Signs You Need a New Garage Door Panel
April 23, 2025
How Florida Weather Affects Your Garage Door
If there’s something Floridians are accustomed to, it’s heat. With temperatures ranging from 50°F in winter to sometimes surpassing 90°F in summer, we know how to deal with heat. We install A/C units, insulate windows, and arm ourselves with fresh beverages. Still, we often forget about our garage doors. Though most doors are designed to last, garage doors and Florida weather can result in unpleasant surprises if left unattended.
Besides the high temperatures your garage door must endure, it also deals with high humidity levels that can affect it, regardless of the material. Some garage doors can heat up like an oven when exposed to the relentless Florida heat throughout the day. Hence, keeping an eye on your garage door to prevent harmful coastal effects is essential.
Weather effects on different garage door materials
The extent of sun damage on doors will vary depending on their material. For example, some metal doors often have trouble closing and opening due to thermal expansion, while wooden doors are more susceptible to swelling.
Thus, knowing how different garage doors and Florida weather react to each other can help you locate the source of many problems and when to call the professionals in.
- Vinyl garage doors
Vinyl is a popular choice due to its affordability and durability. It’s also moisture-resistant, which makes it less prone to warping and requires minimal maintenance. Thus, it generally performs well against Florida’s heat and coastal climate effects.
However, some types of vinyl may fade when exposed to prolonged sunlight. Hence, it’s worth looking for doors with UV-resistant coatings to help mitigate the sun damage on doors.
- Steel garage doors
Steel doors are also favored for their strength, lifespan, and low-maintenance requirements. They offer increased security and protection from weather hardships such as storms. Likewise, they can help insulate your garage, making them great choices for those interested in withstanding the garage doors and Florida weather effects.
Still, its most significant downside is that steel is a highly conductive material that rapidly absorbs and transfers heat. During Florida’s scorching summers, steel garage doors can become hot to the touch and lead to thermal expansion issues, such as warped doors that don’t close properly.
- Aluminum garage doors
Aluminum is a lightweight metal that is resistant to rust and corrosion. Hence, you won’t need to worry about garage door rust issues due to high humidity. However, it may suffer from thermal expansion and warping due to extreme heat, although it stands up better than steel during summer.
- Wood garage doors
These doors can be made from wood species, from cedar to oak, and customized to match your personal taste and specific architectural styles. They’re praised for their stunning visual appearance, which can increase your home’s curb appeal. However, when it comes to garage doors and Florida weather effects, they may not be the strongest contender.
Since wood is an organic material, it’s more susceptible to heat and humidity than metals or synthetic materials like vinyl. Hence, you may find swelling, cracking, or warping that compromises their appearance and functionality. Opt for high-quality, treated wood and maintain a regular inspection routine to avoid sun damage on doors.
How Florida weather affects your internal garage door components
Although moisture and heat will mainly affect your door’s exterior, that doesn’t mean you should only focus on treating and repairing the exterior. Florida’s extreme weather conditions can also damage the interior components of your door, such as springs or rollers. Hence, it’s crucial to remember interior components when searching to endure the garage door and Florida weather effects.
Springs
The springs counterbalance the garage door’s weight, ensuring it opens and closes safely. However, some metal springs can expand and overstretch during scorching summers, creating unnecessary strain on them.
Over time, this excessive strain may reduce their tension and lead to potential failure, compromising your door’s functionality and safety. Thus, it’s essential to know the coastal climate effects on springs.
Door lubrication
Lubricants can degrade and become less effective in high temperatures, increasing friction and wear on your garage door moving parts. Worn-down lubrication will decrease your garage door system’s lifespan and may increase noise during operation.
If you notice your door being noisier or more complicated to operate than before, it may be due to the garage door and Florida weather effects.
Rollers and hinges
As previously stated, sun damage on doors can affect metal components, increasing friction between the rollers and the tracks. This added strain can increase noise during operation and, in some extreme cases, cause the rollers to come off the tracks.
Besides, if you have a metal garage door, the heat expansion may cause the hinges to misalign, leading to warping or sticky doors.
How to prevent garage door damage due to high temperatures and moisture
We’ve seen the toll the sun and heat can take on your garage door. However, these aren’t inevitable things. With regular inspections and prompt repairs, you can ensure your garage door and Florida weather become allies instead of enemies.
- Lubricate your door regularly: Humidity can cause friction and garage door rust issues in metal components. To keep your garage operating smoothly and quietly, apply silicone-based lubricant to the rollers, tracks, and hinges, and leave the springs to the professionals. Or better, find a reliable garage door company to help regularly.
Likewise, avoid using oil-based lubricants or grease as these substances can attract dirt and grime, increasing maintenance requirements.
- Prevent mold and mildew: Another of the coastal climate effects is mold and mildew growing, because high moisture levels create an ideal scenario for this fungus to grow. Prevent it by regularly cleaning your garage door surfaces to remove debris, dirt, and any other organic matter that could foster mold, paying extra attention to corners and crevices.
After cleaning, completely dry the door to prevent moisture build-up and other common issues between garage doors and Florida weather.
- Consider using weatherstrippings: Along with sun damage on doors, summer also comes with frequent storms. If you want to prevent moisture and pests from entering your garage, install a proper weatherstripping along the bottom and edges of your door.
Besides, check on them regularly to ensure they’re still not worn out and replace those who are.
- Test balance and alignment on your door: Garage door rust issues and thermal expansion can lead to misaligned tracks and hinges. Hence, professionals should periodically check that the door is well-balanced and aligned.
When you operate the door manually, it should stay in place. If not, it’s time to call the professionals to adjust the springs. Don’t attempt to balance the springs by yourself. Garage doors are heavy, threatening your safety when they malfunction and detach from the opener.
Get functional garage doors all year long with Holt’s
Garage doors and Florida weather don’t have to mean problems and headaches. With Holt’s Reliable Garage Door Repair, you can promptly address rust, thermal movements, or fading colors and ensure your garage door is always in its best shape.
Proud winners of The Official Community Choice Awards of the Treasure Coast four times in a row, we strive to provide all fellow Floridians with superior, dependable garage door services, from repairing sun damage on doors to maintaining them yearly.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy team to care for your door during and after Florida’s summer, contact us for your free estimate!
