5 min read Garage Door Company Thornton
Your garage door is one of the largest entry points to your home, and unfortunately, it's often one of the most vulnerable. Burglars know that many homeowners overlook garage security, making it an attractive target. The good news is that with some awareness and relatively simple measures, you can significantly improve your garage door security. Here's what every Thornton homeowner should know.
Before we discuss solutions, it's important to understand how burglars typically exploit garage door weaknesses:
The Emergency Release Cord: Every garage door opener has a manual release cord that allows you to open the door if the power goes out. Unfortunately, this feature can be exploited. Using a simple wire or hanger pushed through the top of the door, an intruder can hook this cord and open your door in seconds.
Outdated Opener Technology: Older garage door openers use fixed codes that can be intercepted and replicated. If your opener is more than 20 years old, it likely uses this vulnerable technology.
Weak or Missing Door Locks: Many homeowners rely solely on the opener for security, forgetting that the door itself should have robust physical locks.
Interior Door Security: The door connecting your garage to your home is often a flimsy interior door with a simple lock.hardly a barrier to an intruder who's already in your garage.
If you haven't upgraded your opener in the last 15-20 years, this should be your first priority. Modern openers use rolling code technology that generates a new code with every use, making code theft virtually impossible.
Additionally, many new openers feature: - Smartphone connectivity allowing you to monitor and control your door from anywhere - Automatic closing that closes the door if left open for a set period - Activity alerts that notify you of any door movement - Guest access that lets you grant temporary access without sharing your main code
Several products are available to prevent the emergency release exploit:
Shield the Release Cord: Install a shield that prevents access to the cord from outside. These simple devices block the wire or hanger technique without affecting your ability to use the release from inside.
Zip-Tie Solution: For a quick DIY fix, zip-tie the release cord to the track carriage so it can't be pulled without significant force. However, this means you'll need to break the zip-tie if you need emergency access.
Remove the Cord Handle: Consider removing or securing the handle that makes the cord easy to pull. You can still access the release mechanism when needed, but it's much harder to operate from outside.
Don't rely solely on your automatic opener for security:
Slide Locks: Install slide locks on both sides of the door that engage with the track. These prevent the door from being lifted even if someone bypasses the opener.
Door Armor: Reinforce the bottom of the door with a metal strip that prevents prying attacks.
Track Locks: C-clamps or specially designed track locks can be placed in the track to prevent door movement when you're away for extended periods.
The door between your garage and home should be treated like an exterior door:
- Install a solid-core or metal door instead of a hollow interior door - Use a deadbolt lock rated for exterior use - Add a door reinforcement kit to prevent kick-in attacks - Consider a smart lock for monitoring and keyless entry
Technology alone isn't enough.good habits are essential:
Always Close the Door: Never leave your garage door open when you're not actively using it. Even stepping inside for "just a minute" creates an opportunity for opportunistic theft.
Don't Leave the Remote Visible: A garage remote clipped to your visor is an invitation to break into your car and then your home. Use a keychain remote or smartphone app instead.
Secure the Remote in Your Car: If you must keep a remote in your vehicle, don't leave your car unlocked or your registration (with your address) visible.
Frost or Cover Windows: If your garage door has windows, consider frosting them to prevent outsiders from seeing when cars are gone or valuables are visible.
Time Your Lights: Install motion-activated lights inside and outside your garage. Burglars prefer to work in darkness.
Every home is different, and the best security solutions depend on your specific situation. At Garage Door Company Thornton, we offer security assessments as part of our service. Our technicians can identify vulnerabilities and recommend solutions tailored to your home and budget.
We can also install the latest smart openers, security locks, and monitoring systems. All our work is backed by our risk-free guarantee.
Protect your home and family.call us at 720-706-2893 to schedule a security assessment today.