Your garage door serves as a crucial entry point to your home or business, making security a paramount concern for both residential and commercial customers in Perth. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing garage door or install a new one, it’s essential to prioritise security. Experts at Guardian Doors are perfectly placed to enhance your garage door security while addressing your unique needs.
Feeling Secure With Your Garage Door
When investing in a new garage door, it’s necessary to consider security as you will naturally wish to protect your belongings, vehicles, and, most importantly, your loved ones. In this article, we will explore eight crucial features to look for in a new garage door, catering to the security needs of both residential and commercial customers in Perth.
1. Material Matters
The first line of defence in garage door security begins with the material of the door itself. Garage doors are not merely functional barriers; they play a crucial role in safeguarding your property and possessions. Therefore, choosing the right material is paramount.
- Steel Doors: Steel garage doors are a popular choice for residential properties due to their exceptional strength and durability. They are highly resistant to impact and wear and tear, making them a formidable deterrent against forced entry attempts. Consider opting for steel doors with insulation as insulated doors enhance security while also improving energy efficiency.
- Steel Doors for Commercial Use: Commercial properties, such as warehouses, factories, and business facilities, demand a higher level of security. Steel doors are a preferred choice in such settings due to their unmatched security features and durability. They can be customised to meet specific security requirements such as reinforced locking mechanisms, impact-resistant features, or even fire-rated options for added safety.
- Higher Gauge Steel: In commercial applications, opt for steel doors with a higher gauge. The gauge of a steel door refers to the thickness of the steel used in its construction. Higher gauge steel is thicker and more robust, offering enhanced security. Thicker doors are not only harder to breach but also more resistant to wear and tear, ensuring a longer lifespan.
- Aluminium Doors: Aluminum doors are known for their strength-to-weight ratio, making them a lightweight yet durable choice. They can withstand harsh weather conditions and are resistant to rust and corrosion. Like steel doors, aluminium doors can also be insulated to improve energy efficiency.
2. Quality Locking Mechanisms
A secure garage door should feature reliable locking mechanisms. Locking mechanisms are the backbone of garage door security, ensuring that your property stays safe.
- Multi-Point Locking System: Opt for a multi-point locking system for residential garage doors. This system secures the door at multiple points along its track, making it considerably more challenging for intruders to force it open. By distributing the force across several locking points, multi-point systems reduce the risk of a single weak point being exploited.
- Rolling Steel Doors with Robust Locks: For commercial properties, rolling steel doors with robust locks are the go-to choice. Commercial steel doors offer various locking options, including padlocks, chain hoists, and slide bolts, allowing you to select the one that suits your security needs.
3. Reinforced Windows
Windows on a garage door can enhance its visual appeal and allow natural light into the space. However, it’s crucial to ensure that these windows do not compromise security.
- Impact-Resistant Materials: If your garage door includes windows, opt for impact-resistant glass or acrylic. These materials are less prone to shattering, making it difficult for intruders to break through. This not only deters break-ins but also provides added safety as they are less likely to shatter into dangerous shards upon impact. For commercial properties, the focus is on security and functionality. Opt for impact-resistant materials like polycarbonate or tempered glass.
- Decorative Grilles: To maintain the aesthetic appeal of your home, consider windows with decorative grilles. These add a touch of style to your garage door while reinforcing security. Grilles also serve as a visual deterrent, making it challenging for potential intruders to access your garage.
- Security Shutters: Some properties may consider security shutters for their garage door windows. These shutters can be closed when the premises are not in use, providing an extra layer of protection against vandalism or break-ins.
4. Smart Technology Integration
In today’s digital age, integrating smart technology into your garage door can enhance security significantly. Integrating smart technology into your garage door not only enhances security but also provides convenience and peace of mind.
- Smart Garage Door Openers: Smart garage door openers allow homeowners to monitor and control their garage doors remotely through smartphone apps. You can receive real-time alerts and notifications on your smartphone if your garage door is opened or left open unintentionally. Smart openers may also allow you to grant temporary access to family members, friends, or service providers.
