Your Comprehensive Guide to Garage Door Security: Protecting Your Home with Locks Direct

As homeowners, we often focus on securing the main entry points of our homes, such as doors and windows, but we sometimes overlook the importance of securing our garage doors.

Garage doors serve as a vulnerable point of entry for intruders and can compromise the security of our homes if not adequately protected.

In this comprehensive guide, brought to you by Locks Direct, we’ll delve deep into the world of garage door security, covering everything from types of garage doors to advanced security measures.

Understanding garage door types

Before looking at security measures, it’s essential to understand the different types of garage doors. The most common types include:

Sectional garage doors: These doors are made up of horizontal panels that slide up and overhead along tracks. They provide excellent security when properly maintained and fitted with quality locks.

Roller garage doors: Roller doors consist of horizontal slats that roll up vertically into a box above the opening. They offer compactness and security, making them a popular choice for many homeowners.

Up-and-over garage doors: These doors swing outward and then up into the ceiling of the garage. While they are convenient, they may be more susceptible to forced entry if not adequately secured.

Side-hinged garage doors: Similar to traditional doors, side-hinged garage doors swing open from a hinge on either side of the opening. They provide a classic look but may require additional security measures. 

Now that we’ve covered the basic types of garage doors, let’s explore the various security measures you can implement to protect your garage and your home. 

Enhancing garage door security

The importance of a robust locking system cannot be overstated. Deadbolt locks are highly recommended for garage doors as they provide superior strength and resistance to forced entry. Additionally, consider installing locks with anti-drill and anti-pick features for added security.

Embracing smart technology can revolutionise the way you secure your garage door.  Smart garage door openers allow you to control and monitor your garage remotely via a smartphone app. You can receive real-time alerts whenever the door is opened or closed, providing peace of mind even when you’re away from home. 

Many garage door openers come with remote controls that can be easily lost or stolen. To prevent unauthorised access to your garage, keep your remote control in a secure location and consider upgrading to a rolling code or encrypted remote system, which changes the access code each time the remote is used. 

Security cameras are an effective deterrent against burglary and can provide valuable evidence in the event of a break-in. Place cameras strategically around your garage and property to capture any suspicious activity. Opt for cameras with night vision and motion detection capabilities for enhanced security. 

Adequate lighting is essential for deterring intruders and enhancing overall security. Install motion-activated lights around your garage to illuminate the area whenever someone approaches. Well-lit surroundings make it more challenging for burglars to go unnoticed.

Conduct a thorough inspection of your garage door and identify any weak points that could be exploited by intruders. Reinforce these areas with additional security measures such as door braces, anti-kick devices or security bars. Strengthening weak points makes it harder for criminals to gain access to your garage.

If your garage has windows, ensure they are properly secured to prevent unauthorised entry. Consider installing bars, grilles or security film to reinforce the windows and make them more resistant to breakage. Alternatively, you can use frosted or tinted glass to obscure the view into your garage, reducing the risk of burglary.

Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your garage door in optimal condition. Inspect the door, hinges, tracks and locks regularly for any signs of wear or damage. Lubricate moving parts as needed and address any issues promptly to prevent them from becoming security vulnerabilities.

Now you know some of the key security measures to put in place to protect your garage, here are some of the locks we would recommend to use to keep your garage door safe.

ABUS 158/50 Combination Padlock 

Easy and convenient to use, this ABUS combi lock is suitable to secure sheds, gates, lockers and cupboards and offers excellent saw resistance thanks to the steel shackle. Upon receiving the ABUS coded padlock, you can set your own 4-digit code which can be reset at any time. There are also no annoying keys you have to carry around!

ABUS 140/120 & 24IB60 Set

This combination is ideal when you require a good quality weatherproof padlock and hasp for outdoor use. The padlock is completely weatherproof as a result of the body being stainless steel. This set is the perfect solution for ultimate weather protection in outdoor harsh environments. 

ABUS WBA100

The ABUS WBA100 ground anchor is a heavy duty anchor designed to withstand harsh impact, including being driven over. It can be fixed to the ground or wall and offers an additional layer of security for bikes.