In locations with tropical climates, such as South Florida, it’s essential to opt for a hurricane-resistant garage door to safeguard your property amidst the challenging weather conditions.
These garage doors are engineered to endure strong winds, storms, heavy rain, and other adverse weather conditions prevalent in the region. Therefore, the installation of hurricane garage doors is paramount. In this discussion, we’ll provide insights into what we consider the best hurricane garage doors based on our perspective and experience as a garage door services company serving Miami, Florida.
Best garage door material for South Florida tropical climates?
Garage door materials mainly effect the efficiency of the garage door hurricane-resistant as Miami-Dade testing the Material, Design, and Pattern during the large missile test (Tests part of Florida building code regulations designed to measure and enhance resilience against the impact of hurricanes, large and heavy projectiles and high winds).
Finding the best hurricane garage door is responsibility of your garage door dealer/services company. If you are living in Miami Dade or Broward counties Don’t hesitate to contact us or schedule an in-home estimate. AAA GARAGE DOOR Is your local garage door authorized dealer and services.
If you already know all the garage door material JUMP to our Best Hurricane Garage Door Options
To find the best hurricane garage doors, we must first look at the best garage door materials. Here are some materials that are well suited for a tropical climate:
Wood Composite Garage Doors
Wood composite garage doors are a type of garage door crafted from a blend of wood fibers and other materials, such as resin or polymers layered with steel, and insulation layers. Wood composite garage doors also known as Faux Wood and Woodlook garage doors.
These doors are designed to mimic the appearance of traditional wooden doors through the distinct finish of Oak woodgrain patterns while offering enhanced durability and Impact-Resistance to environmental elements of South Florida region.
Wood composite garage doors materials are chosen for their ability to resist warping, rotting, and insect damage, making them a more robust option compared to traditional wood. The combination of natural wood aesthetics and advanced composite technology makes wood composite garage doors a popular choice for South Florida homeowners who seeking a balance between visual appeal and practicality.
Steel Garage Doors
Steel garage doors are the most popular material in tropical climates due to their strength, durability, and resistance to warping. Most steel garage doors have a rust-resistant hot-dipped galvanized layer coating ranging from 28-gauge to 24-gauge which is the highest grade of steel it’s mainly to make it able to withstand more wear and tear and protect against corrosion in a humid environment. In addition, Strength contributes to security as well. A steel garage door with high durability improves your home security than any other material.
Aluminum Garage Doors
Aluminum is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and suitable for coastal areas with salt exposure. It’s a good choice for tropical climates and full-view styles, but it may not be as strong, hurricane and well insulated as steel. Look for doors with reinforced frames and impact-resistant Glass Windows for added strength.
Worst garage door material for South Florida tropical climates?
As we mentioned the best material, we need to mention the worst garage door material that typically be one that is not well-suited to withstand the specific challenges posed by the environment. Here are a few materials that may be less ideal for South Florida’s tropical climates:
Wooden Garage Doors
Wooden garage doors offer the aesthetic appeal of traditional redwood without the susceptibility to rot, warping, or insect damage. Despite wood doors being ordered with factory paint that resists moisture and rot but still can’t be a good option for a tropical climate due to its occasional maintenance to protect against humidity and rain.
Fiberglass Garage Doors
Fiberglass garage door material is generally more affordable than wood with very low maintenance material, but it can also easily break, making it unsuitable for natural forces or accidental hits. They are also lightweight but if dented or damaged in any way, they must be replaced as there are no options to repair them. However, what is most important is they may not be as impact-resistant as steel or wood composite materials. if your main concern is Impact-Resistant Investing in steel or wood composite garage doors is better than fiberglass. Ask for the Multi-layers Fiberglass garage doors options they are stronger than Single-Layer Fiberglass doors and it may be suitable for your needs.
