How to Prepare Your Classic Car or Sports Car for Long-Term Storage
Whether you’re storing a classic car or sports car, it’s important to take the right steps to ensure that you prepare your cherished automobile correctly, before placing it into long-term storage. Save yourself time and money by following the top tips below to ensure that your car is ready to drive when the time comes to take it back out – without the hassle of easily avoidable maintenance and repairs.
Preparation Procedure for Your Car
- Smart charger – this will keep your battery full and stop it from going flat. You will still have to run your engine every few weeks but this beats doing it every week instead.
- Clean and polish – before storing your car remove any dirt that will over time corrode the body of the car.
- Ventilate – open your windows marginally, this will stop moisture from accumulating inside the vehicle.
- Top up your fuel and antifreeze – this can stop a build up of condensation. You may also like to add fuel preservative to keep the fuel lines in check.
- WD-40 – reduce the chances of rust by applying a little WD-40 the underside parts of the car that aren’t painted. This being said, do not use on belts, hoses or braking surfaces.
- Inflate tyres – keeping your tyres at their correct pressure will avoid flat spots.
- Keep the handbrake off – use tyre stoppers, this will relieve the brakes.
- Cover the car – doing this will keep any dust and dirt off your car and you may even wish to stuff the tailpipe with clean rags to stop any small creatures from exploring.
- Change the oil and filters – old oil can damage an engine if it’s left for too long.
Things You Can Do In Your Garage
- Safe – keeping your car in a locked garage is a must if you want to reduce the chances of theft.
- Well insulated – having a warm garage will keep your car efficient and working to its utmost potential.
- Dry – whilst your car is in storage it’s important to keep it as dry as possible. It’s a good idea to sweep the floors and place a plastic sheet on the floor to stop any moisture rising and thus, causing rust to the underside of the car.
If you cherish your car and are looking for a long-term storage solution, come to Eastern Garage Doors for a flawless garage renovation. Ensure a safe place for your prized possessions and trust our highly trained experts to get the job done right, the first time around. Give us a call today for a free, no obligation survey.
How to Prepare Your Classic Car or Sports Car for Long-Term Storage
The team at Eastern Garage Doors have put together a guide to help you choose between the best manufacturer brands in the world to best suit your needs.
Cardale
Providing innovative designs for the British market for over five decades, Cardale were the first company to introduce the ‘panel door’, which can be found in the majority of homes today. They also pioneered impact and indent resistant doors (ABS) made to match the rest of the home, complementing homes for a flawless finish. The company was inspired by the conventional side hinged door too, which is where the Bedford up-and-over door came from. With so many reasons as to why you should invest in a high quality garage door manufactured by Cardale, you may also like to know that their timber doors are second-to-none.
Garador
This company builds each and every one of their doors with safety and durability in mind. They were initially part of Westland’s Engineers in 1948 and later became the only suppliers of up-and-over doors during the 1950’s. Garador focused their attention towards production and development, investing £14 million within the past decade to enhance their technology. Their persistence in reaching perfection has led them to receive the ‘Secured by Design’ approval for their innovation and sheer reliability of design.
Hormann
Hormann are a family run company from Germany with a large manufacturing plant in Leicestershire. They are known for their sectional garage doors which help homeowners to maximise the space in their garages and free up space on either side of the door. Their doors are ideal for both single and double garages and they offer both manual and electric variants to suit their customer’s needs. Their garage doors offer high quality security measures including anti-lift mechanisms that lock as soon as any pressure is applied to ensure security against forced entry. If the power were to fail, there is a manual backup that provides an equal amount of security and further peace of mind.
Novoferm
Established in 1955, Novoferm is now a well-known competitor within the European door industry. The company produces high-quality doors throughout Western Europe and Asia, providing products to various countries the world over. Their doors meet all required regulations and undergo rigorous testing to ensure quality, not quantity, and at affordable prices. Their doors cater to all customers from domestic to commercial, supplying stock to big brands such as Ikea and Lidl.
Woodrite
Established in early 2010, this company is lead by an experienced door expert with over three decades of experience, leading a team that settles for nothing less than impeccable products. Woodrite has become a company of their own with impressive state of the art technology including dipping tanks, tenoning machines, staining and finishing booths, amongst other products. Combined with their expert knowledge and incredible craftsmanship, you can guarantee that when you order a Woodrite door you’ve invested in a door made with the utmost care.
