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Helping You Make Your Home Your Castle |
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How to Hurricane Proof Garage Doors
Hurricane Resistant Garage Doors
Introduction:
If you live on the East
coast between Florida and Maine or the gulf cost
you are subject to hurricanes. Although
approximately a dozen hurricanes are generated each
year only about four actually come ashore and
damage property. Your garage doors take a
tremendous beating from hurricane winds that can be
in excess of 150 mph. These winds create a
buffeting effect that can cause major damage to
garage doors. Replacing damage garage doors can
cost up to $1,300 and if they completely fail the
damage to the house can be even greater. Here are
some suggestions on how to hurricane proof garage
doors.
Keep in mind that just one inch of floodwater can
cause up to $8,000 worth of damage to your home.
Collapsed garage doors can easily let in that much
water and more. In fact, the loss of garage doors
is one of the major factors contributing to
hurricane storm damage in homes.
You can take steps to protect your garage doors
from hurricane damage and possibly lower your
insurance premiums in the process. When installing
or replacing garage doors, purchase hurricane proof
or high wind resistant garage doors. In most
hurricane prone areas building codes require that a
garage door to withstand winds up to 130 mph. In
some locations the code requirement is even higher.
There are two grades of hurricane proof garage
doors; impact resistant garage doors and hurricane
proof garage doors. Impact resistant doors are made
with a steel or fiberglass veneer and are designed
to withstand the force of objects hurled against
them. Hurricane proof doors consist of an
extra-strong steel track system whereby the
framework is twist resistant. Impact resistant and
hurricane proof garage doors cost between $800 and
$1300.
The surest way to prevent a garage door from
collapsing in hurricane force winds is to brace the
door using a garage door bracing kit. A
hurricane-resistant retrofit kit for garage doors
includes braces and hardware and costs about $55
for a double garage door kit. If you are a DIY
homeowner you can install the brace kit yourself.
The last thing to consider is the garage door
tract. Insure that the track is at least 14-gauge
weight so it can support the door in hurricane
forced winds. Related articles: Discount Home Improvement Supply Centers
How to Prevent Hurricane Roof Damage
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