What is Windcode and is it important?

Windcode is a measurement used to determine the wind resistance ability of a structure and its

components. Many building codes now require structures and their components, like garage

doors to meet certain standards, when it comes to wind resistance.

Wind resistant garage

doors are now being built in a manner that does not require installing beams and supports that

must be put in each time a wind event occurs and taken out afterward, to resume normal use

of the garage door. The new garage door system only requires locking the garage door before

the wind event and unlocking it afterward.

The testing process for garage doors, tests both positive and negative pressure. Positive

pressure is the wind blowing against your garage door and negative pressure is the sucking

pressure, or the pressure pulling your door out during wind events. This is very important to

consider if you live on the coast or in areas with a high likely hood of hurricanes or tornadoes.

Hurricanes and tornadoes produce high speed winds and the swirling motion of the storms can

create both positive and negative wind pressure against your garage door.

Garage doors manufactured for wind resistance have added support structures designed into

the door. The ratings range from 85 MPH winds up to 150 MPH winds. The type of structure

and the height of the structure as well as the exposure rating are all factors in determining

what wind rating/windcode your door must have. This does not apply to all areas and you need

to check the building code in your area to determine if you must use a wind rated garage door.

Retrofitting parts to an old garage door will not provide the old door enough strength to

withstand strong winds. If you have an older door you will have to use the old system of

securing the door during wind events. The new wind rated garage doors come in styles to suit

your needs, a wind rated door can still provide the look you want for your home. You can also

add wind rated windows without hampering the doors wind rating.

Wind ready garage doors are different from add on. Wind ready doors do not require the

installation of long steel support beams that are needed as add on.

Check your local building code requirements before installing a wind rated garage door, and

remember your garage door is probably the largest opening in your home, protect it from

high wind events.