Tropical hurricanes are common in Texas and the level of storms has increased over the past few years. During such hurricanes, homes are prone to damage by strong winds and tidal waves. Storm winds can break branches from trees on your house that severely damaging your home. Short-term power outages are also common in such phase and other hurricanes. However, with proper construction, the damage to the buildings can be greatly reduced. Not only hurricane-proofing ensures the home a good resale price, but it also ensures you have that home to sell anytime. A variety of ways will facilitate a building to survive sturdy winds and storms.
1. Moisture-Resistant Design
Hurricane-resistant house design should protect the home from moisture and accumulation of heavy rain and wind. Builders of hurricane-resistant home structures include four design blocks to combat moisture infiltration and accumulation during and after the storm. This includes dehydration, drying, deflection, and durability.
2. Durable Products and Fast Drying
During strong winds and storms, water can make its way across the diversion leading to water entering the wall system. Therefore, contractors should use solid building materials that will not degrade when wet and also dry quickly, such as high-quality, vapor barrier, and weather-resistant barrier (WRB). Elements of high-quality WRB include durability, vapor permeability, high tear strength, ultraviolet resistance, and simple installation.
3. Storm Shutters
For citizens who live in hurricane-prone areas, storm shutters can be one of the smartest and most important investments you can make. Homebuilders today often use steel or poly-carbonate plastic as the preferred option for storm shutters. Fortunately, some insurance companies in some provinces offer prices to homeowners to cover the cost of storm shutters.
4. Continuous Load Path
When strong winds are blowing against a home, a continuous loading path provides strong protection against the house. The continuous load path ensures that when the load, including the lateral (horizontal) and lifting loads, attacks the house, the load from the roof, wall, and other objects towards the foundation and the ground. House failures during storm events often begin with damage to the roof. It only takes a Category 1 storm to damage roofs, steel, and drains in a home made of wood. Overall, a hip roof has better air resistance than a gable roof.
5. Right Windows
When buying stained-glass windows, check the DP (Design Pressure) measure. This measures air inflow, water inflow, and building load. An average DP of about 50 should withstand finishes up to 200 miles per hour and a pressure of 75 pounds per sq ft. The cost of impact windows will vary greatly depending on size, material (aluminum versus vinyl), brand, and special features, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $ 500 to $ 1,500 per window, including installation.
6. Heavy Garage Door
If you live in an area with a hurricane, it is advisable to invest in garage doors that are resistant to storms. These types of doors have steel reinforcement, additional hardware, and spring components that provide strong strength and durability to withstand high air pressure. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications for air resistance and make sure they meet any code requirements in your area.
Conclusion
A hurricane-proof house gives better protection to your home from storm damage. Before attempting to hurricane-proof an existing home, you need to consider any damage before any modification. If you are building a hurricane-proof home start from the top and work your way down. You may also want to check if it is possible to purchase a generator so that you can have power even if the power grid goes out after the storm.
Also, you should focus on those weak points in a typical home, such as windows and doors. As you upgrade your home, consider how specific projects can help in other ways, such as increasing the value of your property or improving the efficiency of your home.
