pdf |date=2006-04-07 }}", Community Partnership Center, accessed June 17, 2009.</ref> 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.<ref name=wilson>Wilson, Steve. ''Exterior House Trim: Creative Ideas for the Exterior of Your Home'', ([https://books.google.com/books?id=u-QukMlP2gkC&dq=sidelight+window&pg=PA63 Google Books]), Creative Homeowner, 2006, p. 63, ({{ISBN|1580113192}}).</ref> 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.<ref name=mouzon>Mouzon, Stephen A. and Henderson, Susan M. ''Traditional Construction Patterns'', ([https://books.google.com/books?id=Yy3JbJhWcKcC&dq=sidelight+window&pg=PA47 Google Books]), McGraw-Hill Professional, 2004, p. 47, ({{ISBN|0071416323}}).</ref>
==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.<ref name=nielson/> Any number of window treatments can be employed to enhance privacy in doorways with sidelights. Miniblinds, micro-miniblinds, and shirred curtains are among the window treatments that offer an increased level of privacy.<ref name=nielson/> Another choice is stained or beveled glass, which can offer some privacy while also contributing to the overall beauty of a building's design.<ref name=nielson>Nielson, Karla J. ''Window Treatments'', ([https://books.google.com/books?id=y6U0uP5cyLQC&dq=sidelight+window&pg=PA93 Google Books]), John Wiley and Sons, 1989, pp. 92-93, ({{ISBN|0471289469}}).</ref>
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.<ref name=atlas/> Sidelights provide people on a building's interior with a narrow view of the outdoors and as such doors without sidelights, especially in apartment buildings, should be equipped with a peephole.<ref name=atlas>Atlas, Randall I. ''21st Century Security and CPTED: Designing for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Crime Prevention'', ([https://books.google.com/books?id=BHVp6SkgPagC&dq=sidelight+window&pg=PA249 Google Books]), CRC Press, 2008, pp. 248-49, ({{ISBN|1420068075}}).</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Architectural elements Category:Windows