10 Garage Door Security Tips to Protect Your Home

December 1, 2024 6 min read

Your garage door is the largest moving part of your home and often provides direct access to your living space. Unfortunately, it's also a common target for burglars. Here are ten essential tips to improve your garage door security.

1. Never Leave Your Garage Door Open

It sounds obvious, but many break-ins happen through garage doors left open "just for a minute." An open garage door advertises your belongings and provides easy access to your home.

Pro tip: Smart garage door openers can automatically close your door after a set time, ensuring you never accidentally leave it open.

2. Secure the Emergency Release

Most garage doors have an emergency release that allows manual operation during power outages. Unfortunately, burglars know about this too and can trigger it from outside using a wire hanger.

To secure your emergency release: - Use a zip tie to secure the release lever (cut it in emergencies) - Install an emergency release shield, Disable the release if you rarely use it

3. Cover Your Garage Door Windows

If your garage door has windows, consider frosting or covering them. Clear windows let thieves see: - Valuable items in your garage, Whether your car is home, The location of your door release mechanism

Window films or frosted glass allow light in while blocking visibility.

4. Install Motion-Sensing Lights

Well-lit areas deter burglars. Install motion-sensing lights: - Above or beside your garage door, Inside your garage, Along pathways to your garage

Modern LED motion lights are affordable and energy-efficient.

5. Use a Smart Garage Door Opener

Smart openers provide multiple security benefits: - Activity monitoring: Know when your door opens and closes - Remote control: Check and close your door from anywhere - Access logs: Track who accessed your garage and when - Guest access: No need for physical remotes that can be stolen

6. Lock the Door Between Your Garage and Home

Even if someone enters your garage, a locked interior door provides another layer of protection. Use a solid-core door with a quality deadbolt.

Consider this door as important as your front door because it essentially is.

7. Don't Leave Your Remote in Your Car

A garage door remote in your car is like leaving a key under the mat. If your car is broken into (or stolen), the thief has access to your home.

Better alternatives: - Use a keychain remote you keep with your keys, Use a smartphone app to control your door, Memorize a keypad code instead

8. Upgrade to Rolling Code Technology

Older garage door openers use fixed codes that tech-savvy thieves can capture and replay. Modern openers use rolling code technology that generates a new code each time you use the remote.

If your opener is more than 20 years old, it's time for an upgrade.

9. Maintain Your Door and Tracks

A poorly maintained door is easier to force open. Keep your door secure by: - Ensuring tracks are properly aligned, Keeping hardware tight and secure, Replacing worn weatherstripping that creates gaps, Maintaining proper spring tension

Regular maintenance from a professional keeps your door operating securely.

10. Install a Security Camera

A visible security camera deters many would-be burglars. Modern options include: - Cameras built into garage door openers (like LiftMaster with myQ) - Wireless cameras that connect to your home WiFi, Doorbell cameras that capture garage area activity

Even a dummy camera can provide some deterrent effect, though we recommend functional cameras for true security.

Bonus: Vacation Security Tips

When you're away from home: - Don't post about your vacation on social media until you return, Have a neighbor park in your driveway occasionally, Use smart home features to simulate occupancy, Consider a house sitter who can monitor your garage, Lock the manual disconnect on your garage door

Professional Security Assessment

At Garage Door Longmont, we can assess your garage door security and recommend improvements. We install:

- Smart garage door openers with enhanced security features, Security cameras and lighting, Reinforced door hardware, Modern doors with security features

Contact us for a free security consultation and learn how to better protect your home through your garage.

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