Nov 19, 2025 | Garage Door Maintenance and Replacement, Security garage doors
Many homeowners underestimate the importance of garage door security, even though their garage remains one of the most frequently targeted and vulnerable entry points to a property.
Enhancing your garage with additional security features not only protects your valuable possessions but also safeguards the well-being of your family.
A burglary is more than a financial loss, it’s a violation of your personal space that can leave homeowners feeling vulnerable and shaken.
Improving your garage door security is a crucial step in preventing these risks and ensuring greater peace of mind.
What Are the Most Effective Upgrades for Garage Door Security?
The most effective upgrades increase resistance to force, block known attack methods and improve access control.
Install Anti-Snap Locks
Anti-snap locks are high-security door cylinders designed to prevent a common break-in method, known as lock snapping.
Lock snapping is the application of force to a cylinder until it breaks, allowing the burglar to manually turn the mechanism and open the door.
It is a quiet, fast and widely used break-in method.
Anti-snap locks have built-in sacrificial weak points, meaning when force is applied, the lock will break safely in a controlled way, leaving the central lock mechanism intact and protecting the internal components.
For the most effective results, have the anti-snap locks installed by a professional, qualified technician.
Key points:
- Prevents access after cylinder snapping
- Use controlled break points to protect the core
- Works with most modern garage doors
Add Improved Bracing for Door Strength
Improved bracing are additional reinforcing structures that enhance the door’s strength.
Common Bracing Materials
- Steel bars
- Aluminium bars
- Specialised brackets
Bracings enhance your door’s strength and stability against external forces including high winds, physical impacts and forced entry.
They can be installed vertically or horizontally and are anchored securely to either:
- The garage floor
- The header above the door
- Side walls
- Roof joists
The added rigidity makes forced entry or peeling the doors significantly more difficult for burglars.
What is Peeling?
Peeling is a specific burglary technique, where a wire hanger is used to peel back the top edge of the garage door panel to hook the emergency release handle from outside.
Adding improved bracing to your garage door will physically block access to internal locking rods, deterring criminals.
Use External Keypads With Secure PINs
Weatherproof keypads allow controlled access to your garage.
Typical functions:
- Set personalised pins
- Create unique, temporary codes for limited-time access
- Grant access for specific individuals such as dog walkers.
- Remote management via smartphone apps
- Anti-tamper sensors
External keypads remove the risk of lost keys and log each activation when linked to smart systems. They also prevent unauthorised door release by limiting who can open the mechanism.
This personalised locking system gives you that extra layer of security.
Install Motion-Activated Lighting
Bright lighting around the garage deters intruders, leaving them exposed and visible on security cameras.
Typical installation points to consider include:
- Above the garage door
- Along the driveway
- On side entrances
When motion is detected, the lights will alert homeowners, encouraging you to investigate or alert authorities.
Invest in Security Cameras for Monitoring and Evidence
Security cameras not only act as a strong deterrent for burglars, but if a break-in does occur, they provide high-definition footage that can be used as valuable evidence.
Useful features:
- Motion alerts
- Night vision
- Two-way audio
- Smart notifications
Install security cameras so that they directly face the garage door, this will act as a visible deterrent to discourage criminals from breaking in.
Security-Focused Garage Doors at West Midland Garage Doors
Upgrading your garage door with the right security features is one of the most effective ways to protect your home, your belongings and your peace of mind.
At West Midlands Garage Doors, we understand the importance of security.
Available systems:
- Hörmann – which are fitted with anti-theft kits when closed
- SWS – part of the SecueroGlide range, with a unique patented locking mechanism.
These products offer tested components and enhanced resistance to break-ins.
Arrange your free on-site survey today.
Jan 9, 2024 | News, Security garage doors
In the landscape of home security, the garage door stands out as a frequently disregarded but pivotal element. It operates as a gateway for convenience, facilitating the comings and goings of homeowners. However, it can also become a potential Achilles’ heel if not reinforced against the backdrop of escalating crime rates. As crime statistics continue to highlight the vulnerability of residential properties, particularly through garage break-ins, the need for a robust security infrastructure, starting with the garage door, becomes more pressing than ever. Investing in a security garage door emerges not merely as an enhancement to your home’s overall safety but as a proactive response to the ever-evolving challenges of modern-day security threats.
Recent crime reports underscore the significance of addressing garage door security. Criminals frequently target garages as a point of entry due to perceived vulnerabilities, seeking valuable items such as tools, bicycles, and even accessing the interior of the house. Recognising the evolving tactics employed by intruders, homeowners are compelled to reevaluate their security measures, with a security garage doors taking centre stage in this defensive strategy.
1. Reinforced Physical Barrier
A security garage door is crafted with robust materials that significantly enhance its strength and durability. Unlike standard garage doors, which may be prone to forced entry, security garage doors act as a formidable physical barrier, deterring potential intruders from attempting unauthorised access.
