JCTZ Garage Doors protect and shelter your vehicle and its contents. It can also enhance your home or business’s appearance.

It can be insulated, which helps keep heat inside in the winter and cool air in in the summer. It can be fire-rated, which meets certain commercial regulations and is often required by code.

A garage door doesn’t often receive much attention when it comes to home security, but it can play a large role in protecting your family and belongings. With modern features like automatic reversal, photoelectric safety sensors, and roll-code technology, you can rest assured that your home is well-protected.

Garage doors are a common entry point for thieves who are looking to break into your home and steal valuable possessions. However, with the right garage door security features in place, you can keep unwanted intruders at bay.

1. Install a Timer:

A simple timer that is installed on your garage door can promote garage security by automatically closing the door after a certain duration of inactivity. This feature eliminates the need to rush back to your car to close the door before leaving, and it can be easily adjusted if needed.

2. Invest in Reinforced Door Materials:

Garage Doors that are made from strong, sturdy materials such as steel or solid wood offer inherent security benefits, as they are less likely to be penetrated by forced entry attempts. For additional protection, consider adding a manual deadbolt to your garage door.

3. Install a Safety Sensor:

The addition of a safety sensor to your garage door can improve the overall security of your home by preventing intruders from entering your property. The sensor monitors the movement of your garage door, and if it detects an object in the path of travel, it will immediately reverse the direction of travel to prevent damage or injury.

4. Block the Emergency Release Cord:

The emergency release cord is a vital safety feature, but it can also provide easy access for thieves. To stop this from happening, you can block the emergency release cord by using a zip tie or a lock shield that fits over your opener and blocks it from view (and reach).

5. Use a Smart Garage Door Controller:

The use of smart garage door controllers allows you to control your garage from anywhere with an internet connection, providing an extra layer of security for your home. These controllers can be customized to assign individual codes to family members and guests, ensuring that only those you trust have access to your belongings. You can also receive real-time notifications on your smartphone, giving you the power to take immediate action if necessary.

Durability

Garage doors are opened and closed several times each day, putting the mechanical parts to work. They’re also exposed to weather and road salt, which can erode the metal parts. Choosing the right material for your garage door will help protect your investment and make maintenance easier.

Steel is a durable and affordable option for your garage door that’s resistant to denting, warping, and cracking. Many manufacturers offer hundreds of color options, and you can add insulation for increased energy efficiency. For a more stylish look, you can choose from decorative overlays like moldings and cross-buck designs or opt for a carriage door style. Some models are even insulated to withstand winds of 120 mph or more.

Fiberglass garage doors are a high-end option that offers both durability and beauty. They’re available in many different colors and can be custom-made to fit your home. The glass windows can be designed to allow in natural light while maintaining privacy, and they’re a great choice for coastal areas.

An aluminum garage door is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. It’s not as strong as steel, but it can resist dents and other damage from exposure to harsh elements. If you want to customize your garage door, you can get it in a range of sizes and styles, including curved panels. It’s not a good idea to mix and match different parts to save money, since this can cause the components to wear out more quickly or become incompatible with each other. It’s also a good idea to hire a professional to inspect the door and its mechanical parts annually.

Wood garage doors are a luxurious choice that can provide curb appeal and enhance your home’s architectural style. However, they can swell and rot in extreme climates. They’re also heavy, requiring a garage door opener that can handle their weight. They require regular refinishing, and their insulating value is lower than other types of doors.

Appearance

Garage doors can play a big role in the aesthetic of your home. Choosing a door with attractive colors can help enhance your curb appeal, and coordinating your hardware features can further add to the aesthetic. The material of your garage door also has an impact on its appearance, with natural wood enhancing the look of traditional homes and metal doors lending themselves to modern designs.

Aesthetic considerations also extend to the type of windows that can be featured in your garage door. These can be clear or frosted to suit your preferences, with the latter offering more privacy and the former allowing more natural light into the garage space. Other aesthetic options include decorative hardware, such as knobs, handles, clavos, and hinges, which can either lend the appearance of a modern industrial design or provide a timelessly traditional style.

There are numerous styles of garage doors to choose from across Ohio and Michigan. Those that feature windows, for example, can be either frameless or with a window insert. Both can be complemented by other accents, including grilles or inserts. For more visual interest, you can add an arch to the top section or change its shape completely.

In addition to their aesthetics, some garage doors have specific environmental benefits. Those that are insulated prevent heat loss during winter and heat gain in summer, reducing energy bills. Some even feature a reflective coating that helps minimize sunlight penetration, further reducing energy consumption.

Garage doors can be fabricated from a range of materials to suit your needs and preferences, including wood, steel, reinforced aluminum, and faux wood composite. Those made of recycled material are another eco-friendly option, helping to reduce the demand for depleting natural resources. Moreover, the durable construction of these types of doors makes them resistant to moisture and extreme temperatures, minimizing the risk of damage and warping.

Accessibility

If someone in your household uses a wheelchair, a garage door and opener with accessibility features can be a big help. It’s important for them to have easy access into the home, so that they can work and play in the space safely and comfortably.

One of the most significant modifications you can make to your garage is installing a set of automatic safety sensors that prevent accidents and injuries. These sensors create an invisible beam that stretches across the garage door opening, and when anything interrupts it while the door is closing, they signal the door to stop or reverse course immediately. This feature is a necessity for individuals with mobility issues, as it minimizes the risk of injury and damage from sudden movements.

Other essential safety features include emergency release pull cords that operate manually and allow homeowners to open the garage doors from ground level, rather than at standing height. These cords are especially helpful when automatic systems break down or are inoperable for any reason, including malfunctioning garage door openers. Additionally, smart technology and mobile apps provide convenient access to your garage doors remotely, enabling you to control them from your smartphone or with simple voice commands.

A walk-through door or pedestrian door is a smaller door that’s built into your garage door, and it allows you to enter and exit the garage without having to open the entire door. This feature is ideal for ADA compliance, and it also improves ventilation, natural light, and privacy in the garage.

ADA-compliant garage doors are an important investment for any home, as they prioritize inclusivity and support independent living by providing accessibility. They’re a great way to accommodate aging family members, as well as guests with disabilities or impairments.

Other upgrades you can make to your garage that are ADA compliant are adding a wheelchair ramp or lift, and extending the width of your doorway and ceiling for more clearance. Lastly, you can install a brighter door that allows more light to flood the garage, making it easier for you and your loved ones to navigate the space at night or during poor visibility conditions.