Automatic garage doors are a convenient part of modern life. They make accessing your garage door and keeping out unwanted pests and the elements easy. However, they may not be as secure as they seem, and may be unintentionally creating a security risk for your home if it’s attached to your garage. When your garage door is closed, you may think that there’s no way that anyone can get inside. However, that’s incorrect.
Criminals all over the Stow, Ohio region seek out access to homes and belongings by using unsecured garage doors. They know what to look for when it comes to residential security vulnerabilities. A simple crowbar or other tool for prying allows a criminal to get inside your garage and leaves your items and your home at risk. You can eliminate this dangerous risk to your home affordably, however. By taking a few measures to increase your garage door’s security, you’ll ensure that your belongings and your home are protected from harm. While adding these security measures may be an investment, there is nothing more important you can do than invest in your home’s security protection.
Garage door locks are an important but often overlooked component of a complete home security plan. Garage door locks are an affordable, effective means of securing your garage door against intruders. There are several different types of garage door locks on the market, which include:
- T-Handle Locks: T-handle locks are frequently chosen due to their ease of use and affordable price. A t-handle lock is comprised of several metal hardware components that fit on the track and the door. These locks feature handle that is t-shaped which fits into the accompanying bolts, hence the name. A t-handle locks requires a key to open. This type of lock has been widely used and has a long history of success.
- Slide Latches: Slide latch locks are another common and affordable type of manual garage door lock. One part of the latch attaches to the inside of the garage door itself, which then connects into the other piece on the frame of the door. Slide latches are simple and affordable, yet quite effective as there’s no way to open them from the outside.
- Electronic Locks: Electronic locks represent an exciting new frontier in lock technology for homeowners looking to secure their garage doors. While they are more expensive than manual garage door locks, this type of lock provides an excellent level of security for your garage and home. An electronic lock, especially of the deadbolt variety, can turn your garage door into a strong barrier that can’t be bypassed.
- Smart Locks: Smart garage door locks are one of the latest innovations in the industry, designed to be a part of the “smart home” wave of technology to make using the appliances and mechanical elements of your home more convenient and time-saving. Smart garage door locks integrate with your opener mechanism, and allow you to control your garage door from anywhere via an app on your smartphone. You can even monitor any time your door is opened to make sure it’s not an unauthorized access.
Choosing Garage Door Locks
Since there are so many options for garage door locks, it’s important to take the time to decide which is right for you. Determine the budget you’re willing to spend on garage door locks and additional security measures. Research each type and the options available to determine which one sounds like it’s right for your garage door. A professional locksmith, can also give you advice about your options.
Additional Security Measures for Greater Protection
Installing a garage door lock is just one of the measures you can take to improve your garage door’s security. Additional measures can afford you an added boost of protection, as well as peace of mind. It’s important to take additional steps if you house a lot of valuables in your garage, or if it connects directly to your home.
- Keep the Door Closed When Not in Use: Some people leave their garage doors open when they leave or even at night, especially if they live in a safe neighborhood and don’t keep much in their garage. However, this gives an opportunistic criminal the perfect chance to get inside your home. It’s better to keep your door closed at all times, especially at night and when you’re away for extended periods.
- Add Security Cameras to Watch for Questionable Activity: Security camera technology has greatly increased in the last few years, at the same time that the price has been trending down. Installing one or two security cameras to monitor the exterior around your garage not only will capture any sign of something wrong, but also act as an effective deterrent against criminals who don’t want their activities caught on film. Some of these cameras have smart technology that allows you to view what’s going on outside of your home at any time, right from your phone.
- Consider a Garage Door Timer: If you spend a fair amount of time away from home, it may be worth it to look into installing a garage door timer. These timers usually shut your door automatically a few minutes after you’ve opened it, as well as allowing you to program the times in which your garage door will remain shut. These types of timers can be installed on virtually any garage door.
- Invest in Better Lighting: A final tip is to ensure that the exterior of your home, including that of your garage, is well lit at all times. If any of the bulbs have burned out in your outdoor lighting, make sure to replace them right away. Criminals want to go undetected as much as possible, so they tend to search for targets where the light is poor.
When you’re ready to improve your garage door’s security, contact a professional locksmith company to receive the assistance you need. A knowledgeable and experienced locksmith will be able to work with your budget and your home security goals to help you choose the right garage door locks and security features for your particular situation.
