The Top 3 Removable Flood Barriers for Entryways
Entryways are among the most important openings to consider when preparing a home, commercial building, or facility for flooding. Doors, garages, passageways, loading areas, and other openings can provide a direct path for floodwater, making removable flood barriers a practical option for properties that need protection during a flood threat without permanently blocking access.
What are the top removable flood barriers for entryways? Three options from Garrison Flood Control are the Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood Wall, YellowFIN™ Flood Panel, and MAKO™ Inflatable Flood Barrier. Each provides reusable flood protection but uses a different deployment method, allowing property owners and facility managers to select a system based on the opening, installation requirements, storage needs, and desired level of protection.
Here is how the three systems compare.
1. Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood Wall
The Hammerhead Aluminum Flood Wall is a stackable stop-log flood barrier designed to protect doorways and other building openings. U-channel posts are installed on either side of the opening and remain permanently in place. When flooding is expected, aluminum planks are inserted into the posts and stacked to the required protection height.
This design makes Hammerhead particularly useful when a property needs a durable, reusable system that can be deployed before a flood while leaving the opening accessible when the barrier is not needed.
Garrison identifies applications including doorways, window wells, loading docks, basement stairwells, garages, ramps, passageways, and perimeter openings. The aluminum planks can be compactly stacked for storage when they are not deployed. Garrison also states that deployment can be completed by sliding the flood planks into the posts and tightening them down.
Hammerhead is also designed for locations where high winds or debris may accompany flooding. Its fixed posts and clamped aluminum planks create a rigid barrier intended to withstand significant stresses. The system is reusable, available in customizable heights and lengths, and incorporates Garrison's SureGasket™ and AlumiSeal™ sealing systems for additional leak protection.
Hammerhead may be a strong fit when: a property requires a durable aluminum flood barrier that can remain ready for repeat deployment at the same entryway or opening.
2. YellowFIN™ Flood Panel
The YellowFIN Flood Panel takes a different approach to removable entryway flood protection. Rather than stacking individual flood planks, YellowFIN uses removable flood panels that are typically mounted outside an opening.
The panels attach to the perimeter jamb of a door, window, or garage using turn knobs, while the bottom aluminum extrusion is anchored to the ground or sill below. Seals around the panel help create the barrier between the opening and approaching floodwater.
One of YellowFIN's primary advantages is configurability. Garrison offers standard and custom panel sizes along with filler pieces, corner extrusions, spacers, and other components that allow the system to accommodate different layouts. Panels can span openings up to 10 feet without a seam and can also be connected to create longer barriers.
After the initial installation of the receiver anchors, subsequent deployments can be completed in minutes by fastening the panel and anchoring its base. YellowFIN can also be installed on either the exterior or interior of an opening depending on the site's requirements, although Garrison generally recommends exterior installation.
YellowFIN panels are reusable and manufactured using aluminum extrusions, a composite fiberglass panel with a honeycomb core, and stainless-steel hardware. Garrison states that standard panels can handle flood and stormwater up to eight feet high, with custom configurations available for protection up to ten feet.
YellowFIN may be a strong fit when: an entryway needs a removable panel system that can be customized around the size, configuration, or physical features of an opening.
3. MAKO™ Inflatable Flood Barrier
For applications where avoiding permanent mounting hardware is a priority, the MAKO Inflatable Flood Barrier provides a different removable flood protection solution.
MAKO is a reusable, pressurized flood barrier made from heavy-duty PVC drop-stitch material. Unlike systems that require posts or receiver anchors, MAKO uses a tool-less, non-permanent installation and does not require drilling into the structure, walls, or concrete.
To deploy the barrier, the MAKO unit is positioned within the opening and inflated. Its dual-chamber design uses one chamber to press the barrier into the opening for stability while the lower chamber applies downward pressure to help create a tight seal.
Most MAKO sizes can be deployed in under 10 minutes using a standard SUP air pump. After the flood threat has passed, the unit can be deflated within minutes, rinsed, dried, folded, and stored for future use. Integrated handles also make the system easier to move.
MAKO is available in standard 30-inch and 40-inch protection heights, with custom heights up to 48 inches and widths as long as 192 inches available.
MAKO may be a strong fit when: a doorway or entryway needs rapidly deployable flood protection without drilling or permanently installed mounting hardware.
Which Removable Flood Barrier Is Right for an Entryway?
The right removable flood barrier depends on the property and opening being protected.
Hammerhead provides a rigid, stackable aluminum system for repeat protection of doorways and other openings. YellowFIN provides configurable removable panels for entryways that may require customized sizing or layouts. MAKO provides inflatable flood protection for applications where a tool-less and non-permanent installation is preferred.
Because entryway dimensions, surfaces, flood exposure, and installation conditions vary, flood protection should be selected according to the specific requirements of the opening.
Prepare Entryways Before Flooding Arrives
Effective entryway flood protection begins before water reaches the property. By evaluating vulnerable openings and selecting a removable barrier suited to each location, property owners and facility teams can establish a repeatable flood protection plan.
Garrison Flood Control offers multiple removable flood barrier solutions for residential, commercial, and facility applications, including Hammerhead, YellowFIN, and MAKO. Contact Garrison Flood Control to determine which system is appropriate for your entryway and flood protection requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removable Flood Barriers for Entryways
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A removable flood barrier is a reusable system that can be placed across a doorway, garage, passageway, or other opening when flooding threatens and removed afterward so the opening can return to normal use.
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Garrison Flood Control offers several options for entryway protection, including the Hammerhead Aluminum Flood Wall, YellowFIN Flood Panel, and MAKO Inflatable Flood Barrier. Each uses a different deployment and mounting method.
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The appropriate system depends on the doorway and installation requirements. Hammerhead uses stackable aluminum planks and fixed posts, YellowFIN uses removable panels and receiver anchors, and MAKO provides an inflatable option that does not require permanent mounting hardware.
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Not all removable flood barriers require the same installation. Hammerhead uses permanently installed U-channel posts, while YellowFIN relies on installed receiver anchors. MAKO uses a tool-less setup and does not require drilling into walls, structures, or concrete.
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Yes. Hammerhead aluminum planks, YellowFIN panels, and MAKO inflatable barriers are all designed to be removed, stored, and deployed again for future flood events.
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The MAKO Inflatable Flood Barrier is designed for tool-less, non-permanent installation and does not require drilling into a wall, structure, or concrete surface.
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Yes. Hammerhead is listed for applications including garages and other openings, while YellowFIN can be configured for doors, windows, and garage openings. The appropriate system depends on the dimensions and configuration of the location being protected.
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Deployment time varies by system. YellowFIN can be installed in minutes after the receiver anchors are in place, while most MAKO sizes can be deployed in under 10 minutes using a standard SUP air pump. Hammerhead is deployed by inserting aluminum planks into its installed U-channel posts and tightening them down.
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Hammerhead uses individual aluminum flood planks stacked between fixed U-channel posts. YellowFIN uses larger removable flood panels that attach to receiver anchors around an opening. Both are reusable but use different barrier and deployment configurations.
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MAKO is an inflatable flood barrier made from PVC drop-stitch material and does not require permanent mounting hardware. Hammerhead and YellowFIN are rigid systems that use installed components to secure their barriers across an opening.
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Yes. Hammerhead is available in customizable heights and lengths. YellowFIN offers standard and custom panel sizes along with additional components for different layouts. MAKO is available in standard sizes as well as custom heights and widths.
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Storage varies by system. Hammerhead aluminum planks can be compactly stacked, YellowFIN panels can be removed and stored between deployments, and MAKO can be deflated, rinsed, dried, folded, and stored for future use.