Florida, the land of sunshine, is also the land of hurricanes. In fact, one can hardly think of relocating or living along the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic or the interior of the state without considering the impact storm season will have on such a choice. Homes in the Clearwater, Tampa, Sarasota areas are not automatically built to be hurricane-resistant. Nevertheless, there are measures that homeowners can take to reduce the risks and impacts of inevitable tropical storms.

When designing to protect your property and your loved ones, homeowners can be proactive in two ways. Firstly, create waterproof shielding for the house or other structures. Additionally, a less thought of measure is to manage the property’s landscaping.

 

Hurricane-Resistant Landscaping

Damage from a hurricane comes in several forms

  • wind, which can range from 74 miles per hour to greater than 157 mph,
  • wind-blown projectiles carried around by those high winds,
  • water, that is both wind-drive and from the ground, such as flooding from coastlines, other bodies of water, and poor drainage.

 

Here are several tips that will help you hurricane-proof your property and your home by adjusting the landscaping to weather the next heavy storm.

  • Pick your fencing wisely. Choose a material for your fence that will not rot. At the same time, having vertical pickets with space between allows the wind to blow through, rather than against your property’s boundary. Downed fences and broken-off fence pieces carried by high-speed winds are a serious danger.
  • If you live along the water, build a sea wall or if you already have one, make sure that it is maintained and in good repair. Homes along the Intracoastal from Palm Harbor to the south of Venice, canals in Tampa, and man-made islands of St. Petersburg are subject to rising tides and tidal surges. A seawall will help to protect your landscape’s edge and deter flooding.
  • Choose hurricane-resistant trees. Trees with deep root systems and lower centers of gravity are more wind-resistant. According to the University of South Florida, trees that weather tropical storms best are sand live oak, Southern magnolia, live oak, crape myrtle, bald cypress, and sabal palm. Equally important, plant new trees away from the house and existing powerlines, anchor young trees and be sure to prune branches and protect roots.

 

The Hurricane-Resistant House

When it comes to your home, creating a wind and waterproof shield for your home can bring immense peace of mind. Windows and doors can be reinforced in several ways, and these solutions vary in cost to accommodate every budget. All of these solutions meet requirements for homeowner insurance discounts, and Florida building codes. Additionally, some meet or exceed the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone standards

 

Impact-resistant glass

Replacing old windows or glass doors with hurricane-resistant glass will not only protect your home from wind-blown projectiles but will also ensure the newest seals around openings, preventing wind-blown water from entering your home.

If you choose not to replace your windows or glass doors, make sure any gaps or cracks between the opening and the glass are sealed.

 

Shutters

The first line of defense for windows and doors alike is shutters, which come in many styles and deploy in advance of an incoming storm.

  • Accordion shutters store to the sides of windows or sliding glass doors and pulled to the center and locked. This forms a hurricane-resistant barrier between the elements and the glass.
  • Decorative storm shutters, like Bahama and Colonial shutters, are double-duty solutions. They protect your home from wind-blown storm damage while adding curb appeal and charm.
  • Motorized rolling shutters store above open spaces such as garages and lanais. Deployed with the press of a button, they guard against wind, debris, and water.

 

Honorable Mentions

  • Motorized hurricane screens or shades can deflect not only high-velocity projectiles but also up to 97% of the water driven by the winds of a tropical storm.
  • Hurricane fabric, made of ballistic material, creates an effective shield to protect your home.

 

Experts in Home Hurricane Resistance

West Shore Construction is based in Florida and has over 30 years’ experience safeguarding the homes of Gulf Coast and Central Florida residents. Our customers are inland in areas like The Villages, and along the coastline from Sarasota to Palm Harbor. Our reputation is built on offering best-in-industry products, quality workmanship, and outstanding customer service.

 

Contact us today by message on our website or calling (727) 488-8182. Our trained professionals will work with you from inception through installation. We want you to feel confident that you can safely and quickly deploy your hurricane protection product. We look forward to helping you have peace in the midst of the storm.