Protecting Your Garage Doors Before a Hurricane Hits

Dec 10, 2013 by admin

Hurricanes and other major storms cause hundreds of billions of dollars in damage in the United States every year. While damages that destroy entire homes and businesses are devastating, much of the property loss comes from debris and winds damaging the exteriors of homes. Garage doors take a lot of damage, but homeowners often will take great pains to protect their windows and front doors but leave their garage doors unprotected against a fierce storm.

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, your first step to protect your garage doors is to make sure that they are rated for storm protection. In areas that frequently receive hurricane-force winds, this can mean impact-resistant doors made with a fiberglass or steel veneer, or hurricane-proof garage doors with a framework that won’t twist in high winds and a track system that is extra strong.

After you have installed your garage door, you can also retrofit it to be stronger in case of a major storm. One way to do this is to purchase a garage door bracing kit. This comes with extra braces and hardware to make your door more able to withstand high winds. You’ll also want to make sure that the track of your garage door is made from steel that is at least 14-gauge weight and that any screws or bolts on your track are securely fastened.

If you live in a place that frequently in the path of hurricane destruction, you might be required to install hurricane-proof garage doors or take additional steps to protect your doors against gale force winds. You’ll want to consult your local ordinances and your insurance agent for more details. You also might be eligible for discounts on your insurance if you install stormproof garage doors.

This article was written by Eto Doors. Eto Doors is a retailer of high quality garage doors, front entrance doors and more. Please read Eto Doors reviews.