Securing your garage door is a critical yet frequently overlooked aspect of home security.
According to UK police reports, a significant percentage of burglaries occur through unsecured or poorly secured garage doors.
Many homeowners prioritise their front doors and windows, forgetting that their garage can also be a gateway for unwanted intruders.
Darby Doors has created this blog that aims to redress this imbalance by providing you with actionable insights and advice on how to bolster the security of your garage door effectively.
Why the Garage Door is a Vulnerable Point
It’s common for people to overlook the garage when thinking about home security.
Garages often serve dual purposes, as storage units for valuable equipment and as secondary entry points into the home.
For an intruder, a garage can be an appealing target. It not only provides potential access to the house but may also contain tools or equipment that can be stolen and easily sold.
If your garage is attached to your home, a successful break-in could put your personal safety at risk. Beyond material possessions, the garage can be an entry point to the rest of your home.
A breach here could potentially provide burglars with access to your living spaces, posing an even greater risk to you and your family.
It’s vital to recognise the garage door as a vulnerable point and take the necessary precautions to strengthen it.
Common Weak Points in Garage Door Security
Manual Emergency Release
Most garage doors come equipped with a manual emergency release feature. This allows you to open the door manually in case of a power failure.
While it’s useful for you, it can be exploited by burglars with simple tools and a bit of know-how.
Intruders can trip the release mechanism from outside, gaining quick and easy access to your garage.
Weak Materials
The type of material from which your garage door is made can significantly impact its resilience against break-ins.
Doors made from thin or inferior materials are easier to break through.
Opting for garage doors made from robust and durable materials such as steel or solid wood is a sensible choice.
These materials are not only more difficult to penetrate but also last longer, giving you better value for your money.
Poor Quality Locks
The lock on your garage door is as critical as the material from which the door is made.
Low-quality locks can be easily picked or broken, making them an invitation for burglars.
Investing in high-security locks or even smart locking systems can significantly reduce the risk of a break-in.
Security Measures to Consider
Reinforce the Door
One of the most straightforward ways to improve garage door security is to reinforce the door itself.
Installing metal bars or braces across the back of the door can substantially enhance its strength and resilience.
Some people also opt for security screens, which are essentially heavy-duty mesh screens that can be fitted on the inside of the door, providing an additional layer of protection.
Upgrade the Locks
Technological advancements have given rise to an array of sophisticated, high-security lock options.
Smart locks, for instance, allow you to control and monitor your garage door from anywhere via a smartphone app.
These locks often come with features like geofencing, scheduled locking and unlocking, and even voice control.
High-security deadbolts and cylinder locks are other excellent options to consider.
Install Motion Sensors and Security Cameras
Visible security measures act as excellent deterrents. Installing motion-activated lights or cameras near your garage can discourage potential intruders.
The benefit of smart home security systems is that they can be integrated with other home security features, such as alarms or mobile apps, allowing you to monitor your garage in real-time.
Regular Maintenance
The integrity of your garage door can degrade over time due to wear and tear.
It’s essential to perform regular checks to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they become significant issues.
Many homeowners opt for scheduled maintenance by professionals to ensure that all the components, including the locks and reinforcements, are in top working condition.
Expert Tips
Security experts and locksmiths often have a wealth of advice to offer. One commonly recommended tip is to install a side lock inside the garage.
This lock can be used when you’re away for extended periods, making it almost impossible to open the door from the outside.
Many experts also recommend anti-tampering devices that can be attached to the emergency release, making it more challenging for burglars to manipulate.
Conclusion
The garage door is an integral part of your home security system that should not be neglected.
By understanding its vulnerabilities and taking proactive steps to address them, you can significantly minimise the risks of a break-in.
High-quality materials, robust locks, visible security measures like cameras and motion sensors, as well as regular maintenance are your best bets in making your garage as secure as possible.
So don’t procrastinate; take steps today to ensure that your garage door is a stronghold, rather than a weak link, in your home security.