Garage doors are often overlooked when it comes to home security. However, they can be a weak point that allows intruders easy access into your home. A vulnerable garage door could allow a burglar to bypass other security measures you may have in place, so choosing the right door is vital.

The Risks of Unsecured Garage Doors

Standard up-and-over and roller garage doors can be fairly easy to force open, providing intruders direct access into your home. If your door is older or in need of repair, this makes it all the easier for criminals to break in.

There are a few common ways that burglars can gain entry through a vulnerable garage door:

• Ramming or rapidly lifting the door: A burglar may ram into the door repeatedly with a vehicle or use tools like a crowbar or jack to quickly lift the door. This can break the lock or force the door off its tracks.
• Drilling through panels: Some garage doors have thin metal panels that can be drilled through. Burglars can then reach inside and release the emergency release cord to open the door.
• Picking or breaking locks: Locks on older garage doors can often be picked or broken relatively easily. Side doors with poor locks also pose a security risk.
• Using transmitters: Some thieves manage to obtain transmitters or remotes and simply push the button to open the door and walk right in.

Features of a Secure Garage Door

There are several design features and technologies that can make a garage door much more secure and tamper-proof. Firstly, materials are important. Sturdy steel, heavy-duty aluminium or GRP construction prevents easy entry – in fact, steel is one of the most secure materials for resisting forced entry as it’s highly impact-resistant. Doors made of strong metal alloys or tough GRP do not bend or break as easily when repeatedly hit or lifted aggressively with tools, providing you with more security.

Reinforced panels are another hallmark of upgraded, high-security garage doors. The door panels have internal reinforcements to prevent drilling or cutting through them. This stops burglars from simply making their own entrance points. A pinch-resistant design is also key. Secure doors have pinch-free joints and boxed eaves so prying fingers can’t gain any grip to lift them forcefully. Likewise, tamper-proof hinges are also reinforced to prevent the door being ripped off by force.

Other smart security features include automatic locking systems that lock the door every time it closes and use encrypted opener signals, or solid deadbolt locks on any side doors leading into the garage area which will add an extra layer of access control. Upgrading older doors to include features like these significantly improves garage security by removing the physical weaknesses that burglars target.

At Wessex Garage Doors, we only work with leading manufacturers of highly secure and long-lasting doors that will stand up to the test of time and continual use. We want you to be confident that your garage is as secure as possible, and the manufacturers we work with ensure this.

Most Secure Garage Door Options

The style of door you choose goes a long way to providing a tamper-proof and highly secure garage. Here, we’ve ranked the most popular styles from least secure to the most secure you can buy.

4. Up and Over Garage Doors

Up and over garage doors are typically the most affordable option, but they also provide the least secure protection for your home. This style of door lifts up in one piece from the bottom and swings out before closing vertically. While you can enhance securing by choosing a GRP or steel model, up and over doors are best suited for low-security applications where aesthetics are a priority over maximum safety.

3. GRP Side Hinged Garage Doors

For a classic style with good security, glass reinforced polyester (GRP) side hinged doors are a strong option. GRP doors are lightweight for easy lifting yet still highly impact-resistant for that added peace of mind. The fibreglass material doesn’t dent or corrode easily, so your investment will last many years too. Adding extra heavy-duty locks from leading manufacturers like Hörmann can make these doors even more secure, or you can automate your door for added convenience and security.

2. Roller Garage Doors

Roller doors provide enhanced security by concealing the opening mechanism entirely inside the unit. When closed, there is no exterior hardware to tamper with, forcing burglars to only attempt lifting the door itself which can then trigger any fitted alarms. The layers of insulated aluminium are also tough to penetrate for enhanced durability. Roller doors take up minimal space and open vertically for full drive-through access, making them a great option for any home.

1. Sectional Garage Doors

Considered the gold standard for residential security, sectional doors are recommended by experts. As the name suggests, they consist of separate panels hinged together in sections. The panels lift and fold into tracks along the ceiling using an internal torsion spring system. Without access to the opener, prying these doors open is extremely difficult. Sectional doors can also be fitted with extra features like encrypted openers, motion sensors and automatic locking. With proper installation and maintenance, sectional doors provide maximum protection for your home.

For optimal security against forced entry, sectional garage doors are the best choice. Their tough layered materials, concealed hardware and advanced opening mechanisms keep your home and belongings as safe as possible.

Contact Us

At Wessex Garage Doors, we have over 30 years’ experience in the supply, installation and maintenance of garage doors for clients throughout the South of England. If you’re concerned about garage security and would like advice on installing a secure garage door, please feel free to get in touch with us. Call a member of our knowledgeable team today on 0800 161 3733 or email us directly at info@wessexgaragedoors.co.uk.