We’ve all done it at some point. You forget to close your door one sunny Saturday afternoon and find the entire garage door open Sunday morning. Your kid leaves to get on the bus with the garage door standing wide open. You relax on a warm summer evening and leave the garage open all night.
Would you go to work with the front door standing wide open? Do you leave your car running with the keys in the ignition? Do you stash your wallet in the mailbox when you come home at night?
Hopefully not — but leaving your garage door open for an extended period’s practically the same thing. Here’s why.
An Invitation for Burglars
Your garage door is the biggest door in your home. Leave it open, especially during the workday or at night, and you are practically inviting thieves over for tea. An open garage door makes it easier for a thief to break in. It also makes you a target.
First, a thief can help himself to valuables within your garage — bikes, tools, gardening equipment. What’s in your garage also provides a decent indication of what’s inside. It’s like an appetizer before the big meal, so to speak.
Plus, a thief can now find a way to break in through your entry door without being spotted by the neighbors. Your garage provides valuable cover.
Pests Will Love You
An open door is also a big invitation for pests. Stored bird seed, pet food, or even just old newspapers and clothes, is a delicious feast for rodents. These guys have great noses and can detect food for thousands of feet.
Weather Protection
Weather can get intense in Elk Grove California. Rain and moisture can get in and cause mold. Closing your door and providing a garage door bottom seal is the best way to protect against damp and humid garages.
Increased AC Costs
Summers in Elk Grove can get hot. That’s why we recommend installing insulated garage doors — they keep the hot air out and give your AC a break. When you leave your door open during the day, this puts extensive pressure on your air conditioning system, leading to higher electricity bills during the summer. Keeping your garage door saves on energy. That’s great news for your pocket book!
Consider Installing a Smart Garage Door Opener
We all forget from time to time. Kids will do what they’re going to do. From time to time, your garage door will be left open. If you install a smart garage door opener, you can view and control your garage right from your mobile phone — at work, at the golf course, even on vacation. A smart garage door also provides extra security against those pesky thieves.