Windows in Overhead Door, Yes or No?

[Sumboodie]

Don't setup a meth lab in your garage and you won't need to worry about neighbors looking in.

 

[fionasdad]

Watched a show on the Discovery Channel years ago called To Catch Thief. They had former thief’s break into homes. It was amazing how fast they could push in the window in a garage door and pull the emergency cord to get into a garage.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[oktaneho]

I'm debating the same question since my garage has no windows. I'm leaning towards ordering the door with them simply for the natural light.

 

[Glemon]

We had a house built in the mid nineties, at the time nobody was putting windows in garage doors in our area. Security was cited as the reason. I damaged the door (long stupid story, moral being never back up a car in your garage when you have the windows masked for paint) and we replaced with a door with windows. I have lights in my garage, but it was nice to go out and be able to see with no lights.

Also if you want windows in your garage the ones on your walls are eating up storage or shelf space--the ones on the garage door are not. Efficient use of space.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I'm a NO!

My current house does have windows- but they are "blacked out" with black construction bags- extra thick poly. Wood door- plastic is stapled in-place.

When this door gets replaced- no windows!

 

[didit]

Watched a show on the Discovery Channel years ago called To Catch Thief. They had former thief’s break into homes. It was amazing how fast they could push in the window in a garage door and pull the emergency cord to get into a garage.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

They don't even need to push in a window. A coat hanger can be fed in from the top of the door and hooked right on the release cord if not removed. Its hanging right there, dead center. I did it once with permission when a friend was stranded and needed me to get his spare tire out of his garage.

Back in the 60's we used to drive slowly down the streets in the ritzy neighborhoods and open up garage doors with a tuning fork just for fun.

 

[rd65]

I have 8' tall doors and have glass along the top row. People cant see in but they let in a ton of light. I dont have door openers and am debating putting some in. I would like to for the security of being able to better secure the man door but dont want to be locked out if the power is out. Power outage is another reason I like the natural light the windows offer. The shop has no other windows besides in the roll up doors.
Windows also let me know if the lights are on at night when I am not in there.

 

[B964]

Windows are nice.
I bought a roll of the cheap window tint at auto parts store for my windows.

Obscures contents from the outside even at night with the lights on and light pollution to driveway area is a dull glow at best.

I'm just the right height so I have to tippy toe when I hear gravel crunching but one panel lower and I would have to stoop.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I like windows, so I got OH doors with them. As a matter of fact, all my doors have windows. Double pane windows. To prevent window shopping, I installed privacy film over all the garage windows. Best of both worlds.

 

[finn]

I have seven doors between two garages and a shop. Four of those doors have windows. If the other three doors ever require replacement in my lifetime, they will get windows.

Natural light for the win!

 

[MushCreek]

They make a special tool that will get you into about 95% of the homes in the US- a brick. It always amazes me how people get reinforced doors and sophisticated locks for a house with windows all around. If they want in, they get in. When we go away, I unplug the door opener, and put C-clamps on the door tracks. I do understand privacy so burglars don't know what you have, though. They make frosted windows for that.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If someone wants in, they can use the cordless sawzall they just used to cut the catalytic converter off your car with, to cut a hole in the side of the garage. A lack of windows won't stop them.

 

[jkeyser14]

Absolutely yes on windows. If privacy is a concern put some film on them.

 

[Joe Reed]

My house originally had windows and a cheap non-insulated garage door. The door faces due west with nothing nearby to shade it. On a Summer day it was essentially an 8'x16' radiator generating a tremendous amount of heat, as well as glare through the windows. When I replaced it with an insulated door I chose one with no windows so it would be fully insulated. I've been very happy with the choice.
My garage has NO windows at all. It's attached to the house at the rear wall....all the other walls are brick. It's really doesn't take a lot of effort to flip a light switch when I go into the garage

 

[JamesW84]

Maybe I missed it, but is this a 7 ft door on a house or a 14 ft high door on a larger shop?

I chose windows that (I believe) are 8"x12"...I don't think anyone could get through that and I don't have the pull cords.

I put my windows one per panel on the outside edge on panels 3, 4, and 5 on my 14 ft doors. As mentioned, if you need privacy, frosted glass or a curtain will block the view.

 

[Toolfool]

I just ordered two 12x9 and one 15x9 overhead doors with jackshaft openers and high lifts. The price shocked me so much that I was forced to delete windows.

 

[MushCreek]

In FL, you couldn't use doors with windows because of the required wind ratings. I don't know if they make doors with windows that meet the requirements now.

 

[HPRifleman]

Maybe I missed it, but is this a 7 ft door on a house or a 14 ft high door on a larger shop?

The plan is for three doors. Two 9' wide and one 16' wide. All are 8' high.

 

[Toolfool]

In FL, you couldn't use doors with windows because of the required wind ratings. I don't know if they make doors with windows that meet the requirements now.

Local salesman quoted windows.

