Garage Door Locks vs Garage Door Security Bars: Which Is Better?

Garages are one of the most common targets for burglars in the UK. They are often less visible from the street, contain high-value items such as cars, bicycles, or tools, and in many homes they also provide direct access to the main property. Because of this, securing your garage is as important as securing your front or back doors.

Two of the most widely discussed options are garage door locks and garage door security bars. Both improve protection, but they work in very different ways. Some homeowners rely entirely on locks, while others add security bars for extra peace of mind. This raises an important question: which option is better for securing a garage in 2025?

This guide explores how each system works, their pros and cons, how insurers view them, and the scenarios where one might be more suitable than the other.

How garage door locks work

Garage door locks are designed to keep the door shut and prevent unauthorised access. Different garage doors use different lock systems:

• T-handle locks: Common on older up-and-over doors. The handle includes a key barrel and connects to rods that extend into the frame.
• Euro cylinder locks: Found on many sectional and up-and-over doors. These use a key-operated cylinder, often combined with a multi-point locking system.
• Mortice locks: Typically used on side-hinged garage doors. A 5-lever mortice lock offers strength and insurance-approved security.
• Slide locks: Fitted to manual roller doors. They involve a bolt that slides into the side track and may be padlockable.
• Padlocks with hasps: Used as additional or primary locks on side-hinged or shed-style garage doors.

Locks secure the door directly at its fastening points, which makes them essential for day-to-day use.

How garage door security bars work

A security bar is a physical barrier installed outside or inside the garage door to stop it being forced open. The most common version in the UK is the garage defender bar.

This system usually involves a heavy-duty steel bar that sits across the front of the garage, fixed into a ground anchor plate. When locked in place, it prevents the door from tilting or lifting, even if the main lock is compromised.

Some garages also use internal security bars or crossbars that bolt across the inside of the door. These spread force across the whole structure, making it much harder for intruders to push the door in.

Advantages of garage door locks

• Essential for daily use: Locks are built into the mechanism and allow you to open and close the garage normally.
• Variety of options: From simple T-handles to high-security anti-snap euro cylinders, locks can be tailored to different door types.
• Insurance compliance: Many insurers require locks that meet British Standards such as BS3621 for mortice locks or TS007 for euro cylinders.
• Discreet appearance: Locks do not change the exterior look of the garage significantly.
• Affordable: Standard replacements or upgrades are relatively inexpensive, usually between £30 and £80.

Disadvantages of garage door locks

• Vulnerability of older models: Basic T-handle locks and budget euro cylinders can be forced or snapped.
• Exposure to weather: External locks may rust or freeze if not maintained.
• Single point of failure: If an intruder manages to pick, drill, or snap the lock, the door may be fully compromised.
• Not always visible as a deterrent: While effective, a lock is not always obvious to a burglar scoping out targets.

Advantages of garage door security bars

• Strong physical barrier: Security bars stop the door from opening, even if the main lock is bypassed.
• Highly visible deterrent: A garage defender bar outside the door shows would-be intruders that extra protection is in place.
• Insurance recognition: Many insurers recommend or require defender bars for older up-and-over doors.
• Spreads force: Internal crossbars distribute pressure across the door, making prying far more difficult.
• Durable: Made from heavy-duty steel, bars are resistant to brute force attacks.

Disadvantages of garage door security bars

• Inconvenience: External bars need to be removed each time you use the garage. This can be time-consuming compared to simply unlocking a door.
• Not a stand-alone solution: Bars prevent lifting or tilting, but they do not replace the need for a functioning lock to keep the door shut.
• Cost: Defender bars usually cost between £70 and £120, plus installation if you are not fitting them yourself.
• Ground anchor required: Fitting involves drilling into the driveway or floor to secure the anchor plate, which may not suit all properties.
• Aesthetic impact: Some homeowners feel bars look industrial or unattractive.

Which provides better protection?

Both locks and bars provide valuable protection, but they serve different purposes. Locks are essential for daily operation and compliance with insurance. Without a lock, you cannot secure the garage properly. Bars, on the other hand, provide reinforcement against forced entry, particularly for older or weaker door types.

In most cases, the best solution is not to choose between them but to combine both. A strong, insurance-approved lock ensures compliance and everyday security, while a security bar adds a second layer of defence that deters burglars and buys time if an attack is attempted.

How insurers view locks and bars

Insurance companies typically require:

• A British Standard 5-lever mortice lock for side-hinged garage doors.
• A TS007 3-star euro cylinder or SS312 Diamond cylinder for sectional and up-and-over doors.
• Adequate locking mechanisms for roller doors, often supplemented by additional bolts.

For up-and-over doors, which are considered less secure, insurers often recommend or require garage defender bars. Using both a compliant lock and a security bar ensures you meet these conditions.

If you rely only on a lock that does not meet standards, your claim may be refused after a burglary. If you rely only on a bar but the door itself is unlocked, this may also affect your cover. Insurers expect both functional locks and supplementary devices.

Costs compared

• Locks: Standard replacements cost between £30 and £80, with premium anti-snap or BS3621 models costing up to £100. Installation is often simple and can be done DIY.
• Security bars: External garage defenders cost between £70 and £120. Internal crossbars vary between £80 and £150 depending on size. Installation may require professional fitting, especially for ground anchors.

The combined cost of a high-quality lock and a security bar is still relatively modest compared to the potential loss from a burglary.

Maintenance requirements

• Locks: Require lubrication twice a year, cleaning to remove dirt and salt, and occasional key replacement. Worn or corroded locks should be upgraded promptly.
• Security bars: Require less maintenance, but external defender bars should be checked for rust, and ground anchors should be inspected to ensure bolts remain tight.

When locks are better

• For daily convenience and smooth operation.
• For compliance with insurance requirements.
• For garages with modern, secure sectional or side-hinged doors already designed with strong frames.

When security bars are better

• For older up-and-over doors, which are vulnerable to lifting or tilting attacks.
• For visible deterrence, especially in urban areas with higher burglary risks.
• For properties with garages not used daily, where convenience is less important.

The ideal solution: layered security

Security experts recommend layered protection. This means using more than one barrier to entry, so that even if one is compromised, another stands in the way. For garages, this usually means:

• A strong, insurance-approved lock such as a BS3621 mortice or a TS007 3-star euro cylinder.
• A garage defender bar or internal crossbar to reinforce the door against brute force.
• Supplementary measures such as motion sensor lights, CCTV, and alarms.

Layered security makes your garage a far less attractive target, as burglars prefer easy opportunities.

Final thoughts

So, which is better: garage door locks or garage door security bars? The answer depends on your garage type and your priorities. Locks are essential for day-to-day use and insurance compliance, while bars provide extra resistance and deterrence. For modern sectional or side-hinged doors with strong frames, a compliant lock may be sufficient. For older up-and-over doors, adding a garage defender bar is strongly recommended.

The most secure option in 2025 is to combine both. A high-quality lock keeps your garage legally compliant and operational, while a security bar adds a visible and physical barrier that makes forced entry far less likely. By investing in both, you achieve layered protection that secures your belongings, complies with insurance, and provides lasting peace of mind.