Everything You Need to Know About Garage Door Windows

Date: August 8, 2018

With up to a 98.3% return on investment, it’s safe to say that replacing your garage door is a fantastic choice for adding value and curb appeal to your home. Be sure to give your new garage door added style and sophistication by incorporating windows into your design. Let’s take a look at some garage door window basics, the benefits of windows, and the options that are available to you.

Garage Door Window Terminology

When it comes to garage door windows, there may be a lot of terms you’re unfamiliar with. Here, we list out common phrases with their definitions so you can fully understand the components of your garage door windows.

• Garage Door Windows — Large areas of glass in a door that may or may not have inserts/grilles.
• Garage Door Lites — Smaller areas of glass in a single window area that are defined by inserts/grilles.
• Garage Door Window Inserts/Grilles — Divides a large pane of glass into smaller lites that mimic older, historical window unit styles.
• True Divided Lite (TDL) Windows — Each piece of glass is separated and has its own structural frame and interior stop. If one lite breaks, only the broken lite will need to be replaced. Because of the number of actual windows, this is a more expensive option.
• Simulated Divided Lite (SDL) Windows — A large, single pane of glass with decorative, exterior inserts/grilles that visually divide the large area of glass into smaller lites, giving the illusion of True Divided Lites. If there is breakage, the entire piece of window glass will need to be replaced.

Garage Door Window FAQs

What’s the Benefit of Having Garage Door Windows?

Window configurations can be worked into garage door designs to mimic and enhance the existing architecture of your home. The benefits don’t stop there, though! Garage door windows can be customized to suit a home’s unique style. They allow natural light to enter garages, helping to decrease energy bills and increase aesthetic appeal. Plus, you can choose between TDL and SDL windows to meet the needs of your budget.

Are Garage Door Windows Safe?

Yes! There are multiple options that you can choose to maximize garage safety and security. If you’re worried about visibility, textured and opaque specialty glass styles prevent anyone from seeing your garage interior, while still letting natural light in. If you’re worried about durability or potential break-ins, tempered and laminated specialty glass prevent breakage.

Can You Replace Garage Door Windows?

Our garage doors have incorporated stops that hold the window glass in place. These stops can be removed from the back of the door to replace broken glass or upgrade to a specialty glass.

Replacing or adding window inserts/grilles to a door can be complex and will depend on how the door was originally made. If your original garage door design incorporated inserts/grilles, they can be replaced with new ones. If the door was designed without inserts/grilles, it may not be possible to add any to it. You can consult with your door manufacturer to see if it’s a possibility for your door.

Garage Door Window Styles & Configurations

Garage door windows come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. They can be placed in any configuration on your doors that you desire. Take a look at the basic window styles and examples of typical, unique, and custom garage door window configurations.

Basic Garage Door Window Styles

Square Style Windows

This window style describes windows that have 90 degree angles in all corners.

Example:

Arched Style Windows

This style describes windows with bottom corners that have 90 degree angles, and top corners with angles that are less than 90 degrees.

Typical Garage Door Window Configurations

If you have a certain door style in mind but aren’t sure about the window configurations, don’t fret! We’ve listed the door styles out for you and provided information on the most popular glass configurations that go with them.

Swing Style Garage Doors

These doors commonly feature two sets of glass. Check out this example from our Symphony line:

Trifold Style Garage Doors

These doors commonly feature three sets of glass.

Bifold Style Garage Doors

These doors commonly feature four sets of glass. Check out this example from our Medallion line:

Barn Style Garage Doors

These doors commonly feature minimal glass accents, if any at all. Check out these two examples from our Medallion line:

With Glass

Without Glass

Unique Garage Door Window Configurations

While they’re not as commonly used, mullioned and prairie window configurations are still great options. Mullioned lites have a wide stile that separates sets of windows, while prairie lites have inserts/grilles that mirror the frame. Check out examples of these below:

Mullioned Lites

Prairie Lites

Custom Style Garage Door Window Configurations

All of our garage doors are completely customizable, and that includes windows configurations! Your garage door can feature any number of glass sets that you desire. Check out some of these examples:

Medallion Custom Door

Garage Door Window Glass Options

We offer a range of window glass options, allowing you to choose the perfect type that fits your needs. Take a look at our comparison guide to figure out whether standard or specialty glass would work best for your garage door.

