How to secure your garage door against break-ins

April 2, 2025

Garage doors are one of the most vulnerable entry points for burglars. In Toronto and the surrounding GTA, break-ins through garages are a common occurrence, often leading to stolen vehicles, tools, and even home invasions. Fortunately, with the right security measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of a garage break-in.

This guide covers how to secure your garage door against break-ins with proven strategies to secure your garage door, from reinforcing physical components to installing advanced security systems. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, these tips will help protect your property.

Why Garage Doors Are a Target for Burglars

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why garages are attractive to criminals:

Weak Entry Points: Many garage doors, especially older ones, have flimsy locks or weak materials.
Remote Vulnerabilities: Thieves can intercept or clone garage door remote signals.
Hidden Access: Garages are often out of sight from neighbors, making them ideal for forced entry.
Valuable Contents: Garages store cars, tools, bikes, and other high-value items.

According to Toronto Police Service, garage break-ins spike during warmer months when people leave doors open or unlocked. Let’s explore how to how to secure your garage door against break-ins in Toronto and the GTA

1. Reinforce Your Garage Door’s Physical Security

A. Upgrade to a Stronger Garage Door Material

Not all garage doors are created equal. The most secure options are:

Steel Doors: Heavy-duty steel resists prying and kicking.
Fiberglass or Aluminum with Steel Core: Lightweight but durable.
Solid Wood Doors: Hard to break but requires maintenance.

Avoid thin, hollow-core doors, as they can be easily kicked in.

B. Install a Garage Door Defender or Bar Lock

A garage door defender (a metal bar that slides into a floor bracket) prevents the door from being forced open. Alternatively, a deadbolt lock can be installed for extra security.

C. Reinforce Garage Door Tracks and Rollers

Use anti-lift brackets to prevent thieves from prying the door open.
Replace weak nylon rollers with steel rollers for added durability.

D. Secure Garage Door Windows

If your garage door has windows:

Apply frosted film to prevent thieves from seeing inside.
Install metal bars or polycarbonate shields over windows to block entry.

2. Strengthen Garage Door Opener Security

A. Disable the Emergency Release Cord (If Possible)

Many garage doors have a manual release cord that burglars can hook and pull to open the door. To prevent this:

Install a shield (get your garage door shield from us) to block access.
Zip-tie the release mechanism (though this is a temporary fix).

B. Upgrade to a Rolling Code Garage Door Opener

Older garage door openers use fixed codes, which hackers can intercept. Rolling code technology changes the access code each time, making it much harder to clone.

C. Keep Your Remote Secure

Never leave remotes in your car (thieves can break in and use them).
Use a keychain remote or a smartphone-controlled opener (like MyQ).

3. Install Additional Security Measures

A. Motion-Activated Lights

Burglars avoid well-lit areas. Install LED motion-sensor lights near the garage entrance.

B. Security Cameras

Wired or wireless cameras (like Ring, Nest, or Arlo) deter thieves.
Place cameras to cover both the garage door and driveway.

C. Alarm Systems

Door/window sensors trigger an alarm if the garage is breached.
Smart alarms (like SimpliSafe) send alerts to your phone.

D. Smart Garage Door Controllers

Devices like Chamberlain MyQ allow you to:

Monitor garage door status from your phone.
Receive alerts if the door is left open.
Schedule automatic closing.

4. Behavioral Security Practices

A. Always Lock the Garage Door (Even When Home)

Manually lock the door if you’ll be away for long periods.
Disable the automatic opener when on vacation.

B. Keep the Garage Door Remote Secure

Use a keypad entry system instead of a remote.
Never leave a spare remote outside.

5. What to Do If Your Garage Is Broken Into

If a break-in occurs:

Call Police in your area
Document stolen items (serial numbers help with recovery).
Check home insurance for coverage.
Upgrade security to prevent future incidents.

Final Thoughts: A Multi-Layered Approach Works Best

Securing your garage door requires both physical upgrades and smart habits. By reinforcing the door, upgrading the opener, installing cameras, and practicing vigilance, you can drastically reduce break-in risks.

For Toronto homeowners and businesses, investing in a good garage door system is a must—especially with rising property crimes. Start with the most critical upgrades (like smart garage door opener and locks), then add more layers over time.

Need Professional Help?

Consider hiring a local garage door company in Toronto to assess vulnerabilities and recommend the best solutions.

Contact us today and learn more about our services