All Ring doorbells use Advanced Motion Detection through the integrated camera and Passive Infrared, courtesy of the built-in PIR sensors, within a specific zone.
While the video recording quality, hardware, and firmware features may vary, all Ring doorbell models function similarly.
A Ring doorbell may work through glass if the latter’s transmittance capacity doesn’t completely reflect, absorb, or block the infrared energy. Most glasses have some effect on infrared transmission and thus, can impair a Ring doorbell’s motion detection at night.
A Ring doorbell camera’s Advanced Motion Detection should work through any transparent glass; hence, your device may work flawlessly during the day.
The Passive Infrared is in play at night when glass may be a spoilsport.
This guide elaborates on all the relevant technicalities.
How Does a Ring Doorbell Work Through Glass?
Ring doorbells can detect motion when an object moves within a demarcated zone as recorded through the onboard video camera.
You may customize this zone, expand or reshape the coverage area based on your needs.
The video camera works fine when there’s sufficient light.
A Ring doorbell works through the glass during the day when it has its usual view field. Translucent or opaque glass impairs its functioning at all times. Glasses with a high refractive index or low transmittance will affect the Ring PIR sensors’ heat signature detection at night.
Ring Doorbell’s Advanced Motion Detection in Daytime
During the day, the video camera will have its usual field of view, which could be as much as 160°, depending on the Ring doorbell model.
A transparent glass between the Ring doorbell and its field of view or the zone where you need motion detection poses no significant problem.
Ring Doorbell’s Passive Infrared Zone at Night
During the night, the video camera can detect motions only if there’s sufficient light, whether ambient or any you may have around your property for security.
In the absence of light, Ring doorbells rely on a Passive Infrared zone, which is considerably smaller than the field of view.
A Passive Infrared zone is typically a semicircle with the PIR sensors as the center.
If a glass window or door panel doesn’t allow the sensors to receive the infrared energy emitted by people in the PIR zone, the Ring doorbell won’t detect any presence or motion.
Thus, a Ring doorbell may work partially or not at all at night, depending on a glass type, thickness, quality, and other features, if any.
Check the transmittance capacity or refractive index of the glass that you have to be certain if it’ll allow your Ring doorbell PIR to work.
The refractive index of glass is inversely proportional to its transmittance.
Therefore, if your glass has a low refractive index or high transmittance, it shouldn’t have any significant limiting or blocking effect on a Ring Doorbell’s PIR sensors.
Note: Transmittance isn’t the same as the transmission intensity or capacity of glass.
Does a Ring Doorbell Work Through a Window?
A Ring doorbell can work through a window if it’s the Ring Pro. Other hardwired models may also work through windows. Battery-powered Ring doorbells won’t work through windows; they’re weaker than the hardwired versions.
The steady and greater power available to hardwired Ring video doorbells improves the motion detection efficacy.
According to an official Neighbor Satisfaction Specialist, Kaitlyn Rosenthal, Ring video doorbell 2 and similar battery-powered devices don’t detect motion through window glass.
However, Ring Pro and similar hardwired video doorbells can detect motion through a window.
Furthermore, the real-world effectiveness depends on pertinent variables.
The type of window glass, its thickness and transmittance or refractive index, and the precise positioning of a Ring doorbell will influence how well the camera or sensors can detect motion in a specific zone.
Will a Ring Doorbell Camera Detect Motion Through a Window?
A Ring doorbell camera will detect motion through a window. It should work optimally through a window with transparent glass. Availability of light through the glass and the effects of the surroundings, such as shadows or shades, on the camera’s field of view, can impair the doorbell’s performance.
Like all cameras, Ring video doorbell is vulnerable to visual distortions caused by light’s reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
Also, shades and shadows of moving objects, such as cars and people, and fixed installations like trees or property will affect the Ring Doorbell’s efficiency.
How Do I Get My Ring Camera To Work Through a Window?
You can get your Ring camera to work through a window by using transparent glass for your window panels or panes. Glass with features that alter the seamless transmission of light will affect the Ring doorbell camera’s view field. Thus, you won’t get exceptional motion detection or visuals.
Many Ring Doorbell users are familiar with false alarms or notifications, motion detection failures, zoning issues, and video recording malfunction.
A window or glass and any material complicating a Ring doorbell’s functioning can present some teething issues.
Ideally, you must ensure an unobstructed field of view for a Ring doorbell camera to function as expected.
This principle also applies to PIR sensors.
Like the camera’s field of view, the infrared sensors’ PIR zone or coverage area will be affected by the glass and other interferences.
Can You Install a Ring Doorbell on a Storm Door?
You can install a Ring doorbell on a storm door so long it uses standard and transparent glass — the doorbell’s camera should function normally. However, a screen door with a mesh will create obstructions. Both glass and a screen on a storm door can impair the infrared sensors.
Some people may consider installing a Ring doorbell as a peephole camera.
Almost all Ring video doorbells can function as peephole cameras, but only if there’s no obstruction directly in front or spanning the 180° expanse outside.
The Ring doorbell’s camera has a maximum field of view of 160°, covering a distance of 30 feet (9.14 m).
Some models offer a reasonably good-quality zoom feature.
The infrared sensors have a PIR zone covering 155° of 5 to 25 feet (1.52 to 7.62 m) distance from the device.
Conclusion
The thumb rule necessitates installing a Ring doorbell on the main door with no obstruction in the front or around the device spanning 180°.
Like all cameras and infrared sensors, Ring video doorbells will have visual distortions and motion detection glitches due to glass and other materials.
After learning all of this and you think is not worth it to have a ring doorbell because you need to get through a glass easily, or you’d like to find a better option, check this blog post where I break down the best Ring Doorbells alternatives. Find out here if there’s one with the best options in the market!
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