If you reside in a place prone to hurricanes, you don’t need anyone to explain how destructive these storms can be. And since they’re not going anywhere, it’s vital that they begin to learn how to live with them.
That starts with designing a house plan that can withstand the force of a hurricane. But how do you find the best hurricane-proof house plans of the year? And what are your different options when it comes to designing a house?
Those who want to discover the answer to these questions are in the perfect location. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about building a house that will still stand when the storm’s over.
What Should You Look for in Hurricane Proof House Plans?
This section will discuss precisely what to consider when designing your hurricane-proof house plan. In addition to these elements, we recommend going with a company with experience in hurricane-proofing homes.
All the options on this list are great if you want a prefab building.
Round House House Designs
Certain building designs are better at taking the brutal winds that often come with hurricanes. One of the best designs is a roundhouse with a thirty-degree angle roof. This type of design can deflect a lot of the wind force. As such, storms aren’t as intense on your property.
Related: How Long Does It Take To Build A Manufactured Home?
Strong Building Materials
Your hurricane-proof house plan should detail the material used in the construction. Generally speaking, you have three main choices for strong building materials that can withstand the force of a hurricane.
These include concrete, steel, and wood. At the top of the list is concrete due to its overwhelming strength. Houses that are made of concrete are often still standing at the end of a hurricane. The same goes for homes made of steel. It’s fireproof and robust.
However, it’s a little more expensive than wood and concrete. Lastly, there’s wood. Wood is not an excellent building material for hurricanes. However, its affordable nature makes it one of the most popular options.
If you’re going with wood, make sure you also invest in hurricane strapping and structural sheathing. As FEMA notes here, there are other things you can do in terms of building materials.
For example, you can replace your glass windows, and sliding doors can be replaced with tempered glass. Also, don’t forget landscaping materials. Do away with rocks and opt for a lighter material that won’t damage your property.
ICF Blocks
IFC blocks are also called insulating concrete forms. Basically, with this unique material, you get a concrete slab reinforced with steel. Then, it’s sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene plastic foam.
The result of combining these elements is a building material that’s equally strong as it is affordable. It can easily remain standing after the worst of CAT 5 storms.
What’s more, the design of IFC blocks also leads to more energy efficiency in your home. Make sure to check out this guide to learn more about what goes into our house plans.
Proper Location Planning
Think about where your house plans are being completed. Is it in an area that’s prone to flooding? Or maybe it’s on a hill that’s susceptible to more wind. Considering all these things, you can incorporate elements into your house plan to protect against them.
ALT Text: Two women building a hurricane proof house
Backup Power
With hurricanes, it’s highly likely that your home will lose power. Moreover, experts are saying that extreme weather is causing these power outages to last longer. Because of this, if you want your home to be hurricane-proof, you need to include backup power in your house plan. Solar power generators are a great option because you also benefit from them for the rest of the year.
However, natural gas generators are also a good option for storms. When you plan a generator for your house, you can rig it so it kicks on the second the power goes out.
Related: Best Mobile Home Communities in the US Guide
Strong Windows and Doors
Your windows and doors will be the most vulnerable parts of your property. And, when they break, there’s nothing separating your home from the elements. Because of this, you need to make sure you invest in heavy-duty windows and doors that are rated properly for hurricanes.
Want to explore the different home options we offer here at Home Nation? Visit this page to search for properties in your area.
Why You Should Consider Home Nation
You should choose Home Nation because of our new alternative to traditional modular homes: the CAT 5 modular. As we detail in this article, the CAT 5 modular is much easier to install. This cuts down on transportation and labor costs, which we quickly pass on to you.
And, as the name suggests, it’s capable of withstanding hurricane forces. So not only are you saving money, but you’re also getting a house built to last.
Ready to become a proud homeowner? Begin your pre-approval process with Home Nation today to get started.
ALT Text: Blueprint of a house plan
The Importance of Finding the Best Hurricane-Proof House Plans of the Year
We hope this guide helps you discover the best hurricane-proof house plan of the year. We know putting off hurricane planning for your house can be tempting. However, keep in mind that this is playing with fire. It’s not just hurricanes that you need to worry about.
One report found that natural disasters hit roughly one out of ten homes each year. And if you live in an area that’s prone to storms, those odds increase even more for you. So do yourself a favor and invest in hurricane-proof house plans.
