The Connecticut climate, with blistering summers and raging winds, can be tough on overhead doors. Knowing the elements to look out for can help businesses select an option durable enough to withstand the weather and last for years.
How Climate Affects Garage Doors
Environmental conditions directly impact garage door performance, maintenance requirements and durability.
The Connecticut climate affects garage doors in varying ways. The state has stunning snowy winters and warm summers but also experiences heat and cold waves, tornadoes, inland flooding and hurricanes. This extreme weather can have a lasting and damaging impact on your business.
It’s also important to consider where you’re situated within the state. If your business is near the coast, you’ll need a corrosion-resistant option. If you’re more toward the North, you’ll need to look for a stronger, insulated model to handle the cold winds.
The Consequences of Heat on Garage Doors
The weather can get hot and humid along the coastal areas of Connecticut, which can significantly impact the functioning and aesthetics of your door.
Here are some ways the heat can affect your garage door system:
- The intense glare from the sun can damage the door’s photo-eye, which affects its opening and closing operation.
- The humidity can damage electronic controllers, which may require more frequent repairs.
- The high moisture levels from the extreme humidity can deteriorate wooden garage doors and cause mold and rot.
The Impacts of Cold on Garage Doors
The average annual temperature in Hartford, Connecticut, is 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, businesses in the North need to plan more for colder and snowier conditions since the climate tends to be warmer toward the coast.
Here’s how cold weather can affect your garage doors:
- The wet and cold climate can cause garage door openers to swell, which could affect their open-and-close functionality over time.
- The snow around your building can cause your garage door to freeze shut when it melts.
- The extremely low temperatures can thicken the jamb’s lubricants and make opening and closing the door challenging.
The Effects of Extreme Weather on Garage Doors
Connecticuters are no strangers to extreme weather like hurricanes. Garage doors require climate control to handle the fluctuating temperatures well. Here are examples of the damage that severe conditions can have on garage doors:
- The fluctuating temperatures can cause door warping.
- The intense winds and rains can push moisture into the hinges and electrical circuits, causing rust and malfunctioning technology.
- The high winds can hit the door and cause it to bend and come off the track.
- The rain and wind can loosen the individual panels on the door and cause it to fall apart.
How to Choose the Right Garage Door for the Connecticut Climate
The Connecticut climate may be too harsh for low-quality garage doors — choosing overhead doors for climate control that are strong enough to withstand the weather is essential. Here are three factors to consider.
1. Choose the Right Material
The right garage door can withstand fluctuations in Connecticut’s weather. Here are common material types and their abilities to withstand the climate:
- Steel: Steel doors are durable, versatile and very low maintenance. They’re perfect for heavy-duty commercial use and can be insulated to protect your belongings and door functionality during Connecticut winters.
- Fiberglass: Fibreglass doors work well in coastal areas because they’re resistant to salt-air corrosion. However, they can be affected by the cold, which could cause functionality issues.
- Wood: Wooden doors have an elegant aesthetic but are not the most reliable for the fluctuating climate. They’re high maintenance, especially with the high precipitation and humidity.
- Aluminum: Aluminum doors are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making them a great option for coastal areas like Bridgeport.
2. Prioritize Insulation
Connecticut has volatile temperatures that can create harsh winters and sticky summers. Since you may store expensive equipment or vehicles in your garage, it’s essential to keep the temperatures inside more consistent.
Investing in insulated garage doors in Connecticut can keep the inside at a comfortable temperature and improve energy efficiency year-round. It provides a more stable climate to preserve the valuables. The insulation adds an extra supportive layer, which helps your garage door brace against the harsh Connecticut winds. It also makes the door quieter during operation.
3. Invest in Advanced Technology
Businesses store important items in garages, and technology can help prevent unauthorized access. Smart commercial garage doors have a remote system integrated with Wi-Fi connectivity. They provide remote access, real time security alerts, voice activation, facial recognition and more convenient features.
Smart doors use advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to manage and monitor garages and create convenient and safe accessibility. They’re user-friendly and don’t affect the door’s functionality. You can also track when it’s opened or closed to ensure that only authorized persons enter the garage.
What Are the Best Commercial Overhead Doors for Connecticut?
Commercial overhead doors need to withstand the harsh weather conditions in New England. It’s important to choose a door from a reputable brand to keep your indoor space protected in the fluctuating climate. Below are three of the best options.
Architectural Series-Aluminum by Clopay®
These weather-efficient overhead doors have a durable aluminum frame, and you can customize them with a range of window, color and design options. They’re ideal for commercial buildings that require more visibility and natural lighting. They can also be made of solid aluminum if more privacy is needed.
The Architectural Series is a versatile option for various applications, from car dealerships to restaurants.
Energy Series With Intellicore® by Clopay®
These insulated overhead doors are ideal for the Connecticut climate. They’re insulated with polyurethane, which keeps the interior warm in winter and cool in summer. The Energy Series is suitable for retail stores, manufacturing plants and municipal buildings.
These energy-efficient commercial doors have stunning features like woodgrain embossed steel exteriors and raised panel section designs.
Industrial Series by Clopay®
This series of overhead doors is insulated with polystyrene and a vinyl steel backer. They’re strong and offer excellent performance and commercial door durability, making them suitable for various industrial applications like loading docks, agricultural facilities and warehouses.
The Industrial Series is available in several design options, like flush or raised panels in various colors and textures.
Browse Garage Doors From American Overhead Doors, Inc.
We are a family-owned company that has been in the overhead door industry for more than 30 years. American Overhead Doors, Inc. is the proud winner of the Better Business Bureau’s Excellence in Customer Service Award 2 years in a row.
We sell overhead doors from some of the best brands in the industry. Our experts also service garage doors, rolling steel doors, dock doors and automatic gate systems.
Request an estimate for our products or request servicing options to get your garage doors running smoothly.