A Guide on How to Hurricane-Proof Your Garage
Living along the Atlantic coast of the United States means being familiar with tropical storms and hurricanes. They’re a fact of life, with hurricane season bringing an average of 14 storms big enough to have names, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes per season.
Garage doors guard the largest opening of your home, and if they aren’t specially reinforced to hurricane standards, they can lack the strength to withstand high winds and debris impacts. The following guide will answer common questions about how to hurricane-proof your garage, detail storm preparation for your garage door, and explain how a hurricane-rated upgrade will help minimize potential storm damage.
The Role of Garage Doors in Hurricane Protection
A stylish garage door boosts curb appeal and secures the garage opening. This opening is normally the biggest in the house, making it critical that it’s protected with a strong, durable cover to shield against inclement weather. While perfectly suited for non-hurricane weather, standard garage doors can become a structural weakness against gale-force winds and rain.
If a garage door fails during a storm, it could result in:
- Home flooding: Weather seal failure or gaps from door damage can allow water to enter your home.
- Pressure buildup: The sudden rush of wind into your home that results from a broken garage door can cause structural damage to your walls or even cause your roof to lift.
- Damage to belongings: If the wind compromises your garage door, personal belongings like vehicles, electronics, clothes and more can be lost or destroyed.
How to Prepare Your Garage Door for a Hurricane
Whether your garage door is reinforced or not, it’s important to take the following steps to prepare it for hurricane conditions:
- Inspect: Check for any signs of damage and make repairs if possible. You should also confirm that the door operates smoothly and that its lock works. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your garage door in the best condition possible when facing a hurricane.
- Reinforce: Use temporary supports and braces like steel pipes or wood posts. You can use your vehicle to provide more stability and weight behind the door— the better you can brace it, the more likely it is to hold up.
- Secure: Use the manual locking mechanism and disconnect the automatic openers to prevent accidental openings during the storm.
- Clear: Clear as much as you can out of the garage, as anything left during the storm could sustain damage or turn into a projectile.
After the storm has completely passed, inspect your garage door again and note any changes. This includes the area around the door, like the weatherstripping.
Stylish and Strong Hurricane-Rated Garage Doors
When you’re looking to upgrade, there is a range of garage doors available from industry-leading manufacturer Clopay® that have a WindCode® rating between 1 and 9 based on building codes, roof height and structure exposure. When figuring out which garage doors are hurricane-proof, check out the following lines of garage doors. They use strong materials, and there are multiple insulation options to choose from:
- Canyon Ridge® designs
- Coachman® designs
- Gallery Steel
- Bridgeport Steel
- Classic™ Steel
- Modern Steel™
- Avante®
- VertiStack Avante
- Reserve®
Benefits of Upgrading to a Hurricane-Rated Garage Door
You can enhance your home safety and peace of mind during storms by upgrading to a hurricane-rated garage door. This will benefit you in several ways, including:
Energy Efficiency and Smart Features
Hurricane-rated models of garage doors include durable weather seals and are well-insulated. These protections help keep the temperature inside stable, increasing energy efficiency and storm protection. Modern openers include integration with smart home systems, allowing remote operation, real-time alerts and more.
South Carolina’s Hurricane Code Requirements
As South Carolina’s southeast border is the Atlantic Ocean, which is the birthplace of many storms, it has developed some stringent state building codes to protect property and people. Statewide, exterior doors must withstand local wind speeds and loads specified in the International Residential Code (IRC), which South Carolina uses for residential construction codes.
Doors need to follow impact resistance rules, especially in coastal areas like Charleston. New and existing garage doors must comply with these regulations and are tested and certified to ensure they do.
Reinforcement Systems
Hurricane-rated doors have built-in reinforcement systems that subtly add the strength they need. You’ll find steel-reinforced struts, end stiles and hinges. Wind-bracing mechanics like removable posts or even an automatically engaging bracing system within the door are available. Windows have impact and pressure resistance. The tracks are hardy, securing the door to the home’s structure.
Increased Curb Appeal
These doors come in multiple styles and have custom decorative features you can choose from, so you will get weather protection and enhance your curb appeal and overall home aesthetic, especially with a luxury or custom option.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the following common questions people ask about hurricane-rated garage doors:
Which Garage Windows Are Hurricane-Proof?
If your door has a WindCode rating, every part of it needs to withstand the same impact and wind load standards, including the windows. These windows use reinforced, impact-resistant or laminated glass or acrylic, which can withstand the pressure and impacts at the same level as the rest of the door.
Will a Hurricane-Rated Garage Door Help With Insurance Costs?
As these doors reduce the risk of storm damage, insurers see them as benefits that will cost them less money in claim payouts, so you’ll often get a discount on your premium.
How Much Do Hurricane-Rated Doors Cost?
There’s no one single price for these doors. Total costs vary based on the material, size, insulation and customization options you choose and whether it’s a luxury door. It will be more of an initial investment than a standard door, but you’re paying that extra to keep your home and possessions safe, potentially costing you less money and stress in the long run.
Contact Southeastern Garage Doors
Located in Charleston, South Carolina, and with over 100 years of combined experience, we leave our customers satisfied with their new garage door installation and repairs. We specialize in same-day service, so instead of writing down your information and waiting for a technician to contact you, we can be with you on the same day you call.
We are a proud provider of Clopay garage doors, with more WindCode-compliant options than anyone else in the industry. Increase your curb appeal and prepare your home for the hurricane season today. You can call (843) 747-6622 or contact us online to get started!