AlluGuard
AlluGuard have a huge wealth of experience and a first-rate reputation to go with it. They produce built to last products that are constructed from high quality materials. They also hold a Secured By Design (SBD) award which means that their doors cater to a police preferred specification. AlluGuard’s roller door is designed to prevent crime thanks to their seamless properties used to make homes safe and secure, helping lower crime rate in areas across
the country.
SWS
SWS is a British manufacturer takes pride in their ability to give personal attention to each and every order. They have been established since 1985 and since then have formed their very own in house research and development team, ensuring their products are tailored to perfection. SWS’s products are recognised by the Loss Prevention Certification Board and approved by Secured By Design which means that you’re guaranteed the utmost security and design.
SOMMER
One of the leading manufacturers of garage doors and specialists in mechanical door operation, SOMMER’s range includes swing, sliding and roller. Their flawless service allows them to work internationally, and the help from their very own test centre allows them to enhance their products through thorough research and development. SOMMER has been awarded the “Innovation through Research” award for their dedication to manufacturing high-quality doors with faultless operation.
Teckentrup
With over two decades of experience in the garage door industry, Teckentrup understand their customers and manufacture for both industrial to domestic customers, to ensure they meet all necessary requirements. This family run company has been passed down through generations, with their pride, passion and experience shining through to their innovative garage door designs and features.
Ryterna
Ryterna was brought to Kaunas Lithuania in 1993 and now, with multiple branches spanning across Europe, they produce more garage doors than ever before, with a total of 80,000 a year. All Ryterna’s doors are certified and follow a strict quality control system to ensure that the made-to-measure designs always reach a high level of perfection. All of their doors are made in-house along with all prototypes and components, so they can be fully tested and pre-assembled to make for a quick, pristine installation.
Cedar Door
Over the last 25 years, Cedar Door have been manufacturing beautiful timber garage doors for both small and large projects. Their state-of-the-art machinery enables them to produce countless products that meet all specifications to ensure a strong, sturdy, well-fitting door. Cedar Door specialise in tongue and grooved doors to add design and personality to your garage door.
Silvelox
Over the last 5 decades Silvelox has been enhancing various types of properties with first-rate garage doors, providing nothing but high security and an impressive level of craftsmanship. Their creations are ground-breaking, combining the old with the new to enhance all elements including the wood used and the use of mechanical components for a smooth operation.
Eastern Garage Doors provide only the best manufactured products from brands that we trust. We’re your professional and honest local garage door supplier working across the East of England and North London areas. We pride ourselves in our high quality products and exemplary installation services – we always ensure you reap the benefits of an attractive and secure garage door at an affordable price. Should you wish for advice or want to book and installation, please call us today – we’d love to hear from you.
Best Garage Door Manufacturers in the World
Wooden garage doors really are aesthetically pleasing, and here at Eastern Garage Doors we’re happy to advise you on the best ways to maintain them, as it is relatively simple. Like everything doors must also be maintained, and this month we’re here to share our top tips to ensure your wooden doors stay looking great for longer.
Keep Your Door Clean
Using a cloth with hot water and soap will do the trick on both the front and back of your wooden garage door. This will remove any dust or dirt that can make the wood look dull and worn, spruce it up with a quick wipe down. By cleaning your door, re-staining the wood will become a less regular task.
Lubrication
Every other month you will want to check the mechanisms on the door, to ensure that they’re adequately oiled. You will know when your doors need oiling also because they will become stiff and usually make a screeching noise when you open or close them. It’s also important not to over-oil as this can attract the dirt and can affect the performance of the mechanisms.
Re-Sand & Refinish
Re-sanding only needs to be done every 3-5 years, this is a way to get your doors looking just like the first day that they were installed. Enhance its beauty once again, specifically after harsh seasons of beaming sun to heavy snow.
Repaint or Re-Stain
Before doing this job, it requires doing all of the above first to ensure you have a smooth finish.
