Are garage door defenders any good? Garage door defenders are a good way of deterring thieves since they hide the weakest part of the lock and make the anchor bolts inaccessible when installed correctly. However, you can only install them if there is a flat surface for installing the base plate.
Are Garage Door Defenders Any Good?
It only takes a skilled thief moments to get through the standard cylinder locks that are on most up and over garage doors. However, garage door defenders are not a caught-all system either, as thieves can still break in if they want to.
What you get from having a garage door defender is time, noise and more hassle for the person trying to break in, which makes garage door defenders an excellent deterrent for thieves taking an interest in your garage.
What is a garage door defender?
Garage door defenders protect up-and-over garage doors from thieves trying to break in. They are fixed on the outside of the garage door to prevent it from anyone forcing it open. It requires bolting down a base plate and placing the defender on top, usually with a padlock through some cheaper models that will not supply one.
How does a garage Defender work?
A garage defender works by anchoring down a base plate with two bolts. One side of the defender sits inside the closed door, and the unit’s lock covers the other outside. The lock holds down the steel bar and preventing the door from opening.
Other Examples of Garage Door locks and security
Any visible lock can be a good deterrent for most thieves since they will see that effort is required to break in. There are several different types of locks that you can use to lock up your garage besides a defender:
- Side door bolts are popular with homeowners and have inside of the garage door installation. While it is not visual to the outside, it’s harder for a thief to tamper with a lock they can’t see.
- Deadbolt locks reinforce the garage door and can be key lockable, which causes considerable effort for thieves if they want to move it.
- T-handle locks are commonly used on metal doors and have a locking system that requires a cylinder-shaped key that is difficult to replicate.
How do I protect my garage door from burglars?
The built-in safety mechanisms in garage doors are easily tampered with, so you will want to include an additional lock of some kind. Locks on the outside are good for deterrents, but you will also want an inside lock to hold back any determined thieves who want to break in.
How can I improve my garage door security?
Your garage is only as safe as its weakest point. Here are some steps you can take to improve the security of your garage.
Step 1 – Frosted Windows
Windows are a great way of letting in natural light, but they also give outsiders a glimpse of what is inside or the absence of a car to tell them nobody is home. Adding frosted windows instead allows light to get in still while keeping anyone from outside seeing whether or not you are home.
Step 2 – Monitor with a Smart Garage Door
A smart garage door will let you monitor your garage door opening and closing activities even when you aren’t home. Receiving an alert on your phone when someone opens the door will allow you to contact law enforcement if you need to.
Step 3 – Motion-Detecting Lights
Having floodlights that turn on when they sense movement will give you a quick heads up if someone lurks outside your garage after dark. It can also be enough of a shock to deter thieves when they suddenly find themselves in the spotlight.
Step 4 – Install Cameras
Security cameras are one of the best ways to keep thieves away. It provides a clear picture of their face, clothing, and other physical traits that can identify them. Thye can also capture license plates should a thief show up in a car.
Should you lock your garage door?
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, 9% of home break-ins happen through the garage. However, a downside to a lock is that your garage door will be heavily damaged if a thief does break-in.
How can I lock my garage door without power?
If you have your garage door open when a power outage occurs, you’ll want to start by unplugging your garage door opener and pull the emergency disconnect down. You will then be able to pull the door down, and you can lock it either with a physical lock, like a padlock or with a clamp of some kind placed on top of the roller.
Can garage doors be hacked?
Thieves can hack garage doors if someone has your digital code or knows how to release the door manually. You might want to have a rolling code to prevent your code from hacking.
How do you secure a door from being kicked in?
A strike plate lock is an excellent way of keeping your door from being kicked in. A strike plate is similar to a standard door chain, but it can withstand 50 or more full force kicks, whereas an average door will break after a few kicks.
Can you lock a garage door from the inside?
Locking your garage door from the inside involves blocking the tracks the door moves on. You can do this with a slide lock attacking the wall or attaching a padlock to the vertical tracks. The garage doors’ tracks usually have holes that make it convenient to place additional locks that block the rollers.
What is the best garage door for security?
The most secure garage door is a roller garage door because it has no visible leverage points. Since there are no handles outside, it is challenging for thieves to force the door open. Getting a double-skinned roller door will have even more security against forced entry.