Who wants a home that isn't secure? That's right, no one! While every house is outfitted with reliable lockable doors, garages that hold high-value items will always benefit from added security. If you've already completed your garage door installation, it's important to have a high standard when choosing a garage door lock.
Unfortunately, looking for the perfect garage door security for your home is made difficult by all the different lock designs and styles. Since there’s so much to consider, we’ve found five of the best garage door locks that can keep you and your possessions safe from anyone who dares to come into your space uninvited.
Backyard Boss Top 5 Best Garage Door Locks for 2021
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Why You Can Trust Us
Garages are a vulnerable area that, unfortunately, attract a lot of intruders and thieves. To help protect against them, we’ve conducted thorough research on the best garage door security available. We set out to see which garage door lock is the best at making this space impenetrable.
We reviewed and tried the products firsthand, and listened to expert advice and consumer feedback to truly see how well these locks worked at the hands of different skill levels. We’ve also included tips to help you choose a garage door lock, all of which are backed up by sources that you can use for your research.
Best Bulldog Garage Lock
This is a heavy-duty secure garage lock that you can trust to discourage and keep out any intruders.
- Robust and highly secure ground-mounted lock
- Can be installed indoors and outdoors
- Water-tight lock
- Reliable return policy
- Time-consuming installation
- Only available through UK portal
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Why We Like It: This Bulldog lock is a robust ground-mounted garage door lock that secures roller and shutter doors effortlessly. It's a lock designed for optimum security and comes with an angle bracket backplate, a ground tube, a Bulldog Super Lock Bolt, and the necessary mounting equipment.
It can be installed inside or outside the garage door and, fortunately, you won’t have to fear any tampering since it’s designed in a way that almost nothing can break through it. It’s a UK-made item and is currently sold out on the US Amazon site, but still available through other buying options, as well as the UK portal.
Who Should Buy It: Anyone willing to go that extra mile to install this will be rewarded with an incredibly durable lock and peace of mind.
Best Garage Door Lock Kit
This is a great and easy way to update existing garage locks for more reliable security.
- Fuss-free installation
- Diecast metal construction with an aluminum finish
- Compatible with most overhead garage doors
- Limited 1-year warranty
- Does not come with instructions
- Only good for lock replacement
- Mounting components are too long
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Why We Like It: This heavy-duty deadbolt garage door lock is made of diecast metal construction and a steel spring bolt.
It's an incredibly reliable locking mechanism that reinforces pre-existing security measures and provides better garage security. It's made specifically for overhead garage doors and will keep them secure even when faced with brute force. This kit comes with a deadbolt lock, an aluminum-finish key cylinder, a 5-pin tumbler, two brass keys, an aluminum backplate, and mounting materials.
Who Should Buy It: Anyone with an overhead garage door that needs replacing would feel at ease with this lock kit.
Best Up and Over Garage Door Security
This defender is so secure and difficult to break through that it wards off any possible attempts.
- Durable ground-mounted lock
- Comes with an armored shutter padlock
- Heavy-duty build
- Weatherproof construction
- Incompatible with other garage door styles
- Pricey delivery charges
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Why We Like It: One of the best ways to secure up and over garage doors is with a garage defender.
This defender is a ground-mounted lock installed in front of the garage door. It's designed with an arm that blocks it from opening and is secured to the ground with a heavy-duty armored padlock that’s impossible to tamper with. To better understand how it works, you can watch this video.
Who Should Buy It: This is a great product for anyone with up and over doors that are storing important investments in the garage.
Best Manual Garage Door Lock
This serves as a layer of protection only accessible from within the garage.
- Heavy-duty galvanized steel construction
- Invisible from outside
- Complete mounting hardware
- Compatible with most garage door styles
- Does not align with many pre-drilled bolt holes
- Lacks rubber tip
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Why We Like It: This works like a heavy-duty slide lock that’s only accessible indoors.
It’s a security lock meant to keep your home extra safe at night or while your house is empty. This is a great defense against intruders since they can’t tamper with a lock they can't see! It’s also made with galvanized steel, which you can trust will hold its own against strong forces. Additionally, it's very easy to install on your own, coming complete with mounting hardware.
Who Should Buy It: Homeowners who often leave their houses unguarded would enjoy this security lock.
Best DIY Garage Door Lock
This is a simple lock kit that's great for replacing basic garage door locks.