How to Clean Garage Door Windows & Lites

Keep your garage door looking pristine by cleaning the windows regularly. Simply use this simple procedure!

What you’ll need:

• Distilled water
• White vinegar
• Empty spray bottle
• Clean, microfiber cloth
• Cotton swabs or soft toothbrush
• Newspaper

1. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in the spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture on the microfiber cloth.
3. Start on either the interior or exterior side of the garage door. Rub the glass surface in a circular motion, then wipe vertically and horizontally to remove all spots and leave a clean, streak-free shine.
4. Spray the end of a cotton swab or soft toothbrush.
5. Use the swab or toothbrush to remove any dirt or debris at the corners or edges of the windows.
6. Polish the glass by buffing the surface with a newspaper.
7. Repeat on the other side of the garage door windows.

Garage Doors Without Windows: A Look at the Pros and Cons

If you’re thinking about replacing your garage door, you have a variety of choices to consider.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the pros and cons of garage doors without windows, as this will help filter your search down toward the garage door of your dreams.

Garage Doors Without Windows: A Closer Look

If you’re like most homeowners, the garage door design is probably one of the first places you will start your search. This will reveal the different appearances available, which you can filter through until you find the look that fits your home and personal preference.

With the category of appearance sits the option to add windows to your garage door or not. This is usually available for most doors, however, there are a few designs that don’t offer this option.

We’re going to focus on the pros and cons of garage doors without windows in case you’re interested in that option.

Let’s get started.

The Pros

So, why are garage doors without windows a better option for you? Here are the pros of buying windowless garage doors:

• Your property is safer: The problem with windows in your garage door is that it helps people to take a look at what’s in your garage. Garages are often a prime target for burglars, so you don’t want to give them the temptation to try breaking into yours.
• They can cost less: You’d be amazed at how much extra a garage door with windows can cost you. Add those windows on, and you can be looking at an extra $200-$500 onto your bill. That’s a lot of money just for an added aesthetic touch. Budget-conscious homeowners often decide that they don’t need to add those windows on and save themselves a good amount of money.
• The door is tougher against damage: As safe as you try and keep your home, accidents happen. A stray ball or hail in a storm can cause damage to your home, and that includes your garage door. If the door has glass in it, you’re in trouble as it’s so easy to shatter even tough glass. Then you’ll be looking at a repair bill which you may not have bargained for. Forego the glass though, and you’ll find it’s much harder to damage that garage door, saving you time and money.
• Doors are more energy efficient: Glass is often the weak point in your home when it comes to energy efficiency. Heat can leak out through gaps in the fitting, meaning it costs you more to heat your home. The same goes for your garage, too. If you opt for the door without windows, you’re saving a lot of energy, and money, in one fell swoop.
• Garage doors are quicker to produce: Did you know that if you add windows to your garage door, it actually takes longer to produce it? If you’re not in a rush to replace your door that’s not a problem, but if you are, then you may want to skip them. Those who have had their garage doors damaged and need replacements don’t have time to be waiting for embellishments.

The Cons

Of course, there are some downsides to garage doors without windows.

Here are just a few of them:

• Glass can add curb appeal: Even if you’re not thinking of selling your home right now, you’ll need to be thinking about the curb appeal of the building. What makes it look appealing to people and potential buyers before they even set foot in the house? Windows in the garage door are a small touch, but they can really make all the difference.
• Natural light in your garage: Do you use your garage for anything else besides keeping your car in it? If so, windows in the door can be a good idea. They allow natural light in, making the room much less dark and gloomy. It’s also a much easier option than creating windows in the walls of your garage. If your kids like to play in the garage, or you have band practice in your garage, then you’re going to want some natural light.
• Match the rest of the house: If you want your garage to be more aesthetically pleasing, then having glass put in it can make the world of difference. Many homeowners choose to add glass and windows that match the rest of the house. This makes for a more cohesive look and makes the garage itself look much more pleasing to the eye. Again, this is useful to know if you’re thinking of selling the home one day.

