The National Weather Service says April is in the middle of the primary severe weather season in south central Texas, with large hail and damaging winds among the hazards. After a storm, check panels, window inserts, seals and the track before you use the door. When you replace a door, compare the tested U-factor of the whole installed door.
Severe weather in the San Antonio area
The National Weather Service office for Austin and San Antonio says April in south central Texas is in the middle of its primary severe weather season. It lists frequent lightning, large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and flooding as storms that can all occur then.
The same office keeps a list of past events. It includes two San Antonio hail days in April 2016 and a May 2024 event it calls very large hail and high wind. A garage door is a big flat surface facing the weather, so it is one of the first parts of a house to show hail.
What the door is telling you
| What you notice | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Round dents on one or two panels | Cosmetic hail damage | Photograph it and check the door moves smoothly by hand |
| A crease near a hinge or edge | A section may no longer sit square | Stop using the door and call for service |
| Cracked window inserts | Loose glass or plastic and an opening for rain | Keep people clear and cover the opening |
| Torn or flat bottom seal | Water and debris get under the door | Replace the seal |
| Scraping, jerking or a crooked door | A bent track, section or hinge | Do not run the opener; call a technician |
Damage varies. We confirm the cause on site.
Before you press the button
Pull the release handle
Disconnect the opener so it cannot push a damaged door.
Lift a little by hand
A sound door moves smoothly and stays where you leave it. If it binds or feels heavy, stop.
Take photos
Record the damage with wide and close pictures before anything is repaired.
For more on hail, see hail damage to a garage door in Texas.
Choosing an insulated door
A garage door sold as insulated can be rated in two ways. DASMA, the garage door trade association, says the industry once used a calculated R-value, which describes the middle of a door section, not the whole installed door. It says tested U-factor is a better guide because it includes the section joints, hardware and edges.
For U-factor, a lower number is better. DASMA says a door with a U-factor of 0.20 is twice as thermally efficient as one at 0.40. Ask for the tested U-factor of the complete door. Our approved range for an insulated steel door, 16x7, installed, is $1,800 to $3,600, and the final price depends on the panel style, windows and color.
Insurance after a storm
The Texas Department of Insurance says wind and hail coverage on a home policy should pay for hail damage and that you should file as soon as you can. Keep receipts for temporary repairs, and be there when the adjuster visits. It also advises getting more than one estimate, checking references and never signing a contract with blank spaces.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Texas, including San Antonio, New Braunfels, Schertz and Boerne. See garage door repair and new garage doors. Call or send your details with a few photos and we book the soonest visit.
Questions people ask
When is hail season in San Antonio?
The National Weather Service says April is in the middle of the primary severe weather season for south central Texas. Hail can occur at other times, so check after any storm.
Is a dented garage door safe to use?
If it has only dents and moves smoothly by hand, usually yes. If it is creased, crooked or scrapes, stop using it and call a technician.
What does U-factor mean for a garage door?
It measures how much heat passes through the installed door. DASMA says a lower U-factor means better thermal performance.
Does insurance pay for hail damage to a garage door?
The Texas Department of Insurance says wind and hail coverage on a home policy should pay for hail damage. Read your policy and file as soon as you can.
Services that fit this problem
Garage door and gate help near you
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
More guides
Sources
- National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio: weather notes page (April is mid-season for severe weather, hazards listed)
- National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio: past weather events list (hail events in the San Antonio and Austin area)
- DASMA Technical Data Sheet 196: U-factor on garage doors and the thermal performance verification program
- Texas Department of Insurance: After hail or windstorms (filing a claim, documenting damage, temporary repairs, choosing a contractor)