- Integration with Home Automation and Building Management Systems: Many smart garage door openers can be seamlessly integrated into existing home or business automation systems. This enables you to incorporate your garage door into routines, schedules, and voice commands, enhancing overall security and convenience.
- Advanced Access Control Systems: These systems allow for highly customised access permissions, providing activity logs and ensuring that only authorised personnel can enter specific areas.
When working with smart technology it is wise to ensure cybersecurity measures are in place and to have backup systems to maintain security in case of technical issues or blackouts.
5. Motion Detection Lighting
Proper lighting is a fundamental element of garage security. Motion detection lighting takes this concept a step further by providing on-demand illumination when it matters most.
- Enhanced Safety: Motion detection lighting serves as a powerful deterrent against break-ins. Intruders are less likely to approach a well-lit area, reducing the risk of unauthorised access to your home or business. These lights also enhance safety by ensuring that the garage area is well-lit when needed, preventing accidents and tripping hazards.
- Customisable Settings: Many motion detection lighting systems offer adjustable sensitivity settings. This allows you to fine-tune the system to respond to specific levels of motion, reducing false alarms caused by small animals or passing vehicles.
- Energy Efficiency: Properties can benefit from motion detection lighting’s energy-efficient features. The lights only activate when motion is detected, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
6. Security Cameras
Surveillance cameras are a valuable addition to both residential and commercial garage door security.
- Continuous Monitoring: The mere presence of visible security cameras acts as a deterrent to potential intruders. However, in the unfortunate event of a break-in or suspicious activity, security cameras provide crucial visual evidence. For more extensive surveillance, ensure not only the garage entrance but also its surroundings are covered.
- Modern Features: Many modern security camera systems offer remote access through smartphone apps or web portals. You can access live feeds, and recorded footage, and receive alerts from anywhere. Cloud storage can also ensure that your footage is securely stored off-site, protecting it from theft or damage.
- High-Quality Footage: Invest in high-resolution cameras that capture clear and detailed footage, which is crucial for identifying individuals or vehicles involved in security incidents. You can also consider access control integration that enables synchronised monitoring and access management.
7. Alarm Systems
An alarm system linked to your garage door can provide an extra layer of security and is a formidable tool to augment your security.
- Deterrent Functions: The primary function of an alarm system is to act as a powerful deterrent. Many alarm systems feature audible sirens that activate when triggered. These sirens serve as an immediate alert to both the homeowner and anyone nearby, drawing attention to the potential intrusion.
- Integration with Security Providers: Some alarm systems are linked to security providers who can respond promptly to an alarm activation. In case of a breach, security personnel can be dispatched to assess the situation. Many commercial alarm systems come with 24/7 monitoring services.
- Integrating with Access Control: In some settings, alarm systems can be integrated with access control systems. This means that unauthorised access attempts trigger alarms and can prompt immediate lockdown procedures.
- Silent Alarms: In some cases, commercial properties may utilise silent alarms that discreetly alert security personnel or authorities without sounding audible sirens. This can be useful to catch intruders in the act.
- Backup Power: To ensure uninterrupted functionality, both residential and commercial alarm systems should have backup power sources in case of electrical outages.
8. Automatic Reverse and Backdrive
Automatic reverse and backdrive are two essential safety features found in modern garage door systems.
- Automatic Reverse: This safety mechanism detects when an object or obstacle is in the path of a closing garage door. When an obstruction is sensed, the door’s motor system automatically reverses the door’s direction, causing it to open instead of closing further. This feature prevents the door from closing on a person, pet, or any object, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Backdrive: Backdrive is a feature that allows the garage door to be manually operated in case of a power outage or malfunction. This disengagement allows you to manually open or close the garage door by hand, providing an alternative means of access.
Installation
No matter how secure your chosen garage door is, its effectiveness heavily relies on proper installation. Customers should enlist the services of a reputable garage door installation professional like Guardian Doors. We will ensure that the door, locks, and security features are correctly fitted and functioning as intended.
Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner with commercial premises, prioritising garage door security should be a top concern. Remember that security is an investment in the safety of both property and people, so don’t cut corners and contact us today!
