I've never integrated a garage door before. i don't know the brand or model right now, but in general, what's required? Is it as simple as a contact closure?

It can be as simple as a contact closure. We like to put a video window on the garage and gate controls page so that you can watch them open or close. If you cant see them...to know when/if you should stop them then you might want to think about motion sensors that send the door back up or stop it from opening (like if your dog made it in the garage and you dont want him to run out).

Yes, it sure can be as simple as a contact closure. mOnitor a zone on a security system and execute macros accordingly.

Dash midoor with total control works great.

I ran wire today for a camera in the garage, and to the door opener.

Everyone we've ever done has been a simple contact closure. We always insist the security company put a sensor on the garage door if we're doing control so we can have feedback as to the state of the door.

[Link: amazon.com]

Seriously?  The info is here

[Link: remotecentral.com]

or here

[Link: remotecentral.com]

and here

[Link: remotecentral.com]

possibly here

[Link: remotecentral.com]

Relax..... just good fun banter!

Use a contact closure from your control system to open/close the door programmed as a momentary close and a rail contact tied into either a security system or a sense input on your control system to monitor status of the door.  Visual representation via a camera is always a good idea as strictly relying on the door safety sensor could be risky (think truck parked half in and half out but sits higher than the sensor).

Making the relay activate on a "press and hold" command of 2 or more seconds in your control system will help eliminate accidental activation if programmed by a "release" command only.

If your doing any of the new openers with the smart buttons, you'll need to wire to the button rather than the opener and solder directly to the circuit board.  You could also pick up an additional button and mount it up by the opener itself.  We've been pulling wire to the opener, door and button since the smart openers came out.
 

Please note there are some serious UL regulations on "unattended operation" of a garage door controller -- that is, control when it's not line of sight.

Look at UL 325-2010, written as more products were coming out to automate the very thing that integrators have been doing for years. The rule is that there must be 5 seconds of an audible alert and 5 seconds of lights flashing before the door will close. Otherwise, a kid might get locked in the garage, for example. Or something worse could happen if the door sensors don't work.

I've spoken with attorneys to see if installers would be liable for rigging up automated control for unattended operation and something bad happens. The jury is out.

This was the first standalone product UL-approved for unattended operation. Now, there are about 5 or so.

[Link: cepro.com]

Call me tomorrow. I've done it several times, even on my own place.

I assume you want to integrate it with G?

It's easy (assuming the wires in place) and customer's really like it, as well they should. It's a great security feature.

Not sure about g, but with C4 we use a contact to monitor open/close and a separate relay for to actually open/close.
I agree about being able to see the garage regardless when controlling it remotley.
Also some of the new units can be controlled via ip.

The ones I've seen ALL use a contact closure, but not so simply:
1.A contact closure opens a closed door.
2.A contact closure while the door is moving stops the door.
3.A contact closure while the door has been stopped makes the door go in the opposite direction. This is strictly true. If the door has been stopped while half closed, or when fully closed, the opposite direction to that is opening, which is #1 above.

However, it's worth testing for an interesting condition I recently saw on a curtain closer: if it has been stopped, a contact closure (that does not result in any motion) is required before a contact closure will initiate motion -- and this was on a curtain with separate open and close buttons!

Since your mileage may vary, you need to test out what you've got, and you really can't tell what's happening without watching or adding sensing switches. Even sensing switches might not rise to the level of safe enough per codes.