Natural disasters are unfortunate but very real situations that can happen anywhere. Most homeowners know that preparing and protecting the home is a crucial step in getting through hurricanes and storms safely.
But not many people know that garage doors play a big role in the entire safety of the home. Garage doors are the largest entry point in a typical structure.
When it’s built to last, the garage door protects a massive portion of your space. And alternately, high winds and water might enter the home when it gets damaged during a natural calamity. That is a no-no because it will bring further damage to other parts of the house. The roof might be affected, not to mention the flooring and your furniture and appliances.
Excessive winds may also cause the windows to crack and blow out from the inside.
How Much Wind Can A Garage Door Take?
Garage doors that quality brands provide have been tested for durability and safety standards. Design incorporates the wind speed requirements and general durability against exposure and changing temperatures.
Typically, the wind speed for Risk Category II is between 115mph and 130 mph. You could inquire within your local codes for the specific recommendation on garage door protection. As we know, not all areas experience the same type of weather conditions. Your area will have a different recommendation based on the exposure, terrain, and wind direction commonly experienced there.
How to Hurricane-Proof Your Garage Door
The garage door is the largest moving object in most homes, and it’s important to make sure that it is hurricane-proof. There are a few things that you can do to help ensure that your hurricane-proof garage door will be able to withstand high winds and keep your home safe.
Inspect Your Garage Door Regularly
It’s important to inspect your garage door regularly for any signs of wear and tear. Look for cracks or dents in the door, and make sure that all of the hardware is secured tightly. If you notice any damage, have it repaired as soon as possible by a professional.
Use Heavy-Duty Hardware
If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, it’s a good idea to invest in heavy-duty garage door hardware. This will help ensure your door stays in place during high winds. There are also hurricane panels that can be installed on the exterior portion of the doors. Hurricane panels can strengthen the wind resistance of the doors, which is critical, especially if your units are already older and have some wear on them.
Choose Impact-Resistant Garage Door
If you’re not too confident anymore about your old garage doors, consider getting a new garage door that will be more robust than the old one.
An impact-resistant garage door is usually made with steel or fiberglass veneer that can withstand a stronger force of objects or air projected towards it. The extra-strong steel tracks allow the door to not succumb to extreme weather conditions. An impact-resistant door will have higher specs for wind resistance, so it will cope stronger against winds and prolonged exposure.
Install a Bracing Kit
Living in an area with a higher likelihood of storms and hurricanes means you have to be proactive about garage door safety. You can reinforce your garage door by adding additional bracing or supports. Adding a supportive framework will help to distribute the wind load evenly and reduce the chance of the door being blown off its tracks.
And one of the easiest ways to reinforce the garage door is to use a bracing kit. It’s a retrofit mechanism that includes hardware and braces. The bracing kit is installed with a drill, but if you’re not too handy, you can always include it in the overall garage door maintenance done by a professional team.
The bracing kit will cost around $500 for a two-car garage door. Make sure to check that your garage door is at least 14-gauge weight to be able to support the brace. You also have to follow all the markings on the tracks and place the screws in these appropriate locations. Keep the prop in the proper place.
Install wind-resistant glass
Just because there are likely extreme conditions in your location doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderfully-designed garage door. It’s still possible to add accessories, for instance, window inserts.
As long as it’s made of wind-resistant technology, it can withstand extreme winds and rain. Ask your garage door repair company about impact-resistant glass inserts. These come in a variety of styles, giving optimal wind protection as well as a design aesthetic.
Call us for Garage Door Maintenance
Extreme weather conditions are impossible to avoid; they will happen from time to time. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your garage door can withstand whatever Mother Nature throws its way.
Our team is ready for all types of garage door maintenance and garage door repair needs. Whether you need to add hurricane-proofing accessories, or have parts that are damaged by a storm, we can assist. Our thorough maintenance check aligns with industry standards, so we assure that every part of your garage door works optimally.
Call us to get started on your hurricane-proof garage door today!