What is “Windstorm” and how can you protect yourself?
Windstorm is a certification process, regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance, that mandates both how a door is constructed and how the door must be installed to be considered “In Compliance.” Windstorm Certification is required by insurance companies before they will issue an insurance policy on a house and more importantly it means that your house will be in much better condition to weather a traditionally devastating storm. You can protect yourself and your home by ensuring that your overhead door is Windstorm Certified. If it’s not, that’s where we come in.

Am I “Grandfathered” and does this apply to me?
Grandfathered is very commonly misunderstood phrase. Texas Windstorm Association defines Grandfathered as a home built before 1988 that has had no alterations since it’s original construction. An aleration is any change made to the structure or exterior of the home such as replacing a garage door or roof.

Why does Windstorm Certification Matter?
According to Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, all alterations to your home must be certified to meet Windstorm Code in order to maintain your insurance. Without Windstorm Certification you will not be able to insure your home. Replacing a garage door is an alteration just like replacing a roof and it must be certified. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association assumes the responsibility of getting exterior photographs of your home everytime you renew your windstorm insurance policy. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is looking for alterations that have not been certified.

How would you know if your door is Windstorm Certified?
A Windstorm Certified Door will have Windstorm Labeling on it containing key information pertaining to both the structure and it’s installation. This label will contain the door’s brand name, product evaluation number, model number, and drawing number. From the product evaluation number you can determine if your door is correct for you area and exposure. The homeowner should also have a WPI-8 Form stating that the door in question is Windstorm Certified and Texas Department of Insurance Approved. If the door does not have one or all of these key elements, then it is not a Windstorm Certified Door.

What can happen if a door is not Windstorm Certified?
A severe storm has the power to either blow a garage door in or pull it completely out of it’s opening. An open or damaged garage door during a severe storm leaves interior walls, ceilings, and roof structure vulnerable to sturctural damage and possible collapse of the entire structure itself. The appropriate protection is provided with a garage door that is wind resistant to the local requirements.

What is a Windstorm Certified Door?
The two types of windstorm doors are post-systems and all-inclusive systems. A post-system has a post that the homeowner must install in order to meet windstorm. There should be special labeling on the door itself providing instruction on the proper installation of the post and the post will have an identification label of it’s own. The posts generally have to be attached to the floor, each section of the garage door, and the header. An all-inclusive system will have the entire windstorm bracing buit into the door. All windstorm doors are required to be locked down during a storm and the opener should be unplugged.

If my door has the labels is it Windstorm Certified?
Not necessarily. Once you have found your door to be a windstorm labeled door, get the shop drawings from your door installer or manufacturer. This will be used to see if the door was installed correctly to meet the requirements of Windstorm Certification.

How can you get Windstorm Certified?
Getting a Windstorm Certification is a tedious process that requires a vast amount of knowledge and the ability to execute a precise installation both monitored and inspected by a state approved engineer or TDI Inspector.

How can Texas Overhead Door help?
Texas Overhead Door is here to help make this tedious and time consuming process easier on you. Whether it is on a new installation or upgrading an existing door, we have the skills and products to get the job done.

Can I upgrade to a Windstorm Door?
Yes you can and not only can we help you do it, but we can save you money in the process. Other companies have to re-frame the existing door opening, often times forcing the door back into the garage and up on top of the concrete lip created to prevent flooding. This causes you to lose that watertight seal that prevents your garage from flooding in the event of a storm. At Texas Overhead Door we have an exclusive process that gives us the ability to use the current framing of the garage door opening in your home. We use patented, state of the art hardware that allows us to save you money by eliminating the need to construct an expensive second frame around the door. This enables us to install the door in it’s intended location so that it can utilize the concrete lip that the door needs to create the watertight seal that helps prevent flooding.

So what should I do?
Give us a call. Texas Overhead Door is your one-stop for all your Windstorm Overhead Door needs!