As Houston residents know all too well, hurricane season is no joke. With storms bringing powerful winds, heavy rain, and flying debris, preparing your home is essential, especially your garage door, one of the most vulnerable yet forgotten entry points.

A compromised garage door can lead to massive structural damage, allowing wind to enter and pressurize your home from the inside. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure your garage is ready before the next storm hits.

1. Inspect Your Garage Door for Weak Points

Begin by carefully examining your garage door:

• Look for rust, dents, or cracks in the panels.
• Check for loose hardware, brackets, or hinges.
• Make sure weatherstripping is intact and sealing properly to avoid debris/pests from entering your garage.

Even minor damage can quickly turn into a major problem under hurricane force winds.

2. Reinforce with a Hurricane Bracing Kit

Most standard garage doors aren’t built to withstand high winds unless they’ve been specifically reinforced. A hurricane bracing kit adds vertical supports that anchor the door to your garage floor and frame, giving it much-needed strength during a storm.

These kits are available at many Houston-area hardware stores or can be installed professionally.

3. Consider a Wind Rated Garage Door

Houston’s building codes require wind-rated garage doors in certain flood and storm-prone areas. If your garage door is more than 10–15 years old, it likely doesn’t meet current wind resistance standards. A wind rated garage door is tested to withstand the kind of wind speeds common in Houston’s hurricanes and tropical storms.

Upgrading may also lower your homeowners insurance premiums.

4. Secure the Tracks and Hardware

Make sure the tracks are firmly fastened to the wall with heavy-duty fasteners. Replace any worn rollers, loose hinges, or damaged panels. Strong tracks and components are essential to prevent the door from warping or detaching under pressure.

5. Install a Manual Lock or Backup System

When the power goes out (as it often does during Houston storms), you need a way to secure and operate your door manually. A manual lock or a garage door opener with battery backup can ensure continued operation and added safety during emergencies.

6. Clear the Surrounding Area

Before a storm hits, remove loose items such as patio furniture, trash bins, and lawn equipment from around the garage. These objects can become dangerous projectiles and damage your door.

7. Schedule a Professional Inspection

If you’re unsure about your door’s condition or wind rating, contact us for one of our professional garage door technicians to evaluate and recommend the best reinforcement options for your garage door. We offer pre-hurricane season inspections, a small investment that could prevent major losses.