Discover The Benefits of Garage Door Alarm Ring: See The Case Study

Last updated on June 2nd, 2024 at 07:29 am

Do you want to know more about the garage door alarm Ring? Yes, you can use Ring sensors to monitor your garage door.

There are different options available to connect your garage door to Ring, such as using a Ring sensor or a third-party sensor like the Ecolink Garage Door Tilt Sensor.

Home is where you and your loved ones feel the safest. But what if your garage – with access right into your home – is vulnerable? Garage break-ins are on the rise, leaving families feeling insecure even in their own households.

I still remember coming home to find my garage door smashed and bicycles stolen. It was then I realized just how exposed my garage was and how easily someone could have entered my home.

I knew that I needed to take action to properly secure my garage and my little kids.

In this post, I’ll explain how adding a Ring Alarm garage door sensor can help protect your home by alerting you of any unwanted garage activity.

With Ring, you can take control and feel confident knowing your garage is secure.

Here we go!

Why You Need a Garage Door Sensor

Your home’s garage can be one of the most vulnerable access points for intruders. The garage not only provides direct entry into your house, but also often contains expensive items like tools, bicycles, and household supplies.

Unfortunately, break-ins through garage doors and windows are on the rise across many communities.

A recent survey by the National Crime Prevention Council found that over 15% of burglaries happen through garages. And once inside your garage, thieves can easily breach the connecting door or window to get into other areas of your home.

Even if you have an alarm system for your home’s perimeter, it may not cover the garage depending on your setup.

Installing security sensors specifically for your garage can help close this risky gap in your home’s protection. A good garage door alarm provides multiple layers of sensing to detect:

• The overhead garage door being opened or closed
• Motion within the garage itself
• Attempts to force open the overhead door by shaking, tapping, or prying

Having this level of monitoring on your garage provides greater awareness and safety:

• Get notified anytime the garage door opens or closes unexpectedly, even when you’re away from home. This can alert you to an intruder gaining entry or your kids sneaking out.
• Motion sensing can detect whether an intruder has entered the garage and is lingering or attempting to get into the house. Some sensors even use advanced algorithms to distinguish humans from small pets or blowing leaves.
• Specialized tilt or vibration detection can sense if someone is trying to force open the overhead door by shaking, lifting, or prying it open. This can catch break-in attempts that don’t involve opening the actual door.

Installing a garage door alarm system brings peace of mind knowing your valuables and entry points are better protected.

It also acts as a deterrent, making your home seem less of an appealing target for burglars.

Now let’s look at the main sensor types that work together to provide comprehensive garage security.

Types of Garage Door Sensors

To fully monitor and detect garage activity, most security professionals recommend installing a combination of sensor types:

Contact Sensors

Contact sensors, also called door/window sensors, are designed to detect when a door or window is opened. They consist of two parts – a sensor and a magnet.

The sensor attaches near the door/window edge while the magnet goes on the moving frame. When the door or window is closed, the sensor and magnet are aligned closely, keeping the circuit closed. But when the door/window opens, the circuit breaks, triggering the alarm.

Contact sensors provide the basic capability of detecting when a garage door is opened. They can be hardwired directly to your alarm control panel, or wireless allowing flexible placement anywhere.

Hardwired sensors are more work to install but don’t require batteries. Wireless versions are quick and easy for DIY installation.

Motion Sensors

Motion detectors add another layer of protection by sensing movement and activity within the garage itself.

The most common types are passive infrared (PIR) sensors that detect changes in infrared energy from body heat.

But dual-technology motion sensors that also use microwave detection are harder to fool and have fewer false alarms.

Motion sensors are critical for alerting you if an intruder has already entered your garage and may be moving to breach your home’s connecting door.

High quality motion detectors can be tuned to avoid false alarms due to small pets. Strategic placement is important to eliminate blind spots and gaps in coverage.

Tilt/Vibration Sensors

Finally, tilt or vibration sensors attached right to your garage door can detect physical attempts to force it open.

Even if an intruder doesn’t have your actual garage door opener, they may still try prying or shaking the door violently to gain entry.

Tilt sensors detect changes in orientation from someone lifting the door. Vibration sensors feel shaking or tapping on the door.

These will trigger the alarm system, acting as another line of defense against break-in attempts. They can also alert you if the door mechanism is damaged or needs maintenance.

This well-rounded combination of contact, motion, and tilt/vibration sensing provides comprehensive monitoring over your garage’s access points and activity.

