There have been countless innovations to garage doors from the time they were first invented to their current modern versions. However, some of the styles from the past are coming back. In order to look forward to the future of garage doors, we thought we’d look back and discover the history of garage doors.
The Earliest Garage Doors
The earliest known garages were actually called gatehouses. In 450 BC, Roman chariots were stored in what we would now refer to as garages. Wealthier families often had carriage houses to store their carriages and coaches. These typically had outward-swinging doors that are actually coming back into popularity. While doors that actually open outward aren’t as convenient now, the style is what’s really important. Take a look at some of the carriage house garage doors we offer to get an idea of what they look like today.
Invention of Overhead Garage Doors
The word “garage” comes from the French “garer,” which means “to shelter.” In 1921, a man by the name of C.G. Johnson created the world’s first overhead garage door, which saved space and was much more convenient than outward-swinging doors. Only five years later, in 1926, Johnson invented the electric garage door. Still, the opener didn’t find popularity until after WWII, when a company out of Chicago called Era Meter Company manufactured one that could be used with a keypad from inside the garage or at the end of the driveway. In short, convenience has always been key with garage door openers!
Today, garage door openers come with a number of safety and security features that ensure no injuries occur and no unwanted guests make their way into your garage. In fact, Posilock® electronically monitors your garage door for any attempt at forced entry, keeping your family safe. The Protector System® includes light beam sensors that will trigger the garage door to reverse if something enters its path.
Garage Technology
Opening a garage door no longer requires us to leave the comfort of our home. If we’re not sure we’ve shut the garage door, we can turn to garage door control panels. These allow us to control our garage doors from our smartphones, tablets, or computers! Not only that, lights can be programmed to turn on with a motion sensor.
Garage doors of the past were heavy and didn’t allow for much design. Today, there are endless possibilities when it comes to designing a garage door to fit your home or business. Take a look at our gallery to view some examples of the work we’ve done in the past. You can also design your own garage door. Give us a call for a free estimate. Once we’ve found the right design for you, we’ll get right to work!