Ups and downs of garage door upkeep

The day you realize you've neglected your overhead garage door is the day it refuses to open, with your car trapped inside.

It's easy to ignore the warning signs, like shaking, squealing and random hesitation, because you only notice when you're driving in or backing out, usually in a rush.

Adding the garage door to annual home maintenance can save frustration and keep it operating safely, too. Older doors can fall off the tracks or become unbalanced. Excessive noise is an indicator of an aging motor. Typical garage doors have a 15- to 30-year lifespan, so replacement may be more feasible than repair.

Whether street or lane-facing, today's garage doors are more attractive and durable, available in wood, wood composites, steel, vinyl and fibreglass. They come in a variety of R-values, depending on the level of insulation required. Most significantly, the technology behind modern garage door openers makes them more safe and secure than ever before.

In 1993, safety sensors became an industry standard, preventing doors from closing on anything obstructing its path. Since then, wireless pin-pads have been developed with rolling-code technology, where the security code changes each time someone uses the remote. Wi-fi enabled openers and smartphone apps eliminate the need for that easy-to-steal remote clipped to your vehicle's sun visor, keeping crooks from gaining entry to your home.

Openers can also be programmed via your phone to open and close at set times and to provide notifications if the door's been left open. The door can be remotely opened for deliveries or to let the neighbour in to borrow your lawn mower.