Do We Need High Tech Garage Doors?

With one major technology giant recently applying for a patent for a device that would allow individuals to open and close their garage doors with head movements, gestures or even voice commands, it is easy to assume that technology is going to be important for garage doors as we move forward into the future. But is this really the case, or are some things best left analogue in this increasingly digital world?

The more technology we apply to things such as garage doors and our homes in general, the more chances there will be for things to go wrong. Whilst today’s well-manufactured steel garage doors are both safe and very practical, adding in too much seemingly unnecessary technology will make them far more prone to failing exactly when they are needed most.

Such additions may be a fun gimmick for a short space of time, but the majority of high-tech applications that can be added to the likes of garage doors will not have any impact on security or aesthetics.

Having a fob, for instance, to open a door, will improve practicality; but having to don special glasses or carry around specific software with you just to control your door is unlikely to be quite as appealing.

Furthermore, steel garage door prices are currently fairly low and adding in too much extra, unnecessary technology will simply boost the price of installing such an item without offering any real gain.

Any garage needs to offer security, ease of motion and will need to take up a minimal amount of space. As such, simple up and over options with automatic fobs are likely to remain the very best option no matter what technology appears on the market over the coming years, and for most people the aesthetics and resilience of a garage door will be far more important than a technical gimmick.