What’s the Difference Between Impact-Rated Garage Doors and Other Hurricane-Proofing Strategies?
When extreme weather conditions occur, the right garage door can protect your family and home. Learn about the benefits of purchasing an impact-rated garage door versus making a garage door hurricane-proof when you live in Florida.
What Are Impact-Rated Garage Doors?
An impact-rated garage door, also called a hurricane-rated garage door, meets your area’s building codes regarding wind load requirements.
You can contact garage door professionals to perform an in-depth analysis and determine which door best suits your needs. Various factors affect your needs, including your property’s structure, height and exposure rating.
Benefits of Hurricane-Rated Garage Doors
Hurricane-rated garage doors offer a range of advantages:
- Water damage prevention: A hurricane-rated garage door keeps water from entering your house. It also resists rust and corrosion to maintain your curb appeal.
- Quality construction: The sturdy design featuring heavy-duty materials and hardware provides excellent protection from wind and debris.
- Lower insurance: The security measures of a hurricane-rated garage door often translate to lower insurance premiums.
- Convenience: A wind-resistant garage doesn’t require any extra steps for setup each hurricane season.
What Is Hurricane-Proofing Your Door?
Many homeowners question how they can make an existing garage door hurricane-proof without replacing it. Two common approaches include:
- Braces: A short-term solution involves installing braces horizontally or vertically behind a garage door for added support.
- Hurricane panels: You can also add polycarbonate, steel or aluminum panels over a garage door.
These strategies require labor before every storm and offer less effective protection against strong winds compared to impact-rated doors. However, they can be helpful as short-term solutions.
Impact-Rated Garage Doors Versus Hurricane-Proofing Strategies
Having an impact-rated garage door can give you peace of mind. During tropical storms or hurricanes, you’ll be as safe as possible with protection from strong winds, debris and rain.
In contrast, a hurricane-proofing strategy may not offer adequate protection. Positive or negative pressures from the wind can cause damage to your roof and property structure.
When you live on the coast or in an area prone to hurricanes, it’s best to save money and time by investing in an impact-rated garage door that offers high performance and superior protection. There are many stylish designs and colors to choose from, which can boost your curb appeal and property value.
Contact The Doorman for Professional Garage Door Services
The Doorman provides garage door solutions for homeowners throughout southeast Florida and the surrounding areas. To request an inspection, service or replacement, complete a contact form today!