The planet is facing issues related to extreme and inclement weather of late. Moreover, there is no way to forecast what will come up next. Severe weather like hurricanes, floods, heavy rain, hail, and storms can easily damage buildings and homes without proper planning.
Today, builders leave no stone unturned to bring out the best and practical construction techniques to protect these buildings and homes from harsh threats. Sustainability is a top priority here, as the world continues to face the negative effects of climate change.
You will read about various ways to protect homes during seasonal changes.
Newer Forms of Glass
Standard glass can shatter into pieces when faced with inclement weather. Additionally, the glass pieces can cause huge damage to windows and balconies. Therefore, newer forms of glass are coming up in the market. Impact glass is one of the materials that car manufacturers use for automobiles. It does not shatter easily, like regular glass, and holds against severe winds and storms. It is built to endure the heavy impact. You will also come across bendable glass. It was developed way back in 2014. It is believed to be almost 200 times stronger than normal glass and can sustain impact. This is what builders are incorporating into buildings and homes today.
Outlets For Excess Snow and Rainwater
Rainwater seepage can cause external and internal harm to buildings and homes. Therefore, choosing outlets becomes necessary. Such outlets are becoming extremely important by the day so that the soil around the house or any building is stabilized. Builders are paying attention to choosing gutter sizes according to the location. There are a lot of benefits that these have.
Without the right size, water can overflow, enter the building’s foundation, and unstable the house. Larger ones can safely handle dry leaves, twigs, and rainwater. It also means less risk of clogging. Average-sized homes have 5 to 6 inches ones. But larger commercial buildings need larger ones. You can stop extensive damage to your home basements, yard, and exterior paint, through the right selection of these outlets. Infiltration also leads to molds and mildews. So, these assume a good amount of importance for all constructions.
Seawalls for Coastal Homes
Homes and buildings by the coastline are in dire need of seawalls. So, builders are taking care to invest in seawalls. Although these incur an additional expense on the builders, they do not want to compromise on safety. These act as barriers to sea floods. You will be amazed to know that these sea walls offer a buffer against 130 mph winds, as well. They can be vertical and sloping, depending on the materials used. They are often built with steel sheet piles, monolithic concrete, block walls, or gabions. A well-designed sea wall can provide adequate protection to coastal establishments.
Hydrostatic Vents
If the area you live in is susceptible to hurricanes, storms, and snow, flooding may be frequent. So, you need to guard against these calamities in advance. Excess water seepage can weaken the house’s foundation, externally and internally. This is where hydrostatic vents come in. The vents are placed at the bottom of the foundation and allow the water to flow easily without creating pressure on the foundation. It is an excellent solution to prevent flooding. More than three feet of standing water can make a building collapse without much notice. So, all builders either are or will need to incorporate this in the coming period.
Heatwave-resistant Structures
By the next twenty years, people around the globe will be subjected to very high temperatures. Global warming is behind this heatwave. However, most renowned builders are making all kinds of provisions to tackle the issue. Creating urban forests and community gardens is the best solution here. Plants have a colling effect on the environment, which is what it applies to. In several countries, structural engineers build homes that are raised above the ground and have large bay windows for improved ventilation. Green roofs and reflective roofs are also being used to reflect the sun’s heat.
Cyclone-resilient Roofing
Cyclones are storms that are set to become more regular in the future. These can blow off the roofs and cause incessant damage to structures. Thus, builders in such zones build round and dome-shaped roof structures that can stand against strong winds without getting uprooted or bent. Most high rises are being constructed with cross-ventilation facilities that seem to allow air inflow and outflow instantly without any barrier. It helps to reduce the air pressure on the walls.
These are a few of the changes that new-age builders are incorporating into homes and buildings today. Such mindful construction facilities can lessen the impact of inclement weather to a huge extent. This makes all weather-ready and bold in approach to tackle weather damages.
