Our garages are often seen as an extension of our homes, a space to park our cars, store bikes, and keep those out-of-season decorations. But how secure are they? A properly utilised garage can be a valuable asset, but it's important to remember that it can also be a target for thieves if not secured effectively.
Did you know that you could be storing thousands of pounds worth of goods in your garage? According to a new study commissioned by Garolla*, average households are hiding up to £10K in their garages, but for many security isn’t up to scratch.
The Value of What We Store in Our Garages
Beyond the sentimental value, our garages hold a surprising amount of financial worth. The survey estimated that, on average, the total value of items stored in Brits’ garages is £9,326.12 per household!
This value varied across age groups, with those aged 35-44 storing the most valuable items (average of £14,233.01), followed by 25-34 year olds (£9,219.84) and those aged 55+ (£8,903.48).
When looking closer at individual cities across the UK, Liverpool stored the most valuable items (average of £13,690.18), followed by Leeds (£12,347.40) and Bristol (£12,13.71).
Securing Our Possessions: Are We Doing Enough?
With so many valuables hidden within, it is essential that we protect our belongings and properly secure our garages. If you’re not looking to sell your items, then you need to make sure that your garage gold mines are protected from thieves. Our survey explored the security measures that UK homeowners are currently taking to protect their valuable possessions. Here's what we learnt:
Most Common Security Measures:
● Blinds/Curtains (35.5%) – People are less likely to take what they can’t see.
● Alarms (34.3%) – Provides an extra layer of deterrence.
● Up and Over Garage Doors (28.4%) – These doors have plenty of leverage points making them a thief's dream! Invest in flawed security and you basically hand them the key. Instead, upgrade to a sturdy Garolla door to keep your possessions safe.
Best Security Measures:
● Combining multiple of these measures is key: strong locks, a monitored alarm system, and well-lit entry points offer robust protection.
Without security measures in place, you leave your home and garage vulnerable to break-ins with potentially devastating consequences.
The Importance of Garage Door Security
The garage door is often the weakest link in a home's security. Without properly securing it, thieves could access more than just your garage. Here's why security matters:
Deterrence: A sturdy, well-maintained garage door discourages potential thieves.
Physical Barrier: A modern, robust and solid door makes forced entry more difficult.
Peace of Mind: Knowing your garage and its contents are secure offers peace of mind.
How To Improve Garage Door Security
Improving your garage door security doesn’t have to be difficult. Investing in high-quality, well-built garage doors is a great place to start.
Choose Garolla when switching to an Electric Roller Garage Door for a super secure, custom designed barrier to your garage. These modern doors offer excellent security features including secure guide rails, auto lock and anti-clone remote controls.
Unfortunately, not all garage doors are created equal. For example, traditional up and over garage doors can be susceptible to forced entry techniques. These doors often have a single central locking point, making them vulnerable if the mechanism is compromised.
Garolla's SafeGuard Plus system uses state-of-the-art technology to scan the closing movement. It detects cars, children, pets and any obstruction, swiftly reversing the door with industry-leading response times.
SafeGuard plus comes standard with our Transform Pro, Titan and Titan XL doors and can be purchased as an additional feature for our Transform doors.
Key Takeaways
Our survey revealed that UK garages are underappreciated treasure troves. From DIY equipment to bikes and decorations, these spaces hold a lot of valuable items that need protecting.
Upgrading your garage door security is a crucial step towards safeguarding your belongings. Modern roller garage doors offer a robust solution without compromising on a sleek and stylish design. When paired with safety features such as Safeguard Pro, your garage can become an impenetrable fortress for all of your valuable belongings.
Don't wait to secure your garage and its contents – book a free survey today to discuss your options and find the perfect Garolla door for your home!
* Partnered with the TLF (The Leadership Factor), we surveyed 1,001 nationally representative respondents to gain valuable insights into what Brits are keeping in their garages and how they're protecting these precious belongings