What to Know About Glass Garage Doors

If you’re driving down a street in the typical American neighborhood, chances are most of the garage doors you see will look very much alike. There are not a whole lot of ways for a garage door to stand out. All you can really change is the color of the paint or the kind of material used.

One alternative garage door that is steadily growing in popularity is glass. Glass garage doors offer a sleek, sophisticated look that can be a perfect complement to a lot of modern styles of architecture — but they’re not for everybody. Here’s everything you need to know about glass garage doors, including how much they cost, why they’re a great choice for some homeowners, and a few drawbacks.

How Much Do Glass Garage Doors Cost?

According to HomeAdvisor, glass garage doors average about $1,500, but prices can range from $1,000 to $4,800. That’s expensive, considering standard garage doors rarely cost more than $1,000. The price you pay depends on how many special features like insulated or frosted glass you want.

Garage Door Opener and Installation Costs

Consider the capability of your garage door opener. Glass garage doors are heavier than standard ones and might require an upgrade to your garage door opener to lift them. Purchasing a new opener could easily set you back an additional $200 to $500. Another consideration is the cost of installation, which varies by location, ranging from $700 to $1,500.

What Are the Benefits?

Curb Appeal

On the right house, a glass garage door can look really good. It can instantly elevate a home’s curb appeal, adding a sense of uniqueness and style to the front of a house.

Of course, just because they’re in style doesn’t mean they’re automatically a great fit for every home. A glass garage door could easily look out of place on some older homes.

If you’re looking to install a glass garage door, be sure you’re doing it because it makes sense stylistically and not just because it’s trendy. Otherwise, what might have been a great way to draw attention to your home could turn into an eyesore for everyone in the neighborhood.

Easier Maintenance (No Painting)

Over time, the paint job on standard garage doors deteriorates. Fixing this usually requires one or two coats of fresh paint every few years, an afternoon’s work if you DIY it. Glass garage doors don’t require this maintenance. Instead, you just clean the glass every few months with soap and water — much easier than busting out your painting gear.

Natural Lighting

The inside of a garage can be a dark, dingy place. Glass garage doors allow natural light into your garage, creating a much more pleasant environment. If your garage is warmer and brighter, chances are you’ll be more likely to utilize it.

Are Glass Garage Doors Insulated?

Because they’re typically hollow, standard garage doors can be filled with insulation. That’s not an option for glass garage doors, which are usually uninsulated and can be a major weak point in a home’s thermal efficiency.

It’s possible to buy glass garage doors with insulated glass that will improve the efficiency, although not as much as true insulation would. Keep in mind that you’ll pay significantly more for an insulated glass garage door.

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