If you've ever had a rock, log, or piece of debris slam into your skid steer's glass door, you already know the answer. But even if you haven't had that scary moment yet, upgrading to a polycarbonate door before it happens is one of the smartest investments you can make for your machine — and your crew.
The question isn't really "Is it worth it?" — it's "Can I afford NOT to?" In this guide, we break down the real numbers: purchase price, long-term savings, hidden costs, and which operators genuinely need one versus those who might be fine sticking with glass.
What Is a Polycarbonate Skid Steer Door?
Polycarbonate — often called Lexan (a brand name) — is a high-grade thermoplastic used in everything from bulletproof windows to fighter jet canopies. In the context of skid steers, a polycarbonate door replaces your factory OEM glass windshield with a material that is significantly stronger, lighter, and more impact-resistant.
Unlike standard tempered glass — which is strong but can still shatter into dangerous shards — polycarbonate flexes and absorbs impact rather than breaking. This is the critical difference when you're mulching trees, clearing brush, or running a demolition attachment.
A Kubota SVL polycarbonate door from Forestry Doors — optical-grade clarity with SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™ hard coating on both sides.
At Forestry Doors, every polycarbonate windshield is made from optical-grade polycarbonate, post-coated with SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™ on both sides. That hard coat is what separates a quality door from cheap imported alternatives — it prevents yellowing, hazing, fogging, and premature scratching.
Real Cost Breakdown: Polycarbonate vs. OEM Glass
Let's get into the numbers. Here's how polycarbonate doors stack up against glass across real-world purchase scenarios:
| Door Type | Typical Price Range | Replaces Easily? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM Tempered Glass Door | $300 – $700 | ✔ Yes | Dealer pricing; shatters on hard impact |
| OEM Ballistic / Forestry Door | $2,600 – $4,800 | ✔ Yes | Bobcat OEM forestry doors top $4,800 |
| Cheap Aftermarket Polycarbonate | $200 – $400 | ⚠ Often not | No hard coat; yellows fast; poor fit |
| Forestry Doors Polycarbonate (SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™) | $400 – $900 | ✔ Yes | Less than half OEM price; perfect fit; fast delivery |
"Ordered a new forestry door for my Deere 331P skid steer. It was a perfect fit, crystal clear windshield, and a great price. Less than 1/2 the price of John Deere and I had it in 3 days."
— Verified Forestry Doors CustomerThe bottom line: a quality aftermarket polycarbonate door from Forestry Doors typically costs 50–75% less than the OEM equivalent while delivering the same optical-grade material, the same hard coat protection, and the same precision fit.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
The upfront price is only part of the story. Here's what most buyers don't account for:
- ✕Downtime from a shattered glass door. Parts ordering, dealer visits, and installation can cost you $500–$1,500 in lost productivity — before you pay for the replacement door.
- ✕Operator injury risk. Shattered glass in a confined cab is a serious safety hazard. Workers' comp claims from a preventable incident dwarf the cost of any door upgrade.
- ✕Buying cheap, buying twice. Uncoated polycarbonate yellows and hazes in 2–3 years of UV exposure. You end up replacing it sooner than a quality door would have required.
- ✔Climate control savings. Polycarbonate doors are engineered for a tighter seal, reducing noise and dust intrusion and maintaining cab temperature — meaning lower fatigue over time.
- ✔Installation is fast and free. Precision-formed to OEM specs with milled edges and pre-drilled holes — transfer your existing hardware in minutes, no dealer visit needed.
Who Actually Needs One?
Polycarbonate isn't better than glass for every operator. Here's an honest breakdown:
✔ Get Polycarbonate If You…
- Run a forestry mulcher or brush cutter attachment
- Clear land, pull stumps, or work around trees
- Do demolition or work near rock/concrete debris
- Operate where objects frequently hit the cab
- Work in extreme temperatures
- Have had a previous glass door break on the job
⚠ Stick With Glass If You…
- Load mulch, pallets, or move materials in a controlled yard
- Clear driveways or do light-duty landscaping
- Use a wiper very frequently in gritty conditions
- Work exclusively in low-impact environments
The honest truth? Even operators in "lower risk" environments increasingly choose polycarbonate simply because the peace of mind is worth the modest price difference.
Polycarbonate vs. Glass: Head-to-Head
Every Forestry Doors windshield ships with SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™ — no yellowing, no hazing, crystal-clear visibility for years.
| Feature | Tempered Glass | Quality Polycarbonate (SUPERCOAT™) |
|---|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | Shatters on hard impact | Up to 260× stronger; flexes, won't shatter |
| Weight | Heavy | ~50% lighter; easier install |
| Optical Clarity | Excellent | Excellent (optical-grade poly) |
| Scratch Resistance | Very high | High with SUPERCOAT™; lower without |
| UV / Yellowing Resistance | No issue | Excellent with SUPERCOAT™; poor without |
| Operator Safety | Dangerous shards on break | Does not shatter; flexes |
| OEM Fit | Factory spec | Precision milled to OEM spec |
| Cost (aftermarket) | $300–$700 | $400–$900 (quality) / $200–$400 (cheap) |
What to Look for Before You Buy
Not all polycarbonate doors are created equal. Before you spend a dollar, run through this checklist:
- ✔Hard coat on BOTH sides. Look for SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™. Coating only on one side isn't enough — the inside surface also gets exposed to UV and abrasion.
- ✔Optical-grade polycarbonate. Industrial-grade poly can have slight distortions. Optical grade ensures clear vision without fatigue or refraction.
- ✔Precision OEM fit. Milled edges and pre-drilled holes to match your exact machine — not a "universal fit" requiring drilling or shimming.
- ✔Minimum ½" thickness for forestry/demolition. Anything thinner won't hold up to serious mulching debris. For extreme applications, look at ¾" options.
- ✔Manufacturer's warranty on the coating. Forestry Doors backs every door with a limited warranty specifically covering the SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™ coating.
Ready to find the right door? Forestry Doors stocks options for all major brands — Bobcat, John Deere, Kubota, Caterpillar, New Holland, ASV, and more.
Shop by brand: Bobcat · John Deere · Kubota · Caterpillar · ASV · New Holland
What Real Operators Are Saying
"Ordered a new forestry door for my new Deere 331P skid steer. It was a perfect fit, crystal clear windshield, and a great price. Less than 1/2 the price of John Deere and I had it in 3 days. Great service, great door."
"I've had my forestry door on my skid steer for a week. Perfect. I got it installed easily and it perfectly fit my Bobcat. Heavy door. I would definitely buy another one."
"After a large tree root came through my OEM glass door while pulling stumps, I knew I needed something better. The polycarbonate door is a game changer — takes impacts that would have destroyed my old door."
Featured Doors — In Stock & Ready to Ship
Here are a few of our most popular polycarbonate doors, each precision-fit to OEM specs with SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™ included:
Find Your Skid Steer Door — In Stock, Ships Fast
Over 50 models in stock. Precision OEM fit. SHIELDS® SUPERCOAT™ coating. Less than half the OEM price.
Shop Forestry Doors Now Have a Question? Contact Us →Frequently Asked Questions
If you're still on the fence, consider this: one shattered OEM glass door — plus the downtime, installation, and parts cost — will cost you more than a premium polycarbonate upgrade from Forestry Doors. The question was never really "is it worth it?" It's when you make the switch.