Frame and glass choices
- Frame finish. Black and dark bronze are the most popular; clear anodized aluminum and white are also common.
- Clear glass for maximum light and visibility.
- Frosted or obscure glass for daylight with privacy. This is the usual choice for street facing home garages.
- Tinted glass to cut glare and heat.
- Insulated glass (double pane) for better comfort and less noise.
Glass in garage doors is tempered for safety.
Heat, privacy and security
Glass does not insulate as well as a foam filled steel door. On a west facing garage in Austin, insulated and tinted glass make a real difference to how warm the space gets. If the garage is conditioned, tell us and we will recommend accordingly.
Frosted glass hides what is inside during the day. At night, with lights on, clear glass turns the garage into a display window, which some owners love and others do not.
Weight and hardware
Glass doors are heavier than they look. They need springs sized to the door and an opener suited to the weight. This is one reason full view doors should be supplied and installed as a complete system.
Installed by Tier One
Real installations by our team in the Austin area.
Full view glass garage door on a stone fronted home
A bronze framed full view glass garage door installed between stacked stone columns on a low roofed home.
Full view glass garage door replacing a steel door
An 8x7 full view aluminum and glass garage door installed in place of a raised panel steel door.
Raised panel garage doors replaced with full view glass doors
Two black framed full view glass garage doors installed in place of tan raised panel doors on a new home.
Installation
Every new door is measured on site and installed with new tracks, springs and hardware matched to its weight. See garage door installation for the full process, or garage door replacement if you are deciding whether to repair or replace.
Full View Glass door FAQs
Are glass garage doors safe?
Yes. The panels are tempered safety glass in a rigid aluminum frame, and the door locks through the opener like any other.
Do full view doors need more maintenance?
The aluminum frame needs very little. The glass needs cleaning, as any window does. The moving hardware is maintained the same way as on other doors.
Can a full view door be used on a business?
Yes. They are widely used on restaurants, taprooms and showrooms. See commercial garage door installation.
