Not only are garage doors a vital component to your home’s curb appeal, but they’re also one of the most important safety features. If you’re planning on getting a new garage door, you might be wondering which type is the safest.
If you want to shield your home from burglars, then you need a theft-proof garage door. Even though no garage door can provide guaranteed safety, some are safer than others. To start with, you should be aware of the usual methods thieves use to break into garage doors.
What Are the Most Common Ways Garage Doors Are Broken Into?
A burglar’s skills shouldn’t be underestimated—they can break into a garage door in record time. If your garage door doesn’t have state-of-the-art security, thieves will take advantage by locating and pulling the safety release lever. This process is often as easy as inserting a coat hanger through any vulnerabilities in the garage door and tugging on the cord. From here, they’re able to enter and exit your garage without raising any suspicion. Thieves can break into your garage by forcefully breaking the door or by tools that pick the lock from outside. However, you have a better chance of keeping them out if you have a modern garage door.
The Most Secure Garage Door Types
Let’s have a look at some of the most popular garage doors on the market so you can choose which has the best garage door security. It is worth mentioning that in the event that you would like professional assistance in choosing your new garage door, you can contact expert garage door technicians. They can help you choose the best door according to your needs and if you also need it, they can also offer you different types of services and repairs such as garage door panel replacement, garage door spring repair and more.
- Roller Garage Doors
Because of their design, roller doors, also known as roll-up doors, are one of the most secure garage door types available. Horizontal slats with rollers on either side are used to slide them open and shut. These garage doors close neatly overhead without being a single rigid piece. Roller gates show no visible indications that they may be opened readily from the outside when closed. Some additional security features can help improve the security of your roller door. A double-skinned roller garage door adds further protection against forced entry. Ensure that the bottom slat is sturdy and long-lasting, because this is where most thieves will attempt to break through your garage door. You may also want to invest in extra locks and bolts, making it more difficult for intruders to remove the door. Select a door with heavy-duty, high-quality rollers if you want it to last longer.
- Sectional Garage Doors
Sectional garage doors are one of the most secure types of residential garage doors, which is why they’re so popular. The horizontal sections of these garage doors are joined by hinges, and when you open them up, the sections separate and roll overhead. Because of this, segmental garage gates are tiny and simple to use. They’re also effective in preventing intruders from gaining access. When shut, the pieces form a tight seal, making it difficult for potential robbers to spot any indications that entry is possible. Although sectional garage doors are deterrents to thieves, you may further improve their security by ensuring that two factors are satisfied. First, select a sectional garage door with a robust steel frame since this determines the overall strength of the door. Second, make sure the door closes tightly. This is an important element that makes it hard for intruders to insert anything between the sections.
- Up and Over Garage Doors
Up and over garage doors slide vertically up and come to rest in a nearly horizontal position overhead, similarly to sectional doors. The key difference is that they don’t have any horizontal sections or slats and stay in one rigid piece. Unfortunately, this makes them notoriously easy to break into by thieves. Their single locking mechanism can be easily accessed by drilling a hole into the door, allowing criminals to unlock it and Slide it open with little effort. In recent years however manufacturers have taken recognized the potential security issue here Up and made these garage doors much more secure. If you’re considering an up-and-over garage door, make sure it has multiple locking points. A euro cylinder anti-snap lock also goes a long way in keeping intruders out. Getting an up and over garage door with these features will make sure that you and your family stay safer against forced entry.
- Side-Hinged Garage Doors
Garage doors that have an aesthetic appeal are preferred. They open from a junction in the middle of two sections of the door, producing a “French door” type of opening. They provide an air of luxury to your garage and are especially beneficial if your garage gets more foot traffic than vehicle usage. Although they aren’t necessarily the most effective garage security system, they can deter intruders with certain characteristics added. If you want a side-hinged garage door, make sure it’s made of durable materials. Double-skinned metal panels provide the most protection, and a sturdy steel frame increases its resistance to intruders even more. Multi-lock mechanisms are also worth purchasing if you’ll be using it for pedestrian access. You may also achieve the look of side-hinged carriage doors with contemporary overhead operation convenience.
- Automated Garage Doors
If you want a secure garage, automated doors are the way to go. You’ve seen these types of garage doors before–they use a motorized opener to open and close at the push of button or by security code. They’re convenient because you can stay in your car and use the wireless remote. Automated garage doors are also great for keeping intruders out. They have no requirement for an external locking system because they are automated. These procedures are where thieves typically attempt to smash through the first, so their absence alone is a deterrent. Because automated garage doors rely on springs and tension, they create a constant downward force when in the closed position, making them difficult for robbers to raise. The door will only rise after you activate the motorized opener.
