The adoption of the International Building Code (IBC) in most states means wind load is no longer an issue exclusive to Florida and other hurricane hot spots. States like Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Utah, Nevada and California also have wind reinforcement requirements for various building products, including garage doors, because of wind related to the terrain and weather in those regions. Be informed. For more information, visit www.clopaydoor.com/wind-code-about.aspx.

It’s hard to believe that the official start of the 2010 hurricane season is just two weeks away. The forecast team at Colorado State University is predicting above-average storm activity in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30 with eight expected to be hurricanes and four developing into major hurricanes (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

Is your garage door secure? Now is the time to find out – before the storm hits.

“Reinforced garage doors are critical to preserving a home’s structural integrity during a hurricane,” says Mark Westerfield, manager of product development and engineering for residential and commercial garage door manufacturer Clopay Building Products.

Because of their size, garage doors are more susceptible to wind damage than other exterior openings – especially two-car garage doors. Unless you have a tested, wind rated door installed, high winds can force it out of the opening, causing an uncontrolled buildup of internal pressure and ultimately a blowout of the roof and supporting walls.

To meet the International Building Code, garage doors must have additional bracing, heavier gauge tracking and other necessary hardware to help keep them in place under extreme winds.
Homeowners with an older garage door may not even realize that it poses a threat. And, if your door has weathered a previous hurricane, it needs to be inspected for hidden damage or vulnerabilities.

Make sure your garage door meets the wind load requirements for your geographic region. The local building code authority can provide current information and a professional garage door technician can perform an on-site inspection.

Know your door, even if you didn’t buy it. If you have recently moved into a new residence and did not purchase the garage door currently installed on your home, have a trained professional inspect it to make sure it is the appropriate model for your area and also show you how to secure it during a storm.

Understand “storm ready” vs. “add-on” reinforcement. Two kinds of reinforced garage doors are available. An “add-on” system requires a homeowner to install long posts in the floor and ceiling to reinforce the door before the storm hits, and then remove them afterwards to resume normal operation.

“Storm-ready” models require no advance setup. Horizontal reinforcement is contained within the structure of the door and is engaged by simply locking it, a timesaving convenience in the event of an evacuation notice.

This type of door is particularly beneficial to vacation home and rental property owners because they have peace of mind knowing that the garage door is secure as long as it’s locked.

Retrofitting an older door with new hardware will not provide the structural support needed for the new building codes.

You can have safety in style. A reinforced door doesn’t necessarily mean barricading the garage opening in a solid sea of steel. Clopay and other garage door manufacturers offer code compliant carriage house style doors and impact-resistant windows.

Click here to watch a video on reinforced garage doors.

We’ve blogged previously about the growing trend of utilizing glass garage doors as an alternative-style patio door to seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor living spaces.

That application is precisely what attracted ABC “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (EMHE) designers to Clopay’s glass and aluminum Avante™ Collection garage doors to use in the May 16th season finale makeover benefiting the Williams family in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Clopay was thrilled to be able to partner with EMHE and local area garage door dealer Builder Specialities to donate and install such a distinct and unique design element for the Williams’ home.

Just three years after his son Jacob was born with Spina bifida, Jeremy Williams, a local high school football coach, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS. Despite numerous surgeries and setbacks over the years, the Williams family continues to be an inspiration to their community, but their house had become too small to accommodate two disabled family members.

So Ty and the EMHE crew went to work along with some very special helpers: NFL player Michael Oher and the Tuohy family about whom the movie “The Blind Side” is based.

Three Clopay Avante Collection models were installed – the first as a traditional garage door; the other two were incorporated into the architectural design as a “moving wall of windows” between the family’s great room, outdoor patio and the new private therapy room built for the Williams’ son.

At the press of a button, the doors are automatically raised with an electric garage door opener, allowing traffic to flow during gatherings. Closed, they create an attractive wall of windows, adding a panoramic view to any living space.

The oversized opening makes it possible for both Jacob and Jeremy to access these common living areas with ease. And mom is thrilled that she can now quietly observe her son’s therapy sessions from inside the house, sharing in the triumphs without distracting from the important work going on across the way.

The Avante’s delicate looking design is anything but. The glass is supported by a durable, 2 1/8-inch thick, rust-proof, commercial grade aluminum frame that can be anodized in bronze, clear or black, painted in white or brown, or custom-painted in a variety of durable powder coated finishes. Capped tongue and groove joints and a vinyl bottom weather seal helps keep out the elements.

A variety of window options are available to control the degree of light transmission and privacy including clear, frosted, tinted or mirrored glass or laminate.

We think the contemporary look fits right in with the Williams home’s new rustic modern style, don’t you?

For more information on this EMHE project, please visit www.clopay.com/avante.aspx, www.abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition, or www.nationwide-homes.com/extreme.

Maintenance
Prior to installing a wood door, it must be primed and painted or stained with a high quality exterior finish that is mildew and UV-resistant and water repellent. Otherwise, you risk premature fading, rotting, cracking or warping and could potentially void the warranty.

Depending on the door’s exposure to sunlight and moisture it may need to be painted or stained every few years.

Factory Finishing Saves Time, Worry
Jay Leno took advantage of Clopay’s factory finish stain option so his wood garage doors arrived primed, stained and ready to install. This new service eliminates the extra steps of hiring a contractor to finish the door on site and the added worry that the job will be done right. You have peace of mind knowing that the door is stored and finished according to warranty guidelines, for a durable, flawless, vibrant finish, worthy of the most discriminating close-ups.

Design Tips for Wood Garage Doors
The most popular look in garage doors right now is the carriage-house style door. It looks like an old-fashioned swing-out door but operates like a modern overhead garage door with the convenience of an automatic opener.
Wooden carriage-house garage doors range in price from $2,500 up to $10,000 depending on the door size, design and finish. Insulation options vary depending on the manufacturer and construction.

Traditional panel style designs are also available to complement a variety of home styles.

Regardless of which style you prefer, draw upon your home’s architectural style, the shape of windows and entry doors, and unique exterior details when choosing a garage door design.

The vertical windows and panels on this wood door are repeated in the light fixtures above and next to the garage.

Decorative hardware is like “jewelry” for the garage door. Make sure it coordinates with other pieces like light fixtures, window grilles and entryways.

It’s a good idea to visit dealer showrooms and review garage door manufacturer web sites to get a sense of the options available. Many companies, including Clopay, offer a Web-based design tool that allows you to upload a photo of your home to see how various garage door styles look. Try the Door Imagination System at www.clopay.com/door-imagination-system.aspx.