Hurricane proof garage doors - InspectionNews

Wade Johnson · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 02:52 PM

Is adding hurricane bars with a wind resistance of 140 Miles an hour sufficient to get the hurricane credit on the wind mitigation forms or is a whole new door necessary.

Jerry Peck · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 02:58 PM

"Hurricane proof garage doors"

First, there are no "hurricane proof" anything.

You would need a tested, listed, and labeled door.

Just adding braces makes you feel good, and probably works pretty good too, but the insurance companies will want someone to stand behind it - get a structural engineer to design the bracing system and sign off on the entire door, that would also work, but it would probably cost more than a new approved door.

Wade Johnson · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 03:04 PM

If the hurricane bar/brace company states that the door is wind rated to 140 miles per hour would that be sufficient for the insurance companies?

Jerry Peck · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Johnson

If the hurricane bar/brace company states that the door is wind rated to 140 miles per hour would that be sufficient for the insurance companies?

Only if their engineer signs off on the door too.

Here is why: You could install three braces and leave the door to be held as its ends in the track and have the track come loose, which means the door comes loose, which means the door might get wrapped around the braces and not be closing off the opening.

Wade Johnson · #5 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 03:21 PM

Thank you