Understanding Storm Rated Garage Doors

Amarr WindPro™ Storm Rated Garage Doors

The Amarr WindPro rating system was developed to simplify and reduce the confusion associated with selecting the appropriate wind load approved garage door. The higher the “WP” rating, the higher the rating of the door. Amarr WindPro wind load approved garage doors are engineered to meet specific wind load ratings, but look identical to non-wind load garage doors, so you don’t have to compromise style for functionality. Almost every Amarr garage door is available with a WindPro wind load reinforcement system.

See Which Amarr Garage Doors Meet Windload Speeds

		NON-IMPACT								IMPACT
		WP1	WP2	WP3	WP4	WP5	WP6	WP7	WP8	WP5i	WP6i	WP7i	WP8i	WP9i	WP10i
ASCE 7-05	Wind Speeds (mph)	90-99	100-109	110-119	120-129	130-139	140-149	150-159	160-169	130-139	140-149	150-159	160-169	170-179	180+
ASCE 7-10 / ASCE 7-16	Wind Speeds (mph)	110-124	125-139	140-149	150-164	165-175	176-189	190-204	205-219	165-175	176-189	190-204	205-219	220-229	230+
Exposure B with mean roof heigh <30'

Download the Windpro Brochure

Why Storm Rated Doors Are Needed

Although the strength of garage doors is a significant concern in high-wind conditions, many people simply are not aware of the need for reinforced garage doors. These garage doors are often referred to as Wind Load rated, Storm/Hurricane rated or simply Wind rated. As the homeowner, you, with the assistance of your builder and garage door dealer, are responsible for choosing the appropriate wind load product to meet or exceed your local building code.

In recent years, a number of hurricanes have made landfall in the US and caused millions of dollars in damage from high winds. As a result, local building officials, townships, counties and states have adopted and are enforcing more stringent building codes directed at strengthening the foundations, structures and components that are associated with building construction.

Facts
About 90% of residential wind damage starts with wind entry through the garage door.1
Less than 30% of homes in hurricane prone areas have adequate garage door wind load reinforcement systems.2
Fewer than 50% of consumers in hurricane prone areas know that their garage doors are required to meet building code criteria for wind pressures.2
Winds can stay above hurricane strength many miles inland. Hurricane Hugo (1989) battered Charlotte, North Carolina - about 175 miles inland - with gusts to nearly 100 mph.3

"Wind pressure is often the most devastating culprit in a hurricane. A category 3 hurricane with winds of 130 mph exerts wind pressures equivalent to the weight of a typical family car on a two-car garage door."

- Dr. Steve Lyons, Hurricane Expert, The Weather Channel

Understand Your Wind Load Requirements

Local government regulations for wind load requirements can vary from one location to another due to garage door size, the garage door’s location on the structure, and localized wind zones, among other factors. The homeowner is responsible for making sure their garage doors meet local building codes.

2August 2006, Electronic Answers, Amarr Garage Door Hurricane Preparedness Study

3Revised August 2001, Hurricanes, Unleashing Nature’s Fury: A Preparedness Guide, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service