As the largest opening, a garage door is the weakest point in any home. Garage doors are typically made of lightweight materials, making it easy for hurricane winds to tear them apart. Once the garage door is destroyed, wind can rush into a home, causing building failure. The best way to prevent damage to the garage door is to install a preassembled reinforced garage door. Several manufacturers offer garage doors that are strengthened with a bracing system of aluminum bars, brackets, and a steel track. These features prevent the door from blowing in.

For more information on protecting your homes and homeowners from hurricanes, visit FEMA's website or read our related article, “Riding out the Storm: Protecting homes from hurricane damage.”

Have concerns about water intrusion? Sign your team up for BuildIQ University’s new Water Management Suite of online courses.