Repainting or re-staining your wooden garage door will keep it looking fabulous and will shield it from damage. There is nothing wrong with doing this regularly, however if you clean it on a regular basis, this process need not be a scheduled task. Repainting or re-staining can be done every year, or every 2-3 years.
- When you do repaint your wooden garage doors you will want to remove any dust, dirt or peeling paint
- Apply a wood filler to any cracks or blemishes and leave to dry
- Sand down the door
- You will then want to degrease the door with a special cleaning spray and touch up areas of mildew, with a mildew cleaning solution
- Raise the door and let it dry
- Use masking tape to cover handles, walls surrounding the door, windows etc…
- Apply wood primer to the whole of the door and allow to dry
- Apply the paint and overlap the strokes for an even finish
(You may want to apply a few light coats for the best coverage.)
Maintain Regularly
Keep the longer tasks to a minimum when you maintain your wooden garage door regularly. If you see any mildew starting to grow, give it a quick spray and a wipe. If you see that there’s dirt lingering around the mechanisms wipe this away too, and reapply the oil. Check all parts of the door to see that they’re in full working order.
Should your garage door not open or close, or tracking alignment/mechanisms aren’t quite right or you notice extensive repairs that you need help with, then consult a professional.
At Eastern Garage Doors our highly skilled and extensively experienced team are there to provide a friendly and honest service to each and every customer. Which is why we offer no obligation surveys and 10 year quality guarantee on all door surfaces.
If you’re worried about the maintenance of your garage doors or have come across heavy wear and tear – find your local EGD team and an expert will be right with you. Also if you wish to book any other services such as installation, please don’t hesitate, get in touch today!
Simple Maintenance Advice for Your Wooden Garage Door
In this month’s article with Eastern Garage Doors, we will be advising homeowners on how to appropriately secure their front door. By taking steps to ensure your home is safe, you could help reduce the crime rate in your area. We’re here to help you feel safe, and give you tips on how to provide your home with effective security measures.
Our company is based in Norfolk and in previous years the area has had somewhat high burglary rates. However, with more people securing their homes, the area has witnessed a steady decline in crime. No one should have to be a victim of crime and so it’s important to put precautions in place to help reduce burglaries or possibly eliminating them altogether. Our aim is to make top security common knowledge, to ensure other locations like ours benefit as a community and individually. Feel safe and live in a community where everyone thrives from low crime rates and make your area a desirable place to live – simply by making your homes locked and secure!
Have The Right Door
Having a hollow door could be a huge problem for your home. Burglars can easily kick down a hollow door, not to mention if a storm were to occur whilst you’re away and your door is affected, this is a welcome sign for intruders. All exterior doors on your home should be made of a solid reinforced material. Make a choice between fiberglass and solid wood/core; metal is commonly used in industries.
Exterior Doors With Windows Should Be Replaced With Windowless Doors
It may not seem obvious, but whilst windows on exterior doors can be pleasing to the eye and allow lots of light into the room, they can make easy access for break ins. Burglars simply smash the window and unlock the door from the other side. For utmost security in high crime areas you may want replace your door’s windows with something solid.
Use The Locks On Your Doors
The majority of external doors should be secured with a deadbolt lock built into the door handle. Ensure it’s of a high quality, either grade one or two will do the job.
Peep Holes
Give you the privacy you need in your own home. These viewers are great for everyone, especially the elderly. They give you upper hand to decide whether or not you want to admit visitors – not to mention it gives you time to call the police if you’re worried by anything going on outside your door.
Hinges
Do not expose them, have them on the inside of the door. The hinges should either be kept together with 3 inch screws or non-removable pins.
Cylinder Guards
Prevent your lock being wrenched off. It is not unknown for burglars to remove lock cylinders; to avoid this, you can use cylinder guards that’ll protect your lock. Most locks will already have this, but if yours doesn’t you may want to install one.
Sliding Doors
Fix keyed locks at both the top and bottom of your door, you can also have them reinforced with polycarbonate panels.
Extra Tips
- Use cameras – you never know, you may catch your burglars before they spring into action. They could be lingering around to scope out their next house. Also, CCTV can catch them in the act meaning that if you do unfortunately get burgled, then the footage might help to track them down and you might get your belongings back.
