There are a large number of homes which have a garage, either attached to the home or as a separate building. Whatever one you have, security is crucial to keep both it and your home safe and a deterrent to intruders. Garages are often ignored when it comes to security, but it is often the weak spot which helps an intruder gain access to the home. Garage doors should be well fitted by a professional, secure and kept closed when not in use.

One of the first options for keeping your garage secure is to use a security system. If you have a security alarm on the house, you could wire the garage up to your existing system. A wireless security system may be an option for a detached garage. There are some things that you can do to keep your garage secure at all times:

• If your garage door isn’t secure and needs replacing, it is a security risk. Consider new garage doors which are professionally installed. Although the cost may be a factor, especially when it comes to electric garage door prices, it’s pretty reasonable to purchase a good quality door at a reasonable price

• If you require windows in your garage, have them frosted so that intruders are unable to look inside. This is an effective deterrent, as they will not be able to see the type of car you drive or any other valuable items you keep there

• If you have remote control garage doors, don’t leave the opener in the car especially if it is parked on the road or driveway

• A peephole in the connecting door between garage and house is a safer way to be able to check the garage if you suspect anyone is in there

• Keep the connecting door to the garage locked at all times, even during the day when someone is home

• Don’t leave the garage doors open, even for a short time unless you are in the garage. It is possible to drive down a road and spot several garage doors left open at any time of day. Automatic garage doors will make it easier for you to keep the doors closed, especially in bad weather when you don’t want to get out of the car to close it. It may be possible to have a timer installed so that your garage doors will close automatically after a specified amount of time

• If you go on holiday, secure the garage thoroughly preferably using an alarm system. A professional garage door installer will be able to provide advice for the best way to secure your garage doors

Unless you take precautions to keep your garage doors secure at all times, you are leaving your home and garage vulnerable to intruders. Investing in a new door if necessary, will increase safety and may even help to reduce insurance premiums for your home and motor insurance. Take some time to examine your garage doors and decide whether they are secure.

The demand for insulated garage doors has increased over recent years, with the benefits of strength and warmth being valued by those that use their garage as a place to work, exercise or indulge in hobbies. If you have an old garage door you may find that it lets in cold air, dust, rain and leaves into the garage, making it cold and dirty. From a security aspect, your old garage door is possibly a poor deterrent to potential thieves. The latest insulated garage doors offer strength which increases security for your home. The doors will also provide a warm garage which keeps out the rain and dust from outside. This may be necessary if you have a room in your home situated over your garage. There are various types of insulated garage doors to choose from.

Insulated roller doors consist of double skinned slats fastened together horizontally, but with a slight gap between the slats. This type of garage door provides extra security and insulation against the weather, although there are some features to look out for when ordering. It is possible to have thinner slats in some roller doors than others, and some roller doors may not have sufficient overlap. To ensure that you are purchasing a garage door which will provide the level of insulation you are looking for, purchase from a reputable supplier.

If you are looking for insulated garage doors for a typical domestic garage, insulated sectional garage doors offer a high level of insulation and security. The steel panels on this type of door are usually available with insulation which is either 20mm or 42mm thick. High levels of insulation will be achieved if the garage door is fitted behind the frame. Consideration should also be given to the floor so that you get the best seal possible.

Side hinged garage doors, which are constructed from timber, will provide excellent insulation properties, as timber is a natural insulator. Fibreglass doors also provide high levels of insulation and many are available with options for double glazed windows, various colours, designs and sizes. The installation is crucial to ensure that whichever type of garage door you purchase, it will perform to the expected standards.

Although up and over garage doors can be insulated, by their very nature they won’t offer the best levels of insulation as they have a gap around the perimeter of the door. A professional garage door supplier will be able to offer advice on the use of weather seals and other ways to insulate your up and over garage doors. An insulated garage door has many benefits as long as it is professionally fitted and is the correct type of door for your situation. A garage with a room above it or adjoining the main house will need high levels of insulation to keep the rest of the home warm and a void draughts. If your garage is used as a gym, home office or other room you may have to consider a garage door with good insulation properties.

Obtaining accurate quotations for garage doors can be much more difficult than expected, especially if you don’t know which measurements to provide and ask for a quotation for a standard garage door. You may think that your garage door is a standard size but unless you take measurements, you can’t be totally sure and just a couple of inches larger or smaller can make a real difference in the price.

Prior to taking measurements, consider whether the sub frame needs replacing or just the garage door itself. Often, if your garage door needs replacing, the sub frame will also need to be purchased. The door handles, locks, bolts and hinges will probably need replacing, which will all add to the cost of the garage doors. The cost of garage door fitting should also be included as this could be a substantial portion of the total cost.

When comparing the prices of garage doors and obtaining quotations from companies, consider other factors before making a final decision. There are regulations to be complied with regarding safety of garage doors. Ensure the company are compliant with the regulations, making sure that you and your family will remain safe while operating the garage door. Although you may receive a low quotation, don’t just assume that you are purchasing the exact same garage door with the correct fittings and a professional installation. It is often possible to obtain a cheap garage door from a professional company but you must check before purchasing. The quality of the door and the installation will make the difference between a garage door which outlasts the guarantee and having to buy a new garage door within a few years.

