Pedestrian walk-throughs are a popular garage door conversion these days. They’re a convenient entryway, especially for kids who aren’t old enough to open the garage door just yet. They’re also quite the popular rage these days with home improvement and conversion blogs and there’s a high chance you’ve probably seen some on Pinterest. While upgrading your garage door sounds like a fantastic idea, it’s important to know what the advantages and disadvantages of this conversion are before you call a garage door installation company.
The Pros
If you don’t already have a doorway into your garage, one of the biggest advantages to pedestrian walk-throughs is the convenience and the potential energy savings. You don’t have to bother with lifting up the door anytime you go through. They are pretty handy if installing a regular access door is impossible, such as if you have a basement garage or the garage itself is too small. In the event of an emergency, you’ll be able to easily leave from your garage, especially if the power is out and you can’t use your overhead door. In most cases, the biggest pro is the ease and convenience of having an extra entryway.
The Cons
While convenience is always great, it can come at a price.The catch when installing a pedestrian walk through, as well as the necessary safety features to prevent damage to your door, is that they can get pretty expensive. In fact, a walk through garage door can sometimes be just as expensive as installing an entire garage door. It’s also possible your automatic opener could cause damage if the pedestrian walk through was accidentally left open, unless safety mechanisms were put in place. If you know your household is forgetful when it comes to locking things, this is another consideration to take place as locking a pedestrian door is another responsibility.
Every household has a different situation. If the idea of a pedestrian walk-through intrigues you, consult a professional garage door company to get their thoughts. They’ll be able to walk you through installation costs, potential pros and cons you might not have considered that are dependent on your area, such as weatherproofing. A pedestrian walkthrough is a major investment, one that can boost your curbside appeal and make life a bit easier. It’s also a decision that requires the help of serious experts.