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Garage Windows Add Curb Appeal
One of the biggest and most noticeable reasons people install windows in their garage is aesthetics. A garage with windows provides far more curb appeal than one without. It makes the garage feel a part of the home.
Some homeowners finish the garage very simply without much thought but thats a missed opportunity. You can carry the architectural details on the home into the design simply by adding a few windows that match the home.
Consider some dormers if you really want to dress up the garage. They let in tons of light and really make that garage stand out from the curb.
Other Types Of Garage Entry Doors
The garage entry door is also not the same as the pedestrian door or the man door or the wicket door. The other terms are used to describe a door that is built into the large garage door.
The pedestrian door is a man sized door designed to enable you to enter the garage from outside, through the garage door, without the need to open the large garage door. Pedestrian doors are not very common for a variety of reasons including high cost and safety risk.
What is common though is the garage side entry door, especially in detached garages. This is a regular sized door on one of the sidewalls of the garage. It is used to enter or exit the garage from the outside of the house.
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Pros And Cons Of Adding Windows To A Garage Door
If you like the overall look of your garage door, but think something is missing, it could be natural light. Are you wondering if you should add decorative windows to improve the look of your garage? There are several pros and cons to consider before you start but this beautiful and stylish addition to a home is a great way to give your space an instant face lift.
Do Garages Need Side Doors
Any garage, attached or detached, will of course have a garage door for the entry and exit of vehicles. An attached garage will usually have an entry door to make it easy for entering the house directly from the garage. But what about a garage side door? Do Garages Need Side Doors?
The IRC has no stipulation that Garages Need Side Doors. Unless the local building code requires it, the decision to have a garage side entry door is totally yours. Garage side doors are extremely convenient provided you have taken adequate security measures.
You may choose to have a side door in a detached garage or even an attached garage. There are several benefits of having a garage with a side door.
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Garage Entry Door Is Convenient
The garage entry door to the house is a huge convenience in an attached garage, especially in extreme weather conditions.
Even in the case of a detached garage if you have a studio apartment above it, a small house or any other type of dwelling unit attached to the garage, all the same rules apply. The rules also apply in case of a RV garage with living quarters.
However, since the garage entry door to the house links the garage to the house , it is subject to strict building codes.
Does A Garage Entry Door Need To Be Fire
Yes, garage entry doors need to be fire-rated, as per the IRC.
The primary purpose of this fire rating requirement is to stop any potential fire from spreading to other parts of the house. Doing so minimizes the damage to your property. After containing the fire, youll only have the garage to repair and not the entire building.
A fire-rated door also contains smoke and other toxic gasses from the garage in one place. Your well-being and that of your family remain in check, even when a fire breaks out in the garage.
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Can A Bedroom Have A Door To The Garage
No. You can not have a door between a bedroom and the garage. The Section R302.5.1 of the International Residential Code is absolutely clear on this.
The very first sentence of the section reads as under:
Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted.
The garage entry door can therefore lead to a hallway, mudroom, laundry room, kitchen, the living room, etc. Basically any room other than the bedroom.
Most definitely. The Section R302.5.1 of the 2021 International Residential Code is absolutely clear on this.
The later part of the section reads:
R302.5.1 Opening protection: Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8 inches in thickness, solid or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1-3/8 inches thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.Doors shall be self latching and equipped with a self-closing or automatic-closing device.
Basically it gives you three options. The first two are not explicitly stated as fire-rated but the fire-rating is implied by specifying the material and the thickness. The third option is of course explicitly fire-rated.
Do Fire Rated Doors Need Fire Rated Frames
Section R302.5.1 of the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code requires a20 minute fire rated door as a garage entry door. The entire door assembly, including the door, the frame, the hardware and the components, must pass the test.
The actual material of the frame is not important, but the frame must meet the 20 minute fire rated door requirements. The tests must be conducted by a certified, independent test facility in accordance with the test parameters laid out by Underwriters Laboratory .
