Last October, California wildfires destroyed more than 14,000 homes, killing over 40 people. Santa Rosa saw 5 percent of its homes reduced to ashes. Entire communities were transformed into devastated war zones. Some people found themselves trapped by the fire and forced to huddle throughout the night in swimming pools, covering their mouths with rags.
The fires in Santa Rosa proved that no community, no matter how residential or populated, is safe from devastating wildfires. Even Elk Grove, California isn’t safe. Have you considered replacing your garage door with a fire resistant model?
The Benefits of Steel – the Thicker the Better
The folks at This Old House recommend “steel garage doors have a center core made of ‘polyurethane foamed-in-place insulation,’ a heat-resistant material that bonds the steel outer panels together. A resin coating on the door’s exterior also creates a protective barrier, helping to prevent the spread of flames and reducing the amount of billowing smoke.”
The general rule is the thicker the better. You should also opt for a 3 layer garage door for the best fire resistance. These doors are made of steel with insulation in between. Doors with Styrofoam insulation typically come in thicknesses of 1⅜”, 1¾” or 2” (35 to 51 mm). Doors with polyurethane insulation have a thickness between 1⅜” and 2” (35 and 51 mm). These doors tend to be 1⅝” or 1¾” (41 or 45 mm) thick. Styrofoam tends to be less an effective insulator polyurethane.