2. Advanced Locking Mechanisms
One of the key features of security garage doors is their advanced locking systems. From traditional deadbolts to modern smart locks, these doors offer a variety of options to secure your garage effectively. Multi-point locking systems provide additional security by engaging multiple points along the door frame, making it challenging for intruders to breach.
3. Resistance to Break-Ins
Security garage doors are designed to withstand various forms of attacks, including attempts to force the door open. Reinforced panels and impact-resistant materials make these doors highly resistant to break-ins, ensuring that your garage remains a secure space for valuable belongings.
4. Integration with Smart Home Security
Modern security garage doors can seamlessly integrate with smart home security systems. This allows homeowners to monitor and control garage door access remotely, receive real-time alerts, and even integrate video surveillance for an extra layer of protection.
5. Durability Against Harsh Weather
Security garage doors are built to withstand the elements. Whether it’s extreme temperatures, heavy rains, or strong winds, these doors maintain their structural integrity, ensuring reliable performance even in adverse weather conditions.
6. Prevention of Unauthorised Access
Securing your garage is not only about protecting your vehicles and belongings but also about preventing unauthorised access to your home. A security garage door adds an extra layer of defence against intruders who may see the garage as a potential entry point.
7. Increased Home Value
Investing in security features, including a robust garage door, can enhance the overall value of your home. Potential homebuyers often prioritise security, and a secure garage door can be a selling point when putting your property on the market.
8. Reduced Insurance Costs
Many insurance providers offer discounts to homeowners who take proactive measures to improve home security. Installing a security garage door may lead to lower insurance premiums, providing both financial savings and added protection.
In a world where home security is paramount, addressing every potential entry point is essential. To find out more about crime rates in your area view our report. A security garage door goes beyond mere functionality; it becomes a crucial component in fortifying your home against external threats. The investment not only protects your belongings and enhances your family’s safety but also adds value to your property. Consider upgrading to a security garage door today and take a proactive step towards securing your home.
Jul 16, 2021 | News, Security garage doors
Whether you are working, on the school run, or on holiday, your garage is most vulnerable when you aren’t home. If you find yourself worrying about garage door security, this is a clear sign that you need to review your garage door safety.
Follow our ten tips for keeping your garage safe while you are away, for extra peace of mind.
1. Close The Garage Door
It sounds almost too straightforward, but not closing the door properly gets overlooked far too often. Whether from forgetfulness or because you aren’t away for long, an open door can be seen as an invitation.
Many automatic garage doors have a built-in automatic self-closing feature. This doesn’t mean you have to just drive away and leave it down to the automated system. But it is a great, nice-to-have backup.
If you have access to your garage from your home, add a physical side-locking mechanism on the inside.
2. Keep Your Belongings Out Of Sight
When storing valuables or expensive tools and equipment in your garage, keep these covered or out of sight in a cupboard or lockable tool storage cabinet.
When you are purchasing a new garage door, then consider one without glazing or with frosted glass. If you want clear glazing, opt for glass panels positioned at the top to make it harder to see in.
3. Light Your Garage And Drive
Burglars and thieves don’t like being seen. So you can boost your garage door security by adding exterior home and garage lights. External lights can be connected to the automated garage door opener or use a motion sensor that turns the light on whenever someone approaches.
4. Secure Your Side Door
A service door on the side of a garage is a popular feature that allows access, often directly from your garden. You should upgrade to a secure door if yours is sub-standard, and be sure to keep this locked.
5. Protect Internal Home Entry Doors
If your garage is attached to your home, then it will likely have an internal access door. When you are away, keep this locked to create an additional barrier should someone break into your home.
6. Improve The Visibility Of Your Garage
Just like adding exterior lights, you will improve your garage door security if you trim back bushes and trees to improve visibility.
7. Hide Your Remote
Leaving your garage remote on view in your car or clipped to the visor is not a good idea. Most remotes have a design that allows you to clip them to your keychain, so you can take them with you. Don’t forget to lock your car and don’t leave your house keys in your vehicle.
8. Choose An Opener That Supports A Smartphone Connection
If you don’t like the idea of carrying a remote, then smartphone-operated openers are an excellent alternative. You can also see if your door is open or closed, 24/7, from anywhere in the world.
9. Ensure Your Garage Door Is CE Marked
Garage doors and openers made before 2000 might not be CE Marked. This is an indication that the security features do not meet modern standards.
The evolution of technology has been significant over the past twenty years. New garage doors have features such as rolling codes that change every time you use your remote and holiday modes, which disable remote access when you are away.
10. Choose A Secured By Design Garage Door
Secured by Design is an official police initiative and tells you that you are buying the most secure type of door with strong garage locks.
For more information on garage door security or a site survey and new garage door price, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