How To Pick The Best Garage Door For You

Ok, so you know whether you want glass in your garage door or not. That’s a good start, but you’re going to need to think about what exactly you want from your door. How do you pick the right one for you and your home?

First of all, think of the material you desire. If you have a traditional look to your home, a wooden door can be the best option for you. However, more and more people are opting for steel, fiberglass, or PVC in order to get the most from their doors.

You’ll also need to think about security. How can you be sure your home is safe with this door installed? Look at the individual panels. If they’re double skinned or made from a tough material like steel, then it’s going to be harder to break into. Remote locking systems are also advisable, as they can’t be opened without the right controls.

Next, you’re going to need to think about how the garage door opens. The most traditional option is the up and over the model, the one you’ve been seeing for decades in most homes. This is simple and easy to use, but it does mean you lose some driveway space. Some homeowners are now going for roller or sectional doors, that roll up without taking up space. You can also go for a side-hinged model, that looks great but requires you to get out of your car to open.

Conclusion

You have a lot of options to consider when purchasing or designing your new garage door.

Starting with the appearance is a good place to start, as this will help you determine the look of your finished door, including whether you want windows or solid material. We hope this helps you decide on the garage door of your dreams and welcome you to contact us with any questions.

Clopay Garage Doors Extreme Makeover & Review

There are few things that dominate the facade of homes more than their garage doors. According to Clopay, garage doors represent up to 40 percent of a home’s façade. That can either work for your home’s curb appeal, or it can work against it. In the case of our 1930’s Spanish style home, the garage door was most definitely working against it. I spent a good deal of time and effort working on details of the home to enhance its visual appeal, but the garage door was one glaring eyesore that needed to be corrected. We talked to our friends over at Clopay garage doors about what we saw as a stellar before/after opportunity. They agreed to sponsor this review and makeover project with one of their Canyon Ridge garage doors. Read on, and we’ll walk you through just about everything you might consider when shopping for a new garage door, and we might even entice you into action with some inspiring before and after shots!

The Garage Door Before

To get a true impression of how far a new garage door went in our case, we need to begin with the state of our garage in the b.c. era (before Clopay). Although we were not able to carbon date the door, estimates put its origins around the 1960’s or 70’s. While some things from the 60’s or 70’s are now considered “vintage” or “shabby chic”, our door was going more for just “shabby.” It sported what was likely the original coat of dull brown paint that had faded so much that it was more of a chalky dark beige. The door was powered by an opener that was so old I had push the button and then sprint to the door to physically help lift it open before it would stall out (to be replaced by a LiftMaster opener, more on that in an upcoming separate review).

The old garage door was not helping curb appeal.

The original door also “featured” the opposite of insulation. The door turned into a giant radiator when the southern California sun hit it, although that was significantly improved with the addition of a Reach Radiant Garage Door Barrier. If I had to categorize the style, I’d describe it as “stamped/dented sheet metal.” Aside from one actual dent, the panels were stamped presumably to mimic the look of wood. However, we definitely were NOT fooling anyone. Like many garage doors on older homes (and, some newer homes), this one desperately needed a change.

Selecting a New Clopay Door

The same reasons that make a garage door have such a powerful impact on a home’s appearance, also make it vital that you get the look of the door right. Clopay garage doors offers a myriad of door styles and aesthetic details to cover a broad spectrum of budgets. The last thing you want when selecting a new door is to pick a style that clashes with your home’s existing architecture and style. However, with so many styles, options and materials, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Aside from spending some time browsing the options on Clopay’s website, we employed several strategies for selecting a door.

