The best exterior back door with a window should fit your opening, suit your climate, and provide the right balance of light, privacy, and access. These three options take different approaches: two are split Dutch doors, while the third is a full-height entry door with a built-in pet flap. Check each product’s dimensions and installation requirements carefully, especially if you need a weather-ready door for a fully exposed back entrance.
| Product | Design and glass | Standout feature | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMARTSTANDARD 32" x 80" Dutch Door | Split pine door with clear divided-light glass | Includes hinges and a door lock | Indoor use or a sheltered entry where a Dutch-door design is wanted |
| AINLARRY 32" x 80" Dutch Exterior Door | Split solid-pine door with nine-lite tempered glass | Designed for indoor or outdoor use | A Dutch-style entry with separate top and bottom sections |
| Lakenyon 36" x 80" 9-Lite Door with Pet Door | Full-height door with double tempered glass | Built-in pet flap with closing panel | Homes that need pet access through a back entry |
Table of Contents
Our Picks: Best Exterior Back Door With Window reviews
SMARTSTANDARD Dutch Door: A Classic Split Design for Sheltered Entries
The SMARTSTANDARD is a 32-by-80-inch Dutch door made from solid pine, with a divided-light glass panel in the upper section. Its split design lets you open the top while keeping the bottom closed, which can help you bring in air or talk through the doorway without opening the full door.
The door is supplied unfinished, so you can paint or stain it to suit your home. Hinges and a door lock are included, and the listing describes the hardware as self-latching. Those details make it a practical option for a pantry, mudroom, or other sheltered area where you want a Dutch-door layout.
For an exterior back entrance, treat the product’s “exterior or interior” description as a reason to check the installation details—not as a guarantee that it suits every exposure. The listing does not specify weatherstripping, a prehung frame, or a weather rating. It is also marked unavailable in the supplied listing data, so check the listing before planning a project around it. Compared with the AINLARRY, this model has a simpler glass layout and less exterior-specific construction information.
Pros:
- Split design allows the upper section to open separately.
- Solid-pine construction with an unfinished surface for customization.
- Includes hinges and a door lock.
- Divided glass brings daylight into the room.
Cons:
- The listing does not provide details such as a weather rating or weatherstripping.
- Marked unavailable in the supplied listing data.
Verdict: Choose the SMARTSTANDARD if you want a customizable Dutch door for a sheltered or interior location, but confirm exterior suitability and availability before treating it as a back-entry replacement.
AINLARRY Dutch Exterior Door: A Heavier Pine Option with Nine-Lite Glass
This 32-by-80-inch split Dutch door is made from solid pine and has nine-lite clear tempered glass. The product description lists a 1.75-inch-thick door panel and says the pine is kiln-dried. Its top and bottom sections can operate independently, giving you the option to open the upper half while leaving the lower half closed.
AINLARRY presents this model for both indoor and outdoor use, including exterior entries and porches. The door arrives unfinished, which gives you flexibility to paint or stain it, but also means you will need to plan for a suitable finish. The listing describes the glass as SGCC-certified tempered glass and includes four hinges and one latch.
Pay close attention to the opening measurements: the product details list a 34-by-81.5-inch opening without a jamb, or a 32.25-by-80.5-inch opening with a jamb. Confirm which installation applies to your project before ordering. The listed swing is described as universal left or right, but it is still wise to confirm the setup instructions and hardware orientation. Compared with the SMARTSTANDARD, this option offers more specific exterior-use and sizing details; it still has a split-door design rather than a conventional single-panel door.
Pros:
- Solid-pine construction with a listed 1.75-inch panel thickness.
- Nine-lite tempered glass provides a broad area for daylight.
- Described for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Includes four hinges and a latch.
Cons:
- Unfinished wood needs an appropriate paint or stain finish.
- Opening dimensions vary based on whether the installation uses a jamb.
Verdict: The AINLARRY is the strongest fit here if you want a Dutch-style exterior door and have verified that its opening dimensions match your entry.
Lakenyon 9-Lite Door: A Full-Height Entry with a Built-In Pet Flap
Unlike the two Dutch doors, the Lakenyon is a full-height 36-by-80-inch entry door. Its nine-lite glass design uses double tempered glass, while a built-in pet flap provides a separate route for pets. The flap opening measures 15.16 inches high by 10.75 inches wide, and its closing panel and magnetic seal are intended to close off the opening when needed.
The panel combines MDF and solid wood and comes with a waterproof primer, according to the product details. The white primed finish is described as ready to use or paint. The listing also describes a UV-resistant coating and a surface intended for humid environments. However, it does not specify a complete weather rating or installation frame, so confirm that the door’s finish and construction are suitable for the exposure at your back entrance.
The door is 1.73 inches thick, and hinges are not included. The stated rough opening should be two inches wider and two-and-a-half inches taller than the door panel, so measure your space before buying and account for the hardware and installation method. The listing marks this product unavailable in the supplied data. Compared with the Dutch-door choices, it gives up the split top-and-bottom opening but is the only option here with a built-in pet flap.
