Living in South Florida, residents know that hurricane impact garage doors aren't just a luxury—they're a necessity. During hurricane season, your residential garage door is one of the most vulnerable points of entry. A properly installed, hurricane-rated garage door is designed to withstand the extreme winds and flying debris that often come with hurricanes, reducing the risk of catastrophic damage to your home. Hurricane-rated garage doors are built with reinforced materials, heavier gauges of steel or aluminum, and additional bracing to resist intense wind pressure. Investing in garage doors like these not only protects your home but can also lower your insurance rates.

Recently, we had the opportunity to help a local homeowner, Brandon, in Coral Ridge, Fort Lauderdale, replace his old one-car garage door with a brand-new hurricane impact garage door that offers superior protection and peace of mind.


Choosing the Right Hurricane Impact Garage Door

Brandon's existing garage door had served him for eight years, but it was not hurricane-rated and lacked the strength to provide enough protection against severe storms. After a thorough garage door service analysis, our team at Unity Garage Door Repair & Installation provided Brandon with accurate measurements and door options that would suit his home and budget.

Brandon chose the Amarr Heritage garage door, the #1 selling hurricane-rated garage doors in Southeast Florida for his one-car garage, which offers durability and stylish design. He was fine with the garage door installation cost, which included everything from removal to cleanup. In our annual garage door sale, local customers like Brandon can enjoy special discounts, and given the fact that all our garage doors are hurricane-rated with the highest rating, he will save most on homeowners insurance policy. A 9x7 is the standard size of a one-car garage and it cost $1,675 plus free quiet door kit, upgraded silicone rollers, and a stop molding pvc that goes on top and side of the garage door. After accepting the estimate, our expert garage door installer scheduled the installation.


Old Garage Door Removal Process

On the day of the installation, our technicians arrived on time, as always, fully equipped to complete the job efficiently and safely. We had previously advised Brandon to clean up the garage space, ensuring that our team could work smoothly and that the installation area would be free of obstacles.

Step 1: Safety First

Before starting any work, we disconnected the power to the garage door opener, preventing accidental operation. We then released the tension from the old door's torsion springs to ensure the safe removal of the door. Proper safety procedures are essential when working with residential garage doors, as the garage doors springs can cause serious injury if mishandled.

Step 2: Detaching the Door Sections

Once the tension was released, we carefully detached the door panels one by one. Our team ensured that the garage door rollers, tracks, and brackets were removed without causing damage to the surrounding walls and flooring. We then dismantled the existing tracks and removed all other hardware related to the old door.


With the old door fully removed, we responsibly disposed of it, leaving a clean and safe area ready for the new garage door installation.


Installing the New Hurricane-Rated Garage Door

The HR1000 hurricane-rated garage door is designed for strength, style, and security. Installing a new garage door like this requires precision and attention to detail to ensure it meets the harsh requirements for hurricane protection.

Step 1: Installing the New Tracks and Hardware

We started by installing new, reinforced tracks capable of supporting the heavier, impact-resistant garage door. The technicians made sure everything was level and aligned perfectly. We then attached the necessary hardware, including brackets, hinges, and the weather seal, ensuring a perfect fit to prevent water and wind from entering the garage.

Step 2: Mounting the Panels

The new panels were carefully mounted, starting from the bottom garage door panel and working our way up. Each panel was securely fastened with reinforced hinges and screws, designed to withstand the force of hurricane winds. With the extensive experience of our technicians in garage door installation, the door's short panels were properly mounted and it also provides an aesthetic touch, blending in well with the style of Brandon's home.

Step 3: Torsion Spring Setup and Balance Check

After the door panels were in place, we installed the new heavy-duty torsion springs, which are essential for lifting the weight of the hurricane impact garage door. We checked the springs to ensure the door operated smoothly. Our technicians performed a balance check to verify that the door moved evenly and quietly, with no sagging or misalignment.


With the door fully installed, we reconnected the garage door opener and tested the door's operation multiple times. We ensured that the door opened and closed seamlessly, the safety sensors were functioning properly, and the hurricane impact garage door was ready to provide maximum protection. Our technicians also walked Brandon through some basic maintenance tips to keep his new door operating efficiently.

The entire new garage door Fort Lauderdale installation process, from removal to the final test, was completed in under five hours. We cleaned up the workspace thoroughly, leaving Brandon’s garage spotless. 


Looking for a Hurricane-Rated Garage Door Company in Fort Lauderdale?

Unity Garage Door Repair & Installation is a licensed General Contractor, all our garage doors pass Florida codes and regulations, and are hurricane-rated with the highest rating. Being a local garage door company, we specialize in the installation and repair of garage doors in many communities. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your residential garage door and need an expert garage door installation Fort Lauderdale, our garage door specialists are here to help. Proudly offering our reliable and affordable services in Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Davie, and surrounding areas.

Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality work with exceptional customer service. At  Unity Garage Door Repair & Installation, we provide a thorough assessment, help you choose the best door for your needs, and offer an affordable garage door installation cost.

Call us today to schedule an appointment or book online! Our garage door professionals are equipped with the proper knowledge and could assist with anything related to garage doors.