When hurricanes, snowstorms, and other extreme weather conditions threaten to hit cities, residents are usually left wondering if any part of their home will still be standing after. This is a concern raised by people from all over the world—from the globalized nations to the underdeveloped ones. Everyone fears the impact of extreme weather although not everyone is willing to admit that climate change and environmental degradation are real.
Homes should be designed with the weather in mind. The truth is that you never know how the climate will change in the next few years. Areas that haven’t seen snow before are now experiencing hailstorms. Places that used to be so cold are melting under the heat of the sun. The most practical way to build any home right now is to construct it with hurricanes, typhoons, snowstorms, and extreme heat in mind.
Hail-resistant Roofing
Colorado, for example, experiences frequent hailstorms. The roof is one part of the house that experiences the most damage from a hailstorm. It can cause major damage by bruising the mat of the shingle or knocking off the granules. If anything, most homes get their roof damaged by the weather. That’s why homeowners have to choose the right construction materials for the roof. You can choose between a metal roof and asphalt shingles, both of which have their benefits.
Choose impact-resistant roof shingles that can weather hailstorms and high winds. It should have a Class 4 rating, meaning it can withstand storm damage. For metal roofing, choose metal tiles with stone coating because these are impact-resistant and long-lasting. Aside from a hailstorm, they can also survive rain, wind, and other types of weather.
Protection from Water
Flooding can wreak havoc on homes in coastal areas and those that experience severe rains. You’ve seen what flooding did to European cities in the past couple of years. That isn’t a one-time thing. It will happen again and again, and not only to coastal cities but even to low-lying and high areas. So, whether you like it or not, you need to consider water protection when building a home.
The most obvious way to do this is to elevate the home. It will be more expensive, but this is the most practical thing to do. The contractor should also allow for water and tides to get through the foundation of the house without necessarily breaking its sturdiness.
Impact-resistant Windows
A major concern for homeowners during a storm or fire is the windows. Not only can they shatter, injuring the occupants of the house, but they can also leave the property open to the elements. Once the glass shatters, snow, fire, and water can easily enter the house. Not to mention, there are also intruders who will see this as an opening to steal your valuables.
If you want a lot of windows and glass doors in your house, make sure that they are resistant to impact. Although the glass can still crack if the impact is too much, the important thing is for it not to shatter. Plus, storm-resistant windows are mostly always covered by a warranty. You might now need to spend so much on its repair and replacement.
Resistant to Fire Damage
Homes should be made with building materials that are resistant to fire. In states like California, wildfires are a real threat. And though contractors cannot really stop wildfires, they can equip homes with fire-resistant properties like ignition resistance. Homeowners should also choose to build with fire-rated roofing and windows that do not easily shatter in heat. These materials can protect the properties from minor (and sometimes, even major) fire.
Concrete Framing
Older but less stable homes are made with wood frames. This means that high winds, fire, and storms can easily break the stability of the house’s structure and foundation. In today’s world, this is a no-no. While wood is still okay for ordinary weather conditions, it won’t last for years as storms and other weather conditions batter your home.
Use reinforced concrete frames and ICF blocks to make your homes more resistant to strong winds and earthquakes. These don’t crack, split, and bow because of the movement in the ground. With these materials, your home will most likely last for decades without major structural problems.
Weather-resistant homes are not a trend. They may have a higher upfront cost compared to other properties, but they will protect your investment. Aside from that, you won’t have to worry about your safety when your homes used construction materials designed for extreme weather.
