We all know about the ways weather affects our homes. Strong winds blow shingles off your roof, freezing temperatures cause cracks in your foundation, and excessive rainfall leads to flooding in your basement. But there are a few lesser-known parts of the home that are just as affected by inclement weather — including your garage door. In this guide, we’ll explain how weather affects garage doors, cover the best garage doors for areas with extreme weather, and offer tips on garage door weather protection. Let’s take a look.

How Weather Affects Garage Door Performance

Heat and Humidity

Garage doors and humidity don’t mix well. Prolonged high temperatures and humidity can cause the metal or wood of your garage door to expand and warp. This throws your garage door out of alignment, making it difficult to open and close and affecting the seal of the door.

Freezing Temperatures

Cold weather can cause garage doors to contract and stiffen, leading to similar problems as high heat. One of the most common cold-weather garage door problems is frozen springs and tracks, making the door hard to open and close.

Snow and Ice Accumulation

If you allow snow and ice to build up around the garage door, it will often cause issues with its operation. The weather stripping at the bottom might freeze, causing the door to get stuck in the closed position.

Heavy Rain

If the metal components of your door, such as the springs and tracks, are exposed to excess moisture, they’ll corrode and become damaged over time. Prolonged water exposure also damages weather stripping, potentially leading to flooding in your garage.

Strong Wind

High winds at the right angle might damage your garage door by putting stress on panels and hinges. If the storm is strong enough to pick up debris or large amounts of dust, it might also be enough to damage your garage door.

Extreme Seasonal Changes

If you live in an area with fluctuating temperatures, it’s common for dramatic changes to cause damage to your garage door. Repeated temperature changes cause the seals and other components to become weakened and put extra strain on springs and openers.

High UV Index

Over time, intense sun exposure will damage your garage door, fading the finish and deteriorating components, causing them to become brittle and easy to crack.

Common Garage Door Issues in Different Seasons

As experienced garage door repair pros, we’ve learned the most common issues homeowners face with their garage doors in each season of the year. As extreme weather becomes more common, homeowners need to understand the potential hazards of each season.

Winter

Wintertime is the hardest on garage doors. Freezing temperatures can lead to components warping out of place, making the door harder to operate. It will also freeze the weather stripping and harden lubricant grease, making the door hard to open. In exceptionally cold weather, your garage door spring could even freeze and snap under the tension, which is incredibly dangerous.

Spring and Fall

The wet, rainy weather of spring and fall will likely cause problems for your garage door without protection. Excessive rainfall rusts garage door components, damages weatherstripping, and eventually leads to water infiltration into your garage, causing expensive damage.

Summer

Hot, humid summers pose a threat to your garage door, too. High temperatures cause the wood and metal parts of your garage door to swell, throwing it out of alignment and making it hard or impossible to use.

Best Garage Doors for Extreme Weather

When it comes to picking the best garage doors for extreme weather, you’ll need to think about what kinds of conditions your home will face. If you live somewhere that’s prone to storms and high-speed winds, it might be best to get a steel garage door without any windows. There are also Wind Load garage doors, which are designed to withstand more wind than regular models.

If you live in a very humid area or near the ocean, corrosion is a big concern. Opting for a vinyl or fiberglass door will help protect your garage from ambient humidity. If you live in an area with cold winters, we suggest a heavy-duty steel door with polyurethane insulation and quality weatherproofing.

No matter which door you choose, the best way to protect it from harsh weather is with regular garage door maintenance.

How to Protect Your Garage Door from Harsh Weather

With a few seasonal garage door maintenance tips, you’ll save time, money, and stress. Here are a few ideas to help protect your home with your garage door:

• Install a threshold seal to protect from flooding, moisture seepage, and mold growth.
• Add extra weather stripping around the sides and top of the garage door.
• Caulk garage door windows to prevent moisture infiltration and damage from winds.
• Seal your garage floor with waterproof paint or epoxy flooring.
• Insulate your garage door.

Can Garage Door Insulation Improve Performance?

Several garage door insulation benefits make this project a worthwhile investment. Extreme temperatures can damage the garage door and affect the climate inside your home, causing you to spend more on energy bills to maintain a comfortable indoor climate. An insulated garage door protects its components, improves performance, and ensures your garage isn’t causing heating inefficiency.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors for Year-Round Protection

Despite best efforts, all garage doors will eventually need maintenance and repair. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your garage door to protect it from the elements or need a fix after damage caused by the weather, the pros at Mesa Garage Doors can help. Serving Southern California for over 30 years, we have the skills and experience needed to protect your home and give you the peace of mind you deserve. To find the best weather-resistant garage doors or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.