If you’re looking to protect your home from hurricane damage, the garage is probably the last thing you consider. Most homeowners focus on windows, roofs, or storm shutters first. However, your garage door is one of the largest exposed entry points to your home. During a hurricane, weak garage doors can compromise your home’s structure.
During a storm, if your garage door gives way, the results could affect your entire home. Older garage doors are more likely to fail under extreme winds and flying debris. By upgrading your garage door, you may help keep your home more secure during hurricane season.
Garage Doors and Hurricane Safety in Florida
Why are garage doors vulnerable? Hurricane winds can easily enter through your garage. Not only is it a large opening, but the garage door is often weaker than other areas of the home. High winds and windborne debris can literally rip through an old garage door.
Once the pressure inside your home equals the outside pressure, your roof and walls can fail. Having your garage door compromised can put your whole house at risk.
What are Hurricane-Ready Garage Doors?
Hurricane garage doors are built to withstand stronger wind loads and impact forces. They typically include reinforced material and stronger hardware. Many are tested to ensure they meet certain wind-load standards.
The goal is to prevent your garage from being breached during a storm. Specifically, garage door manufacturers design with overall home security in mind.
Do Old Garage Doors Increase Risks?
Old garage doors pose a significant risk to Florida homeowners. Not only are they more likely to fail, but older doors may not meet current wind-load standards.
Garage doors that were installed many years ago likely need to be replaced. Even the mounting and track system may be too weak to handle hurricane-force winds and debris.
Here are some common characteristics of older garage doors:
- Lightweight materials
- Older track systems
- Outdated hardware
- Rust and other forms of wear
- Weak mounting brackets
Can Your Garage Door Affect Your Whole House?
Yes, if your garage door fails during a hurricane, it can affect your entire home. When pressure equalizes between the roof and the outside, your roof can fail. Other areas of your home can also be affected.
While this isn’t always the case, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Because garage doors are often one of the weakest entry points to your home, it only makes sense to strengthen them.
Do Hurricane Garage Doors Have Wind Load Ratings?
Wind-load ratings tell you how well a garage door can handle outside wind pressure. This varies from region to region in Florida. Garage doors located in high-wind zones and coastal areas need stronger ratings.
Door size also affects wind-load ratings. The larger your garage door, the more wind pressure it will endure. You’ll want to make sure your garage door can handle Florida wind pressures.
Can You Just Reinforce Your Garage Door?
Homeowners can reinforce some garage doors with the right kit. However, many older garage doors cannot be reinforced enough to meet current code standards.
Your best bet is to have a professional come out and evaluate your garage door. They can help you decide whether to replace or reinforce your garage door.
Does Professional Installation Make a Difference?
Yes! Do not try to install your hurricane garage door yourself. Professional installation is key to maximizing safety and security.
While your garage door may withstand high winds, what about the track system? Hardware, anchoring, and installation all play a role.
You need to make sure your whole garage door is properly installed. At Absolute Window LLC, we have experience installing hurricane garage doors in Florida.
Will A New Garage Door Increase Insurance or Resale Value?
Garage door upgrades, like hurricane-rated doors, may increase curb appeal for home buyers and offer some assistance with insurance. Home buyers in Florida are looking at storm protection more than ever before as they realize the long-term benefits of having impact-resistant improvements.
An impact-resistant garage door may also help create a complete wind mitigation package for your home. Some insurance companies, depending on the home and situation, may allow homeowners to qualify for discounts with certain hurricane upgrades.
Upgraded garage doors can increase curb appeal even during the off-season and help show home buyers that major exterior components of your home have been updated.
Upgrade Your Garage Door for Hurricanes
Upgrading your garage door for hurricane safety is one of the best decisions you can make. Not only will you be protecting your home from hurricane damage, but you’ll notice other benefits as well.
Here are some other advantages of upgrading your garage door:
- Improved home security
- Better energy efficiency
- Noise reduction
- Increase your home’s curb appeal
- Increase your home’s value
Garage doors have come a long way in the past few decades. Newer garage doors provide numerous benefits to homeowners across Florida.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Upgrade your garage door and get peace of mind for the next hurricane season. Contact Absolute Window LLC today to learn about your garage door options.
