Home Hurricane Protection Can Save You Money

A well-thought out home hurricane protection plan can help homeowners and real estate developers not only protect their property, but also increase real estate value.  A home with a hurricane protection system is more attractive to a home buyer if faced with an equal home without a home hurricane protection system.  With a hurricane protection system, homeowners not only mineralize damage to their real estate but can also earn discounts on hurricane insurance.

In the financial wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Frances, Jeanne, Rita, and Wilma, hurricane insurance premiums have dramatically risen causing alarm among homeowners especially in Florida.  It has become important for all home owners to maximize the potential for discounts from their current insurers.  

Take Preventative Measures Before the Hurricane Season 

An effective home hurricane protection plan cannot be implemented when a hurricane watch or hurricane warning has been issued.  Effective protection plans begin before the hurricane season even starts.  From purchasing the correct home insurance policy to gather a hurricane supply kit.  Your hurricane supply kit should be fully stocked before hurricane season starts.  Hurricane season may start in June 1st, but as this current season has seen tropical storm weather can form before the season officially starts.  This year Subtropical Storm Andrea formed on May 9th.  In 2003, Tropical Storm Ana formed in April.  Hurricane protection should be a year round priority.  Retrofitting or upgrading your home during the off-season is the best time to conduct improvements on your property without the fear of those improvements being blown away before they are completed.

Home Hurricane Protection Tips

Home Construction

Home hurricane protection can start before the construction of a house.  Hurricane Andrew, which stuck south of Miami Florida in 1992, is a classic example of how faulty construction and lax home inspections can leave homes vulnerable to the devastating effects of a hurricane. The correct braces and use of screws instead of nails are small but very important ways of reinforcing the strength of a structure when faced with intense hurricane winds.    

Contractors and home builders may opt to install hurricane resistant windows and doors.  While they can cost significantly more than standard windows and doors, it is a commonly practiced method of home hurricane protection.  Just as important as a front door or living room window, a garage door must also be strong enough to resist the impact of hurricane created projectiles.

Another method of built-in home hurricane protection is the use of hurricane shutters.   Many built in hurricane shutters are permanently fixed to the structure and can be manually and automatically operated.  Other built-in hurricane shutters are Bahama hurricane shutters which are attached to the top of the window.  When the Bahama shutters are open they act as a shade for the window and when needed for protection they swing down to cover the entire opening.  These type of shutters also some light to enter.  Steel accordion shutters and steel hurricane panels prevent most light if not all light from entering the home when in use. 

Add-on and Upgrading Home Hurricane Protection

If you already own a home or purchasing previously owned home, your need for home hurricane protection may not be fully met.  In this case, a home hurricane protection system can be retrofitted to meet your needs.  

Plywood is a common solution for hurricane protection when a home hurricane protection doesn't exist prior to the issuance of hurricane watch and warning.  Plywood can be the least effective type of hurricane protection for windows and doors.  While plywood is better than no protection at all, it is highly recommended to use an alternative form of hurricane protection.  

Home hurricane protection does not need be too costly.  A new form of hurricane protection is hurricane fabric or hurricane screens. Hurricane screens are lightweight and can be cost-effective when compared to steel hurricane shutters.  Hurricane fabric and fitted on your home is a similar manner as steel hurricane shutter panels.  One of the main differences between steel panels and fabric is that fabric is lightweight making it easier to deploy in the event of a hurricane.   Many dealers of hurricane protection systems, such as steel hurricane shutters, also carry and install hurricane fabric. 

Maintenance of Your Home Hurricane Protection System

Even after an effective hurricane protection system has been installed or built into the home, maintenance and upkeep is necessary for ensuring your protection system's effectiveness in the event of a hurricane.  Old windows may need to be replaced if the seals around the window become too corroded.