To be approved as a 20 minute fire rated door, the complete assembly, including the door frame, must stay intact and the flames should not reach the other side.
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Why Do Garages Have A Side Door
Garages have a side door so that you can enter your garage from the outside, without the need to open the big garage door or walking into your house and using the garage entry door to the house. It is just so much more convenient!
A detached garage almost begs for a side door. Below are the instances where you will be glad to have a side door in your garage.
Is Steel Or Fiberglass Better For Garage Entry Doors
If youre looking for more security, weather resistance, and affordability, steel garage entry doors are better. However, for more style, fiberglass has several options you can choose from.
Below is a detailed comparison of these garage entry doors.
Starting with steel doors, the best part about them is that theyre always available in the market and are much cheaper than fiberglass doors. Steel doors are also energy-efficient, offer more security, and dont need much maintenance.
On the negative side, steel doors are quick to rust. Any dent on them requires prompt fixing. Otherwise, the damage will quickly spread to other parts.
For fiberglass entry doors, the only thing you must take care of is ensuring you dont expose them to severe impact so they dont crack. And when it comes to style, it all depends on your choice because you can paint them the way you want.
The downside is that fiberglass doors arent as durable as steel doors.
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Garage Entry Door To House: 15 Important Things You Need To Know
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THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TO INCORPORATE THE LATEST 2021 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE
An attached garage has a few advantages over a detached garage. Convenience tops that list. The convenience of stepping out of your car and being able to walk right into your house without having to brave the elements.
This convenience is only possible because of the garage entry door. A garage entry door is a really special door in your house. It can not be treated like other normal doors. Below is a list of 15 important things you need to know about your garage entry door
Do Garage Side Doors Need To Be Fire Rated
The garage side door is not the same as the garage entry door to the house. It connects the garage to the outdoors, unlike the entry door which connects to the house.
The opening between the garage and the house must be equipped with a door that provides protection per Section R302.5.1 of the 2018 edition of the International Residential Code .
R302.5.1 Opening protection: Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and the residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8 inches in thickness, solid or honey-comb core steel doors not less than 1-3/8 inches thick, or 20 minute fire-rated doors equipped with a self-closing or automatic-closing device.
However, the above does not apply to the opening between garage and outdoors. Of course, the Local Building Authority may have their own interpretation of the IRC. So please check & abide by the local building code interpretation.
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Does A Garage Need Windows
While a garage doesnt actually need windows to perform its function. There are a lot of benefits that come by including them.
Garages can be a lot more than just a big storage unit. And even if they are just a shed, the nicest sheds on the market include windows.
If your garage design includes other features than those things will probably benefit from having windows too. If youve got a home gym, office or workshop in the garage then some natural light and fresh air is probably something youll want. The same is true if you use your garage as a pool house or home business. And what about if youve got a loft, dormers or 2nd floor apartment? Youll definitely want to include some windows.
So although a garage doesnt technically need windows. The benefits in most cases far outweigh the disadvantages.
What Type Of Door Do You Need For Garage Entry
Deduce what you want for your front main door. Thats the type of door you should have for a garage entry.
Your garage entry door should be firm, well-built, and with an excellent lock for shutting whenever the garage isnt in use. For all these qualities, go for a solid core entry door.
Even though wooden doors have that natural look and beauty, solid core doors outdo them with all the benefits they possess. Solid core doors offer more safety and are fire-resistant, durable, heavier because of their engineering, and soundproof.
A suitable solid core entry door should be at least 1¾ inches thick. That way, even with the extreme humidity changes, the door will resist both expansion and contraction.
Even better, solid core doors are more affordable than wooden and steel entry doors.
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How Do You Install A Garage Entry Door
Installing an entry door for your garage isnt a DIY project unless you have the knowledge and experience needed. You have to use many tools, and anything can go wrong if youre unsure how to handle them.
Even before starting, ensure the entry door youre installing for the garage meets all the IRC requirements stated above.
