Hurricane rated doors are specifically manufactured that when installed correctly, all wind loads are transferred to the door guides and in turn to the building walls. It is a combination of dead load (total door hang weight) and live load (wind pressure forces) that make up what the doors need to ne engineered to.
What is the design pressure of a hurricane rated door?
These specialty door assemblies are tested with the positive and negative pressures that occur during hurricanes. They are then rated with a “design pressure,” which is different than wind speed. For example, a wind speed of 170 mph produces a design pressure of +49/-53 psf.
Which overhead doors are hurricane and FEMA rated?
Alpine Overhead Doors manufacturers Redi-Storm ® and Fire-Storm ® Hurricane and FEMA rated Doors (ICC 500-2014 and FEMA P-361), which are tested and approved for stringent Miami Dade County and FBC wind-load requirements.
What are hurricane-resistant doors?
That was the impetus for city, county and state authorities to develop new hurricane-resistant building codes. Hurricane rated doors dramatically reduce the risk of harm to building occupants. They also allow for conformance to local and state code requirements.
How do I know if my garage door is hurricane rated?
So, now let’s answer your question, How do I know if my Garage Door is Hurricane Rated? To start, you want to look at your garage door and search for a wind load sticker. This sticker will usually have the manufacturer’s name, model number and design pressures listed.
How can you tell if a door is hurricane rated?
Look for the label on the inside of the door. Garage doors are required to have a permanent label showing the manufacturer, model/series number, positive and negative design pressure rating, and applicable test standard.
What makes a door hurricane proof?
Laminated Glass or Impact-Resistant Glass for Added Protection. One of the most important factors in a hurricane-impact door is a strong glass option. While regular glass might be shattered with flying debris, laminated or impact-resistant glass will protect your home, even if it is broken.
How do I know if my front door is hurricane proof?
In addition to missile testing, the doors also undergo a cyclical test (also known as cycle test or pressure test). The door must withstand hurricane wind load pressure at the minimum of 9,000 cycles: 4,500 positive cycles and 4,500 negative cycles. This test is required for both WBD and HVHZ impact doors.
What are impact rated doors?
What are Impact Rated Doors? Impact Rated Doors are rated to stay strong under the force of hurricane winds and flying debris. In order to be approved as “impact rated” the design must pass the rigorous Miami-Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Test or the rigours Florida Product Approval.
How much does a hurricane impact door cost?
The hurricane impact doors cost, and its installation depends on several factors. On an average, it may cost $2400-$3000 to install a plain door without exclusive hardware or its not custom manufactured.
What makes a front door impact rated?
These doors are put through rigorous tests to ensure they won't shatter against high-speed winds or heavy rains. The doors are made of fiberglass skins with a polyurethane core that make them incredibly strong against the elements. Impact-resistant doors also have reinforced hinges and frames that normal doors don't.
How can you tell if a door is impact-resistant?
If your door is new, you'll likely be able to find a sticker to let you know it's impact-resistant. You See Multiple Reflections: Because of impact glass's multiple layers, you can see multiple reflections in the glass.
Are storm doors impact rated?
While storm doors help protect your entry door from the elements, they are NOT wind-borne debris tested, and therefore are NOT considered an Impact Shield Product.
Are metal doors hurricane proof?
Stainless steel or aluminum metal doors can be good choices for the country's more hurricane-prone regions. These stand up well against heavy winds, hurricanes, and even the flying debris that tornadoes kick up too. Steel doors can actually emulate the appearance of handpicked wood grain in terms of texturing.
What makes a garage door hurricane rated?
A hurricane rated garage door is simply a reinforced door with superior wind resistance construction. The amount of strength your garage door is required to have depends on your location in Florida.
Are fiberglass doors hurricane rated?
No problem. Fiberglass doors are extensively impact-tested for wind, and unlike wood and steel doors, they hold up to hurricane-equivalent wind strength. Their resistance to hurricane conditions is why we trust them above all other materials.
