Benefits of Adding Windows to Your Garage Door
Why would I want to add windows to my garage door?
Windows not only add character to garage doors but also introduce natural light into your garage. While they enhance aesthetic appeal, they can negatively impact insulation unless you choose insulated window options.
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Choosing the Right Windows for Your Garage Door
Tinted and Specialty Glass
What types of glass can you use for windows?
When we talk about garage door windows, we refer to both the glass and a frame used often as the design in the window, and the insert is typically installed inside. As far as the glass goes, there are different types of glass. Non-insulated, insulated, tempered, and annealed (non-tempered glass) exist. Various treatments or obscurities are available: obscure, tinted, frosted, or laminated, and even plexiglass, which is less common. Plexiglass is a durable plastic we installed recently at a home in Seal Beach where the homeowners wanted a window but didn’t want to deal with it ever breaking. For example, you can throw something at it, or if the door itself hits the ground hard, it will not shatter.
Garage door manufacturers offer different types of glass with different looks and designed inserts, which can removed and replaced as much as desired. The inserts are a plastic material that we garage door professionals can pop in or remove, and you can change your mind and change them to a different design or remove them altogether. However, with a wood door, the windows are cut into the door with permanent frames you cannot remove.
Installation Considerations and Customization
Feasibility of Retrofitting Windows
Can you install windows in a garage door that already exists?
I’ve never seen it done or known anyone that does that. We install the windows section along with the other garage door sections. If the garage door is still in production, you can change the windows later and order just the window section. Windows are cut into the door when they are on saw horses in a parallel position to the ground, not perpendicular. It would be challenging to cut windows into a door once installed. If we installed a garage door five years ago and a homeowner wants to change the top section of windows, we would research whether that model is still in production, and if it is, we could come and change out just that section.
Navigating HOA Rules and Permits for Garage Door Windows
Do you often need planning permission to put windows in?
Windows specifically would not require planning permission. A permit would be needed if you were building the entire new garage structure, but typically, replacing the garage door doesn’t require a permit with an existing door. If you are changing styles, I suggest checking with your HOA for more information [link] to confirm that the new style meets their guidelines, as each HOA differs. If you are switching from a white door to a black door or a door with no windows to a door with windows, these types of changes HOAs might especially notice and have concerns about. I would suggest you always check to be safe and ensure you comply with what’s allowed in the HOA.
Window Customization Options
Can you do circular or oval windows, or would that be an insert?
Yes. I’ve seen oval windows in commercial doors, like a warehouse or industrial commercial garage door. Residential steel garage doors don’t offer it, but a wood door manufacturer can custom make any design.
How do you make a garage door look like it has windows? Is that possible?
It is possible to have an overlay on wood doors and some special steel designs, just the visual element of a window without glass. No products are available from the major manufacturers of our industry that look like fake windows.
Practical Aspects of Garage Door Windows
Learn About Safety and Privacy
Are there any safety concerns with having windows?
The biggest concern that people mention is visibility concerns. If you don’t want someone to be able to walk up to your garage and look in, I recommend an obscure or frosted glass. These glass types make looking into the garage from the outside difficult. However, windows are high enough that you typically need a ladder or something to look in, they are usually at a height taller than most people. So, it can be possible to see in, but safety-wise, there are concerns that someone could shatter the glass and reach in, pull the rope of the motor, and open your door. This idea has become more popular due to YouTube videos and other sales promotions such as a new gadget on Shark Tank, monopolizing on fear, but most people don’t need to be that afraid of that rope being pulled. Many people end up removing that rope because they’re worried that someone could see it or reach it, but it’s still a good idea to leave it if you for emergency manual use.
Safety Tips for All-Glass Garage Doors: Why Choose Tempered Glass
If you have an all-glass garage door, like a full-view aluminum Amarr VISTA, the full-view 3295 by CHI, or the 8800 by Wayne Dalton, the one safety precaution we suggest is using tempered glass. [pic] These garage doors are aluminum with glass in every panel, and all manufacturers recommend using tempered glass in this instance, so if a window breaks, it doesn’t break sharp and would instead break into small pieces that don’t cut you.
Maintenance and Durability
We suggest maintaining garage door windows to ensure they remain functional and aesthetically pleasing over time. Windows should be cleaned on a regular basis to remove dust. During this process, inspect for small cracks and consider replacing the glass before they get worse.
What do you do if a window on your garage door breaks?
Contact the installing company; they can contact the manufacturer and order the correct replacement easily and inexpensively, usually available within the last ten years. If you have records of your door installation or send us pictures, we can also help you with a replacement even if we are not the ones who originally installed it. Once we receive the replacement glass, you can pick it up and install it yourself or have us install it. Another option is utilizing a local glass company to size and replace the glass for you.
Professional Recommendations
We suggest contacting us, the garage door professionals, to assist you in choosing the best window options based on the home’s style and to discuss any concerns about insulation. We advise you on home styles and current trends in window designs and coordination.
Incorporating Personal Style
Consider custom designs that reflect your personal tastes while maintaining the garage door’s functionality. Options are to select unique window design or custom tints.
Enhancing Your Home with the Right Garage Door Windows
Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
If I’m on a budget, is it worth considering putting windows in cost-wise?
Windows cost extra, and the windows section is the most expensive section of the garage door. So basically, it depends on what’s important to you if you’re going for design and want a door with more character and street and curb appeal. Windows can add a lot, and people might opt to get windows instead of insulation because of the Southern California climate. Still, if insulation is more important, many people often spend that money on insulation and forego the windows. It depends on the budget, so it is essential to consider whether it is a particular look or style I am going for or whether it is temperature and durability.
Types of Glass and Their Benefits
Different types of glass are used in garage door windows, including standard single-strength options, insulated dual-pane, and high-durability choices like Plexiglas for added resilience.
Is the type of window put in a garage different from other types?
Most garage door windows have a traditional short or long window design. However, oversized windows are also possible to purchase, and some brands offer slim-line or skinny windows or smaller windows, which are becoming increasingly popular with modern doors.