Skip to Main Content

1 (800) 929-3667 (Door) Request Quote Find a Distributor

Search...

- Commercial Product Categories
- All Commercial Doors
- Commercial Operators
- Commercial Accessories
- Loading Dock Equipment
- Commercial Gate Operators
- Commercial Resources
  - Commercial Door Repair
- Overview
- Customize Architectural Drawings
- BIM Object Library
- CAD Drawings
- Specifications
- Additional Resources

Search...

Home
Blogs
Blog Detail

Did You Know? The Essential Guide to Hurricane-Proof Garage Doors

Why Hurricane-Proof Garage Doors Are Vital

Hurricane season brings intense winds and severe weather conditions, posing significant risks to homes, particularly to garage doors. As one of the largest and most vulnerable openings in a home, ensuring your garage door can withstand a hurricane is crucial. Here's everything you need to know to protect your garage and home effectively.

What Makes a Garage Door Hurricane-Proof?

Material and Design: Hurricane-proof garage doors are constructed from robust materials like steel and fiberglass, designed to withstand flying debris driven by high-velocity hurricane winds to help minimize potential storm damage to your home. Hurricane-rated garage doors are tested using a 9-pound 2x4 board launched at 50 feet per second (equivalent to 34 mph) to simulate the impact of wind-borne debris during a hurricane. This test ensures that the doors can withstand severe impacts and provide adequate protection during storms. Additionally, the tracking systems on these doors are built with thicker steel to prevent bending and warping under stress.

Structural Integrity: All components, including reinforcement posts and wind lock guides, work together to maintain the door's integrity against strong winds. This comprehensive design ensures that the garage door remains intact, protecting the interior of your home from the elements.

Preparing for Hurricanes: Key Steps

Invest in a Hurricane-Proof Door: The simplest and most reliable way to secure your garage is to purchase a hurricane-proof garage door. Overhead Door™ WindStorm™ Collection garage doors are specifically designed to withstand extreme weather conditions without additional installations each hurricane season.

Wind and Impact Resistance: Look for garage doors with high wind ratings and impact resistance. These doors are tested to handle severe storms which is particularly beneficial if you live in a coastal area prone to intense hurricanes.

Understanding Storms and Their Impact

Tropical Storms vs. Hurricanes: Tropical storms have winds between 38 to 73 mph, while hurricanes start at 74 mph and can exceed 157 mph. The damage potential increases with the hurricane category, from minor roof and tree damage in Category 1 to catastrophic destruction in Category 5.

Structural Vulnerability: Your garage door is often the first point of failure during a storm, leading to significant damage if breached. Ensuring your door is hurricane-rated can help prevent water and wind from entering, preserving the integrity of your home.

Choosing the Right Hurricane-Rated Door

Wind Load Ratings: Determine the necessary wind load rating for your area. Wind Load ratings range from W1 (for winds up to 90 mph) to W9 (for winds up to 150 mph). Select a door that meets or exceeds the typical wind speeds experienced in your region. Homeowners should contact their local building professional, engineer or architect to understand their local code requirements and to identify the specific needs of their structure.

Residential Construction Considerations: The structure and orientation of your home affect how wind pressures impact your garage door. Consider both positive and negative wind pressures when choosing a door to ensure it can handle forces from all directions.

Are Hurricane-Rated Garage Doors Worth It?

Long-Term Benefits: Investing in a hurricane-rated garage door is a proactive measure to protect your home. These doors provide unmatched durability and security, significantly reducing the risk of damage during hurricanes and tropical storms.

Professional Installation: Ensure you hire experienced professionals for installation to guarantee the door's effectiveness. A well-installed door will remain secure and functional, offering the highest level of protection.

Let Overhead Door™ brand take care of you and your garage during an extreme weather event like a hurricane. One of our expert technicians can go over compatible garage doors for your area. With more than a century in the garage door business, you can trust the Overhead Door™ brand to have the knowledge and the skill you are looking for in selecting a wind load rated garage door.

Learn More About Wind Load Rated Garage Doors

Check Out the Wind Load Brochure

Safety
Garage Door Tips

Share This Article

1 (800) 929-3667 (DOOR)

Homeowners

All Residential Garage Doors
DoorDreamer® : Get Inspired
Repair My Garage Door
Smart Home Hub

Professionals

Commercial
Architects
Loading Dock Equipment
DoorView® - Configurator
Become A Distributor

Useful links

About Us
Blogs
News
Contact Us
Careers

Legal
Privacy Policy
Sitemap
Supply Chain Ethics Policy