Garage Door Windows: Pros, Cons, and Design Inspiration

If you live anywhere in Southern California, you may wonder whether garage door windows are a wise investment. There are several pros and cons to consider when deciding whether getting this feature is right for you. The experts at Mesa Garage Doors offer helpful information on the benefits and downsides of garage doors with windows, along with design ideas and tips to inspire you.

Benefits of Garage Door Windows

When weighing garage door window pros and cons, start with the benefits. Here are some of the upsides to choosing residential garage doors with windows.

Natural Light

Adding windows to your garage doors brings in a lot of natural light, which reduces your household energy usage and provides bright lighting for a variety of activities and tasks. Whether you’re working out, practicing your favorite hobby, or simply entertaining guests in the garage, natural light brings in more brightness without the need for artificial lighting.

Aesthetic Appeal

New garage door styles with glass enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal. Windows help to break up the solid look of a traditional garage door and improve curb appeal, which makes your property more visually appealing to others, including potential buyers.

Design Variety

When it comes to design, there are many different garage door window options and styles to choose from. Whether you love a clean, modern look or prefer something more traditional, you’ll find a large selection of decorative garage door windows to elevate and enhance your home. These windows come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles to help you design the ultimate custom look.

Increased Home Value

Many modern garage door styles are appealing to prospective homebuyers, which in turn may help increase your home’s resale value. If you’re planning to sell your home, garage door windows can help you raise the asking price and achieve a higher rate of return on your investment.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

Of course, there are some possible downsides and drawbacks to getting garage door windows. Here are some of the cons associated with choosing windows for your garage door.

Privacy Concerns

Clear glass garage door windows are easy to see through, which can cause privacy concerns for some people. One way to combat this issue is to choose tinted or frosted garage door windows that make it almost impossible for outsiders to see inside. Hammered and seeded glass windows obstruct the view inside your garage, and strategically placing the windows higher near the top of the door makes it more difficult for people to look inside.

Possible Security Risks

Since garage door windows are made of glass, some homeowners have concerns about their safety and security. These glass panes make it easy for potential burglars to see inside your garage and scope out the contents, and they may try to break them to gain entry. If your garage door windows are already broken, it makes it much easier for potential criminals to get inside.

Energy-Efficiency and Insulation Considerations

Windows can affect your garage door’s insulation, potentially leading to heat loss in cold weather and heat gain in warm weather. Fortunately, Mesa Garage Doors offers insulated garage door windows with double-pane glass to improve energy efficiency.

Added Cost

Choosing garage doors with windows increases your overall cost. If you need a new garage door on a budget, installing one without windows is a more affordable option.

Garage Door Window Design Inspiration

Now that you’re familiar with the pros and cons, you may need some creative garage door window design ideas. The following are some options to help improve your home’s garage door curb appeal and inspire you:

• Choose horizontal rows of thin, rectangular garage door windows to give your home a sleek, modern look.
• Mix and match window styles and shapes by combining square or rectangular windows with curved or arched designs for a dynamic look.
• Curved and arched garage door windows bring a classic, charming aesthetic to your home while also adding visual interest.
• Full-view windows bring in more natural light and add a contemporary look to your property, but they also provide a much wider, clearer look inside your garage for anyone who walks or drives by your home.
• Consider garage door customization with geometric grids of windows that can be arranged in rectangles, squares, and more complex patterns for your desired look.
• Opt for matching window frames if you want a cohesive look, or try a darker or lighter color for the frames to create dramatic contrast against the garage door’s main color.
• Frosted garage door windows add privacy, reduce natural light, and give your home a stylish, modern aesthetic.
• Tinted, frosted, or mirrored glass garage door windows not only look modern, but they also provide additional privacy and security.
• If you prefer a classic look, choose garage door windows with traditional styles featuring grids that resemble the other windows in your home.
• If you need more inspiration, the experts at Mesa Garage Doors are available to provide design advice that helps you create the ultimate custom garage door with windows.

Can You Add Windows to an Existing Garage Door?

You may wonder whether you can add windows to an existing garage door. In most cases, yes, you can add windows to your existing garage door, but we highly recommend professional installation to maintain and support proper balance and functionality. Installing windows incorrectly can cause problems with your garage door’s operation, as it adds to the door’s overall weight. This also affects the door opener and spring system, which is calibrated based on the garage door’s original weight rather than its new weight with windows.

Consider factors like your current garage door’s material, size, and style before deciding whether to install windows. Certain brands, dimensions, thicknesses, and other features may impact installation. If you decide to add windows to your existing garage door, choose insulated, energy-efficient windows and a design that complements your home’s architectural style.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors Today!

If you’re considering garage doors with windows, the team at Mesa Garage Doors is available for expert window and style advice. We’re proud to serve customers throughout Southern California, and you can browse our full selection of garage doors with or without windows to decide which option is right for you. To learn more about our services or to schedule a free design consultation, contact us today!