Windcode® ratings indicate your garage door’s ability to withstand intense storms or hurricanes. A garage door with a high Windcode® rating can prevent high winds from breaching your property, protecting it from potential damage. Building codes in hurricane-prone states like Florida require structures to withstand extreme weather events, which is why most garage doors are built to be wind-resistant.
Understanding Windcode® Ratings for Garage Doors
Windcode® is a standard rating system from Clopay® used to determine the amount the durability a garage door has against high winds caused by hurricanes and extreme weather. The rating considers factors such as building codes, roof height and exposure to rank your garage door. A Windcode® rating specifies the pressure and wind speed your garage door can handle with levels ranging from W-1 to W-9.
Depending on where you live and the building, your Windcode® will need to be higher or lower. For instance, areas that are more vulnerable to having windows and doors broken by debris carried by the wind during a hurricane will require a higher Windcode® rating. Higher ratings indicate that the garage door is built to resist stronger winds. You will find the rating on a large sticker or label on your garage door.
Pounds Per Square Foot (PSF)
When your garage door fails, that can cause a build-up of internal pressure in your property. This can result in damage to walls, windows or roofs when combined with the wind that enters your interior structure. Pounds per square foot (PSF) measures the pressure a garage door can endure from wind or wind-borne debris. A rating has positive and negative PSF. Positive indicates wind blowing against your property which will cause your garage door to cave in, and negative indicates the amount of wind trying to suck or pull the garage door off your structure.
Should Your Garage Door Have a High Windcode®?
Having a wind-resistant garage door is always a safe option. When you live in hurricane-prone areas, it is especially necessary to have a garage door with a high Windcode®. If a garage door fails when high winds and extreme weather occur, your property will be exposed to the elements. You can go from having a few damaged items to having structural damage to your home. A wind-rated garage door helps to protect your garage and the rest of your home.
Contact The Doorman for a Wind-Rated Garage Door Installation
We proudly offer Clopay Windcode® garage doors and quality installations to residential and commercial properties in South Florida. Clopay Windcode® garage doors adhere to building code requirements and are designed to withstand extreme weather events with a built-in reinforcement system.
Contact us online to schedule an appointment today!
