Windows in Overhead Door, Yes or No?

[HPRifleman]

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.

My view is more practical and I see windows as areas with lower insulation values and a way for people to look inside. I like the idea of natural light but if I'm working out there the artificial lighting is more than likely to be turned on anyway.

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

 

[BillK]

I prefer to have them. My Wife made some curtains out of a thin material that still lets light in. They are hung from two thin cables run through the hinges above and below the windows. I like being able to pull them back and look outside if I want to.

 

[purplezr2]

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.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Depends on the rest of the garage. If you have other windows to see out and let light in, no real need. The only overhead doors we have with windows we specified the windows to be the top panel, so too high for people outside to see in. That garage does not have heat, but is mostly earth sheltered and stays above freezing all winter long. The other garages on our property have heat and no windows in the overhead doors, but windows elsewhere.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Just installed new doors, insulated with double pane windows, live them, it makes such a difference. The pic is today and it's raining out, still let's in lots of free light, plus it makes the shop feel more open.

 

[Hangar18]

I like the look of transom windows above the garage door. Let's in some light and prevents peepers from looking in.

 

[YukonXL04]

I like having windows as well. Mine are 9ft doors and the windows are in the top panel. You definitely can't peek into them. But I do miss being able to peek out and see if someone pulled up to the driveway

 

[Renegade1LI]

I like having windows as well. Mine are 9ft doors and the windows are in the top panel. You definitely can't peek into them. But I do miss being able to peek out and see if someone pulled up to the driveway

That's funny, I keep a bucket nearby to look out.

 

[aandpdan]

Yes on the windows, in the top panel though.
Like others said, it's nice to have some light.

 

[rburke65]

I considered them....but way too expensive for me.

 

[LeonardY]

I have windows. I like them. You can get insulated windows. I decided against it at the time and now I wish I sprung for it. Another thing you can have is frosted glass if you don't want anyone to peek in.

 

[John in OH]

Windows in O/H doors?? Absolutely!! Anything that lets in additional natural light is a benefit.
You can get thermo-pane windows in most doors and, if peeping neighbors are a problem, you can buy thin mylar sheets that easily stick to the inside of the windows and makes them translucent with minimal loss of light.

 

[toolmiser]

I like the light but don't like people looking in. You can install shades or window film to help. My parent's house garage didn't have windows, but I installed a "door viewer" in one so I could see what was going on outside. It didn't let much light in or out though.

 

[wayne55]

As said above, I like the extra light and I did put window film on them. You can see out, but not in.

 

[16again]

If they will make the glass frosted/opaque go for it. That will allow light AND privacy as all that could be seen is shadows at night. Best of both worlds.
Of course you can apply frost to the glass after it’s installed as well.

 

[dvo]

All positive EXCEPT for one. If you work at night and thus would have lots of lights in there you might want to reconsider. Mine lights up my 4 acres lot like an NFL stadium. Wish I didn't do windows for this very reason.

 

[65ranchero]

Insulated doors and double pane windows in the top panel .does not (in my opinion) make a difference in radiant heat cost
and makes a difference during the day when you really don't need lights and the doors are closed

I don't have nosey neighbors and have 4 double hung windows (2 on the side and 2 on the back wall)

 

[77thor]

I vote FOR windows

 

[BrianPK]

no windows, too many prying eyes

 

[yeldogt]

No for me .. mostly ... don't like the look. I seem to get a lot of glare from the ones I have been forced to live with. Transom is higher up and very nice IMO when done correctly

 

[roscoe2000]

I have windows in the second panel from the top and would rather have them in the top panel. Do like the natural light, but I ended up putting up window tint for some privacy.

 

[nadogail]

We have windows in our home garage door, we have liked them since we replaced the door several years ago. They are high enough to block the view of anyone who is not standing on a ladder.

The next garage door we purchase for a rental may be insulated and have windows; depending on cash flow at the time.

 

[pmiranda]

I was cheap and didn't get them, but in retrospect I probably should have gotten them in the top panels for the extra light. I wouldn't worry about the difference in insulation since it's a pretty small area relative to the rest of the building. If you're worried about incredibly tall people seeing in, you can get them frosted or add translucent vinyl on the inside later.

 

[Bert_]

I like natural light. I want more windows in my garage. All three doors have windows in the top panel. Bad thing about being in the top is you can't really see out them.

 

[Dustball]

I love the windows in my garage doors. I have insulated doors with insulated frosted glass. There's zero privacy concerns as you can't see through them yet they allow plenty of light through. I have a three car garage with no other windows and had to turn on lights to do anything in the garage before I had my new doors with windows installed.

 

[Kenta]

When I bought my house I had no windows in the garage door, and no windows in the garage. Had to turn on the light EVERYTIME I went in because it was pitch black. Replaced the original door which was also dented, with a new one that has a row of windows up top and it's so much better with the natural light. In the top row they are hard to look through as well. I know i can't see people in my driveway unless I stand on something.

