The strength of a hurricane is undeniable. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, you want to do everything you can to protect your home. The material your home and roof are constructed from makes a big difference when it comes to whether they’re going to survive a hurricane. If you get familiar with these particular construction methods and materials, you’re going to be properly equipped to deal with anything that Mother Nature throws your way.
Take Advantage Of Aerodynamic Elements
Often, a roof’s ridges and corners are the most vulnerable due to the imbalance in pressure. However, there are ways to use these parts of your roof to your advantage to help protect other vulnerable areas of your roof. For example, building a central shaft can keep the pressure levels balanced and lower the effect of high-powered winds on your roof.
Number Of Roof Slopes
Roofs with slopes on all four sides, otherwise known as hipped roofs, are better equipped than a roof with only two slopes, known as a gable roof. Since gable roofs are the least expensive, they’re the most popular option. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, then it’s worth investing in a hip roof for optimal protection. But if you’re looking for the best way to protect your roof, you should install a thirty-degree roof.
The Shape Of Your Home
Your home’s floor plan can say a lot about its vulnerability to a hurricane. Square floor plans and a multi-panel roof tend to be stronger against heavy winds. Octagon- and hexagon-shaped floor plans can hold up even better due to the extra support.
Being Proactive Is Key
Staying on top of minuscule problems and damages throughout your home can stop them from progressing in the future. After an event as potentially devastating as a hurricane, you might be dealing with full structural failure or even a full collapse. Even though most roofs will have some problems over time, there are many inexpensive ways to strengthen their foundation.
Your roof’s Overhangs
If you live in a hurricane-proof area, be sure the length of your roof’s overhangs is no longer than twenty inches. Overhangs are quite vulnerable to heavy winds, and if they’re longer, they can be uprooted and cause complete roof failure.
Enduring Forceful Winds
After South Florida was hit by Hurricane Andrew in 1993, gabled roofs were banned since they couldn’t deal with the incredibly heavy hurricane winds. Hurricane winds tend to blow upward, which could cause your whole home to be uprooted if the roofs aren’t connected to the foundation. Connecting roofs to the walls of the home is essential, as proven by past events.
In a perfect world, there would be an optimal home that could completely withstand the effects of a hurricane at all times. Sadly, this isn’t possible at this moment in history. But, from learning through our past and exploring the world of scientific research, we’ve discovered various materials and construction methods that we can use to make sure our homes have a fighting chance despite what may be happening outside. Utilizing these methods and being productive is the best way to protect your home against the hectic hurricane season.
Don’t hesitate to call your local roofing company to check your roof before the hurricane season.