Now let’s look at how Ring’s alarm system and sensors are ideal for garage security.

Why Choose Ring Alarm Sensors

Ring is one of the leading DIY home security systems and makes several sensors perfect for protecting your garage:

Overview of Ring Alarm System

The Ring Alarm Base Station communicates with all the system’s sensors and accessories and can connect to Wifi or ethernet.

You manage and receive alerts from the system using the Ring App on your smartphone or tablet.

Optional 24/7 professional monitoring is available starting at only $10/month with no long-term contracts. Monitoring centers will dispatch emergency responders on your behalf if the alarm is triggered.

The system is completely wireless and designed for simple DIY installation. All components use lithium batteries that can last for over a year before needing replacement. Everything interconnects seamlessly.

Key Benefits for Garage Security

Here are some of the top reasons Ring Alarm is a great choice for protecting your garage:

• Completely wireless – Easy to install sensors, keypads, etc without wiring or professional installation. Great for retrofitting existing garages and homes.
• Motion detection – Ring Alarm Motion Detectors provide advanced motion sensing with customizable sensitivity to avoid false alarms.
• Professional monitoring – Add 24/7 professional monitoring for only $10/month with no contracts. Monitoring center can dispatch police if break-in detected.
• DIY installation – The modular, wireless system can be easily installed without any tools or wiring know-how. Simple for beginners.
• Battery powered – All components use replaceable lithium batteries that last 1-2 years. No annoying low battery chirps.
• Mobile alerts – Get instant push notifications on your phone anytime your garage alarm is triggered.
• No hubs required – Sensors connect directly to the base station without hubs/repeaters complicating the setup.

As you can see, Ring Alarm provides a versatile, easy-to-use system that’s perfect for enhancing your garage’s security. Next let’s look at some of the top sensors to use with Ring Alarm for protecting your garage.

Top Ring Sensors for Garage Doors

Here are some of the most popular and effective Ring sensors to deploy for garage security:

Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit

The Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit provides everything you need to start securing your garage in one convenient package. It includes the base station, keypad, contact sensor, motion detector, and range extender.

This bundle makes installing a complete system effortless, without having to buy components separately. It’s affordably priced and specifically designed for retrofitting security onto existing garages and homes.

Ring Contact Sensor

You can’t monitor your garage’s entry points without contact sensors, and Ring offers an affordable multi-purpose sensor perfect for doors and windows.

The compact sensor easily mounts with peel-and-stick adhesive. When armed, it will trigger the alarm system whenever the contact with the magnet is broken from opening the door/window.

Use Ring Contact Sensors on your garage’s entry door, man-door, and any accessible windows. They provide the core entry monitoring you need.

Ring Alarm Motion Detector

For detecting movement and activity within your garage itself, the Ring Alarm Motion Detector is a great option.

It uses both infrared and microwave radiation to reliably detect motion while minimizing false alarms. The dual sensing technology will only trigger from human activity, not swaying branches or small pets.

Place the compact motion detector on the ceiling or high on a wall to give it a wide 120° viewing angle. Get alerts whenever the garage is entered or someone is lingering suspiciously.

Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener

In addition to security, don’t forget about safety! Adding the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener provides serious fire and carbon monoxide detection for your garage and home.

The alarm will sound and instantly send mobile alerts if smoke or elevated CO levels are detected. This could save lives by providing an early warning of a fire or carbon monoxide leak.

The Smoke & CO Listener has a 10 year battery and uses photoelectric and electrochemical sensing for reliability. Add this level of protection to keep your family safe.

These Ring sensors cover all the key aspects of comprehensive garage security and awareness. With core entry sensors, motion detection, and smoke/CO monitoring in place, you’ll have 24/7 protection against intruders and environmental hazards.

Next we’ll get into the installation process and placement tips for getting your Ring sensors set up properly in your garage.

Installing Your Ring Garage Door Sensors

Installing Ring Alarm sensors in your garage is a straightforward process thanks to their wireless design. But proper placement is important for optimizing performance and avoiding false alarms. Here are some tips:

Mounting the Contact Sensor

The contact sensor consists of two small parts – the sensor itself and a magnet. For garage doors and windows:

• Place the sensor on the fixed frame a few inches from the open/close edge. Use the included screws or adhesive strip to mount securely.
• Put the magnet on the moving part of the door/window near where the sensor sits when closed.
• The maximum separation when closed is around 1-2 inches depending on the sensor model. Test this with the app.
• Try to mount the sensor where an intruder can’t easily see and disable it. High and off center works well.
• If using a wireless receiver garage door opener, you can conceal the sensor behind the unit out of view.

