Install High Pressure-Rated Garage Door

05/03/2023

Why do they matter?

Garage doors cover the largest openings on residential structures and are typically made of lightweight materials. These two conditions make them the weakest point on nearly every home and the most common starting point for building failure in high wind events like hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes. Installing a wind and impact-resistant garage door will help protect your home should a disaster strike.

When the wind pushes against a large garage door, it can act like a sail on a ship. The door can be forced in and pulled out without breaking, or the door may dislodge and separate from the tracks altogether. In both cases, wind can enter the garage, pressurize the enclosed area, and push the roof upwards as the force increases. Think of the wind pressurization in your garage as similar to what happens when you blow up a balloon. Once the balloon has too much air inside, it will pop. Once your roof is compromised, it can pop too, exposing your home to extensive, costly damage from the wind and rain.

What do I need to know?

• A superior garage door is one of the most effective investments you can make to create a strong home. When you do, you will protect your cars, your roof, your home, your contents, but most importantly, your family inside.
• FLASH recommends garage doors with superior wind-resistance ratings (150 mph or higher) with the added protection of tested and approved impact-resistant features. These doors use thicker metal and stronger horizontal struts or reinforcements, and they have more mounting brackets on either side of the door.
• Single-car garage doors usually resist wind forces more effectively than two-car garage doors.
• Avoid choosing garage doors with windows in high-wind zones as they introduce additional weakness in the door panel and require shutters or extra protection.

If you cannot replace your garage door, you can help strengthen it against high winds from a hurricane, severe thunderstorm, or tornado.

• Use tested and approved shutters or opening protection devices like a reinforced screen or fabric panel to cover your door or create a plywood shutter as a temporary, emergency measure.
• Inspect the door from the inside for signs of weakness and opportunities to make it stronger.
  • Look for a sticker on the door to determine the wind- or impact-resistance ratings.
  • Check for damaged or loose tracks. Make sure they are secure by tightening all loose screws and replacing rusty screws.
  • Check rollers for excess wear and tear, malfunction or missing pins. Replace as necessary.
  • Check springs for rust, thinning, and proper function.
  • Count the number of mounting brackets on either side of your door. If you have fewer than four, your door may not be wind or impact-rated. Add additional brackets to reinforce the mounting system.

Where do I start?

Replacing or reinforcing your garage door

• Check with your building department for information about required wind speed and any impact rating requirements for your garage door.
• Evaluate your door by looking for a sticker or imprinted number on the door that indicates the manufacturer, model, and installation date.
• Consider consulting a garage door professional to assess your existing door’s wind load features based on age, size, local design wind speed requirements, and location on the structure.
• Use products that have been tested and approved using a standard established through a recognized product approval system or evaluation report.
• Follow manufacturer specifications for installation as improper installation may cause a voided warranty or, worse, a product failure that presents a threat to life and property.
• If you reinforce your garage door, you may need a professional to adjust the door’s counterbalance system.