- Compatible with most garage doors
- Quality steel construction
- Instructions contain helpful installment diagrams
- Great replacement lock
- Difficult for first-timers
- Key can get stuck in the locking mechanism
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Why We Like It: This T-Handle lock is compatible with most single-car garage doors and is a great way to update your current lock.
This steel lock kit comes with a T-handle lock, two keys, spring latches, striker plates, two 7-foot cables, mounting accessories, and an instruction manual with detailed diagrams. Since this is more of a replacement project for a pre-installed lock, most drill holes will already be present for easier installation.
Who Should Buy It: Homeowners with previous experience in replacing and installing new locks will have the easiest time with this locker.
Types Of Garage Door Locks
Credit Image: mirsad sarajlic - istockphoto.com
Garage door locking mechanisms sometimes seem a bit complex, but in fact, they're not. There are five common garage door types, with different pros and cons. For maximum home security, we recommend installing two or more locks for your garage.
Deadbolt Locks
Deadbolt locks, much like standard door deadbolts, use a unique key to lock it from one side. It’s a simple mechanism that’s great for bonus security for side-hinged and overhead garage doors.
Side-Door Locks
Side-door locks are installed within the garage and are usually designed like a slide lock. This locking handle can only be manipulated from inside, making it impossible for intruders to mess with. These serve best as lock reinforcements for side-hinged garage doors.
T-Handle Locks
T-handle locks are the most common mechanism for metal garage doors and come pre-installed with most doors. These often use a spring-latch cable connected to the lock handle, helping to open the garage door. Unfortunately, intruders have found ways to open this lock with wire hangers and brute strength, meaning these locks need bonus security measures.
Garage Door Defenders
Garage door defenders are ground-mounted door locks installed in front of the garage door. It’s designed with a large arm that blocks access to the garage and makes it impossible to open. It also uses heavy-duty padlocks or electronic locks for security, to prevent any tampering. As long as it’s locked properly, the sight of it alone will discourage invasion attempts.
Keyless Locks
Keyless locks, also known as automatic garage door locks or electric garage door openers. They use a digital door lock that requires a passcode or biometric data to open. They're usually connected to smart home security systems and make garage operation easier. Additionally, they're compatible with most garage doors but it's worth having an extra manual lock for reinforcements.
How To Choose The Best Garage Door Locks
Image Credit: Erik Mclean via Unsplash
Since so much of your home security relies on your garage door lock, it can be overwhelming to choose one. Here are some considerations to help you have an easier time deciding on a garage door lock.
Installation
When choosing a garage door lock, it’s crucial to think of installation. Some units can be installed all on your own, while others, such as keyless locks, might need professional help.
Materials
The materials a lock is made of should also factor into your decision. Using heavy-duty and robust material will help add to the security of your home. Likewise, weatherproofing, rust-proofing, and rubber cushions go a long way in improving durability.
Different Kinds of Garage Door
Although some locks are incompatible with certain garage door designs, there will always be a way to reinforce your defenses and stay safe in your home.
- Roller garage doors and sectional garage doors are both already very secure since they have the least visible vulnerable areas. That said, a manual deadbolt or a keyless automatic door lock will help make it more secure.
- Up and over garage doors used to be quite easy to break into by messing with the release lever. While modern versions of this garage door have improved and been made more secure, a garage door defender will scare away anyone who wants to break into your property.
- Side-hinged garage doors will be made much safer with a reliable deadbolt or side-door lock. This garage door style is very similar to standard doors and will benefit from a multi-point lock system.
How We Picked
Our research took us through dozens of locks in all kinds of styles, materials, and installation procedures to look for the best garage door locks. The feedback from lock experts and well-meaning consumers added valuable insight to the different uses of each lock, helping us shortlist the best locks available.
Lastly, our firsthand experience with each lock gave us in-depth knowledge of each item’s strengths and weaknesses, making it clear which ones defended their reputations. Thanks to this rigorous process, we don't doubt the ability of these five garage door locks in keeping your home safe and secure.
Our Pick of the Best Garage Door Lock
If you ask us, our favorite form of garage door security is the Bulldog Garage Door Lock.
This heavy-duty ground-mounted lock protects your garage door with a robust construction that's difficult to break. Even if an intruder attempts to break this lock, it’s built with such a unique design that nothing but its key will open it.
That said, this lock is difficult to acquire and other designs might be better for your garage door style. In that case, don't fret because we’re confident that the lock you need is right here on this list.