How to Build Your Hurricane Resistant Home
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How to Make Your Project More Hurricane Resistant:
PROTECT YOUR BUILDINGS by Constructing with Hurricane Resistant Strategies & Technologies.
People are building various types of houses to withstand hurricanes, including those with strong foundations, durable materials, and innovative designs. Concrete, especially Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), and reinforced poured concrete walls and roofs, are popular choices for their strength and resistance to high winds and debris. Homes designed with strong steel and concrete, are being built to withstand hurricane force winds and flooding.
Circular homes and monolithic dome construction are particularly strong due to their shape and structure. Dome homes offer unique design features that help deflect wind forces. Earth sheltered features also add protections from high winds.
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A few considerations when building for Hurricane Resistance
Innovative Designs:
Circular homes are designed with wind deflection in mind, and monolithic dome construction is particularly strong due to its shape and structure. These designs help reduce wind pressure and transfer wind loads more efficiently.
Protect Your Roof and Windows
For your roof’s layout, a roof with strong connectors resists the winds longer. Aside from that, installing strong exterior materials, like brick, stone, tile, concrete, or fiber cement siding is stronger and more water and wind resistant compared to others. Earth covered roofs are more hurricane resistant because the wind tends to blow over them.
Connections:
Even on wood and steel construction oversized truss hangers keep roof system anchored to walls and foundations. Walls have multiple construction ties to the floor system for structural stability and to transfer shear forces. Continuous metal strapping from roof trusses to foundation helps maintain structural stability.
Resilient Materials:
Materials like mold-resistant drywall and hurricane roll shutters are also incorporated into hurricane-resistant homes to enhance their durability and protect against damage from wind, rain, and debris.
Cost:
Hurricane-resistant homes can range in cost, depending on the size, materials, location and design. Basic hurricane-resistant homes can be built for around $200 to $350 per square foot, while custom designs with top-tier materials may cost more.
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To Build a Hurricane Resistant House:
You should carefully start planning your new house project, from the design to the materials you need. Depending on how you would want your house to look, there are several things you can consider.
Learn About Insulated Concrete, Round Concrete Homes and other Concrete Structures
Concrete (one of the most hurricane-resistant materials in house building) creates solid insulated walls that block weather and sound. Reports have shown that this setup can withstand hurricane much better than wood and steel alone.
Shutter Doors and Windows
Another weak link in your home would be your windows and doors because they can serve as a wind entry point to your home. High winds can shatter glass. As such, choosing roll down, sliding or hinged shutters on your doors and window is recommended.
Armor Your Walls
Now that you know what to do with your roof and windows, planning what to do with your walls should be your next plan. Your siding (walls) should be strong wind resistant materials. Consider using materials such as concrete, fiber-cement, brick, stone, stucco, well anchored tongue and grove wood or anything considered a wind resistant material.
Avoid vinyl and aluminum siding because they lack the resistance of strong materials and tear off easily. No home–is entirely hurricane proof. But new research and anecdotal evidence suggests that homes built with the right materials, the right landscaping, and smart detailing have a far better chance to be left standing after a hurricane event.
Consider Raising Your Main Floor Level
On locations where hurricanes and flooding happens regularly, building a raised home where flood waters can pass below you is often a wise choice.
Consider Earth Sheltered Features
When earth is wrapped around your home is becomes more resistant to high winds. Consult this planning team on the best methods to use in your unique circumstances to protect you from the threats of hurricanes.
Understanding Hurricane Proof House Design
A hurricane-proof house design incorporates structures and materials that can resist the high winds and heavy rains typical of hurricanes. These designs include reinforced roofing systems, impact-resistant windows, and elevated foundations to prevent flood damage. Sustainable elements like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems are also becoming increasingly popular, contributing to a home’s resilience and environmental footprint reduction.
Here’s a few design ideas that focus on enhancing your home for weatherproof, hurricane and flood security:
1. Fully Sealed Roofs
Materials like EPDM (rubber roofing) are excellent for creating impermeable roof coverings. EPDM is a synthetic rubber that provides outstanding durability and longevity, resisting UV rays, temperature extremes, and heavy rainfall without deteriorating. It’s typically installed in one complete piece, minimizing seams and creating a more effective barrier against water.
2. Waterproof Exterior Coatings
Liquid rubber or elastomeric paint and close cell stray insulation can be applied to exterior walls to create a completely waterproof seal. These coatings form a waterproof barrier that can expand and contract with the building, preventing cracks and leaks that might otherwise allow water ingress.
3. Submersible Basement Construction
Constructing a basement to withstand submersion involves using water-resistant concrete additives and waterproof membranes. These materials help to create barriers that resist hydrostatic pressure from groundwater. Techniques include applying concrete additives, a waterproof coating or membrane externally on the basement walls and ensuring proper drainage away from the foundation.
4. Integrated Drainage Systems
Designing integrated drainage systems involves planning both the landscape and the foundation to manage water effectively. This could mean installing French drains, using graded landscaping to direct water away from the home, and incorporating catch basins and sump pumps to handle excess water efficiently.
5. Hurricane-Proof Windows
Hurricane-proof windows are made from impact-resistant glass, often a laminated layering much like the windshield of a car, which holds together when shattered. This glass, combined with a sturdy frame bolted securely to the building structure, can resist high winds and flying debris, protecting the interior from storm damage.
6. Flood Shields for Doors
Removable flood barriers, such as aluminum or steel panels, can be installed in doorways to block incoming water. These barriers are engineered to fit tightly and securely, creating a watertight seal around door openings, an essential defense during flooding.
7. Sealed Ductwork
Utilizing fully sealed duct systems is crucial to maintaining indoor air quality and preventing moisture from entering through the HVAC system. Sealing the ductwork helps eliminate leaks where conditioned air can escape, increasing energy efficiency and reducing moisture-related issues like mold growth.
8. Elevated Electrical Systems
Elevating electrical systems involves installing electrical panels, sockets, wiring, and appliances above expected flood levels. This precaution prevents water from reaching electrical components, reducing the risk of power outages and electrical fires during floods.
9. Marine-Grade Materials
Using marine-grade materials for exterior fixtures, such as stainless steel, marine-grade plywood, or fiberglass, ensures that components can withstand corrosive salty air and moisture without rusting or degrading, prolonging the life of these elements.
10. Indoor Water Collection Points
Creating indoor water collection points can involve designing specific areas within the home that can safely manage water without causing damage, equipped with drains and waterproof flooring, these areas can control and redirect accidental water ingress.
11. Underwater / Underground Ground Anchors
Underwater ground anchors help stabilize a structure’s foundation against shifting caused by water erosion. These anchors are driven deep into the ground and provide a secure hold that maintains the integrity of the foundation even in saturated soils.
12. Flood/Water Resistant Flooring and Wall Materials
Flood-resistant flooring and wall materials, such as ceramic tiles, brick, stone, sealed concrete, waterproof gyp board, concrete board, fiber board or luxury vinyl, are ideal for areas prone to moisture exposure. These materials do not swell, warp, or mold, making them durable options for high-humidity environments.
Have drain pumping systems that will remove the ground around your house when a hurricane floods the land around you.
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