Adding a strip of glass above your garage door, a few small squares, or an entire frosted glass panel that spans the width of the door can change the overall look of your home. While garage door with windows may be a small detail, they can significantly affect the look of your home’s exterior and the functionality of your garage.
This guide will detail the options available, the things you should consider before making your decision, and determine if window additions will be a good choice for your home.
What are the Advantages of Having Windows in a Garage Door?
Natural light is the most clear advantage. Garages are often dark and unwelcoming. Regardless of whether the space is used for parking cars, storage, or as a workspace, light from through the door will make the area much more pleasant.
Another advantage to having windows in a garage door is curb appeal. A solid sheet of material like steel or wood can be a blank canvas that is neither good or bad. However, with the addition of windows, the door can be much more visually interesting. This is especially true for houses that have the garage as a prominent feature on the facade.
What is the Available Glazing Options?
The assortment of window selections available over various types of doors is wider than most people think.
Single glazed acrylic is seen on a lot of mid-range steel and GRP doors. It is light, cheap, and does the job of providing light without adding too much weight to the door. The downside is that it does not provide much thermal and acoustic insulation and may scratch over time.
Real glass (6-8mm toughened) is a quality improvement that gives a more solid premium look to the door. It sits more flush in the door panel and stays clearer than acrylic for a longer time.
Double-glazed units (acrylic or real glass) are offered on higher-spec doors and help significantly to retain heat. This is important if your garage is attached to your house or used as a working space.
Triple glazed sections are found on doors where the glazing is the main design element, rather than just a small strip at the top. Modern aluminium sectional doors may use floor-to-ceiling glazing for a bold design.
The choice of glass finishes is extensive: clear, frosted, opaque, sandblasted, antiqued, and even coloured glass. For security purposes, frosted or opaque options are popular among homeowners who want to keep the light while avoiding a clear view of the interior.
Which Door Types Can Have Windows?
In practice, there are many main types of garage doors that can be fitted with some type of glazing, though the choices differ widely.
Up and over doors, steel, and GRP doors frequently have windows as part of the design.
Typical styles such as the Georgian and Beaumont often include small rectangular windows at the top of the door, which resemble a traditional side-hinged door with glazed panels. This design option adapts well to older and more classic homes.
Sectional doors, offer perhaps the most options when it comes to custom glazing. Given the door’s design of horizontal sections, windows can be added to any of the sections, or several. Common shapes include oblongs, rounds, and other custom shapes, though there tends to be added cost for all but the standard options.
Side-hinged doors can also be designed with windows in each of the leaves, and it can be especially useful for garages that are used regularly during the day as a workshop or utility space.
Roller doors present a different situation. Single skin steel roller doors do not typically have window options, but some manufacturers offer aluminum insulated rollers with a glazed panel in the bottom slat of the curtain, although that is less common.
Considerations
Before deciding, the first areas to focus on are privacy and safety. Windows are a potential target for compromise on any door. The risk is mitigated with the use of frosted or opaque windows. Also, it is a good idea to have windows placed high on the door as this would be more difficult to reach.
You should also consider the orientation.
Garage doors that fully glaze and open to the west or south can get hot in the summer. This might be undesirable depending on what you need to store in your garage.
You should also consider the maintenance. Acrylic panels can yellow due to UV exposure, and will likely need to be replaced. Glass panels are more expensive, but can also be more durable than acrylic. A heavier panel can also affect how the door operates (e.g. it might be harder to lift). You should discuss this with the door specialist before you make any orders.
Is It Worth it?
If you use your garage space for anything other than storage, then it likely is worth it. It makes the space more usable and it can improve the curb appeal of your house. The glazing style should match the door design so that it looks more cohesive and isn’t just a design afterthought.
If you’re unsure which option works best, feel free to reach out.