- Do not leave keys in an unlocked garage or under mats – this has to be the oldest trick in the book, we’ve all done it at one point and it’s quite possibly the first thing a burglar will check. Don’t leave keys around – when there’s little risk involved, burglars will be more likely to take the chance so ensure you prevent easy access.
- Talk to experts – get an honest, professional locksmith’s opinion and feel safe in your own home.
No one wants to be burgled or live in a high crime area, so do yourself a favour and see to it that your front door is fully secure! Reducing the crime in your town could make for a more affluent area.
Eastern Garage Doors work across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, East of England and North London areas. Our experienced team always provide exemplary installation of an extremely high quality, and ensure our customers receive a flawless service. If you’re worried about the security of your front doors and are on the lookout for replacements, get in contact with friendly member of our Eastern Garage Doors team; we will provide you with a secure, stress-free door.
8 Ways to Make Your Front Door More Secure
For this month’s article with Eastern Garage Doors, we will be covering the benefits of converting a garage with two single doors, to one with a double door. If you’ve recently purchased a new car that just won’t fit into your garage or you already spend too much time trying to park your car – it might be time you thought about making a change. You could widen your doors, extend your garage or have a conversion. Go on, it’s time to make things easier!
New Car
It happens, we buy cars and they’re either too long or too wide for our garages. Garage specialists, such as Eastern Garage Doors, can provide garage conversions and extension services, ensuring your vehicle has no problem fitting into your garage and eliminating any stress when parking.
Garage Conversions
It’s what everyone wants! Turn your garage into a bespoke gym or place of relaxation, maybe you could have that games room you’ve always wanted or a special space just for parties.
Garage Extensions
Some of us need the extra room to ensure we can fit all of our treasured belongings into one safe space, ready to hand.
Stress-Free Parking
Give yourself the confidence to get in and out of the garage without scraping the car or knocking off a wing mirror. With a wider entrance you can manoeuvre the car into a better position that’ll suit you.
Saves on Expense
Installing one door is less expensive than installing two. You will find yourself having to do less repairs on one single door, and it goes without saying it’ll require less general maintenance than two.
Wheelchair Friendly
A double door gives you the ability to park first, then bring out a wheelchair. Ideal for making life that little bit easier and creates much less fuss, providing you the freedom to take your time. No one wants to get soaked in the rain whilst trying to park in a tight space. Also useful for elderly people, offering them more room will ensure they’re comfortable when getting in and out of a vehicle.
Appealing to Buyers
A large area for storage is a huge plus, everyone needs storage and a garage with one large door, is a benefit to all.
Increased Height
Use your storage to its full potential, it’s possible to add extra height to your doors, to guarantee all necessary belongings can be stored with ease. Ideal for keeping tall pieces of furniture, mounting bikes on walls and general room for possessions.
Increased Width
Knocking out a centre pillar will increase the light in your garage and make your garage feel spacious. Often useful for summer BBQs, lending a place not only to store your BBQ but a shelter when it gets darker.
Modern Remodel
Large single doors are becoming more popular because of the sleek finish and modern style. A single door gives a luxurious, stress-free feel and can make your life as easy as the push of a button on your automatic door.
Improve your entryway to your garage with a double door, that’ll bring natural light to the room, provide you with easier, more versatile storage and a modern fit-out. It’s easier than you probably think to convert two singles into one double. Even if you have a centre pillar, this is not an issue – building work can be provided to ensure you get that maximised space you’ve been looking for. If you still want more, why not take a look at what’s involved when you have an extension or conversion? Get the best out of your garage, don’t settle – simply get the solution you deserve by contacting the experts here at Eastern Garage Doors!
Benefits of Converting Two Single Garage Doors Into A Double
Are you struggling to open your manual garage door? For many homeowners, the garage is the hub of activity in their home and is the location of vehicles, gym equipment, gaming tables and DIY tools. Therefore it can be frustrating when access is hindered by a faulty garage door that just won’t open properly. In this article, we will explore the most common causes of a garage door that won’t shut, and describe the best solutions to solve these problems.
