The garage door is one of the most important parts of any home. Not only is an overhead door the largest entrance to any home but it also safely houses vehicles and other miscellaneous items. It’s important to keep the garage door safe and effective. One way to do so is have a garage door installation company add reinforcement struts. Our technicians get asked about reinforcement struts a lot. Here’s what we tell people: Not everybody needs them, in fact most people don’t. Reinforcement struts are a fantastic garage door part for those who live in areas prone to hurricanes and high winds.
Reinforcement struts are pretty common on double garage doors that are over 16 feet wide. These are often U-shaped steel bars attached to the door. Of course, it’s possible that your door doesn’t have them, which means you’re likely considering a consultation with a garage door repair company. Before you give them a call, figure out if struts are the right door part for you.
Hurricane Protection
High winds can easily cause your door to bend or bow, especially during hurricanes or typhoons. This is even more important if you have a lightweight door that isn’t insulated. If high winds or hurricanes are an issue, you might want to install three reinforcement struts on a standard double garage door, and four if your door has windows.
Those U-shaped steel bars may look like they’re fun to climb, but keep kids off them. It’s not safe for the door or the child. Stick to the jungle gym or climbing wall. To make sure your garage door parts are properly installed, find the best installation service in your area. While DIY installation is a great way to cut costs, it could potentially lead to a shoddy installation if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s best to let a licenced professional handle any and all garage door part installations.
Safe is Better Than Sorry
Scientists agree that global warming is making hurricanes and weather more intense. So even if you don’t live in an area prone to hurricanes or strong winds now, you might want to invest in reinforcement struts just to be on the safe side. Weather is only going to get worse, so it’s best to be prepared.
Keep Your Garage Door Open Longer
The garage has quickly become a multi-purpose room for many who don’t own a car or who have adequate space to do more. Some have converted the garage into a separate guest bedroom, while others have turned it into a mancave or a safe space to repair vehicles. If you’re someone who finds yourself leaving your garage door open for a prolonged amount of time, say to get the fresh air or natural light in, it’s recommended that garage door struts are installed. Having struts will help keep the door up and won’t cause significant wear and tear. The last thing anyone wants is for the overhead garage door’s springs to snap, causing the door to come crashing down. Besides serving as tools to prevent damage and promote reinforcement during a hurricane, struts can keep doors open longer than normal. Those who have a 7/8-foot double garage door are advised to install minimum three struts. Though struts are often forgotten about when it comes to key garage door parts, they could one day save your life.