How Extreme Florida Heat Affects Garage Doors
Florida, known as the “Sunshine State,” boasts sandy beaches and warm temperatures year-round. However, with the sunshine comes the challenge of extreme heat that can take a toll on various aspects of your home. In the face of Florida’s hot weather, homeowners must proactively understand how it can impact their garage doors and take necessary measures to protect this aspect of their homes.
Some ways to combat the challenge include following a series of effective strategies. These include selecting the right garage door material, investing in insulation and weatherstripping, ensuring regular maintenance and lubrication and seeking professional assistance. By doing so, residential homeowners can extend the life span of their garage doors, maintain their efficiency and ultimately enhance their homes’ overall value and comfort.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Florida’s Extreme Heat
- Common Garage Door Materials and Their Heat Resistance
- The Impact of Heat on Garage Door Components
- The Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
Understanding Florida’s Extreme Heat
During the summer, Florida experiences scorching heat, with temperatures often soaring well into the 90s and surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, the high humidity levels make the heat feel even more intense. These prolonged periods of extreme heat can be particularly challenging for garage doors. A garage, typically designed for storing vehicles and other belongings, can become like an oven when exposed to the relentless Florida sun.
Different materials used in garage door construction have varying levels of heat resistance. For example, metal garage doors, such as steel and aluminum, are standard for durability and low maintenance. However, they’re also highly conductive materials that can quickly absorb and transfer heat. This heat absorption can lead to thermal expansion, potentially causing warping, buckling or misalignment of the door’s panels and components.
Wooden garage doors, while visually beautiful, are more vulnerable to extreme heat and humidity. The combination of moisture and heat can cause wood to swell, warp and crack over time, compromising the door’s structural integrity and appearance.
Common Garage Door Materials and Their Heat Resistance
Florida homeowners have several options with garage door materials, each with advantages and considerations concerning heat resistance. Often, garage doors won’t close in hot weather for certain materials. Learn why your garage door isn’t working in hot weather and which materials are better suited to endure the heat.
1. Steel Garage Doors
Homeowners use steel garage doors due to their strength, durability and relatively low maintenance requirements. They offer excellent security and insulation properties, making them suitable for various climates. However, steel doors have some drawbacks when it comes to extreme heat.
Steel is a highly conductive material that readily absorbs and transfers heat. In Florida’s high temperatures, steel garage doors can become hot to the touch, potentially leading to thermal expansion. This expansion could cause the door to warp, resulting in the garage door not closing in hot weather, making it less effective in its operation and reducing its overall life span.
2. Aluminum Garage Doors
Similar to steel doors, aluminum garage doors are favored for their lightweight nature and resistance to rust and corrosion. They’re relatively affordable and can complement modern architectural styles. With heat, aluminum garage doors tend to fare slightly better in extreme heat than steel, as they’re less prone to warping and thermal expansion.
3. Wood Garage Doors
Wooden garage doors are available in various wood species and can be customized to match specific architectural preferences. Wood is an organic material that’s more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat and humidity. Wooden garage doors can experience swelling, warping and cracking, compromising functionality and appearance.
To improve heat resistance, opt for high-quality, treated wood and regular maintenance.
4. Vinyl Garage Doors
Vinyl garage doors have low maintenance requirements and resistance to moisture-related issues, such as rot and rust. They’re relatively affordable and come in a range of designs.
Vinyl garage doors generally perform well in Florida’s extreme heat. They’re less likely to warp than steel or wood doors. However, some types of vinyl may fade over time when exposed to prolonged sunlight. Opting for vinyl doors with UV-resistant coatings can help mitigate this effect.
Choosing the Right Garage Door Material
Choose a garage door that balances durability, visual appeal and heat resistance. While no material is entirely impervious to heat, and some garage doors won’t open or close in especially hot weather, selecting a well-insulated door with suitable heat-resistant properties can significantly extend its life span and reduce the need for frequent repairs.
The Impact of Heat on Garage Door Components
Florida’s extreme heat doesn’t just affect the exterior of your garage door — it can also take a toll on crucial components that contribute to the door’s proper functioning. Learn how heat affects garage door openers and other essential garage door parts:
Can Heat Affect Springs?
Garage door springs are responsible for counterbalancing the door’s weight, making it easier to open and close. Extreme heat can lead to thermal expansion in metal springs, which causes them to stretch beyond their normal limits.
Over time, this excessive strain can weaken the springs, reducing tension and leading to potential failure. Broken springs can render the garage door inoperable and pose safety risks to anyone nearby when they break.
Can Heat Affect Rollers and Hinges?
Heat can cause metal components to expand, leading to increased friction and wear between the rollers and tracks. This added strain may result in noisy operation and, in severe cases, can cause the rollers to come off the tracks.
Can Heat Affect Garage Door Openers and Electronics?
Modern garage doors often come equipped with safety sensors and electronic components that detect obstacles in the door’s path and ensure smooth operation. Extreme heat can lead to electronic malfunctions, and you may find that your garage door opener won’t work in hot weather. This will cause the garage door to behave unpredictably or even fail to operate.
Can Heat Affect Lubrication?
In high heat, lubricants can degrade and become less effective, increasing friction and wear on moving parts. Inadequate lubrication can also contribute to the garage door’s noisiness and reduced life span of components.
The Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
Investing in an insulated garage door can give homeowners a range of advantages beyond just its primary function. Here are some compelling benefits of an insulated garage door:
- Saves money: An insulated garage door is a barrier against extreme outdoor temperatures and keeps the hot air out, preventing it from infiltrating your home and causing your air conditioning system to work overtime. Similarly, it retains indoor heat in colder months, reducing the strain on your heating system. An insulated garage door can contribute to significant energy savings and lower utility bills by maintaining more stable indoor temperatures.
- Offers better protection: Extreme heat and humidity can damage belongings stored in the garage, such as tools or paint cans. An insulated garage door helps regulate the temperature inside the garage, safeguarding your possessions from the adverse effects of fluctuating temperatures and high humidity levels. It also provides a buffer against outdoor elements, protecting your car and other valuables from potential damage caused by weather extremes.
- Features high durability: The added insulation enhances energy efficiency and contributes to the door’s overall strength and durability. A more robust garage door can better withstand the wear and tear of daily use, ensuring it remains in top condition for years to come.
Protect Your Garage With Help From Banko Overhead Doors
For decades, Banko Overhead Doors, Inc. has been a trusted and reliable partner for those seeking expert guidance and solutions for their garage door needs in West Central Florida. Take advantage of our proven track record and allow us the opportunity to provide the perfect garage door or garage door opener solution for your home or business.
Browse our range of insulated garage doors or schedule a service with us for your current garage door. Protect your investment, secure your property and enjoy the convenience of a reliable and functional garage door with the assistance of Banko Overhead Doors.
Additional Resources on in Florida:
- How to Keep Your Florida Home Cool
- Tips For First-Time Home Buyers in Florida
- Maintenance Tips for Your Florida Home
- Home Management Tips for Florida Snowbirds
