As the face of house design and functionality changes at a fast pace, one smart solution for the homeowners has slowly emerged in the form of a garage door with pedestrian access. This is actually a relatively new concept in the garage door opening and is redesigning the aspects of space, convenience and security inside the house. Now let us try to determine why this kind of door is becoming popular and can perhaps be the ultimate addition to your house.
A garage door a door access may at first seem like an odd concept. This brilliant design however, goes a notch higher to combine the functionality of a garage door and that of a normal entry door. Imagine a large garage door inside which there is a small door designed for a person. This small door is convenient for people to come in and out without having to open the large door every time one has to run errands inside the garage, for instance, to get a tool or take out the rubbish.
Real Life Convenient Advantages
The big plus with this arrangement, of course, is that it is easy to organise. If you are not intending to drive the car, then those short excursions down to the garage are well served by a pedestrian door which is easy and quick to use. Absolutely essential in the unpredictable climate of Britain – no fighting with a big heavy door in wind and rain just to get your boots!
Another advantage is that it provides energy efficiency as a major plus. Since you use the small door to enter and exit most of the time, you are not losing as much heat from your garage. This is especially true if your house is a two-story or a bungalow that is connected to another house or if you have converted your garage into a workbench or a playroom. This is because by closing the main door more often this assists in the temperature control that may in turn be of benefit through reduced energy costs.
This dual-door system is used to improve safety and security of the building. A pedestrian door can be fitted with high security locks for maximum security without necessarily having to worry about the accessibility of the door. Furthermore, for families with children or pets, a pedestrian door ensures that children or pets do not accidentally open the full-sized garage door and get onto the drive.
Aesthetic Considerations
Far from being just practical, these new doors can indeed bring a lot of character to the outside of your home. Today there are numerous choices of designs where the pedestrian door is incorporated into the main garage door. Whether your home is an English cottage or a contemporary house, there is a style to suit the architecture of the house.
This makes some homeowners a little apprehensive about installing a pedestrian door because it will in some way or the other affect the looks of the garage. Once more, the use of good design means that the smaller door can be left to fit in quite well when closed. Most of the time, you don’t even realise it is there unless it is being used.
Practical Considerations for Installation of a Garage Door with Pedestrian access
Below are several things that you have to consider before installing a garage door that has a pedestrian access. First of all, it is necessary to check whether the dimensions of your garage are suitable for this kind of door. Most of the standard sizes of garages are okay, but it is advisable to seek the services of the experts to confirm this.
The most important aspect is the location of your pedestrian door. By default, it is placed to the side of the main door for easy access and stability but based on the structure of your garage and your preference, this may be placed in the middle.
The other thing that should be noted is the height of the pedestrian door. The lower threshold makes it much easier to wheel goods in and out, but the same would be less effective in case of rain or for drafts entering through. To provide more weather protection, the threshold should be higher; but this may not be very convenient for daily use.
Maintenance and Longevity
Given such a complicated door system, one would expect that there would be more that is needed for maintenance. But, that is quite simply not true. The contemporary pedestrian garage doors have been designed to be strong and easy to open, and the hinges of the doors can be oiled and the seals checked, probably, once in a while to be enough for both doors to work properly.
But the key, as is often the case with many things in life, is to choose a good manufacturer and an even better installer. A good door, if well installed, will last for decades, and will work without a hitch with the least amount of maintenance that is required.
The Future of Garage Access
With the increasing complexity of home use, elements like pedestrian access through the garage door will definitely be the new trend. We are also starting to see compatibility with smart home systems that enable lockless entry and remote monitoring-suitable uses for receiving packages or letting in friends or family when the homeowner is not home.
Some manufacturers are even toying with the idea of energy-generating pedestrian doors where the energy from opening and closing is harnessed to power the light or a small appliance in the garage. These technologies are still in their early stages, but they suggest that every part of our homes could be integrated with energy conservation.
Choosing the Right Product
If you are thinking of changing your garage door, a model with pedestrian access might be perfect for you. It provides functionality, security, and elegance – all of which are quite difficult to come by. However, as with any significant home renovation project, it is always wise to research and seek advice from experts to get the most suitable solution for your case and house.
Pedestrian accesses garage doors are a wise development in home construction. By design, they respond to a very utilitarian requirement for the home and, in all likelihood, enhance the value and aesthetic of your property. While we always look for ways to make life easier and homes more convenient, such innovations prove that the best ideas are often found where we least expect them-that is, behind the garage door.