Most people will go to great lengths to secure their front and back doors, but neglect to give their garage doors the same level of attention. Even so, most thieves will go for the simplest entrance point, which is often the garage.
Adding extra locks to your garage door is a good idea if you haven’t done it previously.
The Importance Of Garage Security
Whether or not your garage is linked to your house, there are a few basic security requirements that must be followed to keep you, your belongings, and your home safe. These days, garages are typically the first point of entry for savvy burglars. The Office for National Statistics reports that burglaries occur once every 40 seconds in the UK.
Therefore, it is crucial that you take the necessary precautions to keep your garage as safe as possible. After all, if an intruder were to gain in, the cost would be little compared to the possible loss you may incur. To keep burglars out and you and your family safe, garage door security has advanced significantly over the years.
Risks Of Leaving Your Garage Door Open
First, leaving your door open encourages thieves. Most homeowners store equipment and antiques in their garages. If your garage door is open, anything left in it may disengage. Burglars will welcome quick access to a garage-to-house door. Locking the door won’t help if it’s improperly placed or the lock isn’t outdoor-rated. You impair home security either way.
Second, wild animals may enter open doors. Raccoons, birds, and stray cats may move into your garage. Most garages hold birdseed, cat food, or even your own food, which attracts animals.
Additionally, the sturdy walls protect animals from the elements. After the infestation starts, it’ll be difficult to eliminate. Anyone who has discovered a trapped bird in their garage or a mouse family in their cellar will find this frustrating. Keep your garage door closed after installing new weatherstripping and insulation.
Types Of Garage Locks
In order to keep burglars out of the adjoining rooms and hallways, it is just as necessary to lock the garage door. Locking and unlocking your garage from a distance is made easier and more secure with high-security garage door locks.
As a result, we simplified matters by shopping about and bringing home different garage locks with which to keep our possessions safe from burglary.
Get down to business with the list!
T Handle Locks
It is often known as “T” handles and is one of the most widely used types of garage door locks. The door can’t be opened without the correct key, since it has a key-locking system. Even while these locks are often placed as a single handle, they may also be fitted on both sides of the garage door as a deadbolt system for heightened security.
T Handle Locks
Pros
- It’s simple to set up and use.
- All the more secure since each one has its own special key.
- Durable and Reasonably Priced.
Cons
- Inapplicable to garages with swinging doors.
Automatic Garage Door Lock
When the garage door is closed, an electromagnetic plate within the lock locks into place, making the lock itself automated. These keyless automatic locks can only be opened with the correct, predetermined passcode, and they are resistant to being physically stopped or hacked. Additionally, many automatic garage door locks are based on a deadbolt locking system, which provides an added level of security.
Automatic Garage Door Deadbolt Lock Kit
In addition, you may add them to the sensors already installed in your home’s alarm system, making it even more effective at monitoring your property.
Pros
- Uses a single button press to activate.
- The increased security of a personal access code is appreciated.
- Notifies you by email or text message if the garage door is opened.
- An automatic Garage door based on the Deadbolt locking system is one of the safest locking systems.
Cons
- Installation is complicated and costly.
- The standard hinged and sliding doors cannot be used with it.
Deadbolt Lock
Deadbolts are locks that secure doors by inserting a metal bolt into a metal receiver. They are more secure than traditional locks and are ideal for garage doors. To lock, the bolt is inserted into the receiver on the door frame. To unlock, simply turn the key or thumb turn to retract the bolt.
Elocksys Garage door Deadbolt lock
Pros
- Combinations of steel, bronze, and brass are often used in the creation of deadbolts. Because of the way it is made, this bolt is far more durable than those with spring locks.
- It increases the bolt’s effective reach into the door frame.
Cons
- A deadbolt’s added security measures are both its strongest suit and its worst weakness. Your ability to leave the house quickly in an emergency is hindered.
Slide Lock
By sliding a latch from the door into a hole in the track, a slide lock stops the garage door from opening while locked. These locks may be used on a variety of door materials and are easy to install and inexpensive. They are installed on the inside of the door, where they are protected from the elements and are thus harder to break.
