Hurricane season is one of the most perilous times of year for homeowners. All parts of your home are susceptible, but the garage door is a particular weak point.
Read on to learn how tosecure your garage door in case of an impending hurricane.
Weather-Proof Doors
There are hurricane-proof and wind-resistance garage doors, which offer owners a significant amount of support. In some parts of Florida these types of doors are actually required by local government or by insurance companies.
These doors prevent your garage and its contents from being ruined. Hurricane grade garage doors can resist strong winds, heavy rain, sudden pressure changes, and light debris. This resistance to damage makes hurricane-grade garage doors invaluable to Florida homeowners.
Weather Proofing Other Doors
For homeowners who do not have the ability to install a weather-proof door, there are options for hurricane-proofing their existing garage doors.
Modern garage doors often come with pins and bracing that can anchor the door into the foundation of the house. When the door has been anchored, make sure that the garage door unit is able to weather the impending storm. If you are concerned with the unit getting hit by lightning, it is better to be safe than sorry, and disconnect it.
It is also fairly easy to install your own storm paneling. Many homeowners use plywood, although it is not officially storm proof. Experts say that plywood sheets 5/8” thick are thick enough to resist most flying projectiles.
Experts can also install various types of storm paneling to protect garage doors. There are metal, plastic, and fabric storm panels that can protect not only your garage door, but windows. Metal and plastic storm panels can be installed on mounted tracks or bolted into place. For garage doors, it is smarter to simply bolt them into place every time a storm is coming. Fabric storm panels are made from Kevlar and attach around the edge of the protected area with grommets and bolts.
Benefits Of Hurricane-Proof Garage Doors
- Peace of Mind: It means one less thing you have to worry about with an approaching storm. You can store backup food and water in your garage without being concerned about it getting ruined.
- Protect Your Vehicles: When a hurricane starts blowing, there isn’t really a place outdoors that can be considered safe. If your garage door has been weather-proofed, you can protect your car from the elements and flying debris.
- Keep Your Insurance Costs Low: Every time you file a claim with your insurance, that monthly premium goes up. By paying the costs upfront for a weather-proof door or hurricane-proofing an existing door, you are saving money in the long run.
- Focus on What Matters: If there is a bad storm and your home has multiple damages, a garage door dent is simply one more issue. If a tree has come through your roof, a dented garage door may seem silly in comparison and go by the wayside. If your garage is weather proof, the damage there will be minimal or nonexistent, so you can focus on other repairs or post-storm cleanup.