Pros:
- Full-height 9-lite design with double tempered glass.
- Built-in pet flap with a closing panel and magnetic seal.
- Primed surface is described as ready to use or paint.
- Wider 36-inch panel than the two 32-inch options.
Cons:
- Hinges are not included.
- Marked unavailable in the supplied listing data.
Verdict: Consider the Lakenyon if a built-in pet flap matters more than a Dutch-door opening, but verify availability, fit, and exterior suitability before you commit.
How to Choose an Exterior Back Door with a Window
Measure the door and rough opening
Start by measuring the existing door panel and the rough opening, not just the visible space in the frame. These products are not all the same size: two are 32 by 80 inches, while the Lakenyon is 36 by 80 inches. The AINLARRY lists different opening dimensions depending on whether a jamb is present, and the Lakenyon gives a separate rough-opening guideline. Use the installation instructions for the exact configuration you plan to buy.
Decide whether a Dutch door fits your routine
A Dutch door has separate top and bottom sections. That can be useful when you want to open the top for airflow or conversation while keeping the lower section shut. It is not the same as a standard full-height door, and its split design may not suit every entry or household. If you prefer a conventional door panel, the Lakenyon is the only full-height option in this selection.
Match the door to the entry’s exposure
A back door exposed to rain, sun, and changing temperatures needs materials and a finish suited to those conditions. The AINLARRY is specifically described for outdoor use, while the SMARTSTANDARD is described for exterior or interior use without the same level of weather-related detail. The Lakenyon’s listing mentions a waterproof primer and UV-resistant coating, but does not provide a complete weather rating. Confirm installation requirements and exterior-use guidance before choosing any of them for an exposed opening.
Consider glass, daylight, and privacy
Clear glass can bring more daylight into a dim entry, but it also gives a view through the door. The SMARTSTANDARD has divided-light glass, and the AINLARRY and Lakenyon use nine-lite designs. Check the listing images and specifications to understand the glass layout you are getting. If privacy matters, consider how the entry faces your yard or neighboring homes before selecting clear glazing.
Check the materials and finish requirements
The SMARTSTANDARD and AINLARRY are described as solid-pine doors and arrive unfinished, so plan to paint or stain them. The Lakenyon uses MDF and solid wood and comes with a white primer, which the listing says can be used as-is or painted. These descriptions are not a substitute for confirming care and finish instructions for your specific installation, especially on an exterior-facing door.
Check the hardware and installation plan
Included hardware differs. The SMARTSTANDARD includes hinges and a door lock, and the AINLARRY lists four hinges and one latch. The Lakenyon listing says hinges are not included. Before ordering, check whether you also need a frame, lockset, or other hardware, and whether the door’s swing and opening measurements work with your existing setup.
Decide whether you need pet access
The Lakenyon is the only option here with a built-in pet flap. Its stated opening size is 15.16 inches high by 10.75 inches wide, so compare those measurements with your pet’s size and the way your household uses the entry. The two Dutch doors do not list a built-in pet flap; their split design is a different way to manage airflow and access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which door is the best fit for an exterior back entry?
For a Dutch-style exterior entry, the AINLARRY provides the clearest exterior-use and opening-size details in this selection. If you need a pet flap, consider the Lakenyon. In either case, confirm the measurements, finish requirements, and suitability for your entry’s exposure before ordering.
Are these doors prehung?
The supplied product details do not confirm that all three come prehung. The AINLARRY describes a split slab and provides opening dimensions with and without a jamb. Check the listing to confirm whether a frame is included for the exact product configuration.
Do the Dutch doors let you open only the top half?
Yes. The SMARTSTANDARD and AINLARRY are described as split Dutch doors with independently operating upper and lower sections. Their split design lets you open the top while keeping the bottom closed.
Which option has a built-in dog door?
The Lakenyon has a built-in pet flap with a closing panel and magnetic seal. Its listed flap opening is 15.16 inches high by 10.75 inches wide. Check those measurements against your pet before choosing it.
Do any of these doors include hinges?
The SMARTSTANDARD listing says hinges are included, and the AINLARRY listing specifies four hinges. The Lakenyon listing says hinges are not included, so you will need to plan for compatible hardware.
Can I paint or stain these doors?
The SMARTSTANDARD and AINLARRY are described as unfinished, allowing you to paint or stain them. The Lakenyon comes with a white primer and is described as ready to use or paint. Follow the product’s finish instructions, particularly if the door will face the outdoors.
What should I know before buying a clear-glass back door?
Clear glass can brighten an entry, but it can also reduce privacy. Consider the door’s location and sightlines, then confirm the glass specifications and installation requirements in the product listing.
Final Recommendation
For a Dutch-style back entry, the AINLARRY is the most clearly specified exterior option among these picks, with solid-pine construction, tempered glass, and listed opening measurements. The Lakenyon is the more relevant choice if you want a full-height door with a built-in pet flap. The SMARTSTANDARD may suit a sheltered or interior location, but its exterior details are less specific. Measure your opening, confirm what hardware is included, and verify that the door’s finish and construction suit your entry before buying.
