7 ways to secure a garage door
It’s second nature for most homeowners to lock all the doors before leaving or going to bed. Yet somehow, the largest door in your home is sometimes forgotten. Garage doors are an entry point for potential burglars and provide important protection against the elements, making them well worth your attention.
So, what can you do to make your garage doors more secure? In the 21st century, quite a lot! With high-tech add-ons and smart home features, your garage door has plenty of options. We’ll cover 7 in this article.
Why garage door security is important
From break-ins to bad weather, your garage door can help keep a lot out of your home. But only if it’s properly secured. With home burglaries often targeting the garage as an entry point, your garage door can easily become a vulnerable spot in your home’s security. This is especially important given the expensive items, such as cars and landscaping equipment that are often stored in garages. And if a burglar gets into the garage, they’re unlikely to stop there. Once they’ve broken into the garage, they can likely access the rest of your home. [1]
Tips to secure garage doors
Keeping your garage doors closed is only the beginning. Here are some more steps you can take to improve your garage door security.
1. Install motion-activated garage flood lights
The darker the area, the safer it tends to feel to potential burglars. Motion-activated lights on the outside of your garage can help light up the shadows and deter would-be trespassers before they even get to your garage door. [2]
2. Consider installing a garage shield
The release cord for your garage door can become an opportunity for inventive burglars. Using the small gap between the top of your door and the structure of your garage as an access point, a hook can be inserted to catch and pull the cord, unlocking your garage door. A garage door lock shield is a solid block that can be installed in front of the cord to help prevent it from being hooked. You can also secure this cord with a zip tie. [3]
3. Upgrade to a smart garage door
It’s harder to leave your garage open if it reminds you not to. Some standard garage door openers allow timers to be set on the door before automatically closing. But a smart home opener can inform you when your garage door has been left open and allows you to close it remotely if it has. Some models even allow you to arrange safe, remote entry for package deliveries and other approved visitors. [4]
4. Enhance the garage entry door security
If your garage door is compromised, the door into your home can still provide one more line of defense. Make sure it has all the security features it might need, including a deadbolt lock and reinforced strike plate. Lock it up when you leave your home or go to bed to help ensure it’s doing its job. [2]
5. Be mindful of where you keep your garage door opener
Your garage door opener should be considered like a key to your home. If you leave your car in your driveway or on the street, try to make sure the garage door opener comes inside with you. Consider keeping it with your other keys just to be safe. [2]
6. Secure garage doors against extreme weather
Your garage door plays an important role in stormproofing your home and protecting it from more than just intruders. It helps safeguard the contents of your garage from harsh weather and seals off part of your home against water intrusion. In extreme wind events, garage door failure can significantly increase the risk of roof and structural damage. Installing a wind-rated garage door may help reduce the severity of potential damage. You may also want to consider adding a door seal at the bottom and weather stripping along the sides to improve protection and performance.[6]
7. Add garage door security to the home security system
Have you added a front door camera and door alarms to your home? You can do the same with your garage. Positioning home security cameras around your garage door can give you a clear view of anyone coming down your driveway and attempting entry. You can pair these cameras with motion-activated floodlights to signal to whoever’s coming that they’re being seen. [2]
Secure your garage with homeowners insurance
Securing your garage door is important, but ultimately, no home security system is perfect. That’s why it’s equally important to have a safety net if the unexpected happens. A Nationwide homeowners insurance policy can give you more complete peace of mind as you plan for the future of your home and your family. Get an obligation-free quote today and learn more about how to protect the life you’re building.