The majority of customers pick the right front door security as they build their houses, then put old looking garage doors, and move on without a second thought. However, this becomes a problem, and burglars target these types of houses. They know the garages are easier to break into than front doors. Once they are in the garage, they have all the time and privacy to get into the house.
Locking Mechanisms: The First Line of Defense
The heavy lifting of the security in a garage door goes to the lock. The different types of doors need different types of locking systems, although the door and lock systems quality is very different.
What with the standard wooden up-and-over garage doors, these models usually have the simplest systems with handles and locks. Although these systems might not look that great, depending on the amount you have spent, the security could be good. With these systems, there are multi-point locks that use hooks and bolts that screw into the frame at a few different places. This setup makes the door much difficulty to be forced open than a single-point lock system.
There’s also doors that are side-hinged. These open the same way regular doors open, and therefore are usually built with standard mortice locks or euro cylinders. The trick motion for this is to make sure that the lock is high quality, as low quality ones can be very easily picked or snapped. Look for locks that are marked with British Standard BS3621 or have a Sold Secure rating.
Sectional and Roller Doors Automatic Locking
A great number of sectional doors and roller shutters come with a lock that engages automatically once the door is closed. Roller doors are designed to lock at the bottom rail, with either hooks or pins that slot into the guide channels. This setup makes it quite hard to force the door open from the outside.
Sectional doors typically lock where individual panels meet, with bolts extending into the door frame from both sides. Most high-end doors have several locking points, all of which engage simultaneously. Some of the more economical doors only have locking points at the middle, making them easier to break into from the sides.
Whatever type of door you’ve got, you can usually beef up the security with additional locks. For example, adding a deadlock that bolts through to the frame adds extra protection. What about garage door defenders? These are large bolts that secure the door to the floor, making them extremely difficult to for an attacker to open.
Adding T-handle locks is a popular choice for up-and-over doors. They are the handles that you twist to simultaneously lock several points. The more secure versions of these locks have built in anti-drill and anti-pick features for extra security.
In the last couple of years, smart garage door openers have changed the landscape of garage door security. These systems, once considered a luxury, have additional security features that other systems do not have.
Remote Monitoring and Alerts
Being able to see what happens with your garage door while you’re away is unparalleled with any other system. With these smart systems, you get notifications every time your door opens or closes. You’ll know if something’s wrong. Some systems let you set door open notifications, which prevent people from setting timers and opening your door at inappropriate times.
Most smart systems also have apps to check the status of your door at any time. Did you close the door when you left? You can check and if you forgot, you can close it all from your phone.
Integration with Home Security Systems
Most smart garage openers integrate with your other home security systems. Some systems will disarm your security systems if an alarm is activated and the garage door needs to open. These systems can also activate other home security components, such as lights or cameras, when the garage door opens.
You can also use voice control through smart systems like Alexa or Google Home, but make sure to set some sort of gate or authentication to prevent people from accessing your garage door through voice.
Temporary Access Codes
If you need to grant a tradesperson entry while you are at work, smart systems allow you to set temporary access codes that are valid for a configurable period. This is much better than leaving a hidden spare key or sending a code that you will forget to change later.
Some systems maintain a detailed history of who opened the door and when. This can be useful if you have teenagers that take the family car or if you want to keep track of when the cleaner shows up.
Potential Vulnerabilities
Smart systems are not infallible. They are dependent on the Wi-fi signal in your home. If your internet is down, some functionalities will not work. Most have a manual method of opening and closing access to the door, but it should be verified before purchasing.
The smart door is only as secure as the password you’ve set. If your garage door app password is “password123,” you aren’t protected by any security and it shouldn’t matter how much of the latest technology is used. Strong passwords, and 2FA if it exists, are a must.
British Standards
BS EN 13241-1 is the primary British Standard that governs garage doors. It includes several safety elements but adds clauses on security as well. It provides that doors that comply with the standard are tested and are reasonably resistant to being accessed through physical force.
A garage door that opens and closes automatically must comply with BS EN 12453 for safety purposes. This doesn’t really pertain to safety and security issues, but insurance companies appreciate this because it serves as evidence that the door was properly made and installed.
Windows and Visibility
If your garage door has windows, consider whether people can see the interior. Thieves can look through unadorned windows. Frosted film or draw blinds can prevent window shopping. However, some security experts believe that the sight of an empty garage is better than leaving people to speculate.
Lighting and Deterrents
Good all-around garage lighting reduces the likelihood that someone can tamper with your door without being noticed. Motion-activated lights are effective deterrents since burglars, as a rule, prefer doing their work in the cover of darkness.
Visible alarm boxes, even fakes, may give some people second thoughts. Obviously, real alarm systems are better, but even a deterrent that a burglar perceives as being an obstacle to an easier target does its job.
Regular Maintenance
Locks and mechanisms that are old and do not work are security weaknesses. If your lock is sticky or the door is not closing flush with the frame, it is time to fix it. Gaps around the door are an invitation to crowbars.
Verify that any auto locking systems that are supposed to engage actually do. This is difficult to catch, and they tend to need adjustments over time.
The Connecting Door
If your garage is attached to the house, that door should be as secure as the front door. Good mortice lock, strong core door, and no glass panels if possible. A lot of burglars that get into garages are just looking for an easy way into the house.
It might also sound daft but not leaving any expensive items visible through your windows is also helpful. This goes for leaving empty boxes that come from new items by the garage as well – you are basically telling people what you just got.
Choosing Appropriate Level of Security
Not every garage is going to need Fort Knox levels of security but knowing what is appropriate for your situation is what is important.
If it’s just some old paint tins and garden furniture you are probably fine with basic security. A door that closes well and a lock that works are sufficient.
If there is a car in there, you have to increase your security. Insurance companies will expect you to have reasonable security which generally means good locks, an alarm system, and a door that meets certain standards.
You appreciate security for high-value items such as multiple bikes, costly tools, or if the garage connects to your house. This includes good locking systems, maybe smart technology, alarm systems, and insurance criteria.
You also need to pay attention to the garage door itself. An expensive lock on a rotten wooden door is a useless investment.
Garage security theory is not difficult. It just requires adequate consideration. Most situations are resolved with a good mix of physical locking systems, available technology, and commonsens. Figure out what you need to protect, and what your insurance requires to select the best and most affordable security.
The garage door industry is not the same as before. Innovations of just a few years ago have become standard fare, which has improved garage security overall. It is a good idea to benefit from such enhancements, whether you are adding a new door or just improving the one you have.