Hurricane-rated doors are designed and tested to withstand hurricane-force winds and flying debris. Many regular exterior doors simply cannot provide adequate protection during severe storms. Hurricane- rated doors feature reinforced construction, impact-resistant glass, and heavy-duty hardware.
Homeowners in Florida understand that one of the best ways to protect your home from hurricane damage is by storm-proofing every opening. This includes your garage doors, sliding glass doors, and entry doors. A hurricane-rated door can do more than boost your home’s curb appeal. With the right features, hurricane-rated doors give homeowners an added layer of protection that can help minimize storm damage, improve energy efficiency, and meet local building codes.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about hurricane-rated doors.
What is a Hurricane-Rated Door?
Hurricane-rated doors are designed to protect your home from high winds and flying debris. These doors are tested and rated to withstand hurricane-related impacts.
When hurricane-force winds blow, debris like tree branches, roofing tiles, and even vehicles can be picked up and become airborne. This debris can destroy a standard exterior door, allowing wind and rain to rush inside and severely damage your home.
Hurricane-rated doors undergo rigorous testing to certify they can maintain building envelope integrity. By preventing your door from failing, you can reduce the risk of dangerous pressure differentials inside your home that could damage your roof and walls.
What Features Make a Door Hurricane Rates?
No matter the style, hurricane-rated doors are built for durability. If your door has glass, it will use laminated, impact-resistant glass. Laminated glass is designed to crack, not shatter, when struck by flying debris.
Manufacturers use reinforced materials to build solid hurricane-rated doors that can withstand extreme impacts.
Reinforced Frames
The door frame is just as important as the door itself. Hurricane-rated doors use reinforced aluminum, steel, or other high-strength framing materials designed to keep your door system securely in place.
Even if your door is impact-resistant, it will fail if the frame can’t withstand high winds.
Heavy-Duty Hardware
The hardware that comes with hurricane-rated doors is designed to keep your door secure in extreme conditions. This includes heavier hinges, locks, and door-fastening mechanisms.
While each component is highly durable on its own, hurricane-rated doors are designed to work together as a system.
Weather Seals
Another key feature of hurricane-rated doors is quality weatherstripping and seals. While no door is 100% waterproof, proper sealing can help keep water out of your home.
Advanced Insulation
Due to their rugged construction, many hurricane-rated doors provide better insulation than standard doors. Benefits of upgraded insulation include:
- Reduced energy bills
- Decreased air infiltration
- Improved comfort
- Less outdoor noise
- UV protection
How Are Hurricane-Rated Doors Tested?
During this test, a large wood missile is fired at the door to simulate flying debris. The test determines whether the door can withstand impact while remaining intact.
Pressure Cycles
After the impact test, the door undergoes positive and negative pressure cycles. This test simulates what a door would experience during hurricane-force winds.
The door is evaluated for performance after thousands of cycles.
Building Codes
In Florida, hurricane doors are typically tested to meet Florida Building Code standards. However, other accepted tests exist.
Many manufacturers have their doors tested by the Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). The NOA has some of the toughest hurricane testing standards in the country.
Are Hurricane-Rated Doors Required?
In Florida, hurricane-rated doors are required if your home is in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). However, many homes outside these regions still require hurricane protection for doors and windows.
Hurricane- rated doors can provide peace of mind and an extra layer of protection, even if your home isn’t required to have them by law.
What Materials Are Used in the Construction of Hurricane-Rated Doors?
Like regular doors, hurricane-rated doors can be made from a variety of different materials. The most common materials used to build hurricane doors include:
- Fibreglass: Fibreglass doors are durable, corrosion-resistant, and require very little maintenance. Fibreglass can also be designed to look like real wood.
- Steel: Steel provides strong security. Homeowners who want the highest impact resistance often choose these doors.
- Aluminum: Aluminum hurricane-rated doors are common for sliding glass doors and patio doors. They don’t weigh as much as steel but are still very durable.
- Impact glass: If your hurricane-rated door has glass, it will be made of laminated impact-resistant glass. This glass is made of multiple layers of glass with polymer interlayers. The glass may crack when struck by debris, but it typically stays bonded to the interlayer.
Do Hurricane-Rated Doors Improve Energy Efficiency?
Yes! Most hurricane-rated doors offer better insulation than their non-impact-rated counterparts. Many have insulated cores, high-performance glass, and superior weather seals.
Hurricane season won’t be the only time you enjoy these energy-efficient benefits. Upgraded insulation can help you save money and enjoy a more comfortable home year-round.
Can Hurricane-Rated Doors Lower Insurance Costs?
Installing hurricane-rated doors could lower your insurance costs. Many insurance providers offer discounts for homes with certain wind mitigation features.
Wind mitigation features can include impact-rated windows and doors. Because requirements vary by provider and policy, we recommend contacting your insurance company to see whether your doors qualify for discounts.
Why Does Professional Installation Matter?
Just because your new door is hurricane-rated doesn’t mean it will perform as expected if installed incorrectly. Every part of the installation process matters.
Professional installation means your door frame is properly anchored to your home’s structure and that the hardware is properly installed.
This ensures your door performs correctly and helps you comply with local building codes.
Should You Install Hurricane-Rated Doors?
Hurricane-rated doors are a great investment for homeowners who live in hurricane-prone areas. They provide strong storm protection while improving energy efficiency, security, and noise reduction.
Whether you’re replacing your front door or installing hurricane screens for your windows, upgrading to hurricane-rated features can help keep you and your family safe during storm season.
Protect Your Home With Hurricane-Rated Doors
Here at Absolute Window LLC, we offer high-quality hurricane-rated doors to help protect your home from storm damage. Our doors are designed to withstand Florida’s unpredictable weather while improving your home’s security and energy efficiency.
Contact Absolute Window LLC today to learn more about our selection of hurricane-rated doors.
