Break-ins are a source of worry for many homeowners as burglars find cunning new ways to enter residences uninvited. Whether you live in a gated community or your nearest neighbor is 10 miles away, security for you and your family is a paramount concern.
You might have triple-checked your windows and reinforced your doors, but have you ever considered whether your garage door is a security risk? And if it is, what can you do to reinforce it and make it safer?
Break-ins are a source of worry for many homeowners as burglars find cunning new ways to enter residences uninvited. Whether you live in a gated community or your nearest neighbor is 10 miles away, security for you and your family is a paramount concern.
You might have triple-checked your windows and reinforced your doors, but have you ever considered whether your garage door is a security risk? And if it is, what can you do to reinforce it and make it safer?
Is Your Garage Door a Security Risk?
9% of burglars use the garage door as their access point, which is enough of a threat to you and your family’s security to warrant precaution. What can you do to decrease your risk of burglars finding a way in? That depends on what type of garage door you own.
There are two main types of garage door systems:
- Manual open
- Automatic open
The manual system still exists in older garages, but we recommend that you install an automatic garage door system to increase your protection.
A manual open garage door includes an emergency failsafe cord that allows anyone to open the door without a code or remote. This mechanism makes it quite easy for intruders to manipulate their way inside your home, while an automatic door system is much more secure. An automatic door combined with rolling codes, hopping codes, Security+, or Security 2.0, makes it much harder for burglars to successfully break in.
How Common are Garage Break-Ins in the Greater Austin Area?
Burglaries in Austin neighborhoods cost residents over 1.3 million dollars per year in loss of
property alone. This type of crime is often committed by people who take advantage of easy targets. Knowing how to effectively protect your home is key.
How to Secure Your Garage Door
Garage door security is something you shouldn’t overlook. While windows and back doors are the most common access point for burglars, garages aren’t far behind.
“Manual open garage doors include a cord that allows you to open the door without a code or remote, while automatic garage doors are much safer.”
Choose Your Garage Door Contractor Wisely
Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to break-ins. Choose a competent garage door contractor near you in Austin to keep burglars at bay.
If your garage door is deteriorating, it may be time for a repair or replacement. If you still own a manual open system, we have plenty of options to beef up security with an automatic open system at Austin’s Greater Garage Doors.
Use Automatic Garage Door Openers
As mentioned, automatic garage doors are more secure than manual garage doors. Manual garage doors have knobs or rings that allow intruders to place a coat hanger through the top of the door and pull the cord, releasing the garage door from the track.
Does the cord release for your garage door opener hang by the door when your door is closed? It’s time to upgrade to a superior system.
Select Sturdy Material
Want the most popular garage door for residents of Austin? Try steel garage doors. Steel’s durability, easy maintenance, and curb appeal make it a fantastic choice.
Aluminum and nonmetal are other options, depending on your needs and budget. An aluminum garage door can be dented by pressure, but aluminum is more affordable.
Ensure Extra Security on Your Property
You can never take too much precaution when it comes to keeping your home and loved ones safe. If a sturdy garage door just isn’t enough, there are extra security measures you can put in place to protect yourself.
Install Motion Lights
Darkness is a burglar’s best friend. A sudden flash of bright light can often be enough to deter them. That makes solar-powered flood lights or motion-activated lights a great way to stop a break-in before it occurs.
Install Security Cameras
Security cameras provide a complete view of all access points into your home. With the advancement of technology, you can even access the live videos off-site.
Invest in an Alarm System
Intruders don’t want to be noticed, so an alarm system that blares if any access points are breached can be an effective way to protect yourself. Plus, if your property is equipped with an electronic burglar alarm that meets certain specifications, Austin residents can qualify for a Homeowner Insurance Premium Reduction of up to 15%.
As an Austin resident, you can also enlist in or form your own neighborhood watch to protect the community you live in.
Keep Your Home Safe with Garage Door Replacement or Installation in Austin & Pflugerville
Whether you need a new garage door installed, a replacement, or a simple repair, Austin’s Greater Garage Doors ensures your garage is the most secure access point to your home. Our contractors have been servicing Pflugerville and Austin for over 15 years, and you can trust us to keep you safe.
