Your garage door may look strong, but looks alone do not tell you how well it can handle storm winds. A hurricane garage door uses reinforced parts and a tested design to help it resist wind pressure. You can find clues by looking at the back of the door, its tracks, and its label. In the video, ACE Garage Door shows which parts to check and why they matter for homes in New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana.
Start With the Struts Behind the Door
Look at the inside of your closed door. The long metal bars that run across the panels are called reinforcement struts. They help keep the sections from bending under pressure. As the video shows, wider doors often need more support. A door with just one bar near the top may have less reinforcement than a wind-rated model. Still, counting bars cannot confirm the rating. Each hurricane garage door has its own design, so the number and placement of struts must match the maker’s plans.
Find the Wind Rating Label
Next, look for the manufacturer’s label on the inside of the door. It may sit near a side edge or on the bottom section. Depending on the maker, the label may list the model, door size, and wind pressure rating. Take a clear photo so you can read it without bending down each time. If the sticker is missing, painted over, or hard to read, ask a technician to help identify the door before planning a garage door upgrade.
You may see a code such as W5 or wording like “Wind Load 5.” These names depend on the brand and are not a shared rating across all makers. Look for the PSF rating, which means pounds per square foot. It shows the wind pressure the door is rated to handle. Positive and negative numbers refer to pressure pushing against or pulling on the door. The right hurricane garage door must meet the pressure needs for your home’s location and opening.
Check the Vertical Supports
The upright supports on the back of the panels are called door stiles. They help strengthen the sections and provide places for hardware to attach. In the video, we explain that some non-insulated wind-rated doors use more of these supports. Their placement matters as much as their number. Two doors that look alike from the street may have very different parts behind them. During a garage door repair visit, a technician can check these supports against the manufacturer’s drawing rather than judge the door by appearance alone.
Look at the Tracks and Brackets
The tracks guide the door as it moves, while brackets hold the tracks to the wall. A wind-rated system may use heavy-duty tracks, extra brackets, and longer steel supports along the overhead track. These parts work together to keep the door attached under pressure. The video points out that the steel angle may run farther toward the back on a reinforced system. A garage door upgrade must account for these connections, too. Strong panels cannot make up for tracks or anchors that do not match the approved design.
Check for Damage and Missing Parts
A wind rating describes a specific door system. It does not mean the door can be ignored after years of use. Bent sections, rusted supports, loose brackets, and missing fasteners may affect how that system performs. If your door shakes, hangs unevenly, or has visible damage, schedule garage door repair. Do not loosen brackets, springs, or cables while checking it. A professional inspection can help spot worn parts and check whether past repairs changed the hardware required for the door’s rating.
Know When an Upgrade Makes Sense
Adding a few metal bars does not automatically turn a standard door into a rated one. Before choosing a garage door upgrade, have the model, size, and current hardware checked. The manufacturer may have an approved reinforcement option for some systems; others may need replacement. Also ask whether impact protection is needed. Wind resistance and resistance to flying debris are separate features. Our hurricane garage door options give homeowners a place to start when exploring a door built for local storm conditions.
Have Your Garage Door Checked Before the Next Storm
If you are unsure about your door’s rating, there is no need to guess from the number of struts alone. ACE Garage Door can inspect the label, reinforcement, tracks, and mounting points to help explain what you have. Whether your door needs maintenance, a repair, or replacement, checking it before storm weather arrives gives you time to plan. Contact our team to schedule an inspection and find out whether a hurricane garage door is the right next step for your home.
