5 Expert Tips to Make Your Garage Door More Secure
Your garage door is one of the largest entry points to your home and, unfortunately, one of the most common ways people try to break in. A weak or outdated security system can leave your garage vulnerable, putting your belongings and home at risk. Here are five of our expert tips on how to secure your garage door, ensuring this space is no longer a weak link in your home security.
1. Upgrade to a Secure Garage Door Opener
Many homeowners don’t realise that their garage door opener is one of the most important aspects of their home security. Older models typically use fixed codes, which burglars can intercept using simple devices that record and replicate signals. If your garage opener is more than a decade old, it may not have the security features needed to protect your home from modern break-in tactics.
The Solution: Choose an Opener with Advanced Security Features
Upgrading to a modern garage door opener with rolling code technology is one of the best ways to prevent unauthorised access. Systems like TrioCode™ Technology create a new access code each time the remote is used, making it nearly impossible for thieves to crack. To further enhance your security, consider adding a Smartphone Kit that allows you to monitor and control your garage door remotely. With real-time notifications, you’ll always know if it’s open or closed, even when you’re not home.
2. Reinforce Your Garage Door with Auto-Lock Technology
Most garage doors rely on basic manual locks, which can be pried open with basic burglary tools. Even a heavy-duty door can be compromised without an automatic locking mechanism.
The Solution: Install an Auto-Lock System
Dominator’s Auto-Lock technology provides a high-strength locking system that engages automatically whenever the garage door closes. Unlike traditional locks, which rely on manual engagement, Auto-Lock adds an extra layer of security by activating a heavy-duty steel bolt, preventing forced entry. This simple yet powerful upgrade can deter break-ins and help you secure your garage door with minimal effort.
3. Keep Up with Regular Garage Door Maintenance
A poorly maintained garage door isn’t just a mechanical issue; it’s a major security risk. If your door has worn-out components, broken springs, or loose tracks, it may not close properly, leaving gaps that intruders can exploit. Doors that don’t fully shut or have damaged panels can also be an open invitation for break-ins. Even small weaknesses can provide burglars a way to force the door open or tamper with the locking mechanism.
The Solution: Perform Routine Inspections and Repairs
To keep your garage secure, make sure to check the following regularly:
- Springs and tracks: Ensure they are in good working condition to prevent the door from getting stuck or failing to close completely.
- Weatherstripping: Check for gaps where burglars could slip tools underneath to pry the door open.
- Auto-reverse sensors: If your sensors aren’t working, your door might not close properly, leaving it partially open without you realising.
4. Strengthen Your Garage with Security Accessories
Even the strongest garage door has vulnerabilities, such as windows, emergency release cords, and weak locking points. Many burglars take advantage of these weaknesses to force their way inside, often without much effort. For example, the emergency release cord, designed to allow homeowners to open the door manually during a power outage, can be accessed by intruders with nothing more than a wire hanger. Similarly, garage door windows can provide an easy way for thieves to see whether a car is inside, giving them insight into when the house is empty.
The Solution: Upgrade to Heavy-Duty Security Accessories
To reinforce your garage, consider these security upgrades:
- Garage door shields: A simple device that covers the emergency release cord, preventing access from the outside.
- Frosted or covered windows: Stops burglars from seeing inside and assessing whether the house is occupied.
- Side door deadbolts: If your garage has an additional access door, ensure it’s reinforced with a strong deadbolt.
Dominator Waikato offers a range of garage accessories designed to enhance security, making it much harder for burglars to break in.
5. Secure the Exterior of Your Garage
Even if your garage door is reinforced, burglars can still target weak points around the exterior. Garage security isn’t just about the door itself. Creating a strong perimeter that discourages break-ins before they even happen should be part of your garage security strategy.
The Solution: Strengthen the Surrounding Area
- Install motion-activated lighting: Dark, unlit driveways and side entrances give burglars cover. Bright motion-activated LED floodlights make it harder for thieves to operate undetected.
- Secure side and back doors: If your garage has a side or back door, upgrade it with a heavy-duty deadbolt. Weak, hollow-core doors should be replaced with solid wood or metal alternatives.
- Add security cameras or doorbell cameras: Even a visible security camera can act as a deterrent. Placing cameras near garage doors, driveways, and side entrances allows you to monitor activity and record any suspicious movement.
Secure Your Garage, Secure Your Home
A secure garage is a secure home, and taking these five tips on how to secure your garage door will go a long way in preventing break-ins. Need help implementing these security features? Dominator Waikato offers everything from garage openers and Auto-Lock systems to smart security upgrades. Get in touch today to fortify your garage and keep your home safe.
