October 9, 2023

The Pros and Cons of Windows on Garage Doors

When buying a home, you may already have design choices in mind for how you want to decorate. Furniture that has to be bought, colors you’re going to use, and even decor to place around the walls. However, some may not think about the exterior of their home. Some may decorate using landscaping, or repainting your shutters, but what about your garage door? For some times, your garage may be the first thing people see. Windows in your garage doors give you a good way to add architectural interest and make your home more beautiful. But it isn’t always the right choice. If you’re considering a garage door upgrade, here are the pros and cons of windows on garage doors.

The Pros of Windows on Garage Doors

If you want to let in natural light, the modern garage door with window design is a popular choice. These doors are often made of materials like wood and steel so you can create a modern-looking space, let in natural light, and create your own design.

Natural Light

Natural lighting in your home can increase productivity levels, reduce stress and anxiety, and even increase your home’s value. Your garage space has the potential to be one of the most useful rooms in your home: it can store things you don’t want in other parts of the house and provide a place for project work or hobbies. If you use your garage space as more than a productive area, this idea may be helpful.

Not only can garage doors make your home look better, they also add to your home’s overall energy efficiency. By incorporating windows into your garage door, you can easily reduce the amount of money you spend on utilities like electricity and gas. Plus, if you’re using your garage as a creative space, natural light can help create a warmer and more welcoming environment.

Add a Unique Style

With so many options to choose from, you can find something that matches and blends with the rest of your home. A single or double-pane glass design with any combination of rounded arched or square corners can be installed with a garage door window panel that has an invisible frame profile, which is available in various widths and heights.

For a minimal look and unobtrusive security, you can choose between traditional and specialty windows. Traditional windows are great for providing a clean, clear view of your garage, while specialty styles will add more texture and design. You may also choose to add decorative glass windows to your door for enhanced safety and style.

Improve Curb Appeal

What’s the first thing you see as you pull up to your home? If it’s an old, dented garage door, it may not be the welcoming sight you had in mind. By updating your garage door with a new look, you can increase its curb appeal. This upgrade can help raise the value of your home when it comes time to sell and provides an easier transition for buyers who are looking for potential updates and additions. Windows on your garage door are a great way to make it look almost like an extension of your home, rather than a storage unit.

Minimal Maintenance

Garage door styles such as these are pretty easy to clean and replace. There are only a few basic cleaning steps you have to take seasonally to help maintain its beauty. Garage doors with windows are simple to maintain since they don’t hold dirt and grime as much as closed-in garage doors. However, you can’t leave these exposed surfaces completely unprotected. The key is to clean your windows regularly to protect them from weathering and other environmental factors.

Cons of Windows on Garage Doors

There are plenty of benefits to every style of garage door. However, if you’re looking for the perfect one for your home, it’s important to know the cons of windows in your garage door as well. Now we’ll highlight some things to consider if you’re thinking about getting a new garage door.

Easier to Break

It’s not just criminals that cause glass damage to garages. If you have young children, they might be tempted to play near a garage window. If a ball flies through the window and breaks it, it will have to be replaced.

While our windows are made weather-safe, making them more heavy-duty than a regular pane of glass, they are still breakable. However, Overhead Doors’s windows are all made with tempered glass. While they are tougher than normal, they can still collect damage over time.

Specialty glass adds a textured, raised look to your garage door. It’s more durable than clear glass and can be used to protect your driveway from weathering and sports activities that result in scratches and dents. Still, if you choose a style of garage door with windows, there is a risk of needing repairs in the future.

Less Insulation

While windows allow you to see out of the garage door and provide natural light, they also reduce the insulative value of your home. If you live in an extreme climate, modern garage doors with windows may cost you more money on heat or air conditioning.

At Overhead Doors, we do offer a line of Thermacore doors. This series is created with air infiltration in mind. The between-section seals create a tight fit, which reduces air infiltration to help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The door is constructed using sandwich panels of steel-polyurethane-steel – with a thermal break to further reduce heat loss or gain.

It Can Get Hot In There

We all agree natural light can be a great thing. However, with natural sunlight, can come natural heat. Windows are not usually recommended for your garage unless you live in a temperate climate. Windows can make the garage hotter during the summer, and colder during the winter months. If you live in a hotter environment, like southern South Carolina, the extra sunlight can make it extra hot.

During the summer, your cooling costs could increase if you need to use a/c units or fans to accommodate the heat. You can also open your garage door to let air flow freely. Just make sure you don’t leave it unattended!

A Possible Safety Concern

Your garage door window security is important and you should know the facts before getting a new window. Windows provide a great source of natural light and style, but they also mean visibility into your garage area. If you want to keep your belongings safe, consider installing a film that blocks those pesky windows at night.

Specialty glass windows have been in use for many years now, and they offer a number of advantages over traditional glass windows. For example, they are often more resistant to heat and weather conditions. They also provide privacy and help protect your belongings from intruders who would want to get a look at what’s inside your garage. They are also much more durable than regular glass windows. While windows do not necessarily mean Peeping Toms, it is something to consider.