Want windows on your garage doors? Here’s what you need to know
Whether you’re looking to add value to your home, or you’re seeking to add natural light to improve your garage space, garage door window inserts are a simple solution.
Garage window inserts cannot be fitted to an existing garage door, this decision must be made at the time of purchase.
What should I consider when choosing my window style?
It is important to ask yourself why you want windows on garage doors for your home. Trying to add that extra curb side appeal before selling your home? Perhaps you’re just giving your home a facelift. Maybe the light bulbs in your garage just aren’t cutting it, and you’d like some natural light in there to help with visibility.
The reasons for adding garage window inserts is different for everyone, but thankfully there are many styles to suit every need.
If visual appeal is what you value, then ensuring that the garage window inserts match or complement the existing window frames of your house should be a priority.
Perhaps you’re turning your garage space into a living area such as a workout space or art studio, and want as much natural light as possible. If so, a plain tinted insert might work best in order to allow the space to fill with light, making the space as welcoming as possible.
It is important to note that different styles are available depending on your garage door profile.
How do I pick the right garage door glass inserts for my garage door profile?
At Gryphon we offer a variety of different garage door window inserts sizes and shapes to suit your garage door’s profile.
Window inserts for Sectional Ranch Profile garage doors
If you choose a Sectional Ranch Profile with large rectangular panels approximately 1.2m wide, larger window inserts will suit.
If you have a modern style home, or simply want a lot of natural sunlight, then a plain tinted style may suit your home.
However, if you have a more traditionally styled home, perhaps the curved Sherwood style or even a four-panel wide Sunray will suit your needs.
Garage door window inserts for Sectional Stanford Profile garage doors
If you choose a Stanford Profile garage door, only three or six panels wide, you have similarly styled options, such as the traditional Sunrise style, the rectangular Colonial style or the popular plain tinted option.
Garage door window inserts for Sectional Heritage Profile garage doors
Sectional Heritage Profile garage doors, featuring small rectangular panels that are 0.5m wide, are suited to smaller windows. Our plain, Sherwood and Sunray styles are also available for Heritage Profiles, among others.
Anything goes for custom garage doors
When you design a custom garage door, you work with a blank canvas. You have the freedom to choose where the windows go, their size, their type and styles.
What if you don’t know?
Please feel free to discuss with your design consultant to help you pick the best garage door window inserts sizes and shapes to suit you and your home.
Gryphon is currently providing contactless quoting to accommodate social distancing requirements. We can send you images from our expansive database, or if you’d like to see what one looks like on a house, we can provide an address for you to do a drive-by and see for yourself.
How much does it cost to add windows to a garage door?
Due to the wide range of window styles, the range of garage door types we work with, as well as the additions we can add to your windows (frosting, tinting, etc.) in order to get the most accurate cost estimate, we advise contacting us for a free and quick quote.
Our no pressure design consultant will discuss the best options to suit your needs and give you a professional quote.
What else do I need to consider?
Due to the precise design of garage doors, slight adjustments to the weight of the door itself can impact the entire structure.
Of particular concern is the spring system. These systems can only withstand a small variance in the weight of the door. Increasing the weight of the door puts extra strain on these spring systems and can damage the door and motor.
If you add weight to your existing door, be aware that the spring system may need to be changed in order to keep your garage door operating safely.
Can you replace garage window inserts yourself?
Be aware that not all window inserts can be replaced by yourself, and some may require the aid of a professional.
However, some garage door window inserts can safely be replaced by yourself with relative ease.
How do you replace garage window inserts?
If the garage door window inserts in your garage door can be replaced without professional help, use the following steps to successfully replace a window insert. You will want someone to help you to reduce the risk of an accident and make replacement easier.
When replacing a window insert, you may expose broken glass or other sharp edges. Always wear protective gloves and safety glasses whenever you make any replacements or repairs.
- Have someone help you with holding the outside of the window frame. Use an appropriately sized screwdriver and remove screws from the inside retainer.
- Pull the inside retainer out of the door. Carefully remove any broken or old glass, and dispose of it responsibly.
- Insert the new glass pane.
- Have someone hold the outside window frame again, reinsert the screws into the inside retainer and screw them down, securing the glass. Ensure that frame is securely sealed once more.
What material is used for garage door window inserts?
At Gryphon, we ensure that all our supplies are of a high quality and are backed by over 25 years experience within the industry.
We use many materials including Glass, Perspex and Polycarbonate depending on the door style and type.
Our sectional garage doors are built with high quality BHP Bluescope steel to ensure strength and durability over long periods of time.
If you want to add garage door window inserts to your garage door, be sure to choose the right style at the point of purchase. You can be sure that they will be made of high quality materials, from frame to the garage door window panels itself.
I want the light but privacy as well. What options do I have?
It is completely understandable to want some guaranteed privacy when it comes to adding windows on your garage door. After all, your garage is and should continue to be a safe place to store your car as well as other expensive items, including hardware, white goods, and even your bike.
