Garage doors can be a great way to add curb appeal and convenience to your Florida home. So if you are looking to upgrade your home then adding a stylish garage door is always a great idea. But if you live in the sunshine state your garage door may need to stand up to the potential impacts of hurricane season. This means a standard garage door may not be the best option. So what type of garage door is best for Florida? That is what we will cover in this article.
Table of contents (what is in this guide):
Considerations for Garage Doors in Florida
You may be asking why you cannot just buy a standard garage door at the big box store for your Florida home. Well, if you do not live in a wind-borne debris region then a standard garage door may be fine. But if you live in a hurricane prone area like Southwest Florida then a standard door is not ideal.
Why? We dive into this below.
Problem with Installing a Standard Garage Door in Florida
Your garage door is most likely the biggest opening in your home. And if you have a standard garage door in an area prone to hurricanes then it also represents one of the most vulnerable areas of your home during a hurricane. Standard garage doors are not able to withstand the extreme winds or impacts of flying objects experienced during a storm. And if your garage door is compromised you will have a large opening where hurricane winds and pressure can get in. This not only can lead to damage to the inside of your garage and/or home. But it can also lead to your home becoming pressurized. And this has the potential to cause more significant damage, like your roof being structurally damaged.
Standard, non-hurricane garage doors can potentially cave in (by positive pressure), be sucked out (by negative pressure), or break if they get struck by flying debris during a hurricane. Standard overhead doors are not designed to withstand the extreme wind, pressure or impacts of flying debris. Or in other words, they are not made to withstand a hurricane.
On the other hand, Hurricane proof garage doors are engineered and tested to be able to stand up to the severe wind and impacts of flying debris present during a category 5 hurricane.
And that leads us into the topic of this article, which is what type of garage door is best for your home in Florida? We answer that below.
OVERALL: BEST GARAGE DOOR FOR HOMES IN FLORIDA
Our Recommendation: Insulated Hurricane Garage Door
When it comes to the best all around garage door for your Florida home our clear choice is an Insulated Hurricane Garage Door.
Why we recommend it: They are hurricane-rated so they will stand up to the worst hurricanes. They are also insulated so they can help with energy efficiency and make your garage more usable and comfortable. They also have all the curb appeal and design choices of a standard door so you can meet your design goals as well.
We explore all of these reasons why these doors are perfect for your Florida home below.
1. STRONG STORM PROTECTION
Impact garage doors can stand up to the worst hurricanes, protecting your home and family. These doors are super heavy-duty, reinforced, and strong. They are engineered, built and rigorously tested to be able to withstand the strong winds and flying debris present during up to a category 5 hurricane. And only doors that pass these extreme standards are awarded Florida Product Approval and meet the Florida Building Code.
The strength and impact resistant nature of impact resistant doors comes from their materials of construction. Specifically, they are constructed with a thick, impact resistant exterior skin made from heavy-gauge steel, a heavy-duty structural reinforcement system, a heavy-duty track system, and more robust components as a whole.
Key take-away: hurricane rated garage doors are able to withstand the winds and flying debris of even the worst hurricane. This means they will protect your home and family.
2. EXCEPTIONAL INSULATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
It should be noted that hurricane garage doors are available both with and without added insulation. But if you have the budget we recommend opting for an insulated version. This is because it is a great fit for the extreme heat of Florida. Uninsulated garage doors typically result in brutally hot garage spaces that are uncomfortable or even unusable when the temperature outside is high.
This is evidenced by the fact that there is an entire industry of manufacturers selling garage insulation kits. However, these are usually cumbersome to install and have issues keeping them in place, especially during extreme heat.
Insulated impact garage doors have the insulation built into the actual door. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits of better energy efficiency and more comfortable temperatures right after installation.
Key take-away: insulated doors provide energy efficiency and make your garage more comfortable and usable, especially in the extreme Florida heat.
3. GREAT LOOKS
We talked a lot above about how “heavy-duty” and robust hurricane proof garage doors are. So you are probably thinking they are industrial or utilitarian looking. Or in other words, you probably think they are not very attractive.
The good news is that is not true.
While it does depend on the specific manufacturer these doors are just as attractive as a standard garage door. This is because the heavy-duty track system, structural reinforcement, etc. are behind the door. So they are not visible from the exterior of your home.
The doors are also offered in many styles, colors, and designs, which allow you to pick a design that matches your preferences.
Key take-away: Hurricane rated garage doors are attractive so you don’t have to have an “ugly” door in order to protect your family and home.
OPTIONS FOR CREATING THE PERFECT GARAGE DOOR FOR YOUR HOME
Wind-load rated garage doors also offer several options. These options allow you to create the perfect garage door for your home. We discuss some of these options below.
*Please note that these are options that Eurex Shutters offers. These may not be available from every hurricane garage door company.
- Insulated or uninsulated
- Impact windows or no windows
- Several designs available to choose from
- External keypad for access without a transmitter
CONCLUSION: Insulated Hurricane Garage Doors Are the Best for Florida Homes
Having a standard garage door on your Florida home is not ideal. They present a major vulnerability in the event of a hurricane. Hurricane garage doors are able to withstand the extreme wind, pressure and impact of flying debris during the worst hurricane. Insulated versions further help to make your home more energy efficient and your garage more comfortable and usable. And these doors are also attractive and offer many options so you can create the perfect door for you.
If you are interested in installing a new hurricane garage door then we can help! Contact the professionals at Eurex Shutters. We have been installing hurricane protection products, including hurricane shutters, and impact windows and doors in Southwest Florida since 1986. Our technicians do everything from garage door installation to repair. Give us a call at (239) 369-8600 or fill out the quick form below to get a FREE ESTIMATE.
