In the United States, almost all major cities and towns are dotted across the coasts. Even if there are cities that aren’t situated close to the shores, most are still close to large lakes and other open bodies of water. 40% of the country’s population live near public bodies of water. With over 127 million individuals living in homes near the shore, the necessary materials must be needed to help these coastal homes stand against hurricane damage.
For most individuals, the coast will always be a primary source of sustenance. Not only will it provide much-needed seafood, but it also acts as hubs for trade when major shipping lanes dock to unload goods and supplies. It’s no wonder why most people make their living in coastal cities and towns across the United States.
However, living near the coast isn’t just going to be peaceful. For most individuals living in the Pacific and South Atlantic region, hurricanes and strong winds can batter these coasts several times in a year. Florida experiences two storms every year, with 40 percent making landfall at the peninsula before moving upwards. Therefore, it’s essential to prepare a coastal home with the right building materials.
For your home’s foundations, you will need flooring and pavements that are waterproof and resistant to erosion.
In terms of roofing materials, a stable and robust roof is needed to mitigate the effects of strong winds and storms. Sure, asphalt shingles might help reduce the damages of storms, but when most recorded winds blow at around 74 miles an hour, it’s easy for these types of roofing to become uprooted. In some circumstances, high winds will propel these materials into debris that could injure others.
The Best Materials in the Market
Compared to your traditional home that doesn’t get storm damage throughout most of the year, a coastal home will need durable and long-lasting materials to withstand the different elements of nature.
More materials need to be enumerated. Still, we’ll be discussing some of the essential elements that can help ensure your home is in a functional condition.
Concrete Curb and Gutter Systems
During hurricanes and heavy rainstorms, it’s essential to keep water off from properties. The most optimal way of ensuring that water does not seep towards foundations and the structural supports of your home is through concrete curbs and gutter systems.
Gutter systems are an excellent way of redirecting water from your roof towards areas where they can do no damage to your home’s foundations. With the addition of downspouts, it’s easier to create a gap to keep your home dry.
There are commercial concrete companies that specialize in these types of constructions.
Slate Tiles and Metal Roofing
One of the most vulnerable parts of your home is the roof. That is because the roof spans the entirety of your home, which means that there’s a large surface area that strong winds can work on. But even though there are roofs that are vulnerable to strong winds, slate tile roofing and metal roofing are specifically designed for harsh weather conditions.
The central premise for this type of roofing is that they will usually weigh over a ton on an average-sized roof. That said, it’s going to be extremely difficult for strong winds blowing more than 100 miles an hour to pick up these roofing materials.
Overall, this will depend on the budget that you have. Slate tile roofs are considered to be rare and will always come at a hefty price tag. In some cases, it will come at $11,500 to $24,000 for an average-sized roof, depending on the quality. On the other hand, metal roofs usually cost around $5,000 to $13,800 for an entire roof.
If your area gets battered by hailstorms, it’s advised that homeowners use class 4 impact-resistant shingles or any type of roofing that can withstand high-kinetic impacts from hail.
Glass Doors and Windows
There’s a belief that people should leave all their entryways open during a storm so that the wind can easily pass through without damaging the building. In reality, this can be more of a detriment than a benefit. High-pressure winds destroy furniture inside your home but can uproot roofs since they’ll be blowing outwards once they get in. It’s best to leave these entryway closed with durable and resistant windows and doors.
Experts suggest using impact-resistant glass for both windows and doors. Not only are glass doors able to stave off high winds, but they also give a classy and modern look to most coastal homes.
There are a lot more factors to consider when preparing your homes in coastal areas. Decking, sidings, impact-resistant materials, and insulation need to be taken into account to keep your home in a pristine condition.
It might seem like a lot of work ensuring that your home will be protected, but it will all be worth it, knowing that you won’t have to buy another set of building materials or on a new roof. The first thing that we should always think about when building or improving our home is security and safety.
