Serving South Texas along the gulf shore means dealing with hurricanes and wind loaded garage doors. Some questions we're often asked, "Do I have to get a hurricane door?" to which the answer is no. But there are so many problems with not getting a hurricane door that it's often better just to do it. For one thing, if your garage door blows in during a hurricane and the garage was attached to the house, the wind will get inside the garage and start pressing against the ceiling. After that happens, you roof will start lifting off - then it's all over. This is true for any exterior opening though, your front door a window, it doesn't matter what opening fails, you're roof is put into danger when an exterior opening fails.

Hurricane doors are much stronger than the standard doors. They're designed to resist a level 3 hurricane (120 mph winds). The inside of the door has criss crossing metal and reinforced brackets attaching it to the wall. Unlike some purchases, when you spend the extra for a hurricane door - you see a definite improvement.

When you buy or sell a home, hurricane doors are just mandatory at that point. The new home buyer will require it for their insurance. I've not come across a home sale where either party was permitted to buy a standard non-windloaded door. In this case, it's required.

About the only situation where I see people getting non-hurricane doors is when they are putting the door onto a rent house and they expect the door to meet it's demise at the hands of people instead of mother nature.

In short, the hurricane door is the best option. The additional cost outweighs to consequences.

If you have any questions or just want to see what the governmental site has to say, check out TDI (Texas Department of Insurance) for further information.