Hurricane-Rated Garage Door: Standards and Requirements

With nature’s most powerful storms, wind and debris can do much damage. That is why hurricane-rated garage door installation is crucial to protect your home from these destructive forces. These specially designed doors comply with the strictest standards and requirements for your safety. So, this blog post looks into the complicated world of these wind code rated garage doors. Let us figure out what makes them strong and what strict standards they must meet. First, let us define what they are.

What Is a Hurricane-Rated Garage Door?

A hurricane-rated garage door, also called wind-load rated garage door, plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of a garage and the home itself during a storm. The materials used and their construction can survive the harsh forces of hurricanes and other storms. These doors also went through a series of tests to reduce the chance of structural damage. Now, let us examine the hurricane garage door standards and regulations that offer maximum storm protection.

Standards and Requirements for Hurricane Proof Garage Doors

Design Pressure Ratings

Manufacturers assign design pressure ratings to a hurricane-rated garage door based on their ability to endure positive and negative wind gusts. These values are given in pounds per square foot (psf), showing how strong the door is against the force of the wind. Therefore, you would see these doors with labels “Low,” “Medium,” or “High” design pressure. It shows how well they can withstand different amounts of wind force.

Impact Resistance 

The main feature of hurricane garage doors is that they can take hits from objects carried by the wind. In fact, large rockets moving at different speeds are used to test these doors thoroughly. Wind code rating for garage doors shows how they can withstand these impacts. These tests make sure that they stay together even when hit by flying objects that could break ordinary doors.

Structural Reinforcements

Hurricane garage doors have extra structural reinforcements to strengthen them. For example, these doors have stronger tracks, bracing systems, stronger doors, and better hardware. The goal is to give the door more support and security, lowering the chance of breaking under strong wind pressure.

Testing and Certification 

To be certified as hurricane tested, garage doors must undergo a series of strict tests run by these reputable testing agencies. 

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 
• Florida Building Code (FBC)
• Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office

With this certification, homeowners can be sure that their garage door meets standards for hurricane safety. It proves that you can trust these doors when the weather is bad.

Benefits of a Hurricane-Rated Garage Door

Additional Protection

These doors add a layer of security to your home when bad weather hits, lowering the risk of damage to your property.

Possible Low Insurance Rates

Because hurricane garage doors protect homes better, many insurance companies offer savings to those who avail them.

Increased Home Value

A garage door that can withstand hurricanes can increase the value of your home and make it more appealing to safety-minded buyers.

Peace of Mind 

Who would not have peace of mind knowing that your garage door can endure hurricanes? If you have one installed, you can focus on other parts of getting ready for a storm.

Conclusion

In places where hurricanes are common, a strong wind code rating for garage doors can make a big difference. Hurricane-rated garage doors have to meet specific rules and standards to make sure they can stand up to high winds, hits, and debris. Choose the right garage door wind load ratings when buying these special doors. By doing so, you can protect your home and help make the entire area more resistant to storms. Remember, always talk to a reputable manufacturer and garage door service provider that follows local building codes to ensure the best safety and security.

Garage Door Installation Near Me

Are you looking for the best hurricane garage doors to protect your home from the forces of nature? You can count on Omaha Garage Door Repair for high-quality installation of residential garage doors. Find the best wind code rated garage doors for your needs and take advantage of our vast knowledge of garage door wind load ratings. Furthermore, our experts can advise you in making the right choices. Contact us today to improve the safety and security of your home during bad weather.