Pros
- Simple to implement and low-cost in general.
- Additionally, a second padlock may be used in combination with it for added security.
Cons
- Because Push and Pull are not automated, they need human intervention.
- From the outside, the garage door lock is inoperable.
- Attaching a garage door opener to the shutter may cause it to malfunction, and it may even shatter.
Choosing the right Garage Lock: How to Determine Which Garage Door Locks Are Most Secure and Convenient?
- Examine the Garage’s Safety Features
If you have valuable equipment or tools in your garage, you should evaluate the worth of these goods and consider installing automated locks or more robust door guards. Also, the sliding locks on a garage for a car are easy to pick.
Multiple locks, selected with the help of the guide and tailored to your garage door, may provide the extra protection you need.
- Strength, Resilience, and Protection against the elements
The vast majority of locks will be made of stainless or galvanized steel, making them somewhat corrosion-resistant. You should get your locks tested on a regular basis to make sure they are in good working order, especially if you live near the ocean or if the lock you purchased was not made by a reputable manufacturer.
- Think About the Warranty!
T-handle and automatic lock kits have the longest warranties from the manufacturers. Therefore, if you reside in a wet area where the locks are susceptible to corrosion and weathering, you may be able to pick them.
- Know your Garage Door
Choose a manual lock if your door swings in from the side, and use only a limited number of automatic locks on modern, electronically operated doors.
The safest locking methods improve upon or compensate for any weaknesses in the door’s construction. Because of this, the kind of door you have will have a significant impact on the lock you should choose.
Installing a Garage Lock
The installation of a garage door lock differs based on the type of lock you select. This article will focus on the installation of an automatic deadbolt lock system, which provides increased security and convenience.
Step 1: Collect the necessary equipment and materials, such as a drill, screwdriver, automatic garage door deadbolt lock kit, and any other hardware required for your specific lock.
Step 2: Locate the garage door’s locking area. This is usually the handle or latch that is used to close the door.
Step 3: Remove the existing handle or latch and install the new lock according to the instructions included with your lock kit. This may entail drilling holes for the lock mechanism and screwing it to the door.
Step 4: After installing the lock, try it to ensure that it works properly and securely. Make any necessary adjustments or tighten any loose screws.
Step 5: Connect your garage door opener to the lock. Typically, this is accomplished by connecting wires from the lock to the opener’s control board. For detailed steps, refer to the instructions included with your lock kit.
Step 6: Close the garage door and try to open it manually using the handle or latch to test the lock. The lock should engage automatically, preventing the door from being opened.
Step 7: Finally, keep the lock’s keys in a safe and secure location, and advise any other members of your family where they can be found in the event of an emergency.
Note: If you do not feel comfortable installing the lock yourself, it is preferable to hire a professional to do it.
What You Need To Know About Keeping Your Garage Door Locks In Good Condition?
1. Lock strength and resistance to force may be improved by periodically checking and tightening any loose installation screws and hardware.
2. If you want the mechanism and functionality to run smoothly, you should always clean the area surrounding the bolts, latches, and tracks.
3. Every year, use a dry lube tube to decrease friction and preserve the locks.
4. Protect against corrosion by rinsing any sliding locks, bolts, and latches with an anti-rust solution.
5. If the garage door block is securely fastened, you should never use the opener.
6. You may increase the garage’s security from the outside by installing a deadbolt lock.
The Role of Garage Locks in overall Home Security
Having a high-quality lock installed on your garage door, as opposed to depending on a simple slide lock mechanism and an electric garage door opener, is the best way to ensure the safety and security of your property.
Since there are numerous options for both locks and garage doors, it’s best to consult a professional that specializes in both commercial and residential locks for advice on what to look for in a garage door lock.
Conclusion:
Investing in the correct locks is a critical step in improving the security of your garage. With so many options available on the market, it is critical to select locks that are appropriate for your unique demands and requirements. Whether you choose deadbolts (like Elocksys garage door deadbolt Lock), t-handle locks, or Slide locks, it is critical to ensure that your garage is secure in order to keep your property and things safe
