5 Ways to Make Your Garage Smarter

An old or outdated garage is not only an eyesore in the neighborhood, but could also lead to weak spots that could encourage break-ins. If you’re already sprucing up your garage door, now is also an excellent time to add a couple of smart home touches to make your garage door safer and more secure.

So, what can you do to spruce up your garage door?

• Paint the door.
• Add some smart home touches.
• Add a few accent lights or a floodlight camera.
• Upgrade or add garage door-compatible faux wood or vinyl accents, i.e., molding details or door trim.
• A garage door overlay can give some depth to your smooth garage doors.
• Use landscaping or add some greenery around your garage door.

Smart home trends for your garage

Garage door security may not be a priority in your home—but it should be! An intelligent garage door open can alert you if you’ve forgotten to close the door, while motion sensors or glass break sensors can let you know if a stranger is inside your garage.

1. Smart garage door opener

A smart garage door opener links your garage and Wi-Fi together so it’s easy to remotely open and close your garage. This means you won’t have to worry about leaving the garage open. All you need to do is check the app connected to your smart garage and close it.

Here are a few other ways you can use a smart garage door opener:

• Receive alerts if you forget to close the garage door and close it remotely.
• Sync your garage door opener to your smart lights, so the lights turn on whenever you come home and use the garage.
• You should already have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in your garage. With Z-Wave technology, you can set your garage opener to work with your CO detector, so it notifies you, then opens the doors if high levels are detected.

2. Cameras

Garage cameras can come in handy to keep an eye on your car and items in storage.

• Add an indoor camera inside your garage to help apprehend a thief. If someone breaks in, you can capture them on footage and give the footage to the police.
• Add motion-sensing floodlight cameras outside your garage door to help you see your driveway at night and to capture any suspicious activity.

3.  Sensors

There are a few ways you can use smart sensors around your garage.

• Motion sensors can let you know when someone parks the car after work or school.
• If you have sensitive items in your garage, place a few sensors around those items and receive an alert if the car comes too close.
• Place glass break sensors near windows to receive an alert if someone tries breaking in through a garage window.
• Add flood sensors around your garage, especially near doors or windows, so you’ll know if a sudden flood has occurred.

Pro-Tip: Avoid adding glass break sensors to a garage with concrete floors.

4. Smart lights

Smart lights are handy to install both outside and inside your garage. Consider strategically placing lights so the sensors know when you’re pulling your car inside and outside the garage.

5. Smart locks

If you have a garage door attached to your home, you may not think about locking the door, which is when a smart lock comes in handy. With a smart lock, you can remotely lock and unlock your door from virtually anywhere.

What style garage door is best for your home?

Every different garage door style comes with its pros and cons. If you have the budget to renovate your garage door and install a new one, there are several styles to consider. If your budget doesn’t permit an entire re-haul of your garage door system, you can still make a few improvements to increase its safety or change its look.

• Sectional garage doors are one of the most common types and probably what you think of when you think of a garage door. 
• Side-to-side garage or side sectional doors use horizontal panels on a track to open and close your garage.
• A side-hinged garage door is also known as a swing garage door because they swing outwards.
• Tilt-up canopy doors move your garage door up. They can sit inside your garage or extend into the driveway like a canopy. 
• Tilt-up retractable doors are like canopy doors but slide into the garage.

Even if you update your garage door, it’s still a good idea to add additional security like additional deadbolts or locks, motion-detecting lights and cameras.

What is the most common material for garage doors?

Garage doors come in many styles and materials. Whatever your budget is, your garage door should be sturdy, lightweight and hold up for years.

Wood or wood composite

Wood has a classic look that’s easily customizable with different wood types or accents. Because wood is a natural resource, it’s more susceptible to extreme weather conditions like excessive rain or snow, and you may need to maintain it more than other door types to keep it from warping or fading.

Wood composite is made of wood and plastic. This makes it durable enough for inside or outdoor use. Wood composite can be an excellent solution for homes that want a traditional wood look without the price tag. Faux wood doors are often made from this material. 

Steel  

A steel garage door is one of the most common types of doors, popular because of its affordability and versatility. Steel doors come in various styles and can be more affordable than natural wood. Steel doesn’t provide much natural insulation, so you’ll want to insulate it. Additionally, steel doors need to be maintained and cleaned of excessive water or salt in colder climates to prevent rust. 

Aluminum 

Aluminum garage doors are often made with an aluminum frame and glass in a sleek look perfect for modern homes. These lightweight, customizable doors are less durable than steel or wood and may not be entirely waterproof. You’ll want to ensure you’ve got the proper insulation for aluminum doors, too. 

Fiberglass 

Fiberglass garage doors can be a superb choice if you’re looking for something that can mimic the wood texture without the maintenance of wood, especially if you want a carriage house or panel doors. Fiberglass is best for warmer climates. It’s important to note that you can’t fix fiberglass doors if they’re damaged. Instead, you’ll need to get an entirely new garage door.

What kind of door do you use for a garage entry?

A garage entry door is a door in an attached garage that allows you to go into your garage. Your door should be sturdy and fire-rated and with some a deadlock or locking mechanism. If a burglar breaks into your garage, a sturdy lock can help protect your home from a further break-in.

A fire-rated door withstands fire for a certain amount of time, allowing additional time to escape. Installing a fire-rated door to your home from your garage is especially important if you have a workshop or flammable materials inside your garage that might be more susceptible to ignition. 

ADT can help your home feel safer and more secure.

Never worry about leaving your garage door open again with ADT Garage Door Security. This handy device is compatible with most major brands of garage door openers.

Find out how ADT can help protect your garage and home today.