 

[Bigbandguy]

If you have a garage TV most TV's these days have an extra input port. Go out and buy about 25 bucks worth of TV camera to mount over the door. When the driveway alert goes off it is easy to switch from TV to camera and see who is there.

 

[MushCreek]

It's really an individual thing, with consideration towards security and privacy. There's nothing in our attached garage except a car and a BBQ grille. I put a small window in the back of the garage, opposite the OH door. If I ever replace our cheap metal door with a custom-made one, I'll put windows in the top panel. They can always be frosted/covered for privacy or to tone down the light coming in or going out.

If I lived in a rough neighborhood and/or had lots of valuable tools in my garage, I probably wouldn't put any windows in that were low enough to look into. I want to add a couple windows in my shop, but I'll put them way up high to prevent lookey-loos. When the power goes out, my shop is pitch black, with a million things to trip over as you try to reach the door. Out where we are, power outages aren't all that rare. I've actually considered getting an emergency battery powered light.

 

[man-a-fre]

I opted for no windows and am very happy. My reasoning was we have hail storms in Nebraska and I didnt need them broke out , also easy for prying eyes to break in, and with no windows in the daytime when i turn lights on it is much brighter than with windows and lights which i had before I replaced my garage doors. Windows are nice to see who pulled in your drive when your working on your car with the door down but I would opt for not getting them.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Definate Yes. 8' tall south doors, windows in top.
North door has lower glass facing back yard. Double hung and man door glass also. Have stiff cardboard cutouts to pop in when/if needed for blackout.
Like a bit of daylight, don't want to work in a hole.
Security- If someone wants in, glass or not ,you can get in.

 

[HPRifleman]

Some great responses from actual experiences. Thank you.

To be honest I expected most of you to decline the windows in the overhead doors but it looks like the opposite is the case.

Since many of you really like the natural light in the garage I may have to re-think how I handle the windows in the walls. I don't want the windows to go as low as the architect had designed them (for workbench clearance) so I was going to essentially have half the window size. My builder has suggested doubling up the windows horizontally so I still have the same glass area but the windows are horizontal rather than vertical. I sometimes worry that larger windows will mean less wall space for shelving.

I live on a private road and the garage will be a couple hundred feet from the road so wandering eyes isn't really a concern.

 

[didit]

I have an 8' tall garage door with windows in the top panel. They are great for letting natural light in. You always have the option of frosting the glass but I never seen the need.

I also opted for glass block windows that I ordered pre-assembled and had my team of volunteers lift into the opening. Best decision I ever made for garage windows. Mine are non opening, although they do come with integrated opening windows. Super easy to install but I did double up on structural support studs because of the weight.

 

[slowtwitch73]

They are awesome...totally transform the space. Add value to house. Look great. I'll never buy another door without them.

 

[albaran]

Double pane windows make the heat loss problem a minor one. The light is a good thing but the most important point to me is to see who is coming up the driveway.

 

[yeldogt]

I'm surprised people like the windows.

Guess if you have straight Northern exposer ... but, with anything else -- especially w/o any outside overhang .. not for me. You can't control the light coming in.

 

[ford33]

No windows for me. It allows people to see into the garage or telegraphs your presence in the garage, reduces R-value of the door, increases heat radiation into the garage, always dirty, and if I need more light, I turn on the lights.

 

[shaune]

Garage at home all doors have windows in top panel and I like it, possibly gets some solar energy on a cold Canadian day and for a quick day trip in and out to get something I don’t need lights. From the house I can see the doors and if I left the lights on.....it happens. The condo garage has no windows at all, none in walls and door is solid panels, it is a bit of a dungeon but it’s only to park in. The lack of any windows there means always a light gets turned on for a quick pass through.....and yes, someone does leave lights on there.

 

[Firebrick43]

I have frosted glass in my two CHI doors. Previous doors all didn't have any and I am glad these do. What a difference.

Also I don't know if you mean overhead door as in sectional garage doors or as in the Overhead door company. If the later I would suggest looking at other companies if you care about energy efficiency unless they have changed their design in the last year or two.

 

[HPRifleman]

Also I don't know if you mean overhead door as in sectional garage doors or as in the Overhead door company. If the later I would suggest looking at other companies if you care about energy efficiency unless they have changed their design in the last year or two.

By "overhead" I meant the 8' high sectional garage doors that just about every residential garage has. I assumed it was a universal term but I can see that it might be confused with commercial doors or a company name.

 

[ddurrett896]

I vote no windows for privacy and better insulation.

I have 0 windows in my garage, but the exterior doors I have include a fan light above the door that lets in enough light that I can walk to each without having to turn on a light.

Wife gets plenty of light from the garage door light that detects motion when shes getting in her car.