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If you’ve got an existing garage door that’s served your home faithfully for years, you might be wondering if it’s possible to bring it into the 21st century with an electric opener. It’s a fantastic question we hear often here at Mansfield Garage Doors! The good news is, yes, in many cases, your old garage door can be automated!. It’s a truly popular upgrade that brings a lot of comfort and peace of mind to your daily routine. Here’s everything you need to know about retrofitting an electric motor to your trusty garage door.
First Things First: Is Your Door Ready for Automation?
While many existing doors can be automated, there are a few important considerations to ensure it’s a smooth and safe process:
Door Condition is Key:
For any modern operator’s safety features to work correctly, your existing manual door needs to be in tip-top working order, balanced properly, and opening and closing smoothly. If it’s a bit stiff or creaky, our team might recommend some repairs first.
Power Supply:
An electric operator needs electricity! Ideally, there’ll be a standard 13-amp socket within about a metre of where the motor head will be fitted. If not, you’ll need a qualified electrician to install one, which would be an additional cost, but we can organise that for you.
Up-and-Over Doors, Canopy or Retractable
Retractable up-and-over doors can be straightforward to automate because they pull back fully into the garage on horizontal tracks.
Canopy up-and-over doors, which tilt outwards and form a “canopy” when open, are a little trickier. They’ll need a special “bow arm converter” to connect to the operator, which adds a small extra cost. While automation is possible, retractable doors are generally a better fit for electric operation.
No Other Garage Entrance? If your garage doesn’t have a separate pedestrian door, an external emergency release mechanism is a must-have for safety. This clever device allows you to disengage the motor and open the door manually from the outside with a key if there’s a power cut or internally with a pull cord.
Why Automate Your Old Garage Door?
The benefits of adding an electric motor are truly transformative, making your home life much easier and more secure:
- Unparalleled Convenience: Imagine this: it’s pouring rain or blowing a gale, or late at night, and you can open and close your garage door with just the push of a button from inside your car! No more struggling with a heavy door. This is a huge help for everyone, especially for elderly individuals or anyone with mobility issues.
- Bolstered Security: An electric garage door offers a significantly higher level of protection than a manual one. The motor itself acts as a robust lock, making it incredibly difficult for intruders to force open. Plus, modern operators like those from Hormann use “rolling code” technology (BiSecur), which changes the access code every time you use your remote, virtually eliminating the risk of signal theft. Hormann also offers a unique mechanical anti-lift kit, which physically locks the door when closed, even in a power failure!
- Enhanced Safety Features: Safety is paramount. All modern electric operators come with essential features like an auto-reverse mechanism, which uses sensors to detect any obstacle in the door’s path and immediately stops and reverses the door to prevent accidents. They also often have integrated lighting to illuminate your garage when the door is in use. And the soft start and soft stop functions ensure quiet, smooth operation, protecting both your door and the operator for years to come.
- Smart Home Integration: Step into the future! Many modern operators can be connected to your smart home system. With apps like Hormann’s BlueSecur or integration with systems like Hörmann homee or Somfy’s TaHoma, you can control your garage door from your smartphone anywhere in the world, check its status, or even grant temporary access to others.
What Motors Do We Use and Recommend?
Here at Mansfield Garage Doors, with over 50 years of experience, we’ve built a reputation for only using the best. That’s why we’ve trusted Hörmann electric garage door operators for over 57 years, thanks to their unrivalled quality and safety.
- For single doors, we typically install a Hörmann ProMatic operator.
- For double-width doors or if you prefer extra speed, the Hörmann SupraMatic operator is an excellent premium choice.
- And if your garage doesn’t have a mains power supply, don’t worry! The Hörmann ProMatic Akku is a fantastic battery-operated option that can even be linked up to solar panels for charging.
We also work with other quality brands like Somfy and Gliderol, depending on your specific needs and door type.
Running Costs and Maintenance
You might be wondering about electricity bills, but rest assured, the energy consumption of modern electric garage door operators is very low. They use less than 1 watt in standby mode. On average, running your electric garage door typically costs less than £20 per year!
To keep your automated door in top condition, we always recommend an annual service. Our engineers will lubricate all moving parts, check springs, cables, and tracks, and test all the safety features to ensure smooth, safe, and reliable operation for years to come. This regular care also helps prolong the life of your door and operator.
Ready to Explore Automation for Your Garage?
Reading about electric garage doors is one thing, but seeing them in action is another! We warmly invite you to visit our Mansfield showroom. You can see and feel the different types of doors and operators, watch how they open quietly and smoothly, and discuss your specific needs with our friendly, expert team.
As a long-established, local family-run business, we’re here to provide tailored advice and help you make the perfect, informed choice for your home. Give us a call or pop in – we’d love to welcome you!.
