Need very secure garage doors

[Dog Star]

Hi all

Probably one for LordFlathead again

I have a detached garage which has two, standard (7'x7') door apertures. Garage is brick built. It currently has two "up and over" canopy doors. These are the only access.

Everyone is telling me that these are a bit flimsy, so I figure I need roller shutters.

Looking around I reckon I want 22swg galvanised steel (not aluminium, I need strength) and I don't want electric - I'll need to be getting out of the car or whatever to undo the padlocks (I am thinking two padlocks per door).

Does all this sound reasonable?

And my next question: can anyone recommend a supplier of such things *at reasonable cost*; the latter is very important as the costs of securing my home and garage are spiralling out of control.

Christ - I fking hate thieves

[chockymonster]

Why not electric?
I'm looking to replace my up and over with a seceuroglide roller door, they do electric and manual.
They do a high security option as well as the standard one.

[Dog Star]

Are electric ones secure?

[mondeoman]

If you go with a roller shutter door that is installed correctly, they cant be lifted up as the slats drop right down onto each other, effectively forming a solid barrier: when the bottom slat hits the ground the motor keeps turning and they should load up to at least 1/3rd of the door height.

[Dog Star]

mondeoman said:

If you go with a roller shutter door that is installed correctly, they cant be lifted up as the slats drop right down onto each other, effectively forming a solid barrier: when the bottom slat hits the ground the motor keeps turning and they should load up to at least 1/3rd of the door height.

I'll need to check this further with the manufacturer concerned.

[mondeoman]

I installed one a couple of months ago for a client and thats what I was told by the manufacturer. Instead of having the limit switch trip when the shutter bottoms out, let it do another half turn or so.

You can't lift the buggers unless you use a forklift.

[jesta1865]

Dog Star said:

Are electric ones secure?

i'm no expert, but a mate has a up and over door, double width and we fitted an electric motor opener.

before hand if you hit the door hard enough in the right place the lock would pop open and the door could be raised.

with the electric opener, you can't get the door to move even with a spade, we tried!

my dads roller one seems very tough, he's not made a dent even backing the alfa into it

[Nimby]

Seceuroglide Excel maybe?

" ...tested and approved to police and insurance standards."

[DoubleSix]

Silly question maybe, but can any of these roller doors operate without mains power?

[Craikeybaby]

First of all, where is LordFlathead's post it sounds like it is worth a read.

I've been looking at garage doors and the most secure ones seem to the the Hormann EPU/LPU sectional doors - with the motors they are rated as "secure by design" - i.e. the motor adds an extra layer of locking although without the motors they are still more secure than the up and over type.

[scottri]

DoubleSix said:

Silly question maybe, but can any of these roller doors operate without mains power?

You can get fully manual roller doors. My mains powered door has a manual override to open it in case of a power failure. Its basically a metal rod which sticks through a hole in the garage wall (protected by a locked cover although it wouldn't be hard to remove) which connects to the door mech inside and then you just wind it open.

[CoolHands]

you can buy secondhand ones on ebay to reduce cost. Obviously sizes vary but might work out for you.

[andy43]

No idea as to the cost of roller shutters but it might be worth considering getting a quote for a custom-made door from a steel fabricators. Think fire escape/wrought iron places.
I had one made years ago - 1" box frame for the door, sheet steel welded to it, 1" angle door frame, full height side hinge and two five lever locks protected by more angle iron.
Trouble is, make it too secure-looking and there's a chance they'll go in through the roof instead

[Dog Star]

Now that is a very very good idea! I have very good steel fabricator friends.

Agreed they could come through the roof - however an alarm would be going mental and they won't be getting a motorbike out through it either. Very heavy roof tiles too.

Only significant risk would be breaking a wall down. Again that's got an alarm risk.

I really think you have something there. Cheers.

[Fastdruid]

andy43 said:

No idea as to the cost of roller shutters but it might be worth considering getting a quote for a custom-made door from a steel fabricators. Think fire escape/wrought iron places.
I had one made years ago - 1" box frame for the door, sheet steel welded to it, 1" angle door frame, full height side hinge and two five lever locks protected by more angle iron.
Trouble is, make it too secure-looking and there's a chance they'll go in through the roof instead

I've considered this in the past. I personally would panel the front in wood so it looked like a normal door. Complete with a centre handle.
Expected cost wasn't too bad although I'd make it myself.

I think the main issue comes when attaching it to the supporting brickwork. I've seen all too many tales of break ins where they've ripped the door out complete with the surround.

[Dog Star]

Fastdruid said:

I've seen all too many tales of break ins where they've ripped the door out complete with the surround.

Situations like that are rare, though. And to be honest if it comes to that where do you stop? They could just as well smash through the brick wall.

As it is I've had to use other ideas - the costs for all this security are spiralling out of control now.

[dublove]

I have a Securoglide excel. 5 metres wide. Now whilst it would likely be impossible to lift up, the slats are thin aluminium extrusions. I'd simply pierce a hole in with a screwdriver and cut a hole with a cordless jigsaw. In-fact I could do exactly the same thing with the neighbours Horman 40mm thick sectional door.

Been having second thoughts about it! If I were you i'd look at heavy duty steel industrial roller shutters.