BUILDING ENVELOPE


Open the door to versatility


The world of garage doors is changing. Here Jon Watson of Garador looks at the new trend of multi-use doors and what they can bring to your build


M


ulti-use garages are an accepted part of modern life. While storing and protecting vehicles is still a key function, today garages are also used for general storage, gardening equipment, DIY tools, home gym apparatus and een as a home office. This means features such as security, technology, insulation and even natural light all need to be factored into the garage door selection process. The most important of course is to select a garage door from a recognised brand you can trust. After that, there are many other factors that need to be looked at.


SECURITY


Many homeowners assume that their garage doors are secure, but the truth is that they can be vulnerable to break- ins if proper precautions are not taken. With expensive equipment now proving an additional attraction for burglars, security has become a major factor which needs to be considered when choosing a garage door.


It makes sense to look for garage doors which have the valuable Secured by Design accreditation. This is a special UK police initiative that recognises extra security, and garage doors which carry this mark have been engineered specifically to offer an etra leel of security. In popular up and over garage doors, for instance, you may find additional back braces hae been fitted on the inside for great rigidity; improved and reinforced locking systems may have been installed and even ‘anti-snap


cylinders with a sacrificial front may have been added to help prevent entry even after an attack.


None of these additions will detract


from the functionality of the design of the door but will help to improve security and gie confidence that your aluable possessions are protected, especially when you are not at home.


TECHNOLOGY


Automated garage doors are another area that needs proper attention. With modern technology progressing quickly, some electrically operated garage doors have older hand transmitters that can be compromised by thieves copying signals. To counteract this, some manufacturers use 868 MHz high frequency radio signals with ‘rolling code’ technology that


makes the radio frequency code almost impossible to copy, as it uses a different code each time the hand transmitter is used to operate the garage door. Even better is the bi-directional radio technology now available which provides even more security by using the same 128-bit encryption that is used by many banks for their online banking security. This has been designed to prevent signal copying that even the most tech savvy burglar might employ.


It seems an obvious aspect to mention, but it can be easy to leave your garage door open for a spell when you are going in and out. Thieves can operate in a surprisingly short timeslot, and a system worth considering is smart operation. Look for a leading brand which offers its own app for remote control; this means


With modern technology progressing quickly, some electrically operated garage doors have older hand transmitters that can be compromised by thieves who are copying signals


may/jun 2023 www.sbhonline.co.uk 53


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