When it comes to garage door locks, like with any other area of your home, you want to make sure you’re being as secure as possible. Your garage is no exception when it comes to needing security.
Therefore, investing in a great garage door lock will pay you dividends in the long run, especially if your garage is your pride and joy and you have many expensive items that would catch a burglar’s eye. This list combines simple, cheaper locks with more sophisticated, secure locks to help you sleep just that extra bit easier at night.
Why is Having a Good Garage Door Lock So Important?
I’m glad you asked. I took no pleasure whatsoever in doing my research for this, but it is important that I pass it onto you. As the saying goes, prepare for the worst, and the worst won’t happen. Here are some distressing facts:
• Burglars avoid homes with security systems
• Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window
• The average property dollar loss per burglary is over $2,250
• Only 13.6% of home burglaries result in arrests.
• Garages are the most broken into areas in the house
To avoid your garage being broken into, it is so important to have a locking system in place. Don’t worry though, as I’ve got you sorted with the most secure garage door locks I could find. This list will include budget-friendly locks, and automatic locks which you may find more suitable for your garage.
The Top Garage Door Locks:
1. Master Lock Laminated Stainless Stell Padlock. The first lock on this list is plain, simple, and secure. Being available in a single, 2, or 4 pack is a big plus as you may want these secure locks to lock your garden gate, shed, back door etc. These locks offer the maximum weather resistance available, good for anywhere you may live, cold, wet, or hot. The laminated stainless-steel shackle offers maximum strength and cut resistance; nobody is getting through these. The shackle itself is 3/8 inches (10mm) thick, and 2.5 inches (64mm) in length, meaning you’d need some industrial sized tools to cut through this. A strong choice to protect your garage.
2. Master Lock Heavy Duty Padlock High Security. This lock is like the upgraded version of the one above. This zinc steel lock with a stylish brass finish has a wider shackle than the one above, while also offering dual armour protection. This protection is so strong because of its laminated steel core surrounded by layers of weather-proof resistance. It also features a four-pin cylinder meaning picking this lock will be near impossible, and the tough-cut octagonal boron-carbide shackle is 50 prevent harder than hardened steel. While this lock is smaller than the one above, it is thicker and made from stronger stuff, better for increased security, perfect for your garage.
3. 2 Pack Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Spring Loaded Latch Faster Locking Bolt Lock. These stainless-steel locks are exactly what the name tells you. With this, you’re getting 2 very heavy-duty spring-loaded barrel latches which are perfect if you want this type of lock to secure your garage. The dimensions of these locks offer a 6.5-inch-long spring bolt, a 0.5-inch diameter round bolt, with a 0.88-inch stroke. The bolt rotates 180 degrees and locks in an open position. Therefore, if you’re looking for a basic, but well-performing spring-bolt garage door lock, this is a very strong choice.
4. Liftmaster 841LM Automatic Garage Door Lock. The first automatic door on this list is a very robust, Wi-Fi connectable garage door lock with a lithium battery inside. This handy lock will work automatically with your garage door opener, so it locks and unlocks whenever you need it to. This lock offers great security and weather resistance, it is recommended however, that one is placed either side of your garage door for maximum protection. It is also worth noting that this model is only compatible with the following garage door opener model numbers: 8550WL, 8587WL, 8360WL, and 8500W. If you don’t have any of those models, the following automatic garage door lock may instead be ideal.
5. Liftmaster Power Door Lock Garage Door Opener. This automatic garage door lock has been receiving booming reviews from proud garage owners far and wide. With a simple installation process, therefore you’re going to save yourself money by doing it yourself. This strong lock is similar to the automatic garage door lock listed above, this one however, is compatible with Liftmaster 3800 and models, so if that’s what you have, this is perfect for you. It is also very lightweight weighing just 2.81 pounds, very light for a metal lock. As far as garage-friendly door locks go, you won’t find one much better on the market than this.
6. Olide SW100 Electric Residential Swing Automatic Door Opener/Operator. I’ve saved this one until last on purpose, as this is only for people wanting the highest security. At this point, you’ve secured your garage door, but now you’ll want to secure the door leading into your garage from the house, or a side door. To do this with the highest security possible, you’ll want to invest in this long-lasting, feature-heavy, automatic garage door operator lock system. I don’t want to bore you with the detailed features, I will just assure you it is of the upmost security, durability, with easy installation, and uses an electric strike to lock the door. This is the best one you’ll find on the market for this specific lock.
How to Install Garage Door Slide Locks
These locks, also called latches, are levered locks which latch through your vertical track and mount on the end stile of your garage door. These may be a better option for manual garages if you don’t fancy using a padlock.
This brief step-by-step guide will tell you how to install slide locks onto your manual garage door.
Step 1: Put Your Garage Door into Place
Start by closing your garage door and keeping it shut, you’ll want to make sure it stays shut for the duration of the installation. Also, it’s worth noting that these types of locks should only be installed with garages without garage door openers installed. Operating a garage door opener with the slide lock engaged can damage your garage door opener, track and panels.
Step 2: Create a Hole for your Lock in the Vertical Track
Next, you’ll want to create a hole in the vertical track that your slide lock can go into. You’ll want to align the slide lock with the desired height, punch a hole in the vertical track that is big enough for the lock, then install two, self-drilling hex screws both above the lock, and below the lock.
Hopefully, your vertical track will come with pilot holes as a guide if it didn’t already come with a slide lock, as some garage doors do, if so, feel free to use those pilot holes as a guide.
Step 3: Test the Lock and Install Another one if Needed
Due to the inexpensive and easy to install nature of slide locks, it is worth installing them on both sides of your garage door. Most slide locks are interchangeable, as in, they can work on the right or left side while being the same exact lock (just flip it upside down).
Therefore, rinse and repeat for the other side, test the locks out and if you’re happy, brilliant! I’d feel free to always add a padlock if you can though, slide locks are cheap for a reason, and if you’re going away for an extended period of time, it may be worth investing in that extra bit of security.
If you’re looking for a bit more guidance on installing garage door locks, read my article on garage door installation.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, first of all, thank you. Secondly, you should by now see how important it is to properly secure your garage doors. Luckily, this guide covered each type of garage door lock, from padlocks, to barrel latches, I’ve got you covered.
Feel free to install more than one type to your garage door, you can never be too sure nowadays. Just make sure you install the right garage door lock for you, if you have an automatic garage door, use a lock that will fit that. Make sure not to neglect your other door leading to the garage as well, the final lock I recommended is perfect for full protection of your garage when used in conjunction with another garage door lock.
Congratulations, you now don’t need to worry about your precious garage being broken into, you really can’t out a price on piece of mind, therefore, it is definitely worth investing in securing your garage for good.
