Garage Doors Keep Pace with Electric Vehicles
Toronto is home to a growing number of electric vehicle (EV) owners, with the rest of the GTA in on the trend as well. This is great news for the environment, but also means new considerations for homeowners installing EV chargers in their garages. Charging your vehicle in your garage is convenient but to do so safely, easily, and without future headaches, you need to consider the state of your garage door. Is it functional? Flexible? Secure? Easy to use? Does it support smart charging habits and access? At Legacy Garage Doors, we help GTA homeowners and small business owners customize their garage access for hassle-free EV charging.
Whether you’re building or upgrading your home or business now, working with an existing setup or upgrading your older home or business to be EV-ready, here’s how a tailored garage door can help you enjoy your electric vehicle, worry-free.
Why Customize Your Garage Door for EV Charging?
- Access Convenience: EV drivers charge every day so you need a door you can trust to operate, easily and reliably, late at night or before sunrise if you need to.
- Cable & Charger Maneuverability: A misplaced or awkward door can pinch charging cables or access to chargers if they’re mounted on the wall.
- Security: Charging stations and electric vehicles themselves are a big target for theft. A customized, modern door can keep your investment safe.
- Energy Efficiency: Charging overnight and ensuring your garage door is well-insulated for comfort (even if it’s just while you’re sleeping) is key.
Must-Have Features for Garage Doors and EV Charging
1. Smart Garage Door Opener Replacement
Smart garage door openers can be integrated with your charging schedule, routine, or even your phone, giving you the convenience of:
- Control of the door from your smartphone
- Voice commands (Alexa, Google, Siri) to open/close the door mid-charging
- Automation options to pair lighting, ventilation, etc. with charging start
Legacy Garage Doors installs the latest smart garage door opener technology for reliable, convenient EV charging.
2. Clearance & Door Layout Optimization
If your garage was built before EVs were even a gleam in an automaker’s eye, it might not be optimized for the equipment, especially the charging cable. For safe routing, consider:
- High-lift or side-mount doors: Raises more vertical space in your garage. Good for narrow garages and vehicles with roof-mounted chargers.
- Roll-up doors: Can roll up all the way to provide space for your vehicle or even some workbenches. Good for custom cable routing as well.
- Custom door cutouts or built-in cable ports: Keep charging cables away from door paths and moving parts, safe from tangles, and hidden for curb appeal.
Our team works with both electricians and EV charging installation companies to ensure each component of your garage charging setup is optimized for use and aesthetics.
3. Weather-Sealing and Insulation
Fluctuating temperatures in the garage are a drag on your EV’s battery health-and your own comfort. For energy efficiency, consider:
- High-insulation, weather-sealed doors that won’t leak out harsh winter and humid summer weather
- Good-quality bottom seals and sweeps that deter rodents, water intrusion, and cables getting pinched
If your door has drafts or poor insulation, we can provide garage door repair Toronto and/or weatherproofing upgrades.
4. Additional Security
When you’re charging your EV at home, your garage and the vehicle become attractive targets for thieves and opportunists. Secure the space with:
- Smart locks/keyless entry: Allow safe, easily monitored access for family members, technicians, or delivery drivers as needed
- Rolling code technology: Stiffens the challenge for code grabbers or would-be remote access
- Security cameras/alerts: Triggered instantly when the door is accessed
The Customization Process
- Site Assessment: We check your existing garage space, door, tracks, vehicle movement, charger placement, etc.
- Consultation: We speak with your EV charger installer to coordinate cable routing, door movement, and safety.
- Installation/Upgrade: We customize, install, or upgrade doors, smart openers, or other features to your specific needs.
- Training: We walk you through all features and functions, including remote smartphone apps and backup manual operation.
Electric Vehicles & Garage Doors
1. Will my new smart garage door open and close with my EV apps?
Most smart garage door openers can be integrated with or scheduled alongside other smart home items like your EV charger.
2. What if I have an older door that’s not smart?
Legacy Garage Doors can retrofit insulation, smart openers, cable ports, or even replace the entire garage door as needed.
3. How do I prevent charging cables from getting pinched or damaged?
Custom cable ports, high-lift door track placement, and professional installation can ensure worry-free cable routing.
Emergency Garage Door Service & EV Homeowners
One last note for EV home chargers: new installations can experience breakdowns, especially in busy homes with multiple users and technology integrations. Legacy Garage Doors’ emergency garage door service GTA is available around the clock for this very reason. Give us a call anytime-day or night, weekends and holidays included-and we’ll do everything we can to avoid you getting stuck without access to your EV or recharging station.
Why Choose Legacy Garage Doors for EV-Ready Garage Door Customization?
- Legacy Garage Doors is experienced in working with EV homes, integrating with other smart home tech, and working with new, state-of-the-art garage door designs.
- Our technicians are certified, honest, and our pricing is always transparent.
- Legacy Garage Doors is a one-stop shop for installation and smart home tech integration (charging stations, openers, security).
When problems happen, we make it right as quickly as possible with efficient repairs and emergency services GTA-wide.
Ready to Supercharge Your Garage Door for EV Charging?
Don’t let old doors or awkward set-ups cramp your EV ownership style. Schedule a no-obligation estimate or consultation with Legacy Garage Doors today-trusted Toronto and GTA experts in EV-ready garage door design and smart home integration. Schedule online or call to book your appointment or talk to one of our friendly team members about service or emergency repairs.
