Not all new construction homes in Arizona are built with side entry doors anymore. I don't quite understand it and seems like a potential fire trap. What if the garage caught fire with someone in it and the door entering the house was locked? Sure, you might be able to remotely open the overhead if you could find the remote in time or manually pull it open, but how long could that take? Not everyone is capable of lifting up those heavy doors. I see many homes in the community where I live that don't have side doors. Buyers usually don't notice until they move in and go to take the trash out (usually through the garage).

It appears that a certain "renovator" is very quick to offer a wealth of picayune knowledge, yet nothing is cited so that one may ascertain the validity of such claims. Self-closing hinges are absolutely necessary for a garage man door. Call the Elyria building department and the inspector will tell you that the project will be turned down if those hinges are not installed. Any reputable contractor knows how difficult it can be to navigate through the code books; as many sections will refer to other sections, or even different code books. Furthermore, many municipalities have adopted their own set of rules that are above and beyond that of the Ohio code; in which case, the contractor must abide to that code. I would be wary, not of your contractor, rather a disputative "renovator" that makes claims that a CO2 detector is a good defense against fire. Even more, to make claims as to what the code says, yet offer no citation for reference. It sounds as if your contractor is a commercial contractor and following commercial codes, rather than residential.

^^ Yep, obvi. The two bedrooms downstairs will be combined into a master suite. I thought long and hard about building a retirement ranchburger, but decided against it for many reasons. For example, a small home now means a lot more money left in investments, for long term care in the future. Hopefully 25 or more years from now. In the end, if we get too decrepit to climb the stairs, we probably can't take care of the 2 acre property anyway. However, I'm setting up the second floor with a kitchenette alcove, in case we get live-in help to extend our time in the home. By the time that option peters out, we would probably opt for some form of assisted living, on the assumption that we would be having memory problems and other difficult health issues. Believe me, I've thought through many future scenarios, probably too many, but I've concluded there is only so much planning you can do. Life will still find a way to throw an unexpected curveball.

Are you talking the door from outside to the garage? Or garage into the house? Our current (completely remodeling) house, has the main door and garage door directly across from each other--about 8 feet apart. I still have to install new doors before selling this house. But I will do the nice front door with glass on the guest interest and the same panel style without glass for the garage door. If you decorate your doors, you could always do a smaller version of a wreath or whatever seasonal decor on the garage door...which would cover up the glass anyway. In our new house, we will have the fancy front door with sidelights, and a similar style, but simpler for our family porch entrance. Both spaces will be landscaped and decorated. The other option would be to do the same doors (maybe simpler glass than the one you show?) and paint the front door a color (teal, navy, red, etc) and the garage door the same as your trim? I get your desire to also enter your home in a nice space. And it should be nice. But, the common is to dress up your guest entrance even more. When you think about it, often when you come home, the home may not be in perfect condition. But, when you have company, you want it to look its best. The awesome thing about homeownership is you can do it however you like. Like nycefarm said, find a way to keep a little light on in the garage.