Two Kinds of Bracing
Permanent struts. Steel stiffeners bolted across the sections on the inside. They stiffen the door so it bows less under wind. The door still opens and closes normally.
Temporary braces. Vertical posts that lock to the floor and the header before a storm. They stop the door from flexing, but the door can't open while they're in place, and someone has to put them up every time.
What Bracing Can and Can't Do
Bracing helps a sound door resist being pushed in. It doesn't turn an old door into a rated one on paper, and it won't help a door whose track, hinges or framing are already weak.
Most braces are made for specific door models and sizes. A brace that doesn't match the door, or isn't anchored properly, may do little.
If a door is rusting through, has cracked hinges, or is very lightweight, putting money into bracing is usually a poor bet. See hurricane rated doors.
Ask the Technician to Check
- The condition of the sections, hinges and rollers.
- Whether the track and its brackets are solid and free of rust.
- The framing and header the track bolts into.
- Whether the springs can carry the added weight or need replacing.
Before Each Storm
Whatever you have, close the door fully and lock it. Unplug the opener so a power surge can't run it. Clear anything that could blow into the door from the driveway.
If you use temporary braces, practice putting them up once before the season, not as the wind picks up.
Permits and Paperwork
Bracing products have their own approvals, and some local offices treat a permanent retrofit like other storm protection work. Ask whether a permit applies for your house before the work starts.
Keep the paperwork and photos. Some insurers ask about opening protection, and a record of the retrofit helps answer that question.
Bracing or a New Door
For a newer door in good shape, bracing can be a sensible upgrade. For a door near the end of its life, the same money often goes a long way toward a new rated door.
Compare using the new door cost guide, and read storm damaged doors for what wind does to an unbraced door.
Want your door checked? Send the form or call (850) 555-0147.