Damage to Torsion Springs
Cause: Garage torsion springs are vital aspects of the garage opening system, as no other part of the mechanism is strong enough to lift the heavy door. When a torsion spring suffers a failure or breakage, you may notice that your garage feels much weightier to lift, or it simply won’t open at all. If you’re around to hear the spring snap, the noise resembles a loud bang.
Solution: To get your garage up and running once more, the afflicted torsion spring will have to be replaced. Don’t attempt a DIY project to fix it; this procedure involves risk to an amateur and must only be done by a trained professional.
Problems With the Racks or Rollers
Cause: Misalignment, damage or clogging of the garage door track can be a serious problem when attempting to open your garage door smoothly. Telltale signs of track issues are gaps between rollers and the rail, misshapen elements, a rubbing noise, or a stiff feel when opening. Over time, continually opening your garage door with misaligned or damaged tracks can make the problem worse.
Solution: Depending on the severity of the damage, you may be able to use a hammer or mallet to gently ease the track back into the correct shape or position. Clogs or obstructions can be removed with a cloth. If the damage is particularly severe, or you are unsure of how to rectify the problem yourself, you should leave the job to a specialist with the skills to fix the problem.
Broken Tension Spring or Cable
Cause: The job of controlling the slow and smooth lowering of your garage door is that of the tension springs or cables. If these become damaged the garage door could slam shut very quickly. And if the cables snap, the loose ends may fly out and strike somebody standing nearby.
Solution: To avoid injury to yourself and your property, try not to go near your garage door until you have called out technicians to assess the damage and solve the problem.
Obstructions
Cause: Stones and debris can become lodged in the garage door mechanism, obstructing key components. This can prevent the door from closing properly.
Solution: If you suspect an object is jamming your door, carry out a brief inspection of the garage door mechanism, looking out for stones or other objects that may have become stuck. Only remove them if you deem it to be completely safe to do so, and you may even wish to enlist the help of another person to ensure the door does not cause you injury. If you’re unsure about the safety of this operation, call out the professionals to deal with the problem.
A Faulty Emergency Release
Cause: If your emergency release is faulty, it might mean that your garage door is difficult to budge. This is a particularly annoying issue for automatic garage doors that are broken; in these cases the emergency release is relied upon to open the door manually. If this is also faulty, your garage door will be stuck in the shut position.
Solution: Call in a professional, who can diagnose the problem with your emergency release and provide a solution.
If you still can’t identify the problem with your garage door, it’s time to call the experts at Eastern Garage Doors, who can help restore your door to perfect health. We are a premier garage door installation and repair company, operating across the East of England, including Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Get in touch today to book your free no obligation survey.e
Struggling to Open Your Manual Garage Door?
Closing an automatic garage door may seem like an easy task and one that we take for granted. However, like with any machines, if we’re not careful we can cause ourselves and our property damage. It was only last summer that a Cambridgeshire woman was crushed in the roller mechanism of an automatic garage door after misusing it. Accidents such as these can be avoided with a few simple steps, and that’s why we’ve put together the following guide, describing 7 easy ways to stay safe around automatic garage doors.
Read the Manual
The best way to become familiar with your garage door and how it operates is to read the manual. Whilst it’s not Dickens, it’s an important document to read at least once. The manual should be able to tell you essential information, such as the key safety features e.g. the emergency release.
Keep Out of Reach of Children
Kids are known for being excitable, and often like to run around outside and play. However, it’s never safe for a child to go near a garage door, or be allowed to play with the remotes that operate it. If this is becoming an issue in your home, consider having a chat with your child about the dangers of playing near garage doors and always check twice before you open yours.
Inspect Your Garage Door Regularly
The best way to detect any developing problems with your door is to regularly check over it, making sure it’s as healthy and well-operational as it should be. Look for any signs of wear and tear. If your garage experiences any damage, for example, if it was backed into by a vehicle, then it should be checked over by a professional as the damage may be not be immediately apparent to an untrained eye. Never try and fix problems yourself, and always get a specialist company to carry out the repairs and maintenance. Due to the high tension springs and cables present in the mechanism, attempting the repair work yourself could result in injury.
Check Reversing Ability
An essential feature of an automatic garage door is its reversing ability, which ensures that if the door hits an obstruction, it will reverse its path and return back upwards. To test this, place a brick or similar below the garage door to make sure it performs this movement, repeating this test at least once a month.
