To help homeowners safeguard their properties, the FORTIFIED™ home certification program promotes the use of FORTIFIED™ garage doors, which offer enhanced protection against strong storms and high winds.
During severe weather, a weak or poorly reinforced garage door can be the first point of failure, allowing high winds to cause devastating damage.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what it means to fortify your garage door and how you can take steps to reinforce it ahead of the next storm.
Overview of the FORTIFIED™ Program
The FORTIFIED™ Home program is a nationally recognized initiative designed to strengthen homes against the high winds and driving rain during a severe weather event.
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Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a storm or simply looking to enhance your home’s resilience in Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma or Louisiana, the FORTIFIED™ program offers a comprehensive approach to home protection along the Gulf Coast.
One key aspect of the FORTIFIED™ program is its emphasis on garage doors. A failure at this critical entry point can undermine the integrity of your entire home.
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Ensuring that your garage doors meet FORTIFIED™ standards is vital for both achieving a FORTIFIED™ designation and strengthening your property’s defenses—an approach that can also serve as one of the most impactful home improvements to lower home insurance costs over time.
Why FORTIFIED™ Garage Doors Matter in Home Protection
Garage doors play a vital role in home protection during severe weather. Here’s why:
- Weak point in severe weather: Standard garage doors are often the weakest part of a home’s exterior. High winds can push them inward, pull them off their tracks, or create internal pressure that leads to structural collapse.
- Impact on home’s integrity: If a garage door fails, strong winds can enter the home, lifting the roof and causing widespread destruction. Reinforcing this entry point significantly reduces the risk of catastrophic damage.
When it comes to protecting your home during a storm, pressure-rated garage doors are a wise choice. Although door strength is a significant concern in high-wind conditions, many homeowners simply aren’t aware that reinforced options exist.
These products are often referred to as wind-load rated, storm/hurricane rated, or simply wind rated.
As the homeowner, you (with the assistance of your builder and door dealer) are responsible for selecting the appropriate wind load product to meet or exceed your local building code.
What does it mean for garage doors to be FORTIFIED™?
When we talk about FORTIFIED™ garage doors, we’re referring to models that meet the strict wind-resistance or impact-resistance standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
These doors are often pressure-rated or impact-rated and are included in the Silver and Gold FORTIFIED™ levels. Meeting these standards helps protect your home against extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
Key features:
- Wind-resistance ratings: FORTIFIED™? garage doors meet specific wind-load standards based on regional risk factors.
- Enhanced hardware: Stronger tracks, heavier gauge steel, and reinforced hinges ensure durability under pressure.
- Bracing systems: Additional braces prevent the door from buckling under extreme winds.
Common Challenges for Homeowners
Prior to 2006, no wind-rating requirements existed for garage doors in the U.S. Even today, some regions still haven’t adopted modern building codes.
Labels indicating wind or impact ratings (pounds per square foot or PSF) may be missing or unclear, making it difficult to determine if a door is rated.
Starting in 2021, updates to the International Residential Code require permanent labels on garage doors in regions where the code applies. This change makes it easier for homeowners to confirm wind ratings and choose the right replacement if needed.
How to Know If Your Door Is Rated
If you’re unsure whether your garage door is pressure-rated or impact-rated, look for a sticker (often yellow or white) listing the PSF rating. If no label is present, reach out to the manufacturer or a local distributor for verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Reinforce a Garage Door?
Yes! Simple reinforcement options include bracing systems and wind-resistant hardware upgrades. If your garage door is old or severely damaged, replacement might be the better option.
What Is the Most Secure Type of Garage Door?
Steel doors offer durability, aluminum provides lightweight strength, and composite doors offer a balance of both. Look for doors with certified wind-resistance ratings and impact-resistant features.
Maintenance and Regular Check-Ups
These red flags for the operation of garage doors should not be ignored:
- Unusual noises or rattling with grinding or screeches when opening and closing garage doors.
- Slower than normal door opening or shifting when opening.
- Doors that don’t open and close properly.
- Visibly worn components — cables, tracks, springs, and seals.
- Doors that are off track or are stuck in an open or closed position.
Conclusion and Next Steps
A FORTIFIED™ garage door is an essential investment for homeowners in storm-prone areas like the Gulf Coast.
By fortifying and/or upgrading your garage door, you can enhance home protection, lower insurance costs and prevent expensive storm damage.
To get started, schedule a professional inspection today with a FORTIFIED™ evaluator or click here to learn how to prepare for a FORTIFIED™ home inspection.