Living along the coast offers many scenic views and plenty of activities to do. However, one of the drawbacks of living in coastal regions is the potential of hurricanes each year. Hurricane season begins on June 1st, and it doesn’t end until November 30th, and it’s essential to look at ways to hurricane-proof your home. Hiring qualified professionals to handle these duties is vital to your safety while also giving you peace of mind.
Here are a few of the top home investments to consider in giving your house additional protection against hurricanes.
Hurricane Roof Straps
Understanding how to strengthen your roof is critical in staying proactive against strong hurricanes. Metal roofs offer the most substantial protection against hurricanes, as they can withstand wind gusts up to 140 MPH. Architectural shingles also provide excellent protection against hurricanes, as they are 50% heavier than traditional shingles. Installing hurricane straps is another way to protect your home. Most hurricane straps are made with stainless or galvanized steel, as they are designed to strengthen the home’s structure.
Hurricane Shutters
Hurricane shutters can play a crucial role in limiting the damages of these natural disasters. Adding hurricane shutters for each of your windows will help prevent wind damage and limit water from entering your home. You can choose from various hurricane shutters, such as accordion, automatic roll-down, colonial, storm panel, and many more. Always contacting a professional for any hurricane window protection is essential to ensure everything is installed correctly.
Hurricane Impact Windows
Another effective way to protect your house is to invest in hurricane impact windows. Installing hurricane-resistant windows offers the best protection against these massive storms. These windows are specially tested to withstand the impact of flying projectiles up to 150 MPH. Most new homes in coastal regions must install hurricane impact windows to maintain compliance with building codes.
Hurricane Garage Doors
Reinforcing all of your entry points is critical for designing hurricane-resistant homes. Garage doors are always the largest entryway to your house, which makes them especially vulnerable to hurricanes. Installing a hurricane impact garage door is key in protecting your home, as strong winds can remove traditional garage doors and cause air pressure to build up and potentially blow off your entire roof. A professional installer can also use a garage door hurricane brace kit to strengthen your home further.
Inspect Your Gutters and Downspouts
Keeping your gutters and downspouts clean and free of debris is especially important before a hurricane makes landfall. Clogged gutters put additional strain on your roof while making it impossible to divert water away from your home. You can clean your gutters and downspouts on your own or reach out to professionals to perform these services. Typically, it’s recommended to clean your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year.
Create a Checklist
Trying to remember all of the different ways to hurricane-proof your home isn’t easy. Creating a checklist in advance is an excellent way to stay proactive and save you a lot of stress. This checklist can cover various items, such as securing loose items in your yard, whether it’s patio furniture, bicycles, planters, and other items. Removing any dead tree branches in advance is also important in reducing damages. Inspecting all of your outdoor drains is another crucial step in preventing flooding issues.
Invest in a Home Generator
Evacuating before a hurricane reaches landfall is always the safest option for anyone living on the coast. However, if you plan to stay, it’s a good idea to invest in a home generator to keep all of your lights and essential appliances on. Purchasing a sump pump is also a good idea, as basements are prone to flooding during a hurricane. Keeping a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water is also critical during the aftermath of a hurricane.
Additional Benefits of Hurricane Proofing Your Home
Choosing to hurricane-proof your home offers additional benefits besides improving safety, such as helping you lower your insurance premium. Installing impact windows will reduce outside noise and will help improve the energy efficiency of your home. Taking the additional steps in hurricane proofing your home will give you peace of mind and create a much less stressful experience.
Closing Thoughts
Hurricanes are an all too common issue for homeowners living along the coast. Taking the necessary steps in creating hurricane-resistant homes is crucial in keeping your house and all of your belongings safe. Investing in hurricane shutters, impact windows, hurricane straps, and hurricane garage doors are just a few of the many ways you can secure your home. Using experienced professionals to install these items is a great way to comply with building codes while also giving you the best protection against mother nature.