Garage doors have come a long way — from heavy doors lifted by hand to automatic systems you can open from anywhere in the world. Here's how we got here, and what it means for your home today.

Carriage-House Doors

The first garages were converted carriage houses and barns. Their doors were heavy wood panels that swung or slid open by hand — slow and tiring, especially in rain or snow, and they needed a lot of space in front of the garage.

The Overhead Door (1921)

In 1921, C.G. Johnson of Hartford City, Indiana, invented the upward-acting overhead door. Instead of swinging out, it lifted up and out of the way on tracks, with springs counterbalancing its weight so one person could raise it easily. Sectional doors — hinged sections that roll up into the ceiling — became the design most homes still use.

The First Electric Opener (1926)

Five years later, Johnson introduced an electric garage door opener. Early openers were switched from a post at the end of the driveway or inside the garage. Radio remote controls you could use from inside the car became common after the Second World War.

Safety Features

Early automatic doors could close on whatever was underneath them. Today, photo-eye sensors near the floor detect anything in the door's path and reverse the door before it closes on a person, pet or car. These sensors have been required on new openers in the United States since 1993, and openers sold in Canada meet the same standard. Many openers also have battery backup, so the door works during a power outage.

Rolling-Code Security

In the 1990s, openers switched from fixed codes to rolling codes that change every time you press the remote, so thieves can't copy them.

Smart Technology

Smart openers connect to your Wi-Fi so you can open, close and check your door from your phone, get an alert if it's left open, and let in deliveries or guests while you're away. Many also work with voice assistants and include built-in cameras and LED lighting.

Is Your Door from an Earlier Era?

If your opener has no safety sensors, uses a fixed code, or your door is a one-piece tilt-up, an upgrade adds safety, security and convenience. Call 604.398.4009 for a free quote.