Is Your Garage Door Hurricane Ready? Vulnerability Assessment Guide

Your garage door is the single largest and most vulnerable opening in your home. In the face of a North Florida hurricane, its failure can lead to catastrophic structural damage to your entire house. Use this guide to quickly assess your existing door and determine if an investment in a new, certified hurricane door is necessary for your family's safety and peace of mind.

Assess Your Existing Door's Vulnerability

This quick assessment highlights critical points of failure that indicate your door may not be compliant with current code or ready for hurricane-force winds.

5 Critical Checks on Your Existing Door

  • Check for Certification: Look for a permanent label, sticker, or stamp from the manufacturer certifying a wind load rating. If you cannot locate documentation proving your door meets wind load and impact resistance requirements, assume your door is a vulnerability.

  • Inspect Reinforcement Struts: Open your door and look for horizontal steel reinforcement beams. If the door has multiple horizontal supports, ensure they are securely fastened to every panel. Missing or weak reinforcement is a major failure point.

  • Track and Roller Condition: Does your door rattle or shift excessively when opening or closing? Heavy-duty track and hardware are necessary to withstand severe wind pressures. Worn rollers or bent tracks signal immediate repair or replacement is needed.

  • Door Material & Age: Single-layer steel doors or doors over 15 years old often do not meet modern Florida Building Code (FBC) standards, regardless of their appearance.

  • Glazing/Windows: If your garage door has glass or acrylic windows, ensure they are certified impact-rated windows. Standard windows are often not impact rated, especially outside of High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ).

Assessment Conclusion

If you checked Yes to any of the above vulnerabilities, your door may pose a serious risk.

Why Upgrade is the Smartest Investment

The Cost of Inaction vs. Prevention

  • Protecting Your Investment: The garage door is the most vulnerable opening. If it fails, the wind enters, pressurizes your home, and can lift the roof or cause walls to collapse, leading to total structural damage. Investing in a Hurricane Guard door is investing in the structural integrity of your entire home.

  • Zero-Setup Protection: Many of our certified doors require no posts, pins, or extra setup—just close and lock your door for storm readiness.

Peace of Mind and Financial Benefits

  • Guaranteed Code Compliance: A new, certified installation guarantees your door meets FBC and specific wind-borne debris requirements.

  • Insurance Savings: Installing a new door with the Large Missile Impact Rating may reduce your home insurance premiums. This discount helps offset the cost of the door over time. (Click here to learn more about Wind Code & Insurance Savings).

The question isn't just about code compliance; it's about the financial and emotional peace of mind that comes with guaranteed protection.

Ready to Invest in Guaranteed Protection?

Don't wait until the next storm forces you to address your home's greatest vulnerability. Get a clear, professional assessment and a free, no-obligation estimate for a new, certified hurricane-rated door.

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT

(904) 999-0102

WE CAN HELP!

Two-story house with professionally installed Clopay garage door.
A front view of a suburban house with a white impact Clopay garage door, a brick and siding exterior, a pathway leading to the front door, and landscaped yard with trees and bushes, under a clear blue sky.

Standard Size (16x7) Garage Door

WindCode rating: W3

Heavy 25 gauge steel construction

$2016.00

  • Meets local building code requirements.

  • Designed to withstand winds of up to 130MPH & wind load pressures of +12.7/-14.1.

  • Tongue-&-groove/shiplap section joints keep out wind, rain & snow.

  • Replaceable vinyl bottom weatherseal in a corrosion-resistant retainer helps seal out the elements.

  • Galvanized steel hinges are durable, reliable & secure.

  • Inside/outside step plates & grip handles make doors easy and safe to manually operate.

includes installation and life-time warranty

$2214.00 with windows

includes installation & life-time warranty

A two-story house with siding, black Clopay garage door, and a small front porch, surrounded by trees and a well-maintained lawn.

Standard Size (16x7) Garage Door

WindCode rating: W4

Heavy 25 gauge steel construction

$2250.00

  • Hurricane-rated, exceeds local building code requirements, offering peace of mind & potential insurance premium discounts.

  • Designed to withstand winds of up to 140MPH & wind load pressures of +14.5/-16.2.

  • Engineered & built with reinforced materials & construction making the garage door more resistant to high winds & flying debris.

  • Tongue-&-groove/shiplap section joints keep out wind, rain & snow.

  • Replaceable vinyl bottom weatherseal helps seal out the elements.

includes installation & life-time warranty

$2448.00 with windows

includes installation & life-time warranty

A Mediterranean-style house with three brown impact rated Clopay garage doors, arched windows, decorative wrought iron balcony, garden with pink flowers and lush greenery, paver driveway, and soft outdoor lighting.

Standard Size (16x7) Garage Door

WindCode rating: W5

Heavy 25 gauge steel construction

$2457.00

  • Hurricane-rated, exceeds local building code requirements, offering peace of mind & potential insurance premium discounts.

  • Designed to withstand winds of up to 150MPH & wind load pressures of +16.7/-18.6.

  • Engineered & built with reinforced materials & construction, making the garage door more resistant to high winds & flying debris.

  • Tongue-&-groove/shiplap section joints keep out wind, rain & snow.

  • Replaceable vinyl bottom weatherseal helps seal out the elements.

includes installation & life-time warranty

$2664.00 with windows

includes installation & life-time warranty

Two white strong and hurricane proof Clopay garage doors on a brick house with black windows on each door, exterior lights, and a concrete driveway.
Front view of a two-story house a yellow and green siding, white trim, a beautiful white Clopay garage door with small windows, potted plants, and a well-maintained lawn with bushes

Single Car Garage Doors Available In All Standard Sizes 8x7, 9x7 & 10x7.

(904) 999-0102

FREE service calls

FREE estimates

24/7 Emergency SVC

Expert Sales, Installation, & 24/7 Repair Across Clay, Duval & St. Johns Counties

See All The Areas We Serve, HERE.

“PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM THE STORM”