Garage Doors Advice Needed

[Dottie]

I live in Florida. My house was built in 1983 and the garage door is the one that came with the house. I did have it "upgraded" back in

2007 - the door is the same but it was braced. The codes have changed a lot over the years - starting with Andrew in 1992. I have been thinking about getting a new door - it would be up to the current codes and the door itself would be heavy and thick. (My next door neighbor just got one). The bracing looks pretty much the same - he has seven vertical braces and I have four. During hurricane season when we have close calls - I have to bring everything inside that's not tied down and it goes in the garage. This includes gasoline, generator, propane and grill ... my house has been fitted with aluminum shutters and I feel fairly safe because of that. I feel very nervous about the garage though. I am trying to justify getting the new doors.... would hate for the doors to cave in during high wind. Just how much chance is there that the braces wouldn't hold the door? Or that something could crash through it? The door is metal but very thin ... any of you have any practical experience with this? I don't want to waste money if it isn't necessary.

[Dottie]

I said that the braces were vertical -- that is not correct. They are horizontal.

[hrhofmann]

Are these part of the door, or are they put on in case of a hurricane like the covers over the windows? Normal doors have horizontal members at the top and bottom of each of the 4 sections. Additional bracing would be either 4 braces, one across the middle of each section, or some other weird configuration. MOre info is needed.

[HeyBub]

Attached or detached garage?

Damage occurs two ways: Impacts from flying objects and over-pressure.

The door should be able to withstand an impact of a 2x4 or garbage can travelling at 60mph.

The door should also seal itself against the floor and some method for any air that IS forced in to escape. In a hurricane, roofs don't blow off houses as much as they are popped off like a champaign cork by internal pressure.

As for YOUR particular door, your local state offices - and even door replacement people - should be able to provide you with the experiences of litteraly thosands of examples. You're right; it's going to cost bags of money to replace your door. Retrofitting (or doing nothing) will be much cheaper.

[dadiOH]

How has the door done during hurricanes over the past 29 years? If you have had hurricanes during that period I wouldn't worry much about the door now assuming it has not been allowed to deteriorate.

[Dottie]

The braces are extra. There is the usual top and bottom one that probably came on the door and then there are four that were added. There is a dent in the door at the top corner that would let some air in -- there hasn't been a hurricane in my part of FL since early in the century.

[Chuck]

If you have a Dade county approved door, you will get lower insurance rates. It has to be stamped Dade County approved as your aluminum panels are. (or should be) I just went thru all this. My door is not approved and didn't get me any lower rates. My panels are Dade county approved and lowered my rates somewhat. Chuck

[Dottie]

I got a discount because of the shutters and am seriously thinking that the peace of mind plus the discount may make it worth while. I have been cancelled by State Farm (everyone in my county has) and will be covered by Citizens starting the first of April. The deductible is

2% which means it would cost me a lot upfront if I had windstorm damage. That's the main reason I am thinking about getting new doors...

[Pat]

Hurricanes usually come with plenty of advance warning. Easy to add plywood and lumber bracing before it hits if needed. Garage doors especially double width doors are a weak spot. If you are not able to install aditional bracing as needed I would go for a new door.

[Hell Toupee]

UL.

There's a similar old wive's tale about tornadoes.