A Guide to Garage Door Security
Garage doors are the largest entry points to homes. While useful and convenient, they provide alternative access aside from entry doors, making them vulnerable. Garages lack intricate rooms and internal doors that present additional challenges for intruders.
Since the only object standing between the valuables in your garage space and a burglar is your garage door, the security risk can be high. You may have secured other entries in your home. But have you considered garage door security?
Security Concerns for Garage Doors
Larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft and burglary are the most common property crimes in the United States. Due to the prevalence of motor vehicle theft, your garage door could be a target. Also, considering intruders are always looking for the easiest score, the garage door may be the most attractive option if it’s not secure.
Here are some of the security risks associated with garage doors:
- Hacking: Garage door openers are electronic devices and, to some extent, are vulnerable to hacking.
- Damage: Normal wear and tear can make your garage door weak and vulnerable to forced entry.
- Weak locks: A garage door without a strong locking system is a security risk.
- Lack of a security system: Homes lacking robust and modern security systems make it challenging to monitor and deter suspicious activity around the garage.
How to Secure Your Garage Door
You may have a strong garage door, but it can only be secure with an equally strong locking system. Good locks make securing your garage door easy and access-proof whether you’re home or not. So, how do you prevent unauthorized entry into your garage door when you’re home or away?
How to Secure the Door From the Inside
A determined intruder can use many tricks to trigger your garage door to open when connected to the automatic door opener. Common tricks like slipping a coat hanger through the gap at the top and hooking the release lever tend to be successful with standard door openers. You can avoid such scenarios if you’re home by engaging manual locks to improve security.
If your door has a manual deadbolt, slide it in place before leaving the garage. You can also install a deadbolt yourself. Alternatively, plug a padlock or a C-clamp into the tracks to lock them, preventing the door from lifting if someone tampers with the automatic feature.
How to Secure the Door From the Outside
Utilizing various methods to secure your garage door from the inside is much easier than when you’re outside. To lock your garage door from the outside, close it using the automatic function or manually lock it. The latest garage door opener technologies are more challenging for intruders, making it easier to keep your garage door safe when you’re out.
If you have an older opener or want to reinforce the door from the outside, install a T-handle garage door lock, which allows you to lock and unlock the garage door using a key. For steel doors, you could weld a strong latch next to the frame and use a heavy-duty padlock.
Garage Door Security Tips
While garage doors can be vulnerable, they are tougher targets if you take steps to keep them secure. Here are garage security measures that can significantly burglar-proof your garage door:
Upgrade Your Door Opener
A door opener can be the most susceptible part of a garage door, as today’s intruders are tech-savvy and can hack the remote system to gain access. Enhance your garage’s security by investing in the latest door opener from trusted brands like LiftMaster. When picking a garage door opener, consider the brand’s advanced security features.
With a top-quality brand like LiftMaster, you’re guaranteed advanced garage door security features such as:
- Rolling code system: The system generates a new code every time you use the remote, which prevents intruders from obtaining a used code via code-grabbing devices.
- Built-in automatic lock: LiftMaster openers come with deadbolt locks that automatically secure your garage door every time it closes, adding another layer of security if you forget to engage manual locks.
- Programmable timer: This feature allows you to program the door to close at specific times each day.
- Forced entry protection: LiftMaster’s built-in Posilock® security feature protects the door from forced openings.
- Motion detection: The door opener feature activates lights when it detects movement in the garage.
Install a Home Security System
Security systems are among the most effective strategies for protecting your property. Considering an on-site alarm alone can deter 60% of burglars, it makes sense to invest in several security features that work together to safeguard the different entry points in your home, including the garage. Effective security devices you can install include:
- Alarms: Installing a powerful alarm on your garage door will significantly enhance security by alerting you and those nearby of an attempted break-in.
- CCTV cameras: Video surveillance is a crucial security feature that discourages break-in attempts by helping identify intruders. For home security, you could install cameras that combine motion detection and bright light to maximize functionality with a single device.
- Motion detectors: Motion detector lights are convenient and affordable devices that make it challenging for intruders to target your property. Installing one near or at the top of your garage door will help ward off intruders, as it activates whenever it detects moving objects.
Invest in Quality Locks
Intruders and burglars often have a short window to gain access, find valuables and escape. They’ll look for the easiest way in. Upgrading your locking system can make accessing your garage door more challenging. Simple deadbolts alone offer superior strength, making your garage door almost impenetrable. For added security, you could invest in multiple locks to develop a serious barrier even when one is compromised.
There are different types of garage door locks, including:
- Keyed locks: These are the basic types that require a key to unlock, such as padlocks, deadbolts and handle locks. Keyed locks’ main advantage is their simple but robust construction.
- Electronic locks: These types are more sophisticated and include keypad locks, key fob locks and smart locks.
Reinforce the Garage Door
You can reinforce your garage door further by prioritizing maintenance to strengthen weak points and installing security bars. Regular maintenance can help identify and fix issues intruders are likely to use as leverage. Adding a steel security bar that you can lock from the outside can also lend additional security.