Your safety must also come first. Thats why you need safety glasses, boots, overalls, gloves, and other personal protective equipment.
The reason for all these requirements is that installing a garage door involves a lot of drilling using power drills and measuring. You also have to lift the heavy garage door when placing it in its position.
Many big-box stores, like Home Depot or Lowes, will install your garage door. Thats because they have the right professionals for the job, but at an extra cost.
Besides, they have the right tools required for the installation job, so you wont need to spend money buying them. However, if you have the experience, and youre sure you can do it on your own to save a few bucks, its doable.
Among the tools youll need for the job includes a hammer, jigsaw, skill saw, screw gun, different studs, electric miter saw, deck screws, finish nails, measuring tape, and pencil. While on it, remember not to leave your power tools unattended to avoid accidents.
Glass Garage Doors: Right For Some But Not For Everyone
Glass garage doors are a right choice for some, but for the majority of homeowners looking to have a durable wall of protection, whether for security or dent resistance, glass isnt the ideal option. Energy efficiency is another major factor that glass doors seem to lack, especially in colder climates.
As a stylistic option, glass garage doors are unique, modern, and contemporary. Their clean look is nearly impossible to beat with other competing materials, but style gets in the way of practicality. For a lower cost, homeowners can enjoy a garage door that provides energy conservation, privacy, security, and functional space for projects.
The right choice for homeowners to make is to go with a garage door that will offer long-lasting durability, security and protection, and energy efficiency. In any case, customers choose Danleys for garage construction since 1959 because they offer unbeatable value for a garage that will be durable, secure and energy efficient. Get a free quote now and speak to a professional about custom styles and sizes.
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Can A Garage Entry Door To The House Have Glass
A garage entry door can have glass provided the glass used in the door as well as the entire door has a 20 minute fire-rating.
The International Residential Code is primarily concerned about the 20 minute fire-rating, not about the actual material used to make the door. So the door material could be steel, wood, aluminum, fiberglass or anything else, such as glass.
Of course the fire rated garage entry door with glass has to be tested and certified by an independent and authorized test laboratory for a 20 minute fire-rating.
The area of the fire-rated glass door that can have fire-rated glass is limited to 5268 square inches with the width and or height of exposed glass not to exceed 109 3/4.
While the addition of glass adds class to a door it also increases the price substantially.
The International Residential Code
The opening between the garage and the house must be equipped with a door that provides protection perSection R302.5.1 of the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code .
R302.5.1 Opening protection: Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and the residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8 inches in thickness, solid or honey-comb core steel doors not less than 1-3/8 inches thick, or 20 minute fire-rated doors. Doors shall be self latching and equipped with a self-closing or automatic-closing device.
Do keep in mind that the Local Building Code authorities may have their own interpretation of the IRC. So please check & abide by the local building code interpretation.
A garage entry door, meeting the IRC Code, would also be required for a garage under house, even though access to the house from the garage to the house may be through a staircase.
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You Are A Gardening Buff
If you are a gardening buff and keep your gardening tools and supplies in the garage then you need quick and easy access to it. A great idea is to segregate the storage area for gardening stuff from the parking zone.
Ensure the side door is in close proximity to the storage area for gardening supplies. You can keep moving from the yard to the garage and back, as often as you wish. The big garage door can remain shut all this time!
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What Is The Building Code For A Garage Entry Door To The House
The opening between the garage and the house must be equipped with a door that provides protection perSection R302.5.1 of the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code .
The garage entry door to the house is possibly the most unique door in your house. It has the most demanding safety regulations. The reason is that a garage is considered to be a hazardous zone.
Carbon Monoxide, emitted from an idling car is a toxic gas. Other inflammable fumes are also generated in the garage and are a high fire risk.
The garage entry door opens from the garage into the house, a dwelling unit . It is imperative that the garage entry door safeguards the lives of the inhabitants from potential danger.
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