Consider Impact-Resistant Glass: If your garage door has windows, consider Impact-Resistant Glazing Glass. Even if your garage door is Hurricane-Ready this is especially important in hurricane-prone areas like Florida. In periods of strong winds, debris has the potential to transform into forceful projectiles, posing a threat to garage door windows that lack the strength to withstand the accompanying pressure. Thats why Impact-resistant glass can help protect your garage from flying debris during severe storms.
- For Informational Purposes: Did you know that the 2002 Florida Building Code mandates that residences in the majority of coastal areas in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) section of the Florida Building Code, which applies to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Every exterior opening, residential or commercial, must be provided with protection by shutters or impact-resistant windows against wind-borne debris caused by hurricanes in the HVHZ.
Best Garage Doors for South Florida Tropical Climate
Now let us begin the list of the best hurricane-proof garage doors. In this list, you will know the name of the collection, as well as its specifications, and what distinguishes it from the others, so that you will have complete knowledge about each choice, in addition to our personal opinion about it, in order to add your point of view through experience, and in the end, you will have complete freedom to decide which is option better that suits your needs. All Hurricane-Resist Garage doors come equipped with sturdy, heavy-gauge metal tracks, enhancing their resilience and minimizing the risk of dislodgment during high winds?
Don’t forget AAA Garage Door Inc. Is always glad to help you choosing the perfect garage door for your home. We are here to help you in all your garage door services needs. Call Us Now Or Schedule A Job.
Canyon Ridge Carriage House 5-Layer Garage Door
The Canyon Ridge Carriage House 5-Layer is a highly regarded and popular option for residential hurricane-rated garage doors. It offers durability, reliability, and a wide range of design options to suit various architectural styles.
Why Choose Canyon Ridge Carriage House 5-Layer ?
Highest Hurricane Garage Door: Canyon Ridge Carriage House 5-Layer is one of the highest rated hurricane garage door in the industry.
Highest R-Value: Carriage House garage door’s R-Value of 20.4, achieved through the combination of 2″ Intellicore® polyurethane insulation and thermal break technology, making it a top-tier choice for homeowners seeking optimal insulation and energy efficiency.
Most realistic wooden appearance: composite wood layer in Carriage House garage door mimic the look of real wood and thanks to the Faux wood composites, such as high-quality polymers or composite overlays, can convincingly replicate the texture and grain of natural wood.
Specifications
- 5-layer construction: steel + insulation + steel + composite cladding + composite overlay.
- Faux wood-look composite cladding and overlay materials are molded from actual wood pieces to reproduce the natural texture and intricate grain patterns of the species they emulate.
- Colors include: Walnut, Dark, Medium, Slate, Black, White and Primed.
- 2″ Intellicore® polyurethane insulation with a thermal break. R-Value of 20.4.
- WINDCODE® door reinforcement product available for high wind load applications.
Large and Small Missile Impact Test
The large and small missile impact tests for garage doors are part of florida build code regulations, designed to enhance the resilience of buildings in the face of severe weather conditions, particularly hurricanes. The tests results are measure with Maximum Design Pressure (MDP) +- The higher the result the better impact resistance.
Canyon ridge garage doors MDP+ :
Garage Door up to 18′-2″, 16′-2”, Wide w/ Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP+ 38
Garage Door up to 9′-0″ Wide with Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP+ 54
Canyon ridge garage doors MDP- :
Garage Door up to 18′-2″ & 16′-2” Wide w/ Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP- 42
Garage Door up to 9′-0″ Wide with Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP- 60
|
MDP = The highest level of pressure it should be exposed to in normal operating conditions |
Canyon Ridge Carriage House Garage Door Design Loads Value |
| Maximum Design Pressure(+): | 54.00 |
| Maximum Design Pressure(-): | 60.00 |
Coachman Garage Doors
COACHMAN garage door is a popular choice for homeowners looking for a combination of classic design and durability. It offers a stylish carriage house look with the benefits of modern construction and materials.
Why Choose COACHMAN Garage Door ?
We have installed CoachMan garage doors for around 35 homeowners in the South Florida region, providing them with a secure and visually appealing option for their homes.