Positioning the Motion Detector

For optimal motion sensing:

• Place the detector on the ceiling in a central area with few obstructions. This gives the widest viewing angle.
• Position at least 7 feet high to provide coverage beneath the detector. Higher is generally better.
• Keep a minimum of 4 feet from HVAC vents which can cause false alarms from blowing air.
• Angle the detector to maximize coverage of potential intruder paths like the entry door.
• Avoid pointing directly at windows or reflective surfaces that can create false motion triggers.

Installing the Tilt Sensor

Tilt sensors attach right to your garage door for vibration and tilt detection:

• Clean the area thoroughly where adhering the sensor to ensure a solid mount.
• For tilt sensing, place horizontally on the top panel toward the center.
• For vibration monitoring, install vertically on one of the side panels near the locking mechanism.
• Avoid installing right on the exterior edges where the sensor is more exposed and easily seen.

Proper placement is crucial for Ring sensors to reliably detect real activity while avoiding false alarms. Take your time to optimize the positioning using the app and test alerts.

Connecting Ring Sensors to Your Garage Door Opener

Integrating your Ring Alarm system with a compatible garage door opener adds convenience and control.

You can close or open the door remotely and receive alerts when it operates. Here’s how to connect Ring with top overhead door opener brands:

MyQ Garage Door Openers

MyQ-enabled openers from LiftMaster, Craftsman, and Chamberlain are designed for smart control. Linking Ring and MyQ accounts takes just minutes:

1. In the MyQ app, add the MyQ Smart Garage Hub if you don’t already have it.
2. In the Ring app, tap Set Up a Device then select MyQ and follow the prompts to sign in.
3. After linking accounts, MyQ will appear under your Ring devices.

You can now control and monitor your garage door through the Ring app. The system will show when the door opens/closes and trigger the alarm if unexpected operation occurs.

Direct Wiring to Opener

For non-MyQ openers, you can directly wire the Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit’s contact sensor to your overhead door opener.

1. Locate the opener’s sensor wires, usually red/white colored.
2. Use wire nuts to connect them to the included contact sensor wires matching polarity.
3. Mount the sensor on the garage door frame as previously described.

When wired properly, the opener will know the status of the door and you’ll receive alerts in the Ring app for operation. Remember to disable the built-in opener light when installing your own motion lighting.

Integrating Ring with your garage door opener enhances functionality and awareness. You gain remote operation and notifications for improved security and convenience.

Now let’s look at how to configure the Ring App and Alarm settings to receive smart notifications for garage activity.

Getting Notifications from Ring on Garage Activity

One of Ring’s most useful features is push notifications to alert you of potentially suspicious garage activity. Here are some tips for managing notifications:

Enable mobile alerts

In the Ring app, ensure notifications are enabled:

• Tap the 3 lines ≡ in the upper left and select Notifications
• Check that “Alerts” are on under Notification Types
• Customize alert tones and visual notifications like LED flashing

Set notification frequency

Control how often you’ll be notified to avoid overload:

• In Notifications, tap Alert Settings
• For garage sensors, set to Standard or Limited (10-30 min)
• Frequent (1-3 min) can be used for indoor spaces like entry doors

This prevents constant alerts if a sensor gets triggered repeatedly. You’ll still receive an initial notification of activity.

Create a Garage Sensor Group

Grouping garage sensors into a zone makes managing notifications easier:

• In the Devices tab, tap the 3 dots next to a sensor name → Add to a group
• Select “+ Create Group” and name it “Garage Sensors”
• Repeat to add all garage sensors into this new group

Now you can adjust notification settings for just the garage sensor group instead of individually.

Customize with modes and privacy

Take advantage of modes and privacy settings:

• Set a Home and Away mode with different sensitivity levels
• Make the garage invisible in Privacy Settings when disarmed for added security
• Add a Garage Closed mode to suppress notifications when not in use

Monitor alerts from anywhere

When away from home, the Ring app will keep you aware of garage activity:

• Sensor notifications will alert you of doors opening, motion detected, etc.
• If professional monitoring is enabled, the center can dispatch emergency response

With Ring’s robust yet customizable notifications, you can stay informed about garage activity without unnecessary disruptions or distractions.