 

[dcg9381]

I'm trying to decide if having windows in the overhead doors (the top panel having some glass) has more pros than cons. My wife likes the extra light that these would let in and she sees a benefit in being in the garage without turning on the lights.

Are there real-world experiences regarding this that any of you can share?

Depends on your use case. If you're going to HVAC the garage and have (or can install) decent light in the area, by all means forego the windows for the sake of heating/cooling.

Residential garage door use, I like windows. You can have them up high - or obscure the glass so that it lets light in without allowing people to have a peek. They also allow you to walk into a garage that isn't pitch black.

The is an outside architectural aesthetic to them on the residential consideration side....

My shop doors have no windows (HVAC area).
House garage doors have windows, but they are obscured glass.
On the house itself, I have a garage door, rather than a traditional slider. It's full glass.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Any losses are negligible, and could very well be offset/negated by solar gain and less use of light fixtures.

If you're doing something illegal, don't like natural light, or live in Compton, don't get them.

 

[eastbaysubaru]

My current garage doors do not have windows (original to the house) but the new ones in a couple of years will certainly have dual pane windows in the upper sections. I'm looking forward to the natural light (and not having to turn on all the garage lights). Security isn't really a concern as the garage door is open a ton anyway and there isn't much traffic, foot or vehicular. If it were, that can easily and inexpensively be addressed with a roll of the opaque vinyl as has been noted.

-Brian

 

[runwhatyabrung]

When I got the garage door changed to an insulated one 2 years ago, paid extra to get top panel with double glazed frosted windows. It was worth every extra penny for the amount of extra light it provides.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

I am building a polebarn, and had windows added to the OH doors for light, and was surprized that they added $650 to the price of 3 doors.

I want the "free" light, and, where I live, the only people looking in are people coming to see me, and are looking to see where I am.



.

 

[tarmy]

Urban…no…

Rural…yes…

You can get shot in the country screwing with a guy’s stuff…

 

[larry4406]

The OP asked this question five years ago, I’m kind of thinking he made his decision by now.

Newbie person hit a follow up.

I’m not adverse to that. Would be nice for a warning pop up prior to sending a reply to a zombie thread.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I like having windows in the sheds and in the overhead doors.

Really like the natural light.

We do a lot of entertaining in the bigger shed. I don’t even turn on the overhead lights.

Never say never but fortunately theft and crime isn’t an issue around here.

 

[lolaetype]

Besides the additional light, which is always welcome, the windows break up "blank wall" look of the 9 foot tall garage doors. The bottom of the windows on each door are about 76" above the floor so If anyone other than Andre the Giant wants to look inside they need to bring their own ladder.

 

[Superbowl]

I say yes on windows.

The thing is, just get the windows. If you don't like them paint them black on the inside or put up curtains.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Urban…no…

Rural…yes…

You can get shot in the country screwing with a guy’s stuff…

You can get shot in the city too...

 

[kyrbz]

Not one regret doing double pane frosted glass windows in my newish garage addition. Haven't got the ceiling or electrical installed yet, so the natural light is a huge benefit.

 

[johnre]

Full panel translucent doors seem to be getting popular around me on some newer homes, but it's generally for a contemporary design home. It would maximize light but still be secure from prying eyes; it's not even possible to tell if there are vehicles parked in the garage or not:

 

[BobnCO]

The OP asked this question five years ago, I’m kind of thinking he made his decision by now.

I want to know if he installed windows and the neighbors looked in and stole all his s4!t??

 

[Metal-Marc]

The OP asked this question five years ago, I’m kind of thinking he made his decision by now.

It's a spammer account. They know what they're doing.

Hint: delete your quoted text so you don't help them.

 

[LOW1]

I have south facing garage doors. I have windows in mine, both of my doors are 8 feet tall.

Windows are centered in the top panel of the door. No looking in from the outside without a ladder.

Mine let in tons of sun/sunlight all day, would have windows in my garage doors.

My garage is always unlocked so theft wasn't a huge concern.

I agree with this. And I also think that a door with windows looks better from the outside.

 

[Sturgeon]

Seventy-five percent of my working career was working in the dark, so I'm a big fan of natural light. I did not put windows in my garage doors that face north, but I did on my south end side of shop and been very happy.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

I love the windows on my doors……..so do the spiders!! Life is too short to not see sunshine!!

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have window on the top panel of a standard door. Great for light and you would have to be well over 7’ tall to look in. My buddy was checking to see if my car was home and had to jump to get a visual snapshot.
I have them at the lake but on a 10’ high door. When installing the contractor asked if I wanted them on a lower panel to look through. I said if you can see out then anyone can see in. So those are mounted on the top panel.

As for windows mounted to one side of all panels. Nice newer look but the bottom panel would always be dirty from splash back. Would be handy if you ever needed to install a dog door. A guy I knew said he was thinking of a total see through panels. His garage is always a disaster I said he would just let everyone know what a mess it was when the light was on. Besides having a meeting with the wife in the garage would show some interesting silhouettes. Guess the neighbours could set up a lemonade stand or something and make some side cash while the show is going on.