Visiting a Local Clopay Garage Doors Showroom

Once you have spent some time browsing online, going to a local showroom with a good selection of doors can help you narrow down your options. We visited a local Clopay garage doors showroom, however, depending on where you are in the country, you might find yourself visiting a dealer showroom instead. After looking at photos online, it’s easy for your eyes to start glazing over. An in-person visit to a showroom is a quick cure for that. What looks good online, doesn’t always look good in person. Being able to walk right up to various door styles can help you rapidly eliminate styles you don’t like and start focusing on the styles you do. As useful as the showroom visit was, one tool from Clopay was indispensable in our decision-making process: the Clopay Garage Door Imagination System.

The Clopay Garage Door Imagination System

No, the Clopay Door Imagination isn’t just a quiet room you close your eyes and think in, it’s much more. Selecting the right door is all about picking a door that works with your home, and the best way to do that is to actually see the door ON your home. Clopay makes this possible by sending a giant 18-wheeler to your house and having a very strong man hold each style of door over your existing door until you find one you like. OK, actually they just use the Internet, no 18-wheeler or strongman required. Step one for this process is to take some photos of your home. Or, if you’re obsessive like I am, take dozens of photos of your home in varying lighting conditions. I recommend having at least two good shots; one that focuses mostly on your garage with just a little bit of the house, and another that shows the full street view of your house and garage door. Using two perspectives can help give you a better sense of how the door looks close up, and how it ties in to the overall vibe of your home.

Clopay’s visualizer tool was invaluable in designing the door

Once you have your photo(s), you’ll select one of them to load to your visualizer. After uploading, Clopay will ask for your door measurement and will have you stretch a little box over the area that is your garage door. From there, the Door Imagination System will walk you through all the options including the door category or collection (which is the biggest determinate in your budgeting), type of door material, insulation, decorative details, window options and even hardware on some models. One little trick I liked to use was to open multiple visualizers at once in different browser windows. That way, I could compare multiple styles side-by-side at the same time. Given my obsessive nature, I also went to the extreme of creating my own visualizer in Photoshop so I could see the doors at a higher resolution. I’m a little crazy that way, so rest assured the Imagination System will likely be perfectly adequate to help most normal people narrow down their door style and options. It’s the next best thing to a strongman holding each door style in front of your garage.

Stalking your Neighbors

Another tip for once you’ve narrowed down what you’re looking for is to stalk your neighbors. Just ask your friendly neighborhood Clopay dealer if they have any reference homes you can do a drive-by on. We did that and it actually turned into multiple drive-by “shootings” – I was creepily taking photos of the garage doors from the street. I lucked out and either no one called the cops, or I departed the scene before they rolled up on the “suspicious guy with a camera” call. Seeing a couple doors I liked actually installed in the real world was really helpful. After more obsessive research using various combinations of all these techniques, we narrowed our door choice down to the Canyon Ridge Collection.

Being able to see almost the same door in the real world helps in the decision making

Clopay Canyon Ridge Collection

The Clopay Canyon Ridge® Collection, offers high R-value faux wood composite carriage house doors that can be painted or stained. The goal here is to mimic the look, texture and appeal of real wood with the energy efficiency and low maintenance of an insulated steel door. The materials used to clad and overlay these doors are moisture resistant, so you can avoid the displeasure of installing a beautiful new wood door, only to watch it rapidly warp, shrink, crack, rot and be devoured by termites. I for one, will sleep easier knowing are insanely hungry local termites won’t be feasting on the new garage door.

Canyon ridge colors & faux wood species

The composite cladding Clopay uses in the Canyon Ridge Collection is molded from actual wood pieces and then adhered to a steel base door for maximum durability. The result of all these layers is one of the highest R-values in the industry: 20.4. Whether you’re in a warm climate like ours, or, particularly a cold climate, the Canyon Ridge delivers impressive insulation. That insulation will be even more important to you if your garage is attached to your home. But beyond solid performance, just like a Hollywood movie star, the Canyon Ridge collection is about looks.

