Hurricanes can cause damage to your property in a variety of ways. Luckily, there are also many ways you can protect your home from the catastrophic effects of strong winds, rain and everything else a hurricane can bring. Here are three areas to focus on when hurricane-proofing your home:
Windows are an important feature to focus on when preparing for a hurricane. Broken windows can be the most common cause of damage and injury, whether from broken glass or structural damage. Consider installing high-impact windows throughout your home that can withstand the intense wind speeds and strengths of a hurricane. They'll help protect you against flying debris and water leakage with a lower likelihood of shattering under impact.
The roof is another part of your home that's particularly vulnerable to hurricane damage. If a roof is completely blown away or caved in, the elements can reach the rest of your home and cause tremendous damage. Two ways you can reinforce your roof for hurricane safety include metal roofing and architectural shingles.
Metal roofing made of tin, steel, aluminum, zinc or copper can be an expensive option but lasts a long time while providing excellent wind protection. Architectural shingles are thicker and heavier than traditional shingles and will provide better defense against the ravages of strong hurricane winds.
Your garage door is a huge entry point into your home and therefore a vulnerable point in a hurricane. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, consider investing in hurricane-resistant garage door installation. These doors have extra reinforcement and hardware to help them withstand the pressure from strong winds.
You can also protect your garage door and other entry points into your home with removable metal panels. These are a more budget-friendly and flexible option because they are temporary. They also require some DIY work to mount them before a storm hits, so make sure you familiarize yourself with the process if you choose this route.
The better prepared you are for a hurricane, the less damage your home will take. Consider these options when formulating your disaster preparedness plan with your household.
Aryn Hellmund is an Austin native and graduate of Westlake High School. Growing up as the child of a realtor exposed her to Austin’s residential real estate scene early in her life and today she still finds herself bouncing marketing ideas off of her mom.
Aryn holds a GRI* designation and brings all of her experience and valuable skills to COMPASS RE || Austin Residential Group. Working with Heather Hudson and a dedicated team of realtors who work together seamlessly to always exceed their clients’ expectations.
Although she feels comfortable assisting clients in many areas of Austin, Aryn is especially familiar with her old Westlake neighborhoods of Rob Roy, Lost Creek, Rollingwood, Thousand Oaks and Commons Ford. In addition, she has lived in and is familiar with Barton Creek, Tarrytown, Pemberton, Circle C, Northwest Hills and now lives in Southwest Austin near Bee Cave, Spanish Oaks, and Lake Travis.