Glass fronted garage doors

Glass garage doors are increasing in popularity, not just in the commercial sector, but in the domestic sector as well.

Most doors of this type have an extruded aluminium frame for strength, weather proof-ness and general durability and this is important as a frame that holds glass panelling needs to be stronger than a frame for most other materials. This is because glass is heavy and offers little in the way of tensile or torsional strength.

The glass used in these doors should be hardened safety glass that is toughened, shatter proof and resistant to attempts at unlawful entry. When this is the case these doors can be every bit as strong and secure as any other door type.

Garage doors made of glass have a number of advantages that start with their unusual and often minimalist and aesthetic appearance. Most glass garage doors are composed of a number of small to medium sized panels or panes and this ensures that they have a very different look to most regular garage doors. Door frame colors and varying degrees of glass tint or misting are other selection criteria.

However, for the typical home owner the biggest advantage of a glass garage door may not be its appearance, but rather its ability to illuminate the interior of an otherwise dark garage with natural light.

Many who use a garage as a workshop feel the need to use artificial lighting or open the garage door whilst they are working, but with a glass garage door this is often unnecessary.

The glass used in these doors can be completely clear, but the most common choice is a glass that allows maximum light transmission whilst preventing outside observers from seeing inside the building. This kind of glass provides good illumination, but with a maximum of security, even when there is an internal light switched on at night.