Walnut finish Pecky Cypress closeup

By molding the cladding and overlay from actual wood pieces, Clopay managed to replicate the natural texture and intricate grain patterns of several wood species. Mahogany, Cypress and Pecky Cypress are three options you can choose from. In the case of the rustic, Spanish style we were working with, I really liked the combination of Pecky Cypress cladding and Cypress overlay. Being able to mix and match two styles opens up some fantastic design options. From there, you can choose a factory applied finish in Medium, Dark or Walnut stain, painted white, or primed for custom finishing on site. We opted for the darkest finish, Walnut, to match the door with the various similar hues on the house’s existing brown wood trim, doors and windows.

Unlike many faux materials, the Clopay Canyon Ridge line looks GOOD

Although it’s made with faux materials, you’ll still need to expect some maintenance of the Canyon Ridge Collection. If you had a factory finish applied, Clopay recommends you re-coat, “with a layer of exterior grade, UV resistant, clear protective topcoat at least every 2 years for maximum longevity. In locations of severe weather exposure, more frequent maintenance may be required.” For more details on finish and paint maintenance, check out these suplemental instructions specifically for the Canyon Ridge collection.

I really debated between real wood and the Canyon Ridge Line. Given that our door has a Western exposure with lots of Southern California sun, I ultimately decided going with a wood door was just a recipe for damaged wood, lots of maintenance and an all-you-can-eat buffet of epic proportions for our hungry termites. Notice I said “our” termites? It’s almost like they’re part of our family. Although I had decided on the Canyon Ridge Collection and general door design, we still had a few more decisions to make.

Windows or No Windows in the Garage Door?

The biggest debate for me in selecting our door was whether or not to include windows. Given the age of our house, many homes from that era had solid wood garage doors. Naturally, there were some with windows as well. If you’re contemplating windows in your garage door, you’ll want to consider a few different factors. The first factor for many is style, and this largely comes down to personal preference rather than rigid architectural standards. Some people like the look of windows, others simply do not. Another factor is utility, and comes down to what you use your garage for. If, unlike most Californians, you actually use your garage for parking your car (gasp!), your car probably won’t care whether or not it has a view. However, if you use your garage for a workshop, game room or other form of (wo)man-cave, then having natural light and a view outside can be a big bonus.

Clopay offers window designs to suit every style

If you live in an extreme environment in terms of cold temps, then insulation can also play a role. Even double pane window options won’t have the same R-Value as a door without windows and good insulation. Lastly, security can also be a consideration. Will windows give your neighbors a view of you and your peculiar habit of doing the laundry naked? Will windows show off your prized vintage Ferrari, tempting neighborhood thieves, or your delinquent son Cameron and his friend Ferris? If so, window-less might be best for you. Since I don’t usually use the garage for car storage (no Ferrari quite yet), and I’m often working on projects in it, I ultimately decided to add windows. I also felt they helped soften and add character to an otherwise bland garage.

Garage windows help let in a lot of natural light, in this case illuminating Justin, one of our intrepid installers.

The Canyon View Collection offers your choice of rectangular, square, or true arched window designs in clear, obscure, seeded or insulated glass. As an added bonus, they also have removable window grilles which make cleaning the glass or maintaining the finish (or painting) a breeze. I tested the clips out and was able to easily remove each of the four grill dividers in about 30 seconds. Ultimately, I was very happy with my decision to add windows. Going into the garage used to be somewhat claustrophobic, but now it’s a much more inviting space. The natural light also makes a huge difference. Windows on a garage door aren’t for everyone, but in our case, the choice to add glass wasn’t regretted in the slightest. In fact, I’m very happy we went with windows, and get reminded of how good that decision was every time I walk into the now far less dreary man-cave.

Stylishly Arched or Hip to be Square?

Even arches have options with Clopay Whether you go with windows or not, depending on the model you choose, you may have the option to do an arched or square detail across the top of the door. Since we decided on windows, the next decision was rectangular windows, a single arched design, or dual arches. While I liked the single arch of windows, it made the door look less like traditional carriage doors. Our door was too wide to look like a single pair of doors so I decided to opt for the dual arches. This helped create the look of two pairs of traditional, side-swing carriage house doors. If you’re going for a carriage house door look, be sure to factor in what looks reasonable and realistic for the given door size.

