Learn about the best practices for building storm-resistant waterfront custom homes.
Waterfront homes offer beautiful views in a peaceful location, but they also come with risks during severe weather. Homes on the water are exposed to strong winds, rain, and flooding, and if the exterior can’t withstand the harsh elements, a bad storm can destroy a house inside and out. Continue reading to learn about the best practices for building storm-resistant waterfront custom homes.
Impact Resistant
There are many things that contribute to a waterfront home’s impact resistance, including reinforced doors, storm-resistant windows, motorized hurricane shutter systems, and high-impact window shades. FEMA rates impact-resistant products as being able to survive a 12-foot two-by-four being shot at 100 mph to ensure homes are protected during hurricanes. Precast concrete wall systems will pass this FEMA impact test, while typical vinyl-sided, wood-framed, and brick walls are easily penetrated by two-by-fours and don’t pass the test. On many homes, the garage is one of the weakest points, so it’s crucial that the doors on your waterfront home’s garage are braced to withstand high wind speeds up to 180 mph.
Keep Water Out
To keep your waterfront home dry, it’s crucial that it is built with sealants, waterproof membranes, and more mold-resistant materials to keep moisture out. Meticulous care should be taken when installing windows and doors, so that they are properly sealed to prevent leakage. During the design process, you can plan to minimize flood damage by reserving the lower level for storage or parking rather than a living space. Be sure to talk to your home builder about using mold-prevention materials such as concrete walls and engineered floor trusses, as these can get wet and dry easily. For homes very close to the water, building the house on stilts or raised platforms is one of the most effective ways of preventing extreme flooding.
Strapping
Buildings in coastal areas are required to have a continuous load path that directs wind loads on the roof and walls to the foundation, which has led to the use of tie-down straps, cable ties, and hurricane clips and plates. To prevent high winds from damaging your roof, galvanized-steel hurricane clips can help to reinforce the stability of your home. The right home builder will exceed the local standards for hurricane strapping and reinforcement.
Build Your Dream Custom Home With T&G Builders
T&G Builders, located in Berlin, MD, has been a premier waterfront custom home builder and home improvement contractor serving Worcester and Sussex Counties for over 25 years. We are a locally owned and operated business known for our uncompromising commitment to quality, our passion for using innovative technology and premium materials to complete projects, and our exceptional attention to detail. In addition to building custom homes, we also specialize in remodeling your current house into your dream home! Our skilled team can assess your needs, determine the right design for your addition or improvement, and complete the entire construction process.
To see what your dream home could look like and receive a free home design, contact us today! Don’t forget to follow T&G Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Houzz.