While garage door window inserts are most often installed on the top row of the garage door above eye level, taking that extra step to ensure your privacy is understandable and wise.
There are a variety of ways that you can ensure your garage door windows remain private, such as:
- Place garage door window panels on top of the garage door
Placing your garage door window inserts on the top row of your garage door, above eye level. This will ensure no one can easily look into your garage, whilst maximising the amount of natural light to be let inside.
- Installing blinds or curtains
This privacy solution is likely only suitable if you use your garage as a living space.
Blinds or curtains add a more inviting feel to the room whilst also giving you the freedom to control whether you are letting sunlight in, or giving yourself some privacy.
- Decorative garage door windows film
Decorative window film is a fun way to add personality to your garage while also adding a measure of privacy. Decorative window film is readily available and is a quick and easy DIY privacy solution.
This is ideal if your garage is a living space and you’re seeking to make the space feeling welcoming and a true part of your home.
It is also easy to remove, so if you’re using your garage as an art studio or just getting messy, you can easily replace and update any damaged film.
Note that lower quality, or older window films have a risk of causing glass to overheat and break.
- Garage door windows tinting
Window tinting is another easy and popular way in which to add a level of privacy to your garage, keeping it as a safe storage space.
Window tinting not only adds privacy, but it also reduces heat and protects against fading caused by ultraviolet light. This protection against fading will ensure that any furniture or other items stored within the garage are having their lifespan prolonged, and not being damaged by the sun or exposure to heat.
So you can rest easy knowing that you are maximising protection as well as privacy within your garage with tinted windows.
Tinted glass can be factory made, or an existing glass pane can be tinted with a window film.
- Garage door windows frosting
Frosting your windows is a security measure recommended by the Queensland Police, in their ‘Ten garage door security tips to prevent break and enters’. Like tinted glass, there are a few ways in which it is made.
Frosted glass can be made by sandblasting or etching a glass pane, or it can be made by applying a frosted glass film. Both achieve similar results and allow for the inflow of light while also minimising glare and providing a level of privacy.
There are many ways in which to add more security to your garage, allowing you to choose the privacy solution that best meets your needs.
How to frost a window on a garage door?
Yes, you can frost a window on your garage door.
Window frosting is affordable and relatively easy to do yourself. You can find window frosting film from most local hardware stores from as low as $7. Keep in mind that price will vary depending on how much you buy.
In order to do it yourself, you’ll need a few other household items such as:
- A clean cloth
- Measuring tape
- A rubber window squeegee
- A sharp blade, such as a Stanley knife
- Baby shampoo
- A spray bottle
- Masking tape
Once you have these items on hand, you simply need to complete the following steps.
- Fill your spray bottle with a mix of baby shampoo and water. Spray down your window and wipe clean with your cloth. Ensure that all grease and dirt is removed before continuing.
- Measure and trim your frosting film to the desired size. Leave yourself a 5cm overlap with the edges of your window to ensure you adequately cover the entire surface.
- Spray the window’s surface with a generous coating of your baby shampoo mixture. Wetting the window like this will make it easier for you to move the film around once placed on the window. This helps to ensure that you are satisfied and that the frosted film has been properly applied, and any mistakes can be quickly corrected.
- Place a small strip of masking tape on both sides of the corner to act as pull tabs to help you separate the film from its backing. Peel back only the first few centimetres.
- Apply the exposed frosting film to the window. Slowly peel off the backing and push the film onto the window.
- Once you’ve got the film into a good position, use the squeegee to push the liquid and any air bubbles out from underneath the frosting film. Start at the centre of the window and push out towards the edges.
- After you have removed all liquid and air bubbles from beneath the film, use your sharp blade to trim the edges of the frosting away. Once you have finished this trimming, have another go with your squeegee to get any remaining liquid or air bubbles out that you have missed, or noticed while trimming the edges.
That’s it. You’ve applied your frosted window film to your window, and can enjoy greater privacy.
How to tint your garage door window panels yourself?
Yes, you can tint your garage door window panels
Applying a tinted window film is as easy as following the same steps above.
Note that if you already have tinted windows and would like to get a darker tint, you don’t necessarily need to remove the previous layer of window film.
In most cases it is okay to simply add another layer of film. Be aware though that when double tinting like this, it may be harder to notice air bubbles or leftover liquid during the application process. It is wise to be more proactive with your squeegee to ensure you remove all blemishes from your film when double tinting like this.
Where to buy garage door window inserts?
Gryphon Garage Doors is one of the best garage door companies for sectional and roller door repair in Perth, and have been helping Australians protect their homes and commercial spaces in stylish ways for over 25 years. Why is this important? Well it means we’ve come across countless different jobs, and have had to overcome each one. So no matter your situation, you gotta get a Gryphon. We have:
- Finger proof safety
- Quietest motors on the market
- Trained professionals
- Customised products
- Warranty up to 7 years!
- After sales service
Your garage broke down and you need it to open ASAP? Not a problem! Give us a call and we will try our best to get to you today and open your space! We look forward to hearing from you!
