One of the many new innovations to home security in recent years involves the automation of one’s garage. Traditionally, most garages in South Africa have featured a roll up door that could only be securely locked by using a padlock from the base of the door to the garage floor. Although this was helpful in reducing the risk of having one’s vehicle stolen, it proved a tiresome and inconvenient practice. The driver would have to continually open the door, drive the car out, close the door, get back in the car and repeat this process upon return. This could cause strain on the back and the risk of the garage door dropping onto someone while they opened and closed it. Although non-motorized roll up doors performed provided protection and security, South African home owners were ready for a change.
When electric motors for garage doors were introduced, many people were quick to convert to automation as soon as possible. An automated garage door proved to be a considerably safer, more secure and convenient way to protect the car. Automated garage doors that were newly installed could feature newer and trendier meranti wooden doors. As these could not roll up the way chromadek can, lengthy tracks would be installed to the inside of the garage alongside the ceiling. These would be used to guide the door up and away while a car was brought in. The motor opens the door by turning an elongated screw which pulls the garage door up and gently lowers it back down. Most garage door motors also feature an attached light for convenience when operating at night time. In the event of a power failure, the motor can easily be reverted to manual over ride control which allows one to open and close the door by hand.
It is important to ensure that the motor chosen for automation is powerful enough to support the weight of the door. For the most part with newly installed garage doors and motors, the garage door company will automatically know what will be a safe and durable choice of motor.
