Within the last few years there has been an increased demand for walk-through garage doors. Traditional garage doors were designed mainly for vehicles, however recently many homeowners have been investing in walk-through garage doors which allow for very easy access in and out of the garage without the need to open the entire garage door. They offer convenience, security and aesthetic appeal.
What is a walk-through garage door?
A walk-through garage door is a standard garage door but with a smaller, pedestrian door built into it. Instead of needing to open the entire garage door up, it conveniently allows for fast entry and exit through the human-sized door. Opening the entire garage door can potentially be noisy and more time consuming. Having the pedestrian door as an option offers many advantages.
Why are walk-through garage doors gaining popularity?
There are several factors that have contributed to walk-through garage doors becoming a more common choice for homeowners.
1. Convenience
One of the most appealing reasons to have a pedestrian door built-in is convenience. It offers a way to quickly go in and out of the garage without having to open the entire garage door. This is handy if you only need to pop inside to grab something.
2. Increased home security
Standard garage doors can sometimes leave the garage vulnerable as there may be times when it is necessary to leave the garage door open. Even if it is only for a short time, it leaves the contents inside visible to anyone passing by which could cause you to become a target for a break-in. Walk-though garage doors will minimize this risk as it reduces how much passersby can see. The pedestrian door also is secure, as it comes with modern locking mechanisms.
3. Energy efficiency
In locations where the temperatures can be extreme, walk-though garage doors can help with energy efficiency and lower your heating and cooling costs. Opening your garage door leads to heat loss and lets in drafts. Especially if you frequently open and close your garage door, this can make it difficult to maintain a certain temperature. Using the pedestrian door in your walk-though garage door can assist with stabilizing the temperature since it is a much smaller door and can be opened and closed more quickly.
4. Extend the lifespan of your garage door
By investing in a walk-through garage door, you can extend the life of your door. This is because you will not need to open the entire garage door as often. By reducing the usage of the entire door, you can save cycles on your springs, opener and generate less wear and tear overall. This means less risk of needing more frequent repairs or needing to replace the garage door before its expected lifetime.
5. Power failures
Another advantage of walk-though garage doors is in the event of a power outage, you can still enter and exit the garage without issue through the pedestrian door. Many garage doors are operated by an electric opener so when there is no power, the door cannot be used normally. To use the garage door, it would be necessary to disconnect the opener and the door would have to be used manually. Manual usage of the entire large garage door could be difficult or impossible for some homeowners, especially if they are elderly or have physical limitations.
6. Aesthetic appeal
Walk-through garage doors can enhance your curb appeal. They can be customized and are available in many different materials, colours and designs. There are also many different glass options. This makes it easy to match your garage door with the rest of the home’s exterior ensuring it is visually appealing.
Walk-through garage doors will continue to climb in popularity as our lifestyles evolve, garages become more commonly used for other purposes than they were traditionally used for and require more user-friendly designs. These doors are the perfect choice for convenience, security, functionality and aesthetics!