With hurricane season starting in June, now is the time for Florida homeowners to think seriously about storm preparedness — and that starts with your garage door. While most people focus on windows and roofing, the garage door is often the largest and most vulnerable opening in a home. If it fails during a storm, it can lead to catastrophic pressure changes inside your house, putting the entire structure at risk.

At Tradewind Doors, we specialize in providing Florida homeowners with hurricane-ready garage door solutions that meet strict safety standards and offer peace of mind. Here’s what you need to know.

Wind-Load Rated Garage Doors: What Are They?

A wind-load rated garage door is engineered and tested to withstand specific wind speeds and pressure levels. These doors are built with reinforced materials, heavy-duty hardware, and secure tracks that prevent buckling and blowouts during high-wind events. In Florida, wind ratings typically range from 130 to over 180 mph, depending on your location and proximity to the coast.

If you live in a wind-borne debris region, which includes much of coastal and southern Florida, your home may be required by law to have a garage door that meets these standards.

Florida Building Codes: Know Your Requirements

After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Florida enacted some of the most stringent building codes in the country. The Florida Building Code (FBC) now requires that garage doors installed in wind-prone areas meet specific wind-resistance criteria. This includes both new constructions and replacements.

Here’s what you should check:

• Is your garage door FBC-compliant?
  
• Does it carry a product approval number?
  
• Is it rated for wind-borne debris (impact-resistant), if required in your zone?
  

If you’re unsure, our experts at Tradewind Doors can inspect your existing door and help you upgrade to a model that meets or exceeds local requirements.

Why Garage Doors Are Critical to Storm Protection

Garage doors span a large surface area — often more than any other exterior feature. If they are compromised in a hurricane, wind and water can enter your home, causing structural damage and interior destruction. Even a small failure in the door or track can lead to uplift forces that remove your roof or blow out walls.

A properly installed, hurricane-rated garage door helps:

• Protect your home’s structural integrity
  
• Prevent wind infiltration
  
• Minimize water damage
  
• Enhance resale value and insurance eligibility
  

Upgrade Before the Storm

Hurricane season officially starts in June, and storms can develop quickly. If your garage door is more than 10 years old, shows signs of wear, or lacks a wind-load rating, now is the time to act. At Tradewind Doors, we offer professional garage door inspections, code-compliant installations, and reinforced doors designed for Florida’s toughest weather.

Don’t wait until a storm is on the radar. Contact Tradewind Doors today to schedule a consultation and make sure your home is protected from the ground up.