A Guide to Selecting Garage Doors the Withstand Strong Winds for Your Home
Key Takeaways
1. Hurricane garage doors use reinforced hinges, vertical posts, and horizontal trussing to stand up to high winds and flying debris.
2. Your garage door covers the largest opening in your home, so a door that gives way lets wind in and can damage the whole house.
3. Front Range Raynor installs wind-rated garage doors that meet local building codes and match the style of your home.
The Importance of Hurricane-Ready Doors
Your garage door covers the largest opening of your home. It is the primary protection you have against wind-blown objects. If wind gets into the garage area, it can destroy your entire foundation.
How Hurricane-impact Garage Doors Work
Hurricane garage doors are reinforced from the inside. They feature heavy-duty hinges that stand up to most wind load specifications. Some also have vertical posts that clip onto the door header and the floor to increase their protective properties. They may also have horizontal trussing that stands up to strong winds.
Types of Hurricane-Ready Doors
- Wind Load Garage Door: A wind load garage door features reinforced hardware for increased strength and stability. It is rigorously tested to adhere to local, state, and national standards.
- Hurricane Garage Door: A hurricane garage door is impact-resistant. It is built to stand up to high winds. It is typically constructed with vertical reinforcements, wind lock guides, fasteners, and other heavy-duty components.
- Reinforced Garage Door: Reinforced garage doors are built to deal with strong winds. Some come with an add-on system that homeowners can install when a storm is about to hit. They can remove them when the danger has passed. Other reinforced doors don’t have add-ons. The structure will engage when the door is locked.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Hurricane-Ready Door
- Local Codes: Different regions have local building codes that must be considered when choosing a hurricane-reinforced garage door. Check your local coding laws to ensure your garage door meets the requirements.
- Frame Material: Choose hurricane-proof garage doors made with durable materials. Vinyl and aluminum are some of the toughest garage door materials a homeowner can choose.
- Glass: The glass on your garage door must be shatterproof. Choose a hurricane-impact garage door with shatterproof or impact-resistant glass.
- Style: Hurricane garage doors can be stylish. Choose a design that goes well with your home’s aesthetic.
Benefits of Hurricane-Proof Garage Doors
- Protect Your Home: Hurricane-proof garage doors protect your home in a severe storm.
- Better Construction: Reinforced garage doors are stronger than other types of garage doors. They will stand up better to the elements. They will provide more noise reduction. They will also help keep your home safe.
- Convenient: Hurricane impact garage doors are low maintenance. Homeowners who don’t have them will need to add extra protection when a storm is coming. Individuals who have the doors can rest easy knowing they will be protected.
- Lower Insurance Costs: Many insurance providers will lower premiums for homeowners with hurricane garage doors.
Installation and Maintenance Tips for Garage Doors that Can Withstand Strong Winds
Hurricane-ready garage doors feature better construction than most garage doors. Therefore, they are a lower maintenance option. However, there are some measures you can take to ensure they are functioning optimally.
- Inspect the door to ensure it’s operating smoothly and reinforcements are in place.
- Conduct safety tests to ensure the door is balanced and its sensors and reverse features are operational.
- Examine your garage hardware to ensure the parts are not worn or broken.
- Lubricate the chain to avoid corrosion.
- Inspect your springs. If they appear broken, consider calling in a professional.
You are best off having your hurricane-reinforced garage door installed by a professional. Choose garage doors with parts that are durable yet lightweight. They are easier to install and will minimize installation time and expense.
Popular Brands and Models of Hurricane-Ready Garage Doors
Overhead Door: Overhead door carries various hurricane-ready garage doors that offer style and functionality. They are built to meet International Building Codes (IBC) and International Residential Codes (IRC). Popular models include their Thermacore Sectional Steel Doors, their Carriage House Collection, and their Insulated Wind Door.
Amarr: Amarr produces various doors designed to meet specific wind code ratings. They look like non-wind load doors, so you don’t have to compromise style for durability. You can choose from the ASCE 7-05, ASCE7-10 and ASCE 7-16 varieties.
Raynor: Raynor offers a wide selection of hurricane-resistant garage doors in various styles. They are manufactured with light materials that provide easy installation but hold up well in inclement weather. Top models include Raynor StyleView, Eden Coast by Raynor, and RockCreeke.
Cost Considerations for Hurricane-Proof Garage Doors
Hurricane garage doors cost around $6,000 on average. However, they can cost anywhere between $900 and $10,000 depending on the door size, material, and WindCode rating. Labor costs will also affect the total price.
A reinforced garage door can be expensive. But the cost can’t compare to the protection it offers. It can save your property, protect your family, and give you peace of mind. Lower insurance premiums will also help offset the cost.
Keep Wind Out of Your Garage With Front Range Raynor
A hurricane-ready garage door is worth the cost if you live where strong winds hit, because it keeps the biggest opening in your home sealed when a storm pushes hardest. The right door matches your local wind code, uses impact-resistant glass, and still fits the look of your house.
We start by checking whether your current door’s springs, hinges, and tracks can handle the load, fix what’s worn, and suggest a new wind-rated Raynor door only when the old one can’t be made storm-ready. You can see and compare those styles in person at our Fort Collins showroom before you decide.
What You Should Do Next
- Look up your wind code. Call your local building department to learn the wind rating your area requires, then find the rating on your door’s label or install paperwork.
- Test it before storm season. This month, run the auto-reverse test and look over the springs and hinges, watching for a door that shakes, sags, or feels heavy when it opens.
- Book a wind-load consultation. Contact Front Range Raynor if you find broken springs, worn hardware, or cracked glass, and we’ll repair it or quote a wind-rated replacement.
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