Stay Away From Moving Doors
Don’t attempt any Indiana Jones close shaves by running under a garage door as it’s closing. Stand well clear any time a door is either opening and closing, encouraging anyone else around you to do the same, including pets and children. Don’t touch or hang onto a door as it’s moving either; this is how last year’s fatality occurred.
Deactivate Your Opener When You Go Away
For both safety and security reasons, it’s important to deactivate your garage door opener whilst away on holiday, preventing any unwanted access during your time away.
Always Shut the Door Fully
Try not to leave your garage door partially open. If it is reactivated, it will complete its closure, leaving very little time for escape if something happens to be underneath at the time. Not only this, but it’s wise to close the door completely to prevent would-be criminals from taking the opportunity to explore your garage.
Here at Eastern Garage Doors, we’ve got your safety in mind. We offer comprehensive garage door servicing, repair and maintenance services, in addition to installing a huge range of manual and automatic garage doors available in a range of styles. Our specialists cater for the entire East of England. If you have a question about your garage door, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly advisers today.
7 Ways to Stay Safe Around Automatic Garage Doors
If you find yourself wrapping up warm just to enter your garage, it might be time to investigate how to raise the temperature. Household garages are high-traffic areas, with many family members passing through to collect bikes, perform DIY projects and access their vehicles. But wintry weather can make these experiences less than enjoyable by turning your garage into a bitterly cold area that you will want to avoid at all costs. Not only that, but the harsh temperatures can potentially cause damage to equipment stored in this space. So if the Christmas season has landed you with a freezing cold garage, here are 5 tips to keep it warm.
Get Warm and Toasty With a Heater
An obvious choice for warming up a space is to install a heater. The decision you need to make is whether to opt for gas or electric, both of which have their pros and cons. Gas heaters are cheaper but require a gas supply and exhaust venting. Electric heaters are pricier but boast an easier installation.
To guarantee a safe fitting, heaters are best installed by a trained professional, who can also advise as to what model could suit your garage best. But beware; heaters are a wasted addition if your garage is not kitted out with decent insulation, as the heat energy will simply conduct through the walls and floor and disappear; which brings us onto the next few points.
Insulate the Garage Door
The simple laws of physics state that heat conducts through solid surfaces, and this includes your garage door. As a result, fitting it with insulating materials is a great way to help the heat stay in your garage. A variety of materials are available for this purpose, including foam boards and fibreglass batt insulation. Whatever you choose, ensure that it’s applied with a snug-fit; to achieve this, you may wish to hire out a professional to guarantee a good job.
Insulate the Garage Walls
Don’t just insulate your door and neglect your walls. This huge surface area is capable of conducting energy, letting it escape from your garage and making temperatures inside plummet to uncomfortable levels. Treating your walls to some insulation can work wonders in raising the temperature, especially when combined with the presence of a heater. There are a few insulation options available to homeowners; a trusted professional should be able to help you with your selection if you’re unsure.
You should also take note that insulation is only effective if it’s installed snugly and securely, which is why it’s best to get specialists on board to perform a thorough job.
Repair Or Replace the Weatherstripping
Defend yourself against draughts by repairing or replacing your garage’s weatherstripping. Weatherstrips create a seal between the garage and the garage door opening, keeping it weather-tight. Over time, these valuable components can become cracked, allowing cold air to escape through. Simply repairing or replacing weatherstrips can bring them back to top working order, helping to eliminate draughts.
Consider Caulking
Gaps and cracks are enemies of energy efficiency, which is why caulking is an important process to perform and maintain. Caulking means using a sealant and application gun to fill in any gaps and cracks around windows, garage doors, and other areas where gaps can appear. A rule to remember is to caulk any area where two dissimilar materials meet e.g. brick and wood. Before you caulk, clean the area and make sure it’s dry to prevent moisture from being sealed in.
If you want to banish the cold from your garage, the team at Eastern Garage Doors are here to help. Our specialists offer comprehensive supply, installation and maintenance of garage doors across the East of England. We also offer prompt and professional garage door servicing and repair to help keep your garage in good working order. To get your free survey or quote, simply get in touch with us today – we’re happy to answer all enquiries.
