Are Windows on Your Garage Door a Good Idea?
Windows on a garage door are very attractive. They transform a solid slab of color into an artistic statement. But are they safe? Do windows make the door vulnerable to burglars, less energy-efficient or weaken the strength of the door? Here you will find the answers to these questions and more about the pros and cons of large windows on your garage door.
The Pros of Garage Doors With Windows
The benefits of having large garage door windows significantly outweigh the concerns. Windows on Pasadena garage doors can be very safe and energy-efficient. It all depends on how the windows are installed, the type of glass used and the placement on the garage door. You can count on Burbank garage repair to cover all these requirements.
Reduce Energy Costs
Natural light also helps you save energy and reduce costs because you don’t need to turn on a light to reach your car. You could leave the light on all day because you forgot to turn it off or were in too much of a hurry to turn it off. Over time, this will add to your electricity bill.
In Southern California, the weather is mostly clement and windows allow natural light inside the garage. They make it more adaptable as an extra room in your house when the door is closed, especially if you use your garage for activities such as sewing, crafting or woodworking.
Natural light also makes it easier to find things you have stored in the garage and find your way to your car without feeling for a light switch in the dark. If you do laundry in your garage or have a workbench, natural light will make your job easier.
There are several ways to save energy with windows. Using natural light and closing cracks that leak air is the two most useful. If your garage is air-conditioned or heated, you can double glaze the windows and seal the bottom of the door to keep the heat in or out.
With a wide variety of glazing options, such as colored tinted glass, frosted glass with designs or plain, acrylic sheets that can also be tinted, mirrored panes, so you can see out but no one can see in and many more options. No one can look inside to see if there is anything to steal like a motorcycle or mountain bike.
Curb Appeal
Simply put, windows on garage doors are more attractive than solid doors regardless of their color or design. You can go for a carriage house style, ranch style or just a simple, efficient door. Windows significantly increase the curb appeal of your home which directly affects its resale value.
Another benefit for curb appeal is matching the garage door windows to the rest of the front windows of your home. This is especially beneficial if you have just remodeled the exterior of your house or are building a new house.
If you are only upgrading or replacing your garage door, you have the opportunity to add windows and make it match the rest of the façade.
Finally, windows can be customized. Whether you want large plain windows or a special architectural design, they can be ornate or simple, diamond-shaped, round or rectangle. You can even have a crescent moon or an arch. Most windows are put at the top of the door, but, if you prefer, you could have an artistic window right in the middle of the door.
The Cons of Having Windows on Your Garage Door
The concerns about having windows on your garage door are not significant enough to stop you from having them. Every argument against garage door windows can be convincingly answered and the con turned into a pro. But it’s good to be aware of them, so you can plan accordingly.
For example, windows can be broken with balls, other toys and flying gravel from car wheels, which is more common if you live in a neighborhood where many children play outdoors in the street. When broken, the glass may fly across your driveway and make a mess at best and cause injury at worst. It’s also a way for burglars to get into your garage and possibly into your house if your garage is attached to your house.
It’s not necessary to avoid all the benefits of windows on your garage door just because they attract burglars. There are several ways to make your windows impossible for a person to enter starting with adding grills. Unbreakable glass is another deterrent as burglars want things to be as easy as possible. They won’t spend a lot of time trying to break the glass that won’t break because someone might see or hear them.
Breakage can be avoided if you use acrylic panes or the right type of glass such as tempered glass. Some types are almost impossible to break and will withstand hard impact. If your garage door becomes damaged and you need garage door repair in Los Angeles, windows are much easier to replace than metal panels. The right type of glass will also make your garage safe and energy-efficient. Thick, double-pane windows are your best option.
Another consideration is weight distribution. The mechanism, including the motor and springs, is calibrated to operate the weight of your door without strain. If you want to install windows, you need to take into consideration the weight distribution. The door will be heavier on the side where there are no windows, which is usually the bottom half. The easiest answer to this problem is to have a professional technician install the door. They will know how to calculate the weight and distribution to provide the strength of the engine your type of door needs.
Privacy is another thing to consider. Windows allow anyone tall enough who is passing by to look into your garage and see what is stored there. It may be a refrigerator, freezer, motorcycle, mountain bike, scooter, expensive camping equipment and a fine array of hand and machine tools. These could attract a burglar.
The two most common ways to maintain your privacy while having windows in your garage are to place them high enough so no one can look inside or to use frosted glass.
The Pros Outweigh the Cons
If you are attracted to one or two of the myriad benefits of large windows for your Simi Valley garage door, don’t let the cons put you off. There are many ways to overcome each con and turn it into a benefit, so you can have the beauty and convenience that windows provide in your garage without the worry.