Automating certain actions based on sensor activity takes things a step further for convenience and security.

Automating Actions with Ring and Garage Sensors

You can build automations using your Ring System and garage sensors to enhance security, convenience, and control. Here are some options:

Lighting automation

Automatically turn lights on when the garage door opens or motion is detected inside:

• Using If This Then That (IFTTT), create an Applet linking Ring to smartbulbs
• Set the Ring trigger to motion sensed or door opened
• Make the action turn hue lights or smart switches on

This shines a light on any suspicious late night activity.

Add extra cameras

Have additional security cameras begin recording if sensors are triggered:

• Link a Ring Spotlight Cam or any IP camera to turn on when garage motion detected
• The camera footage can provide added context if an alarm occurs

Close the door remotely

Forgot to close the garage door? Use a virtual assistant integration to close it from anywhere:

• Link your Ring Account to Alexa or Google Assistant
• Say “Alexa/Hey Google, ask Ring to close my garage door”

Geo-fencing automation

Have your Ring system automatically change modes as you come and go:

• In the Ring app, enable location services
• Create location-based rules to set Home/Away modes
• When you return home, the system can disarm to avoid false alarms

Take advantage of Ring’s flexibility for automation and enhanced functionality tailored for your garage security.

The Benefits of Garage Door Alarm Ring

Using a garage door alarm with Ring can provide several benefits for your home security. Here are some of the benefits of using Ring sensors for your garage door:

1. Enhanced security: By using Ring sensors, you can monitor your garage door and receive timely alerts whenever it is opened or closed. This can help you keep your home secure and prevent unauthorized access.

2. Easy installation: Ring sensors are easy to install and can be mounted on any type of garage door. You can also use third-party sensors like the Ecolink Garage Door Tilt Sensor to connect your garage door to Ring.

3. Real-time notifications: With Ring sensors, you can set up real-time notifications to get sent to your phone from the Ring app whenever your garage door is opened or closed. This can help you stay informed about the status of your garage door and take action if necessary.

4. Integration with other Ring devices: Ring sensors can be integrated with other Ring devices, such as cameras and doorbells, to provide a comprehensive home security system. This can help you monitor your entire property and keep your home safe.

Okey, let’s recap the key benefits of adding Ring Alarm to your garage.

Installing a Ring Alarm system with specialized sensors strengthens your garage’s security and provides peace of mind:

• Doors and windows are monitored against break-ins
• Motion detectors alert to unwanted entry or activity
• Tilt sensors protect the overhead door itself from forceful entry
• Optional 24/7 professional monitoring adds another layer of protection
• Easy wireless installation gets you set up quickly without hassle
• Battery powered components remove wiring headaches
• Smartphone alerts keep you aware from anywhere
• Expand modular system over time as security needs evolve

The frequency of garage break-ins makes it an obvious vulnerability for many homes. Ring Alarm provides customizable, professional-grade security. With sensors covering both entry points and overall activity, you can rest assured knowing your garage is well-protected.

FAQs

Is There A Ring Sensor For Garage Door?

Yes, Ring offers several sensors that are perfect for enhancing garage door security. The main options are:

• Contact sensor – Attaches to garage door frame and moving door to detect opening/closing. Basic entry monitoring.
• Motion detector – Mounted inside garage to sense intruders entering and moving around.
• Tilt sensor – Mounts on garage door itself to detect attempts to force it open by shaking or lifting.

These sensors work with the Ring Alarm hub to provide comprehensive monitoring and alerts for garage activity. Ring also sells retrofit kits with multiple included sensors ideal for DIY garage installation.

Can You Use Ring Alarm In The Garage?

Absolutely – the wireless Ring Alarm system is perfect for using in a garage to enhance security. The battery-powered design makes retrofitting sensors and other components onto existing garage doors simple.

No hardwiring is required. The system can monitor the overhead garage door, man-door, windows, and interior motion all through the Ring app. Optional 24/7 pro monitoring is available too.

Can You Put A Ring Doorbell On Garage Door?

Yes, it is possible to install a Ring Video Doorbell to monitor your garage door. It can show you on your phone via live view when someone approaches or opens the garage.

For the cleanest install, look for a doorbell camera designed for garage placement. These have right angle wedge mounts to attach properly onto horizontal garage doors. Wire it to existing doorbell wiring or use the battery-powered Ring Video Doorbell 4 model.