Do I need impact front door?
Aside from protecting your home from wind, rain, flying debris, and burglars, impact doors also decrease the amount of noise coming from outside. It's the multi-layer, thick materials and air-tight seals you have to thank for this.
What is the PSF of a hurricane door?
Typically, commercial hurricane doors are available in both 65 PSF (moderate wind speed) and 75 PSF (very high wind) forms . Because they are intended to be installed in a variety of public buildings, commercial hurricane doors should be available for framing in concrete, wood, block and metal stud walls.
Why do hurricane doors need insulation?
The superb insulation of a hurricane door is designed in part to absorb the pressure of high winds pressing down from the roof, as well as horizontal winds hitting the door directly.
How many seasons are there in hurricane zones?
People who live in hurricane zones know there are really only two seasons: Hurricane season and time to get ready for hurricane season. Of course, there’s plenty of time for enjoying life in the beautiful coastal communities where hurricanes are most common.
Can a door withstand a hurricane?
Even the best door on the market can’t guarantee that your building will withstand a major hurricane. But if that big storm ever does come, you’ll know you’ve done everything you can to protect your building, its contents, and most importantly, the employees and customers inside.
Can a hurricane get past a door?
Increased Security. Let’s face it, if a hurricane can’t get past your door , chances are slim that anything else can. In order to withstand high winds and debris, hurricane doors are installed with a reinforced frame, making them extremely difficult to knock down.
Is a hurricane door good?
The Benefits of a Hurricane Door. There’s no denying that commercial hurricane doors are an added expense. The superior construction and high-quality materials do come with a higher price tag than a commercial wood door .
Does wind mitigation help with insurance?
In some cases, making wind mitigation improvements can lower insurance premiums. While there’s no guarantee that these discounts will apply to your place of business, be sure to consult with your insurance provider if you decide to upgrade to a commercial hurricane door or take any other measures to protect your property from storm damage.
What is a redi storm door?
Alpine’s Redi-Storm® is a high windload wind rated overhead door, designed specifically for hurricanes, tornadoes and crucial wind protection. The Redi-Storm ® wind rated tornado doors are constructed to withstand powerful windstorms while retaining the functions of a normal service door. After hurricane Andrew devastated Florida in 1992, Metro-Dade County modified its building codes to increase protection from windstorms. The Alpine Redi-Storm ® ’s design for rolling hurricane doors complies with these strict guidelines. This creates a Dade County approved wind rated overhead door that is capable of withstanding 187 mph winds. Alpine representatives will assist you in designing your roll up storm doors to fit your specific wind load needs
When did hurricane Andrew hit Florida?
After hurricane Andrew devastated Florida in 1992, Metro-Dade County modified its building codes to increase protection from windstorms. The Alpine Redi-Storm ® ’s design for rolling hurricane doors complies with these strict guidelines.
What is a hurricane rated door?
Hurricane Rated, which is actually a term much of the general public uses, is actually Wind Rated. Wind Rated means the door can withstand a specified wind mph rating that also meets a local building code.
What does the A on a door mean?
You will see the number listed two times. Once as an A and then as a B. The A is impact resistant which means the door has no glass or impact rated glass. If you have regular glass, it is a B and is not impact rated.
Why are hurricane doors so safe?
Being built to withstand hurricanes makes these doors just generally safer than others, even if you’re not worried about storms. Burglars will often go for the front door to break into a home, so having a solid entryway is essential.
What happens if a hurricane doesn't take down your door?
If a hurricane can’t take down your door, then someone trying to break into your home won’t be able to either. Having difficulty getting through your front door is likely good enough of a deterrent to make potential intruders stay away.
How fast can a hurricane hit?
Hurricanes technically only occur when the winds reach 74 mph, but winds slightly slower than that can still damage your home. It’s most important to have an impact-rated or hurricane-proof door when in a hurricane region, but it’s still safer to have one of these doors in areas that don’t get hurricanes and still get strong winds.