Contact Quality Door Company for Garage Door Solutions
As a prominent part of your home, your garage door is critical to your convenience and security. Understanding the potential security threats and implementing proper measures will help prevent unauthorized access and secure your valuables. Your garage’s security begins with investing in a strong, modern garage door made from durable materials using the latest technologies.
Quality Door Company is an industry leader serving Western Michigan. We provide high-quality garage doors and essential parts like door openers. We also offer professional services like installation and preventive maintenance. Contact us today to speak to one of our expert technicians!
12 Tips for Securing Your Garage Door
While it may be the last thing you want to consider, planning for a burglary is the best way to protect you and your home against one. Most times, a burglar will enter your home through the front door. However, if the front door is inaccessible, they may try other ways, such as the garage door. Knowing how to secure a garage door will ward against thieves and give you extra peace of mind.
How Can I Improve the Security of My Garage Door?
It only takes a few minutes for determined thieves to break into your home. You have even more reasons to take safety measures if you have an attached garage. Here’s our expert advice for securing your garage door.
1. Look at Your Home Like a Burglar
The first step in stopping a burglar is to pretend you are one. Take a few minutes to walk around your garage and ask yourself how you would try breaking in. This exercise can help you quickly identify and prioritize vulnerable areas.
2. Keep Your Garage Doors Locked
If you manually open and close your garage doors, you likely already know the importance of keeping them locked. One option is to upgrade to an automatic opener, which makes it harder for thieves to get past. Or, if that’s not an option, you can clamp a padlock on one of the door tracks to ensure they stay closed. It is also wise to get into the habit of keeping your exterior service and interior garage access doors locked.
3. Zip-Tie the Emergency Release
All automatic garage door openers have an emergency release lever with a bright red cord that enables you to open or close them during a power outage. This feature is handy for homeowners and burglars alike — anyone can push in on the garage door, create enough of a gap to reach the cord with a wire hook, then pull it to open the door.
One of the least expensive tips for securing your garage door is to zip-tie the cord. You’ll keep your belongings safe from burglars while offering easy access to the release in an emergency.
4. Don’t Leave Your Garage Doors Open for Long Periods
An open garage door is very noticeable, even if you aren’t planning a robbery. Instead of inviting anyone to enter your garage or home, keep your garage door closed whenever possible. Do not take anything for granted, regardless of whether you are home, working outside or live in a safe neighborhood. Some newer garage door opener models make this easy by allowing you to check the garage door’s status at a glance, or you can purchase a stand-alone door monitor.
5. Upgrade Your Outdated Door Opener
While automatic garage door openers can keep your garage safer, this safety goes out the window if your opener is older. Burglars are getting smarter, and they may have a scanner that tells them your access code. Or, a neighbor may have the same access code as you and can accidentally open your garage doors with their remote. Newer garage door models use technology that creates a new code each time you use the remote for a safer opener option.
6. Cover Your Garage Windows
While windows let in natural light and fresh air, they offer numerous ways for thieves to peek inside your garage. As the burglar looks into your windows, they may look for items to steal or check to see if anyone is home before they start their break-in.
You have several options for keeping your windows safer. The first is covering the windows with blinds or curtains. Another idea is to apply a translucent film or choose a frosted glass design to let sunlight in without allowing others to look in.
7. Install Brighter Exterior Lighting
Poor exterior lighting may make your home more attractive to a potential burglar. By ensuring all entry points are well-lit, you may cause a would-be criminal to think twice before trying to enter your home. Place lights at least 10 to 12 feet above the ground so a burglar can’t deactivate them.
8. Check the Condition of Your Garage Doors
Older garage doors that have warped or do not provide a tight seal are a liability for your home’s security, as any gaps make it much easier for a burglar to break in. If you notice your overhead doors look run-down, replace them with a newer, more secure model.
9. Don’t Leave Valuables in Your Garage
If you use your garage as your catch-all storage space, be careful not to store high-value belongings in your garage or vehicle. Even if you keep your doors locked, having an expensive item in sight may tempt a burglar and put your security measures to an unwanted test.
10. Don’t Leave Your Remote Opener in Your Car
Most homeowners leave their remote openers in the glove compartment or attached to their car’s visor. These locations may be convenient, but remember, any thief who snatches it can quickly access your garage and home.
11. Lock up Tools
If your garage doubles as your workspace, you may have a lot of tools and other supplies around the space. Instead of leaving your tools out where a thief can easily see them, lock them up after each use. Putting them away can also help keep them in top condition longer.
12. Be Vigilant
Being vigilant involves staying alert for suspicious activity around your neighborhood. Team up with your neighbors to keep an eye out. Offer to park in their driveway to look like someone is always home and pick up their newspapers or mail while they’re out of town.
Let Quality Door Company Keep Your Garage Door Safe
Whether you want to install a new door, opener or entry door for your garage, Quality Door Company offers a wide selection of secure options that enhance any home. We are a proud Clopay® Master Authorized Dealer®, and many of our garage door options have high safety ratings for your peace of mind. Explore our wide selection of secure garage doors to start enjoying a safer home today!