Garage Door Hardware – It’s All in the Details

Clopay’s Canyon Ridge Collection offers a great selection of decorative hardware. Since my goal was to replicate a traditional wood door and blend with the Spanish style as much as possible, I wanted to include some wrought iron details. Initially I planned to include decorative hinges. Once again, the Clopay Imagination System came to the rescue. With the dual-door style I was opting for, it seemed unconvincing to have strap hinges floating in the middle of the door (without any type of fixed post or divide). It also seemed weird to have hinges just on the side which would have left the dual pairs of doors without hinges in the middle. Most people probably wouldn’t notice these details, but I knew they would terrorize me if I went against my better judgment. Ultimately I decided going without strap hinges altogether made for a cleaner and more convincing look.

Clopay’s old world style hardware pre-installation

I did opt for two pairs of old world style handles available from Clopay. There was some debate about what height to install them at. For what are obvious reasons you don’t want to span two vertical sections of the garage door or you’ll have an unhappy surprise the next time you open the door. I again deferred back to shooting for convincing details. In old side-swing carriage house doors, the handle was generally mounted in a position that was easy to grab in order to swing open the door. I’ve seen some people mount them about knee height and I just don’t get that (unless of course the handles are horizontal to mimic old doors you lifted up manually).

Sizing Things Up Before the Order

Clopay set us up with a local installation company called Radford Overhead Doors. Believe it or not, they’ve been in business since 1945. They came out about six weeks before the actual install to take measurements and make sure there weren’t going to be any installation surprises. Our opening size meant there would be a little bit of overlap between our garage and the door. In other words, a couple inches of the top and sides of our door would be obscured. Ultimately, we couldn’t even notice. Measurement was speedy. Most importantly, there were no “ooops” moments when the crew came out to install the door.

Insulation

Also, while you may not think you need an insulated door because you’re in a mild climate, an insulated door is thicker and can’t be damaged or bent as easily as a single layer uninsulated metal door can. That extra strength makes for a door that’s less likely to be pried open by thieves. Most people would not think a single layer of steel is adequate for a wall on their living room, but that’s not far off from what you get with an uninsulated garage door. Whether you live in Fargo or Phoenix, or any climate in between, I think it’s worth going with an insulated door for both security and energy efficiency.

Value & Curb Appeal

In a 2012-13 Cost vs. Value Report published by Remodeling
Magazine, garage door replacement ranks in the top 5 exterior home improvement projects, “netting a 75% cost return at resale, on average, nationwide.” Apparently our neighbor didn’t read that study. . . when she saw the new door she said, “you just added $20,000 to the value of our home.” When you see the official “after” pics, we think you might agree. The great thing about the value you add with a garage door is that it’s value you can add literally in a matter of hours, rather than the tedious days, weeks, months (or in our case, years) associated with many typical home improvement projects that can add value to a home.

Coordinate Your Garage Door with Your Entry Door

One thing unique to Clopay is that in addition to their garage door options, they also offer entry doors matched to the style and finish of your chosen garage door style. These steel and fiberglass doors range from simple, smooth finishes to traditional Craftsman doors, you can further increase the benefits to the appearance of your home by timing your garage door project with a front door replacement. You can check out various Clopay garage doors styles and options on their Entry Door page.

The Garage Door Installation

While some more basic steel garage doors can be installed with just one installer, our door was definitely a two person job. Radford sent out two of their more experienced teams, Justin and David. Like an Indy pit crew, they made it look easy, and the job was wrapped up in approximately 1/50th the time it might have taken me, and with zero hernias! They started in the morning and were done by mid afternoon several hours later. A one person crew would definitely be slower, but regardless of your door and crew size, all but the most complicated installations can be wrapped up in a single day. How’s that for instant gratification?