Freezing Cold Garage? Here Are 5 Tips to Keep it Warm
Don’t leave your garage defenceless. Many homeowners overlook the security of this area of their properties, leaving it vulnerable to would-be thieves. And with many garages housing valuable equipment such as lawnmowers, bikes and electricals, they can be very attractive to criminals. But just a few simple precautions can turn your garage into a safe and secure space to keep your most prized belongings. That’s why in this month’s article we will be focusing on top tips and advice for enhancing your garage security.
Use Your Common Sense
Sometimes we can overlook the simplest things that can bring about our downfall. For example, never leave your garage keys/remote in your car. Vehicles are easier to break into than most garages, and therefore leaving unlocking equipment in your car is not advisable. Another precaution that is sometimes forgotten is leaving the garage entry door into the home unlocked. If a thief does manage to enter your garage, don’t double your problems by granting them access to your home as well.
Invest in Some Basic Security Equipment
Sometimes just the presence of security equipment is enough to make thieves think twice about attempting a break-in. Motion sensor security lighting is great way to deter lawbreakers. It might even be worth installing an alarm system especially for the garage, or even a security camera if it’s within your budget.
Close The Garage Door Properly
This may seem like an obvious step, but everyone is guilty of missing things when they’re in a hurry. Unfortunately this blunder is an open invitation to burglars. To stop yourself from making this mistake, it might be worth installing some high-tech gear to help you out, such as an automatic door closer or a garage door monitor.
Keep Things Concealed
The contents of your garage will only be more attractive if they are on display. If your garage has windows, consider hanging sheer curtains or blinds to stop people from peeking in, but that still allow sunlight enter. You should also consider putting some tarpaulins over more expensive items, concealing them from prying eyes when you have your garage door raised.
Style Matters
While all garage doors can offer a good level of security if used properly, there are certain styles that provide that little bit more protection. Roller doors are well suited for automation devices which can enhance security. Sectional garage doors are also a good choice, as their strong design means they lack any decent penetration points for burglars to prise open the door.
If you’re searching for the perfect garage door for your property, look no further than Eastern Garage Doors. Providing extensive coverage across the East of England, our specialists provide, install, repair and service a huge range of garage doors in a variety of styles. For more information about any of our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
Garage Security: Top Tips & Advice
The front of your home should be approachable and inviting, sending a clear message of welcome to any visitors. Doors are the pathway into somebody’s home and while we have a fairly straightforward idea of what a front door should look like, globally there is a plethora of beauty and history to be found in these simple features. From rainbow colours to ornate decorations, expand your horizons take a look at some of the most interesting front doors from around the world.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
These bright doors are located in the visually striking Moroccan city of Chefchaouen, a place painted entirely in a variety of blue hues. It is widely believed that Jewish refugees who settled in this city in the 1930s were responsible for the striking colouring, blue being the colour of divinity in Judaism.
Toda Huts, India
These houses in Southern India are certainly memorable, and are home to the Toda people who build these huts, or dogies, from bamboo. What makes these abodes so exceptional is the size of the entrance which measures roughly 3 feet wide and 3 feet in length. Whilst this is perfect for children, adults are forced to crouch or crawl to get inside.
Sweden
This may appear to be an average looking door, but it has a secret; it opens outwards. Unlike most of the world, the majority of Swedish doors swing outwards to sweep snow away from the doorway and prevent it from falling into the house.
Madeira, Portugal
In the Portuguese city of Madeira, local artists have reached for their paintbrushes and transformed the front doors of abandoned abodes into colourful designs, creating an open-air art gallery for tourists to enjoy. The impressive “Art of the Open Doors” project can be viewed in the Funchal neighbourhood.
Burano, Italy
This explosively colourful island lies in the Venetian lagoon, and its patchwork of rainbow houses has made this little town famous around the world. So keen are the residents to maintain their unique look, that if you wish to paint your home, you must first ask for permission from the government who will send you a list of approved colours.
Here at Eastern Garage Doors, we understand the need for your home to make a great first impression. We provide our professional garage supply and installation services across the entire East of England, offering a huge variety of materials and styles to suit any home. For more information or advice, then please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team who are always happy to help.