Are Glass Garage Doors Safe?

We’re seeing more and more new homes with a modern, contemporary architectural style. Along with this style of home, we’ve seen the emergence of all‑glass garage doors of the type frequently employed in bar‑restaurants. We’re also seeing an increasing number of architects and designers looking to maximize the openings for windows and patio doors to let as much daylight as possible from the outdoor spaces into the living room or kitchen.

But are they safe? What should you look for when purchasing this type of garage door? A lot depends on their intended placement and use. For example, are you looking to create a partially enclosed outdoor terrace near your pool or do you want to install one or more all‑glass garage doors that you can close as the temperatures start to drop?

Check on the available types of glass

The windows that come with the majority of garage doors are so‑called “standard” windows, either single - or double‑pane. This is the same type of glass you’ll find in your home’s windows, front door and patio door.

If you opt for a fully‑glazed garage door, make sure to ask for tempered glass in the windows. In case of breakage, tempered glass shatters into a thousand pieces, just like auto glass. Standard glass, on the other hand, breaks into long shards, exposing you to the risk of serious injury.

A double‑pane (thermal) window can be tempered on one side only, which would be located on the inside of the door. For example, if you accidently hit the door with a stepladder while it’s open, only the glass on the inside would break, shattering into tiny pieces.

The available selection of tempered glass may include clear, tinted, satin or colored windows.

Are there other types of window materials?

You can use polycarbonate windows, also known by the name LEXAN^TM. This material is corrugated and approximately 5⁄8 of an inch thick. These thermoplastic windows are highly resistant to impacts; however, they aren’t transparent like regular windows, but rather translucent. They come in various colors like white or amber.

What else should you check?

Check the construction of the door, itself. This type of door is made from extruded aluminum and is about 1 ¾ inches thick. It’s important to choose a door in which the extrusions framing it are at least 6 inches wide. If the door you choose is fitted with double‑pane glass, it’s also very important to note the total weight. For example, a 14‑by‑7‑foot door has a total weight of approximately 350 pounds.

You also need to make sure that you have the appropriate hardware for the weight of your door and that it’s solidly constructed, just the same as if it were the door in a bar‑restaurant.

Finally, if your setup, whether a garage or a sheltered outdoor space, has cathedral ceilings, the rail system can follow along the same path and be concealed from sight. You could even motorize your garage door in spite of the slope of the ceiling, in which case the door opener would be equipped with two automatic reversal systems for increased safety.

Call on the experts

Whatever your project may be, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-545-3667. Our sales staff here at Door Systems Metro Boston will give you all the guidance you need when purchasing this type of garage door, while staying within the budget you set. Most importantly, you can rest assured that the door they recommend will be perfectly safe.