Tested & Approved Hurricane Garage Door: Coachman Collection garage door is tested for High velocity hurricane zone and approved hurricane garage door in both Miami-Dade County and throughout the country.
Quality Construction: 4-layer construction combination of steel, insulation with thermal break (2″ Intellicore® polyurethane, 2″ polystyrene or 1-3/8″ polystyrene insulation. R-values from 6.5 to 18.4), and composite layer.
Specifications
- The COACHMAN garage door is constructed using 4 layers (Composite overlay – Steel – Insulation – Steel).
- R-Value insulation ranges from 6.5 to 18.4, providing strength against, energy efficiency, and noise reduction which is mainly required for your home in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
- The insulation options include 2″ Intellicore® polyurethane, 2″ polystyrene, or 1-3/8″ polystyrene insulation.
- The outer layer features a molded composite overlay that resembles the appearance of authentic wood.
- This composite material offers the charm of a traditional carriage house door without the maintenance requirements of real wood.
Large and Small Missile Impact Test
COACHMAN garage door MDP+ :
Garage Door up to 18′-2″, 16′-2”, Wide w/ Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP+ 38
Garage Door up to 9′-0″ Wide with Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP+ 54
COACHMAN garage door MDP- :
Garage Door up to 18′-2″ & 16′-2” Wide w/ Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP- 42
Garage Door up to 9′-0″ Wide with Optional Impact Resistant Lites = MDP- 60
|
MDP = The highest level of pressure it should be exposed to in normal operating conditions |
Coachman Garage Door Design Loads Value |
| Maximum Design Pressure(+): | 54.00 |
| Maximum Design Pressure(-): | 60.00 |
Canyon Ridge Modern Garage Door
Clopay Canyon Ridge Modern garage doors offer an extensive selection of designs perfectly tailored for contemporary homes. Constructed with a blend of steel for strength and molded composite materials for beauty, these doors combine the best of both worlds.
View CollectionWhy Choose Canyon Ridge Modern Steel Garage Door ?
We have installed Canyon Ridge Modern Steel Garage Door for around 35 homeowners in the area.
- Insulation for Energy Efficiency: Canyon Ridge Modern is one of the highest R-value insulation garage doors ranging from 6.3 to 20.4 with 2″ Intellicore® polyurethane insulation with a thermal break. In addition to its 4-layer construction.
- Durable Construction: Customers have expressed their satisfaction with Canyon Ridge Modern garage doors, praising their robust construction and high-quality materials. The faux wood-look composite overlays have garnered positive reviews for being low maintenance, exceptionally durable, and resistant to rot, warping, and cracking.
- Adds Huge Wow Factor to Home’s ‘Curb Appeal’: Most of our customers who installed the Canyon Ridge modern garage door were impressed not only with the quality and durability of the garage door but also with how their curb appeal was completely transformed thanks to the faux wood overlay that gives the modern steel durability and stimulates the wood-like appearance. Their neighbors have said nothing but positive comments.
Specifications
- 4-layer construction: durable, composite, steel, and Intellicore® insulation.
- 2″ Intellicore® polyurethane insulation with a thermal break for excellent energy efficiency.
- R-Value ranging from 6.3 to 20.4, ensuring optimal insulation properties.
- WINDCODE® door reinforcement product available for high wind load applications.
Large and Small Missile Impact Test
|
MDP = The highest level of pressure it should be exposed to in normal operating conditions |
Canyon Ridge Modern Garage Door Design Loads Value |
| Maximum Design Pressure(+): | 46.00 |
| Maximum Design Pressure(-): | 52.00 |
Eden Coast Garage Door
Specifications
- Construction: 5-Layer (Steel, Insulation, Steel, Cladding, Overlay).
- Insulation: NeuFoam™ Polyurethane | R-Value 18.3.
- Material: Sections are Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel is 26-gauge and Composite Overlays.
