If you’ve lived in the eastern Washington or north Idaho area for some time, you know the region has four distinguishable seasons. The region’s changing, occasionally extreme weather conditions can impact your home’s structural integrity. A sturdy, well-constructed garage door is essential for minimizing the risk of extensive property damage.
How Does Extreme Weather Affect Your Garage Door?
Hot weather is not uncommon in the Inland Northwest — Spokane averages 21 days with temperatures of at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit each year. Bitter cold can also be an issue. In December, the city’s coldest month, the average overnight temperature is a chilly 21.6 degrees. While hurricanes and tornadoes don’t pose a threat in the region, high-pressure air forced against the Cascade Range to the west frequently produces heavy winds.
These factors can affect garage strength and impede the door’s performance. Intense heat and sunlight can interfere with the photo-eye, while melted snow and cold can cause the door to freeze shut. Heavy winds can also cause significant damage to the door’s hardware.
Best Garage Doors for Extreme Weather
Choosing the right garage door is crucial for minimizing the impacts of harsh weather. As a Clopay® Master Authorized Dealer® serving the greater Spokane area and north Idaho since 2001, Continental Door can install a reinforced door from Clopay®, the most trusted brand in North America.
The Clopay product line includes insulated doors that provide reliable protection against extreme temperatures. Although hurricane garage doors aren’t a necessity in the Pacific Northwest, Continental Door can also install a WindCode® compliant door from Clopay designed to withstand the force of heavy winds.
How to Prepare Your Garage Door for Extreme Weather
Use these steps to get your garage door ready for an extreme weather event:
- If strong winds are in the forecast, use any heavy objects you can find to brace the door.
- Insert steel pins into the locking mechanism to prevent the door from flying open unexpectedly.
- Use two-by-four pieces of wood to brace the locks further.
- If your garage has windows, cover them with plywood to prevent the glass from shattering.
- Replace worn or damaged weather stripping to keep air from heavy winds out of the garage space.
Request Garage Door Service From Continental Door
At Continental Door, we can repair garage door wind damage and meet all your other service needs. Contact us to request a free estimate or schedule a convenient service appointment today!
