The history of garage doors is fascinating as it reveals how our needs and technologies have evolved. We still can mention several factors that played an essential role in the evolution of garage doors. So, let’s break down this journey further and look at the significant developments that occurred before getting the garage door you currently have.
The Beginning
Garage Doors were there long before there were cars. In 450 BC, chariots were used for transportation. They required a safe place to store their chariots when they weren’t being used. Gatehouses fit the bill.
These brick constructions protected chariots and had enormous doors that could be shut to avoid rain, snow, and theft. They weren’t garages as we now know them, but they were the first dedicated spaces for the storage of vehicles.
Garages in the 20th Century
In the early 1900s, cars became widely available to the public in the United States and elsewhere. They, too, needed a place to put their cars when they weren’t racing around town, just as they had for their chariots. Garage and garner- The word garage derives from the French word garner, meaning shelter.
In the early days, many had to store their cars in old carriage houses or build new ones. These early garages had doors that swung open, a design that took up much room. When you opened these doors, they stuck into the driveway, making it difficult to park and walk by.
C. G. Johnson and the Overhead Garage Door
A significant development in garage doors came in 1921 when C.G. Johnson invented the first overhead garage door. It was a set of horizontal panels hinged together, enabling it to roll up into the ceiling when opened. Just think how easily people could park their cars without door swing issues.
But C.G. Johnson didn’t stop there. He invented the electric garage door opener in 1926. This was a new act of creativity. Instead of manually lifting heavy doors, people could open or close their garage door with a button they pushed from inside their car or home—this extra little thing to help also made life far more straightforward for everyone.
Modern Innovations
Moving through the mid-20th century, next-generation garage doors would include new materials and safety features. Of course, most garage doors are made from steel instead of wood because steel is stronger and lasts longer. Steel garage doors also need less maintenance than wooden ones, which can rot or require periodic repainting.
As more families utilized automatic garage doors, safety became a significant issue. Manufacturers installed automatic reversal systems to prevent accidents. This is a safety feature wherein if, unfortunately, something or someone is in the way at the time of the door being closed, it will automatically go up and not hurt anybody or anything.
Technology reached another level in the late 20th century! Garage doors could now be opened or closed with remote controls. These let homeowners open or close their garage doors inside their cars without getting out. A few years later, innovative technology came up, and now you have garage doors that you can control via your smartphone. Now, you can monitor the state of your garage door from anywhere and even open the garage door for friends or family when you are out of the house.
Today’s Garage Doors
Modern garage doors are available in various styles, colours and materials. Homeowners can choose from wood, steel, fibreglass, and even aluminum, depending on their preferences and needs. While wooden doors are classic and beautiful, some prefer metal (steel) doors because they are strong and durable.
Garage doors are also designed to ensure insulation and energy efficiency. This means they help trap heat during winter, block drafts from getting in through the garage, and keep your home cool in the spring and summer. Many new garage doors include state-of-the-art security features such as smart locks and cameras that secure your home.
Garage doors do more than serve a purpose; they also enhance the exterior of our houses. Sure, homeowners want their garage doors to complement their house style—modern with clean lines, traditional with decorative elements.
Modern garage doors help you get your life back, much like a good medical spa does — and you can tell the difference, just as you can after a day at a medical spa or similar establishment.
Also, just as a roofing company guarantees the peak of your house is in good shape, so does a decent garage door protect your possessions and convince potential buyers to pay for your home.
Conclusion
How our needs have changed garage doors have come a long way from basic swinging doors for horse-drawn carriages thousands of years back to sophisticated electric systems that we hardly even consider today. It is an invention from C.G. Johnson and many American garage door builders that would help establish safe, convenient ways to store our vehicles in our homes.