Why are garage doors rated by PSF (pounds per square foot)?

PSF not MPH! Comparing wind loaded doors in miles per hour (MPH) rather than pounds per square foot (PSF) doesn’t work, and here’s why: Job-site conditions can affect how wind pressure affects a structure. Variables such as mean roof height, opening size, the proximity of the opening to the corner of the structure, the use of the building and even the nature of the surrounding terrain all are part of calculating the design pressure for a given building. It is because of these variables that building officials are increasingly requiring that the building engineer or architect include the design wind load pressures for each door and window opening in their building plans. Pressures provide a measure of the performance of the product under controlled conditions, allowing for easier product comparisons and less confusion.

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