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!
