If you’re lucky enough to own expensive luxury or classic cars, you’ll want to keep them safe and secure in your garage. As per experts at Steel-Line Australia, the right garage doors can help prevent break-ins, protect against weather damage, and even reduce insurance costs on those prized vehicles. Here’s what to look for when selecting top-quality or best garage doors for your high-end car collection.
Material Matters
Steel is the most secure option for garage doors guarding valuable vehicles. Choose thick 24 or 25-gauge steel doors for maximal strength against forced entry. To further foil burglars, pick doors with hinges on the inside and ventilation only at the top. The steel itself should have a baked-on finish to prevent rusting. For style, go with long-lasting steel doors featuring wood grain, beaded or ribbed looks.
Insulation Preserves
An insulated garage door helps regulate interior temperatures to safeguard both cars and contents. Polyurethane insulation between steel or wood layers maintains warmth in winter and cooling during summer heatwaves. This protects vehicles from extreme hot and cold, condensation, and ice that could damage exteriors and interiors. Plus, insulated doors better seal out dust and pollutants that could degrade cars over the long run. With buffered temperatures and cleanliness, your high-end cars will stay in like-new condition for longer inside an insulated garage.
Windows & Openers Enhance Security
While windows can let in natural light, large exposed windows make it easier for prowlers to peer inside your garage. Minimize windows or opt for small windows made with tempered, double-pane glass to ensure safety while allowing some light inside. Furthermore, manually opening garage doors can be forced open by intruders. Electric openers with secure rolling codes that change automatically with each use are recommended for ultimate safety and convenience. Keypads and fingerprint scans offer even more protection by restricting access. Consider WiFi-enabled openers so you can control and monitor your garage doors from afar.
Durability & Warranties Matter
Spending more upfront on durable, high-quality garage doors is wise considering what’s at stake. Top-of-the-line doors feature sturdy 24-gauge steel construction, abundant insulation, vibration-dampening design, commercial-grade hardware, corrosion-resistant finishes and all necessary safety sensors. Reputable manufacturers stand behind their premium doors with generous 10-year or even lifetime warranties on major components. For treasured vehicles, it’s worth investing in heavy-duty garage doors built to last decades without sagging, rusting or failing.
Weatherstripping & Seals Prevent Elements
Don’t let rain, wind and debris find their way into your garage and damage your valuable vehicles. Ensure weatherstripping runs along the tops, sides and bottoms of garage doors to seal out drafts and moisture. Quality weatherstripping should be made of durable vinyl, rubber or brush material that provides a tight seal and retains flexibility in extreme temperatures. For another barrier against the elements, pick doors with a tongue-and-groove design and industrial bottom seals to prevent water infiltration, particulates and pests from entering the garage interior.
Professional Installation Optimizes Security
Rather than a DIY garage door installation, hire professional installers to ensure optimal security. Trained technicians properly tune and balance doors for smooth quiet operation, while precisely adjusting sensors and openers to manufacturer specifications. They can handle tricky garage opening modifications and reinforce entry points that could otherwise become security vulnerabilities. Certified installers may also provide better warranties covering both labor and parts. For expensive specialty doors that protect premium assets like luxury cars, a professional installation is well worth the investment.
Conclusion
With meticulous selection of material, insulation, access, durability and warranty coverage, you can secure garage doors suited to protect your prized automotive investments for many years running. Being judicious about garage doors means fewer worries regarding the safety of your beloved luxury and classic cars.
