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Flush vs Glazed
Flush fire doors have a smooth, unbroken leaf with no glazing. Glazed fire doors include one or more vision panels — typically pyro-resistant glass — to allow visibility, natural light, and aesthetic interest. Both can meet FD30 and FD60 ratings, but the choice has implications for cost, visibility, and the fire strategy. Here's what to consider.
Option A
Flush Fire Doors
No vision panels — solid leaf with smooth face
- Smooth, unbroken leaf — clean modern aesthetic
- Lowest-cost option in any rating
- No glass to fail or be damaged — most robust
- Common in residential bedrooms, plant rooms, riser cupboards, storage areas
- Available in every material — paint grade, oak, ash, walnut, sapele
Option B
Glazed Fire Doors
Vision panels of pyro-resistant glass
- One or more vision panels with pyro-resistant glass
- Allows visibility and natural light through the opening
- Common in retail, offices, schools, healthcare, communal corridors
- Glazing tested as part of the complete door assembly
- Premium over flush equivalents — 15-30% more typical
Side-by-side comparison
| Specification | Flush Fire Doors | Glazed Fire Doors |
|---|---|---|
| Vision panel | None | One or more pyro-resistant panels |
| Fire rating | FD30, FD60 | FD30, FD60 (subject to glazing test evidence) |
| Materials | All veneers + paint-grade | Same, with glazing aperture |
| Cost | Baseline | 15-30% more than equivalent flush door |
| Common use | Bedrooms, plant rooms, storage, riser cupboards | Retail, offices, corridors, schools, healthcare |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Glazing beads must be inspected; glass replaced if cracked |
Which should you choose?
Choose flush for bedrooms, plant rooms, and storage where there's no functional need for visibility. Choose glazed for corridors, retail, offices, schools, healthcare and anywhere two-way pedestrian flow or natural light matters.
Recommended doors
Certified to BS 476 Part 22 · 2-3 week lead time · full documentation supplied
FD30 · Internal
Internal Flush Double FD30
£385.00 – £795.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FD30 · Internal
1G Internal Glazed Double FD30
£718.00 – £1158.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FD30 · Internal
3G Internal Glazed Double FD30
£718.00 – £1158.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FD30 · Internal
8G Internal Glazed Double FD30
£750.00 – £1235.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FD30 · Internal
16G Internal Glazed Double FD30
£718.00 – £1158.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FD30 · Internal
19G Internal Glazed Double FD30
£1110.00 – £1520.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FD30 · Internal
20G Internal Glazed Double FD30
£718.00 – £1158.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FD30 · Internal
25G Internal Glazed Double FD30
£718.00 – £1158.00ex. VAT
1981 x 1524 x 44mm (2 x 762), 1981 x 1676 x 44mm (2 x 838), 2040 x 1652 x 44mm (2 x 826), 2040 x 1852 x 44mm (2 x 926)
FAQ
Flush vs Glazed — common questions
Can glazed fire doors achieve FD60?
Yes — pyro-resistant glass can be tested at FD60. The glass and the surrounding glazing system (channels, beads, intumescent strips around the glass) must all be part of the door manufacturer's certified test evidence. Substituting a different glass type, even one rated to FD60, can void the certification because the system has not been tested as a whole.
Where are glazed fire doors required by Building Regulations?
Building Regulations Approved Document B doesn't mandate glazed fire doors in any specific location, but vision panels are strongly recommended in doors that swing both ways or in corridors where someone might walk into the door. They are also commonly required in healthcare, education, and some commercial settings as part of the building's fire strategy and access design.
What size vision panels can fire doors have?
The maximum vision panel size depends on the specific door's test evidence. Most FD30 glazed fire doors permit vision panels up to approximately 600x1500mm; FD60 glazed doors are more restricted, typically up to 600x1300mm. Always check the manufacturer's data sheet — exceeding the tested aperture size voids the certification.
Are glazed fire doors more expensive than flush?
Yes — typically 15-30% more. The pyro-resistant glass itself is expensive, and the glazing system (channels, intumescent strips, beads) adds further cost. Larger or multi-pane glazed doors carry a higher premium than single-pane vision panels.
Can vision panels be added to an existing flush fire door?
No. Cutting a glazing aperture into an existing fire door voids its fire certification. The door was tested as a solid leaf, and creating an opening — regardless of what is fitted in it — changes the fundamental construction. If you need a vision panel, order a glazed fire door from the factory, not a modification.