Today, most homes have garage doors and electric garage door openers. That said, as you might have guessed, this wasn’t always the case. Over time, the overhead garage door has changed dramatically to provide better convenience and safety for homeowners. Today, garage doors come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs as well. Here's a brief overview of the evolution of the garage door.

The Invention

As automobiles were rapidly growing in popularity, families soon discovered that they needed a practical way to store their cars at home. In the early days of car ownership, many people had their cars stored off their property at a community garage. That said, as more and more people in communities started buying cars, this soon became an impractical option. It was better if you could store your car on your own property.

The Overhead Evolution

Originally, homes simply had a lean-to added to the side to keep their vehicle out of the elements. Large, conventional doors that swung out were installed for security purposes, but these were impractical. These doors had a tendency to take up a lot of space for clearance. While they were better than nothing, the design left a lot of room for improvement. The problem of obstructive garage doors was solved, however, when C.G. Johnson patented the first overhead design. According to The Natural Handyman, C.G. Johnson invented the overhead garage door in 1921. This invention retracted upwards instead of swinging outward. The overhead garage door was an instant success and car owners scrambled to have the newest innovation installed on their properties.

Modern Innovations

It only took Johnson another five years to add electricity to the overhead door, according to patent records for his automatic opener. Over the years, the garage door has changed over and over. The essential concept of a door that retracts upward toward the ceiling has remained the same, but newer technology now makes it possible to control your garage door even from a smart device. Garage door companies offer many innovations for your home garage, so be sure to ask your local contractors about the options available now.

If you're looking for expert garage door companies in the Marriottsville area, please contact our team at Fred C. Johnson Co INC today. We'll be happy to provide you with an estimate and discuss your garage door options. Don't forget to ask about our coupons and special offers!