Can You Put An Entry Sensor On A Garage Door?

Garage doors are a perfect use case for contact entry sensors. Place one component on the fixed frame and the other on the moving garage door. When armed, the system will detect the door opening or closing.

Ring offers affordable contact sensors designed for garage doors, exterior doors, windows, and more. They can be wired or wireless. Install them high up and off center for best results.

Does Ring Camera Know If Your Garage Opens?

To have a Ring camera automatically know when your garage opens, you would need to integrate it with a compatible garage door opener. This allows the camera to receive a signal when the door opens.

For instance, the MyQ hub can connect LiftMaster, Craftsman, and Chamberlain garage door openers with Ring cameras. This triggers recording if the door operates. Without a direct integration, Ring cameras don’t independently detect garage activity.

Can I Block My Neighbors Ring Doorbell?

While you can’t disable your neighbor’s Ring device, there are some steps to help prevent their camera from viewing into your property:

• Install a tall privacy fence or lattice barrier to block line of sight from their camera to your yard and windows.
• Strategically plant trees or tall bushes to naturally obscure the camera’s view onto your property.
• Adjust blinds and curtains on windows facing their camera when possible.
• Install a security camera of your own pointed at their camera to remind them it sees both ways.

How Do You Install A Ring Camera In A Garage?

Garages require proper camera placement to capture usable video footage in the large space. Here are some tips:

• Install the camera high up, near the ceiling pointing down to maximize the viewing angle.
• Angle the camera toward potential intrusion paths like doors and windows vs shooting straight down.
• Adjust motion detection zones so the camera ignores motion from parked vehicles.
• For wired cameras, connect to an outlet instead of doorbell wiring when possible.
• Use wide angle, high resolution models like Ring Spotlight Cam Wired Pro for best coverage.

Which Type Of Sensor Is Usually Used In A Garage Door?

Most garage security pros recommend using both a contact sensor and a motion detector:

• Contact sensors on the door detect entry by someone opening it.
• Motion sensors inside the garage detect movement of intruders entering.
• This dual approach provides full monitoring of both the door itself and general activity inside. Ring offers affordable sensors ideal for garage use.

How Much Is A Sensor For A Garage Door?

Garage door sensors are very competitively priced, making them an accessible way to improve security. Prices typically range from $15-$50 depending on features:

• Simple magnetic contact sensors cost as little as $15-20 per sensor.
• More advanced models with additional sensing modes or extended range go up to around $50.
• Quality motion sensors designed to work in garages can also be found affordably under $50.

So you can add comprehensive garage sensing for well under $100 in most cases.

Can You Jump Out Garage Door Sensors?

It is possible to evade basic garage door contact sensors by “jumping out” – rapidly opening then closing the door before the alarm triggers. This is most effective with slower systems using only basic magnetic sensors.

Upgrading to dual-technology motion detectors and tilt sensors can detect rapid entry attempts and forceful shaking of the door. Also enable professional monitoring so the monitoring center still receives the alarm signal for break-in attempts.

What Is The Difference Between Red And Green Garage Door Sensors?

Looking at your garage door opener, you may notice two different colored sensors:

• Green – This is the send sensor that emits an infrared beam to detect door obstructions on closing.
• Red – The receive sensor on the opposite side detects the beam. If blocked, it causes the door to reverse.

These built-in safety sensors are required by law. Separate security sensors for detecting opening/entry would be added on top of the existing opener sensors. They help prevent injury or property damage.

Do Garage Door Sensors Have To Be At The Bottom?

For built-in safety sensors on garage door openers, placement at the bottom of the door is required. This properly protects people and objects from being hit when the door closes.

However, security sensors like Ring’s contact sensors should be installed up high on the garage door and frame. This makes them less visible to intruders and harder to disable or work around.

Conclusion

Securing your garage from intruders and damage is crucial for home safety. A Ring Alarm system with specialized sensors can provide comprehensive monitoring and awareness.

Remember to use contact sensors on doors and windows, motion detectors inside, and tilt sensors on the actual garage door. Receiving mobile alerts and integrating with your opener brings added control.

With Ring Alarm protecting this vulnerable access point, you can feel confident knowing your valuables and property are secured.

Visit Ring.com today to find the ideal sensors and monitoring plans for your garage’s unique needs and budget.

Investing in a Ring Alarm system brings peace of mind through superior garage security.