Ensure Your Garage Door is up to Code

Garage door installations anywhere in the country can be complicated, but they are especially so in Florida where extra environmental conditions come into play. Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause severe problems and safety issues for garage doors, which is why any garage door repair service in Miramar will tell you that keeping your door in compliance is critical. Remember,taking the right actions now can save you money on garage door service in your Miramar home later.

Determining the Wind speed in Your Area

Determining the wind speed in your area will help you decide whether or not you need to take further action. In the state of Florida, as with anywhere else in the United States, the wind speed is measured in miles per hour or MPH. For you to pass a state inspection your door needs to be able to handle the wind velocity in your area and the best way to figure that out is to visit https://hazards.atcouncil.org/. This website will allow you to enter your location and determine the wind speed of your area which will enable you to move forward in choosing a garage door for your home.

Identifying the Need for Large Missile Impact Ratings

In the garage door world, wind-borne debris is often referred to as large missile impact, while being rated for this is a good idea for all garage doors in the state, some counties require it. Florida’s southern location and proximity to the shoreline make homes in the area more susceptible to missile impacts.

Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are two such areas where it is an absolute requirement that garage doors meet the large missile impact rating. This stipulation applies even if the garage door does not have windows, so always check the rating before you make a purchase. However, due to the nature of the area, you would be hard pressed to find a garage door with standard windows for sale in either Miami-Dade or Broward, making the choice that much easier.

Note: If you have home insurance, garage doors that exceed the local code will normally incur discounts, making them not only safer but also profitable. When you install a new door with a large missile rating you could potentially save money; talk to your insurance agent to find out more.

Determining Your Exposure Level

In the state of Florida, you can look at the wind code map to determine how much danger your home may be in during a storm. Split into three categories; each one deals with a different type of danger or hazard.

Exposure B is split into three different areas which include:

Urban
Suburban
Wooded Areas

While these areas might seem to have very little in common, they are quite similar in that they all feature closely spaced obstructions. Buildings and trees can quickly become a missile impact for your garage door which means you should plan your construction accordingly.

Exposure C – In this category, you have open terrain that features flat, free ground. For example, grasslands and beaches meet this specification. However, the debris that is routinely scattered on beaches in the area such as wood, rocks, and numerous other items could spell disaster for your garage door.

Exposure D—This category does not apply to most of the homes in Florida as it requires the structure to be within six-hundred feet of a large body of water that is at least 5,000 feet across, or in other words, the ocean.

Following these three steps will not only keep you safe but will also help to keep your home up to code. While no one likes the idea of a hurricane or a tropical storm, they are a hazard of living in the Sunshine state. Check with us today for more information on getting your door up to code and choosing the right one – as Miramar’s garage door repair service, we’re ready for you.