Are Garage Door Remotes Universal?

In recent years, automatic garage doors have surged in popularity, and is it any wonder? Convenient, quiet and secure, electric garage doors can open and close at one touch of a button, but like any piece of technology, you might notice faults with your garage door remote over time.

If you’re looking to replace your garage door opener, you might be wondering whether you can use any universal remote or if you’ll need one that’s specific to your system. So are garage door remotes universal? The team here at Shutter Spec Security is here to explain what you need to know.

How do garage door remotes work?

While the technology behind automated garage doors might seem complicated, it’s actually just a radio transmission system. When a button on a garage door remote is pressed, this transmits a specific code to the receiver, which will be tuned to the same frequency; this triggers the garage door to either open or close.

There are two types of codes used in garage door remotes:

• Fixed code: As the name suggests, this code will remain the same until it’s reprogrammed. This is typically found in older garage door models.

• Rolling code: This type of code is entirely unique and will change every time a button on the garage door remote is pressed.

What is a universal garage door remote?

Most standard garage door remotes are manufacturer-specific and designed to work with a certain model of garage door. A universal garage door remote, however, can be programmed to be compatible with multiple garage door systems, no matter the model or manufacturer. If your property is equipped with multiple garages or you’re struggling to find a remote that works with your existing garage door, this can be a flexible and convenient solution.

Generally, most garage door remotes are not universal; this is largely because these remotes don’t offer the same level of security and can increase the risk of unauthorised access.

Can garage door openers be hacked?

Yes, if your automatic garage door is an older model that uses fixed code, it may be vulnerable to hacking. As we’ve covered above, fixed code always remains the same, so a would-be intruder could use something called a code grabber to hack your system; this is a device that, when placed near your garage door, can intercept and record the code from your garage door remote and then replicate this later on. Essentially, it creates a copy of your garage door remote, which leaves your garage and home unprotected against a break-in.

However, more modern garage door systems utilise a rolling code system that generates a new code each time the remote is used, making duplication virtually impossible.

How to protect your garage against intruders

• Keep your garage door remote safe: Don’t leave your garage door remotes out in the open; some criminals may prefer to do things the old fashioned way and simply steal your remote to access your garage.

• Update your garage door: As we’ve mentioned before, older automated garage door models are much more susceptible to hacking. By upgrading to a newer model, you’re significantly enhancing the security of your property. Plus some modern automated garage doors can be operated by smartphone, allowing you to remotely monitor and control garage access.

• Invest in regular garage door maintenance: Minor garage door issues can go unnoticed by the untrained eye, so it’s important to schedule period automated garage door maintenance with a qualified professional. This will identify any potential problems at an early stage, before they develop into faults that might compromise the security of your garage door.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing garage door or you’re just in need of a new garage door remote, the team here at Shutter Spec Security is here to handle your every need. With more than 30 years of combined industry experience, we help homeowners across Oxford, Aylesbury, Thame, Reading, Newbury, Basingstoke or beyond – get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation.