Your garage door is one of the largest entry points to your home - and often one of the least secure. Many homeowners focus on front door security while neglecting the garage, which connects directly to living spaces in most modern homes. Here's how to close this security gap.
Why Garage Security Matters
Consider what's typically in a garage:
- Vehicles (often with house keys or garage remotes inside)
- Tools that could be used to break in further
- Direct access to the home interior
- Expensive equipment: bikes, lawn equipment, power tools
A burglar who accesses your garage often has all the time and tools they need to breach the interior door - if that door is even locked.
Common Vulnerability
Most garage-to-house doors have weak locks or are left unlocked entirely. This interior door should be as secure as your front door.
The 6-Second Garage Break-In
Many standard garage doors can be opened in seconds using the emergency release cord. Burglars slide a bent coat hanger through the weather seal at the top of the door, hook the emergency release lever, and pull. The door opens.
Search "6 second garage break-in" online and you'll see how easy it is. The good news: this vulnerability is simple to fix.
How to Prevent Emergency Release Exploitation
- Disable the release when away: Zip-tie the release mechanism to prevent it from being pulled
- Install a garage shield: Devices like the "Garage Shield" block access to the release cord
- Remove the cord: Some homeowners remove the pull cord entirely and access the release manually when needed
Upgrade Your Garage Door Opener
Modern Security Features
If your garage door opener is more than 10-15 years old, it likely uses fixed codes that can be captured and replayed. Modern openers include:
- Rolling code technology: Each press generates a new code, making capture useless
- Timer-to-close: Automatically closes the door after a set time
- Smart connectivity: Monitor and control your garage from anywhere
- Motion detection lights: Built-in deterrent for nighttime intrusions
Best Practice
A smart garage door opener (like Chamberlain MyQ) lets you check if your garage is open from anywhere and close it remotely if you forgot. Never wonder "did I close the garage?" again.
Recommended Garage Door Opener Brands
- LiftMaster: Professional-grade with excellent smart features
- Chamberlain: Great value with MyQ smart technology
- Genie: Reliable with Aladdin Connect smart features
Reinforce the Garage-to-House Door
This door is your last line of defense if the garage is breached. Treat it like an exterior door:
- Install a solid-core or metal door - Hollow-core interior doors are easily kicked in
- Use a quality deadbolt - Not just a passage lock with a push-button lock
- Install a reinforced strike plate - 3-inch screws into the door frame studs
- Consider a door reinforcement kit - Products like Door Armor protect the entire frame
- Add a door sensor - Smart home integration alerts you when this door opens
Critical Security Measure
Always lock the door between your garage and house, even when you're home. Make it a habit like locking your front door.
Protect Your Garage Remote
Never Leave It Visible
A garage remote clipped to your sun visor is an invitation. If your car is broken into, the thief now has access to your garage - plus your address from your registration.
- Use a keychain remote instead of a visor-mounted one
- Store the remote in the glove box or center console
- Consider a smartphone-controlled opener instead of a physical remote
When Traveling
If you park at the airport or leave your car with valet:
- Disable the garage door opener at the main unit
- Use the lock button on the wall control to prevent remote operation
- Take the remote with you
Add Garage-Specific Security Measures
Garage Door Locks
For extra security, especially when traveling:
- Side locking mechanisms: Manual locks that secure the door to the track
- T-handle locks: Keyed locks that prevent the door from being lifted
- Padlock hasps: For horizontal track doors
Security Cameras
A visible camera acts as a deterrent and provides evidence if needed. Consider:
- Exterior camera covering the driveway and garage door
- Interior garage camera to see activity inside
- Motion-activated recording to capture events
Motion-Activated Lighting
Burglars prefer darkness. Flood lights that activate on motion deter most opportunistic criminals and alert you to activity.
Window Security
If your garage door has windows:
- Use frosted film so burglars can't case the interior
- Never leave valuable items visible through windows
- Consider removing or covering windows entirely
Need Help Securing Your Garage?
Our technicians can assess your garage security and recommend the most effective upgrades for your situation.
Garage Security Checklist
- Secure the emergency release mechanism
- Upgrade to a rolling-code opener if using an older model
- Install a deadbolt on the garage-to-house door
- Use a solid-core or metal interior door
- Reinforce the strike plate with 3-inch screws
- Never leave the garage remote visible in your car
- Install motion-activated exterior lighting
- Add a camera covering the garage entrance
- Frost or cover garage door windows
- Lock the garage when home and when away
Final Thoughts
Garage security is often overlooked, but it's one of the easiest ways burglars access homes. The good news is that most garage vulnerabilities are inexpensive to fix. A few hours of work and less than $200 in materials can dramatically improve your garage security.
Start with the basics: secure the emergency release, lock the interior door, and don't leave remotes visible. Then add layers like upgraded openers, cameras, and lighting as your budget allows.