- Colors: Light Cherry, Dark Cherry, Red Mahogany, Dark Cedar, Oak, Red Walnut, Walnut, Mahogany, Driftwood, Natural, Special, custom finishes also available
Aspen Ap200 AP200LV Garage Door
Aspen™ AP200LV LuxeVue
Aspen series is one of the most affordable, beautiful and customized collection. this garage door creates a different look with the 7 panel styles and the high-end looking garage front.
Why Choose Aspen™ AP200LV LuxeVue Garage Door ?
WeatherLock™ Section Joints: The WeatherLock section joint, features a continuous thermal break and air seal between steel sections. This specially designed tongue-in-groove joint not only delivers outstanding strength but also serves as a robust barrier, effectively preventing the infiltration of both air and water into the interior of the garage this incredibly useful for all our south Florida homeowner in times of harsh raining days.
SecureLoc: The secure lock feature is counted as important security factor for protection from intrusion and prevention of high wind vibration in event of hurricanes.
Specifications
- Featuring 2 thick door sections made from (1) baked-on finish, (2) epoxy primer, (3) galvanized layer, (4) high-strength steel, (5) NeuFoam polyurethane insulation, ensuring 100% of the section’s interior is filled with energy-saving polyurethane insulation and (6) high-strength steel.
- NeuFoam polyurethane insulation provides a 0.171 U-Factor (R-Value 18.0) for maximum structural integrity and strength.
- Distinct Finish Woodtones™
Raynor Distinct Finish Woodtones simulate the look of an authentic wood door on a durable and long-lasting, steel door base.
How do I know if my garage door is hurricane rated?
To know if your garage door is hurricane rated Look for a garage door with a label displaying the specific wind rating. Good to know that all our new garage doors are hurricane-rated. So, take a look at our NEW Garage Door Collections, you can get an idea of how well prepared each garage door is.
Our video demonstration on how does a hurricane garage door work.
To ensure compliance with local building codes and standards, consult your local garage door dealer to determine the required wind rating in your area.
Additionally, according to the 2010 Florida Building Code, garage doors must have a permanent label provided by the manufacturer. This label should include information such as the manufacturer’s name, garage door model/series number, positive and negative design pressure ratings, indication of impact rating if applicable, installation instruction drawing reference number, and relevant approval numbers. The label may also use a checklist format to indicate the required components for an approved garage door assembly so be sure not to remove the label. Installers or manufacturers using this format must mark the selected components on the checklist. It is imperative that installation instructions are provided and readily available on the job site.
Hurricane-Rated Garage Door Means It’s Well Insulated
Hurricane garage door is designed to not only to withstand the forces exerted by hurricanes, but it’s also benefits for the insulation purposes which means A well-insulated garage door contributes to thermal efficiency, noise reduction, and reduced humidity. Read more about the Benefits of insulated garage door or continue reading for summarizing some of the benefits.
- Energy Efficiency: Insulated garage doors help regulate the temperature inside the garage. This is particularly important if your garage is attached to your home, as it can impact the overall energy efficiency of your living space. Insulation can prevent heat from entering the garage in hot weather and escaping in cooler weather, reducing the workload on your HVAC system.
- Comfort: An insulated garage door helps maintain a more comfortable environment, especially if you use your garage for activities other than parking your car. If you have a workshop, home gym, or any space where you spend time, insulation can make it more pleasant by minimizing temperature fluctuations.
- Lower humidity: Garage door insulation can also help to control the humidity in the garage. This is important to prevent mold and mildew, which are known to be common in humid climates like South Florida.
- Resale Value: Upgrading to a Hurricane-Rated Insulated garage door can enhance the overall energy efficiency of your home, which may be an attractive feature for potential buyers. It can contribute to the resale value of your property.
- Noise Reduction: Insulated garage doors can provide some level of sound insulation because of the insulation material are designed to absorb the sound wave, reducing the noise from the outside and inside. This can be beneficial if you live in a busy neighborhood, near a high-traffic area or if your garage is your workshop.
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