Choose a company which is reputable and is well established, getting a personal recommendation if at all possible. Purchasing a cheap garage door from a company which is likely to go out of business within a short time will make any guarantee worthless. The company which supplies and installs the garage doors is responsible for any problems, which will be difficult if the business is no longer operating. However, established garage door companies do regularly offer competitive prices and also offer a comprehensive service.

Talk to your chosen company about garage doors and ask questions, especially if you’re not sure about the type of garage door, the material used or how to measure. When making a significant investment in your home like a garage door, you want to be sure that it will serve you well for many years. The type of garage door and materials used will make a difference to the price and should be considered. You may want to make your garage opening wider if you have a large vehicle and measurements should take this into consideration.

A reputable company which offers garage door supply and fit service will be happy to answer questions which you may have and will be able to provide an accurate and competitive quotation for your garage doors.

A garage door from a reputable company will have a guarantee, but if any problems occur you should deal with them as soon as possible to avoid further issues and maintain safety. If faults occur with your garage doors, it may be that you are ready to purchase new garage doors to replace the old ones. There are some common faults which can occur and should be investigated:

If your garage door starts to open and close more slowly than usual, there could be a problem with the door springs. If the garage doors are older you may need to replace the springs, or even consider replacing the door. Occasionally the garage door may have trouble closing properly, possibly closing and then springing open again. Check for any obstructions to the door, especially if they are automatic garage doors. If there are no obstructions, it may be that a cable is broken or damaged and needs to be replaced.

A garage door that squeaks indicates a problem, but is also very annoying. The rollers or bearings may need to be lubricated, which you may be confident enough to do yourself. However, if you are not sure how to locate the bearings or rollers, it may be advisable to seek professional help. A scraping sound is another indicator that something needs replacing. In this case it could be a cable which has worn and needs to be replaced. A qualified garage door repair service will be able to deal with this. Although it is possible to have garage doors repaired, you may want to consider whether the time has come to replace your doors. Consider the age of the doors and whether any other parts of the garage doors have worn. This may be the right time to replace your garage doors, especially if you are experiencing problems with them on a regular basis, as safety and security could be compromised.

Garage doors are heavy and if a cable or spring is broken, accidents may occur – this could cause serious injury. A door which doesn’t operate correctly may also cause damage to your car by falling on it. Check garage doors regularly to look for faults and make sure that the door is operating as it should. Place an object in the path of the door closing to make sure it stops before hitting the object. Regular maintenance is essential to guarantee the correct and safe operation of a garage door. If there are regular problems, it may be better to replace the door. Although it may seem like a large investment it is possible to obtain reasonably priced doors. Steel garage door prices are one of the most reasonable and provide security and stability for your home.

Garage doors are a necessity, creating extra security for your property and keeping your vehicle secure while not in use. However, accidents do occur which is why it is crucial to carry out regular checks on them.

If you are considering the replacement of your garage doors, you will be faced with a vast array of choices and prices. The cost will be dependent on the style of garage door, the mechanism and material used. Even the colour can have a bearing so it is important to make sure that everything you require is included in the final amount. To ensure you receive a comprehensive quote and avoid any surprises, bear the following things in mind:

Plan ahead

Before obtaining quotes for garage door prices, take necessary measurements so that you will be given a price for the door that you require. Consider whether your existing garage door is wide enough for your vehicle as you may need something a little larger. Purchase the garage door that you actually need so that you don’t have to consider replacing in a couple of years. Take the measurements of the brickwork opening so that you can obtain a price for the replacement of the fixing sub frame if needed. The sub frame usually needs to be replaced and the size and colour can affect the overall price of your garage door. It is essential to obtain a quote using the actual size of your garage door as standards do vary and this can also affect the price.

Installation

Consider whether you want your garage door fitting for you or whether you are able to fit the door yourself. Garage doors with a supply and install service will obviously cost more than the door alone. However, professional installation will ensure that you don’t experience problems with your door at a later date. The type of garage door you select could have an effect on the price as some types of door, like sectional or roller doors, can be made to any size specification, whereas side hinged or up-and-over doors are much cheaper if standard sizes are required.

Account for all costs

When you are looking at various prices of garage doors, a number of the prices advertised will state that they are ‘from’ a certain amount. Bear in mind that this is the lowest price that the garage door could be and all extras will increase the final sum payable. Consider whether you want a different handle on your door or additional locks for security as these will cost more. If you have a remote garage door, you may want extra remote controls to account for spares or for different people in the household. A reputable garage door supplier will offer the best price available. However, to provide the correct price, all details are required. Any extras will add to the basic cost and even the colours may be available at different prices. Consider the style, type, material and colour you would like prior to requesting a quote. The actual measurements are also crucial to ensure you are quoted for doors of the correct size. A professional garage door supplier will be able to offer advice and a quotation based on all of these relevant details.