Most new garage door installs also add weather stripping. In our case we opted out. Our existing wood trim provided a nice overlap, and given San Diego’s temperate climate, aesthetics trumped any minimal additional insulation value we would have gained. Here are the photos of the door installation process leading up to the official “after” shots (we left out a few details you’ll be able to see when we post our review of the LiftMaster 8550 opener the guys installed):

Let the disassembly begin! An impact driver is key here Carefully un-tensioning the spring is not for the faint of heart – a definite finger removal hazard The old door panels coming out Normally things look worse before better, but getting rid of the old door was a huge improvement The unboxing reveals a decidedly sexier door style Panels were ordered and stacked in preparation The Radford team putting the puzzle pieces together Almost there! Hardware included! Installing the tracks Installing the roller guides into the track Mounting the springs on the garage door header Spring tensioning takes focus and a steady hand Who needs the gym when you have the LiftMaster 8550 workout? Nearly finished, hooking up the door to the opener Serious attention to detail – not a door you want to try and patch holes in

The Official Before and After(s)

This is definitely a case of a picture is worth a thousand words, so without any further commentary, see this extreme Garage Door Makeover for yourself!

Closeup Before

Closeup After

Street View Before

Street View After

More After Shots

Operation

We’ll be including a video of the door in action when we post our review of the LiftMaster 8550 Belt Drive garage door opener. In the meantime, I’ll just say I was amazed and how smoothly a door of this size and weight operates. What used to be a cacophony of rattles, squeaks, groans and booms is now a delightfully tame and quiet experience. I think the multiple layers, insulation and heft of the Clopay door actually makes it open and close more smoothly than some of the lightweight steel doors on the market.

Aesthetics

The overall look of this Clopay Canyon Ridge door is impressive. Although Clopay makes doors that would look right at home in any architectural style, from traditional to transitional, Craftsman, Mediterranean, Victorian, Tudor, or even contemporary, this door presented a perfect match for the 1930’s Spanish style. I don’t want to say the door looked incredible, because, in fact, it look credible! While some faux options (like our previous stamped metal wood grain) scream fake, this Clopay Canyon Ridge door exudes a convincing finish. With a little dust accumulation, I suspect the door will only become more convincing with time.

I had trouble finding much to find fault with on this Clopay door. What minor concerns I did have were related to two minor cosmetic details. Most “normal” people wouldn’t even notice, but when it comes to a faux door in particular, I believe the details play an important role in the overall effect. It doesn’t take much to throw off how convincing a faux product appears. My biggest issue was actually with the interior frames around the windows. Like the inside of the door itself, they’re white. That’s great for a clean look on the inside, however I believe it throws off the look a bit from the outside. If you view the outside of the door from straight ahead, it’s a non-issue. If you view the door from an angle, it’s hard not to miss the bright white interior pieces right next to the exterior wood detailing. It becomes a little hint that what you’re looking at likely isn’t real wood.

Clopay suggested painting the interior window trim / retainers to match the exterior wood, and I may still do that. The window retainers can be painted with a latex paint and Sherwin Williams has Clopay paint formulas. However, painting the trim might look a little odd from the inside where everything is crisp white. The weather stripping seal for the bottom of the door also has a chrome strip which does little to tie in with the style of the door. This is an even easier fix with a little paint to cover up that small chrome edge. We’d love to see Clopay offer an interior trim option that continues the exterior wood look all the way through to the interior window retainer pieces, and a black or brown option for the aluminum trim piece on the bottom seal. Keep in mind I’m notoriously particular about details like this, but I still think they’re valid points in the game of convincing faux finishes.

Garage Door Pricing

Clopay- the only residential garage door brand to carry the Good Housekeeping Seal It’s my opinion, maybe just because of the their sheer size, that many homeowners overestimate the cost of a new garage door. While garage door pricing is hugely variable based on size, construction, material, design, finish (paint or stain), insulation value, insulation type, decorative windows/hardware, etc., I wanted to provide a rough range of what you can expect in the various Clopay garage doors Collections. We’re listing very general prices for standard size single and double garage doors – 9′ x 7′ and 16′ x 7′. These price approximations are for doors only and do not include openers. They also do not include installation since that varies by dealer, region and the particulars of your specific garage.