Have you ever driven away from home and suddenly wondered if you left the garage open? It’s a common worry for UK homeowners. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: retrofitting your garage door opener to make it smart. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how a retrofit garage door opener can bring your old garage into the modern age. You’ll learn why smart garage doors are becoming so popular, what options you have, and how to install a smart garage door opener with your phone control. We’ll also answer common questions and concerns along the way. By the end, you’ll see how simple it is to enjoy the convenience and security of a smart garage door in your own home.
A retrofit garage door opener is a smart device that connects to your existing garage door motor so you can control the door with your phone. You do not need to replace the main motor or the whole door to use one. Instead, a smart controller connects to your current control panel. It works by sending the same command your normal wall switch or remote fob would send. This allows you to do everything you normally do plus access smart features.
With a retrofit smart controller you can:
• Open and close your garage door from your phone
• Check if the door is open or closed
• Receive alerts if the door is left open
• Share digital keys with family
• Integrate with Alexa or Google
• Automate your garage door based on location or schedule
A retrofit smart controller is the easiest way to upgrade your home because it gives you modern features without the cost of replacing the door. You keep your current motor and simply add smart capability on top.
Upgrading to a smart garage door opener offers many benefits for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts:
Family Sharing: Give secure digital keys to your partner, children or trusted visitors. Remove access with one tap.
Integration with Smart Homes: Smart garage doors work with your existing smart home. Open the garage with your smart speaker or trigger automations.
Smart garage doors give you comfort and efficiency and most importantly simple control.
Once you understand what retrofitting is, the next step is knowing how to actually do it. The process is simple for most UK garages and usually falls into two straightforward methods depending on your current door setup.
If you already have an electric garage door and want to make it smart, the upgrade is even simpler:
Open the control panel to check for low voltage push button terminals.
Connect the smart controller wires to those terminals.
Mount the door sensor so the controller can detect open and closed positions.
Power the controller and connect it to your home wifi.
Download the app and test the door from your phone.
This turns your current opener into a reliable smart garage door system.
If your door is manual and you want it to open automatically, here is how the retrofit usually works:
Check that your door moves smoothly and is in good condition.
Choose the correct type of motor for your door style.
• Sectional and up and over doors use an overhead boom motor.
• Roller garage doors use a tubular motor inside the barrel.
Fit the motor and secure it according to the manufacturer instructions.
Install the control panel and plug in the motor.
Pair the remote key fobs and test the door movement.
This converts a manual door into a powered electric garage door.
If you want a modern smart garage door but your current setup is not ideal for automation, our DIY roller shutter garage doors are the perfect place to begin. You can design your made to measure roller door through our simple garage door builder, select your colours and options and enjoy UK wide delivery straight to your home.
Each door is made in Britain using insulated aluminium slats and a smooth and reliable electric motor inside the barrel. To complete your setup, you can choose the control panel, the remote key fobs and the safety edge system you prefer from our online shop. We offer several options so you can pick the setup that suits your needs best. Every accessory in the shop is fully compatible with our roller garage door kits.
Our DIY roller doors are also smart ready. Many customers choose the Eurokit 3 control panel with two remote fobs from our shop because it works perfectly with smart accessories. The Remootio 3 Smart Garage Door Controller also pairs smoothly with the Eurokit 3. This lets you add phone control, alerts and voice commands whenever you want. You get simple remote operation along with full smart features in one clean and reliable system.
Choosing a TWF garage doors is one of the most cost effective ways to upgrade your garage. Kits start from around £620 including VAT. Many homeowners fit them over a weekend by following our clear instructions and step-by-step installation video. It is a straightforward project and the end result is a made to measure insulated and smart ready garage door that suits your home perfectly.
Smart garage doors are all about making daily life a little smoother. No more stress about whether you left the door open, no more juggling remotes and no more feeling left out of the smart home upgrades that so many UK homeowners are enjoying. With a little effort, you can retrofit your garage door opener and join the people who can say, “There is an app for that” when it comes to their garage.
So go ahead and take the step into the smart garage era. Your future self and your family will thank you the next time you open the garage with a simple tap on your phone from anywhere in the world and know that everything at home is safe and secure. It is a small upgrade that makes a big difference.
Yes. Most electric garage doors in the UK can become smart by adding a retrofit smart controller. You simply connect the controller to the push button terminals inside your control box. This lets you open and close the door from your phone and use smart features without replacing the motor or the door.
Retrofit controllers usually work with roller garage doors, sectional doors, up and over doors and side hinged doors as long as there is an electric motor with low voltage terminals.
Yes. Good quality smart garage door controllers use encrypted connections and secure key sharing. You still keep your usual remotes and control panel. The smart controller simply adds an extra layer of control, logging and convenience.
You can add phone control, alerts when the door opens, reminders if the door is left open, guest access, voice assistant compatibility, scheduled closing, activity logs and geolocation automation. These features depend on the controller you choose.
You need stable wifi in or near the garage for full functionality. Some smart controllers use Bluetooth as a backup so you can still open the door even if the wifi goes down.
Many UK homeowners install smart controllers themselves. Most systems only require connecting two wires to your control panel, mounting a sensor and pairing the device with an app. If you are comfortable with basic DIY tasks, installation is straightforward.
Yes. TWF roller garage doors are smart ready and work smoothly with smart controllers such as Remootio. Once the door is installed, wiring in the smart controller takes only a few minutes.
For most homeowners the answer is yes. Smart garage doors add convenience, security, modern automation and peace of mind. You can check the door status anytime, control it remotely and give temporary access to visitors or delivery drivers.
The most cost effective option is usually to retrofit your existing electric garage door using a smart controller. If you need a new door, DIY roller garage door kits are the most affordable way to get an insulated and smart ready door delivered to your home.
Pick your door colour and property type and watch what your dream Garage doors looks like?
Then simply complete the builder form in less than a minute and order your Garage door today.
© 2025 – TWF Roller Garage Doors is a trading name of TWF ROLLER GARAGE DOORS LTD | All rights reserved.
TWF ROLLER GARAGE DOORS LTD is an independent retailer and is not authorised by or affiliated with any garage door manufacturer mentioned. Product names, including “Roller Garage Doors,” may be trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2025 – TWF Roller Garage Doors is a trading name of TWF ROLLER GARAGE DOORS LTD | All rights reserved.
TWF ROLLER GARAGE DOORS LTD is an independent retailer and is not authorised by or affiliated with any garage door manufacturer mentioned. Product names, including “Roller Garage Doors,” may be trademarks of their respective owners.