What is an impact door?
An impact-rated door and a hurricane-proof door are essentially the same things called different names in different contexts. They’re designed and manufactured to be able to withstand the effects of a hurricane. This includes not only the brutal force of the actual winds but also the force and impact of debris that gets thrown around.
Where do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are able to form over warm ocean waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico . This is why Florida is so commonly hit with hurricanes and why the coast of Texas is often hit by them as well. However, strong winds don’t need to reach hurricane level for them to become dangerous.
Is a hurricane door good for you?
Protection from Harmful UV Rays. One of the lesser-known benefits of an impact-rated or hurricane-proof door is that it can protect you and your home from harmful UV rays. When UV rays pass through the glass into your home, they can be detrimental to your health and even your belongings. But with one of these doors, ...
Can a steel door withstand a hurricane?
Steel and wrought iron doors can withstand the beating of a hurricane on their own as long as the metal is thick enough. However, when those doors have glass in them, which most do, that glass needs to be treated to become impact-resistant. A special impact-resistant glass is generally explicitly manufactured for these doors.
What are Impact Rated Doors?
Impact Rated Doors are rated to stay strong under the force of hurricane winds and flying debris. In order to be approved as “impact rated” the design must pass the rigorous Miami-Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Test or the rigours Florida Product Approval. Only after passing this tests can a door be Impact Rated.
Why Does Florida use Impact Testing?
In August of 1992, the category 5 Hurricane Andrew smashed into south Florida. The consequences were devastating. Over 60 people lost their lives and the region sustained an estimated 26 billion in property damage. The state determined the damage could have been reduced if windows and doors withstood some of the hurricane winds and flying debris.
Do Impact Rated Doors Look Normal?
Impact Rated Doors truly give you the best of both worlds. Your home is structurally protected, and you don’t have to sacrifice any aesthetic value whatsoever. Impact Rated Doors are indistinguishable from any other door. They follow the same trends and designs of even the stylish doors in glossy home magazines.
Do Southwest Florida Homeowners Need Impact Rated Doors?
The threat of Hurricane Matthew reminded many Floridians of the risk of living in coastal hurricane prone areas. From beach communities like Marco Island and Naples, to cities like Fort Myers and Cape Coral, homeowners need to take the necessary steps to protect their homes.
What type of glass is used for hurricane doors?
Laminated Glass or Impact-Resistant Glass for Added Protection. One of the most important factors in a hurricane-impact door is a strong glass option. While regular glass might be shattered with flying debris, laminated or impact-resistant glass will protect your home, even if it is broken. Laminated glass uses a strong polymer interlayer ...
What is a Pella hurricane shield door?
On Pella Hurricane Shield Series impact-resistant sliding patio doors, consider a minimalistic grille pattern and profile for a contemporary home, or an ornate, traditional grille pattern for a classic home.
What is the difference between a wood patio door and a vinyl patio door?
Wood patio doors with impact-resistant glass are available with more personalization options, while vinyl patio doors offer popular features and a lower maintenance option. No matter the style or material you choose for your hurricane impact patio door, it has been subjected to extensive testing for air and water filtration ...
What is impact resistant patio door?
As mentioned earlier, impact-resistant patio doors are made from multiple panes of a strong glass. In addition to providing extra protection, this glass option also makes it harder for sound waves to travel in and out of your home.
What is impact door?
Impact French Doors. French doors, also referred to as hinged patio doors, are a beautiful option that can help protect your home. Available in a single or double design, hinged French doors can be configured to swing into your home or toward the exterior of your home. If you’re considering buying a French door, ...
What county is Florida code for hurricane windows?
The Florida Building Code sets requirements for all building products, including hurricane windows and patio doors, with the most stringent codes in Miami-Dade County and Broward County, since they fall within the HVHZ.
What is the HVHZ?
Whether you live in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), on a hurricane-prone coastline or a town farther inland, it’s important to know how to properly protect your home from the threat of hurricanes.
