Garage Door Security

[Tarl]

Hi All,

I live in the city and have been without a garage for about 5 years. I am buying a rental property that has 2 garages, 1 being a large 3 bay workshop I can fit a lift in. Neither building has a regular door, just roll up garage doors (4 of them). I am trying to figure out the best way to secure the garage doors. I need some kind of padlock system. Anyone have any suggestions? I understand you can't stop anyone who wants to get in, just trying to discourage most people.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Not many sectional doors are designed to work with a padlock. Roll ups are. I have seen people use hardware store hasp screwed to the door, but think how thin the metal of the door is and how easy it is to damage door. Best non factory lock I have seen, but have no pictures of, was a steel pin that went through the header and poked out just above the door. A padlock secured the pin in the locked position, but that was on a 7' door he could reach from the ground.

 

[Regnar]

Drill a hole just above one of the wheels on the track and insert a lock of your choice. Do this for all the doors except the one you plan on opening the most and just install a garage door opener that operates a bolt lock. I have the LM8500 and it locks and unlocks with use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074L9JQQR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jlbc212]

Go to a self-storage facility with steel roll-up doors and examine the slide bolt setup used to secure the individual storage units.

 

[kngelv]

I think people have missed the fact that you don't have walk-in access doors.

James

 

[bwringer]

On the one with three doors, you can secure two of them from the inside -- a pair of locking pliers clamped onto the tracks on each side will make it impossible to raise.

Not sure what to recommend for the others because it depends on exactly what door you have and how it was installed. It also depends somewhat on what the lease allows you to do. Installing a hasp of some sort isn't difficult, but if you're not allowed to drill holes...



If the doors use electric openers, it might be worthwhile to clear the opener memory and re-learn the remotes; you don't know who else still has a remote.

On my garage, I've also considered something like using a timer or a secondary remote switch to shut off power to the opener; sort of a second layer of electronic security. But that may only be useful if you have a man door.

And if there's internet access, security cameras might be a good idea.

 

[Jrad235]

Most doors are very secure with older types of chain drive operators on them, as long as you tie up the emergency release cord. These motors can't be "back-wound" and forced open easily.

If you don't have operators on them, just drill holes in the tracks above a roller on each side of the door and padlock it, then install a motor on at least one door.

 

[MFolks]

On my two car garage,I cut some blocks of wood to fit in the tracks(2) and then held them in place so the holes in the tracks would match. Drilling 1/4" mounting holes, and then installing screws, nuts,and washers to secure the hardware in the blocks,when going to prevent the door from being raised,I put on this arrangement, some self locking nuts matching the screws in the blocks,finger tight,the door cannot be raised with this set up,as some rollers are tight against them. We used this in 2014 when going to Texas for 6 months,no one tried to enter the garage,the neighbors kept an eye on our house and I used lights with timers,giving the look of being occupied inside the rooms.

 

[bdbecker]

Any reason not to install a garage door lock kit like this?
https://www.garagedoorstuff.com/product-category/door-parts/locks/complete-lock-kits/

 

[nadogail]

The Garage Door Locks https://www.garagedoorstuff.com/product-category/door-parts/locks/complete-lock-kits/ in bdbecker's post look like pretty decent stuff.

 

[CraigStu]

The doors you won't use too often can be locked w/ one of these clamped to the track just above a roller.

6 in. Swivel Pad C-Clamp Locking Pliers

Amazing deals on this 6In C-Clamp Swivel Locking Pliers at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Do both sides of each door. That leaves the one you want to be able to enter through. For that use one of the ones bdbecker posted or whatever other style you like the best.

 

[toolmiser]

My Grandpa used to just hook a crowbar thru the track, but that won't help you on all of the doors.

 

[CJDave]

I don't have the web address but there is at least one company that makes overhead garage doors with a walk-through door built into it. Search "garage door with pedestrian door." CJDave.

 

[yeldogt]

I have simple manual locks (slide locks) ... they look like post #9 w/o the keyway and turn outside. They slide into the track ..... you can even put a hole in the end and place a padlock through it so they can't be tampered with. I never do that ... but some do.

The one door you sill need to get into should have the keyway and the off loader for the opener in case of power loss or opener failure

 

[nadogail]

I suggest you try to avoid any padlock that has an exposed shackle, they seem to be an invitation to anyone with a bolt cutter.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The original poster hasn't been here since March 2020, so they may not see the recent replies...