How to Prepare your House for Hurricanes in Miami

Hurricane season in Miami is no time to be caught off guard. Powerful winds, torrential rains, and storm surge can wreak havoc on unprepared homes. But fear not, Miami residents! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and action steps to transform your house into a hurricane haven. From securing your property to creating a disaster plan, we’ll walk you through every essential step to ensure your family and home are ready to weather any storm.

Miami adheres to strict building codes when it comes to hurricane-proof homes. And with good reason. In 2019, the Atlantic Ocean, Miami’s neighbor, produced 18 major storms. Six of those were hurricanes. Below, Sweeten shares the best methods to prepare a house for a hurricane during an exterior renovation.

A hurricane-proof renovation is in the best interest of your biggest investment (your home). New structures in Miami must be able to withstand wind of up to 175 miles per hour. That can mean impact windows, additional straps to hold down your roof, and a few other strategies. Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their projects, offers a guide on how to prepare a house for a hurricane.

Not only can these standards save your home in a hurricane, but a hurricane-proof exterior renovation can further increase your home’s value. Homes that go beyond the code to withstand strong hurricanes sell for seven percent more than homes that don’t, according to CNBC.

Here’s what to consider to prepare a house for a hurricane:

Impact windows

Impact windows will be your biggest expense to prepare your house for a hurricane. These specialty windows have multiple layers of silicone-coated glass. The windows are framed by sturdy material such as aluminum. Building codes require homes within a mile of the coast to have impact windows or shutters.

Replacing your windows with something that is hurricane-proof can cost $10,000 to $15,000, Sweeten contractor Jose said. That’s for a two-bedroom house that includes a glass-sliding door. “They aren’t cheap, but in Florida it is normal,” he said. It’s also best to plan ahead, not when a hurricane is on its way. Ordering impact windows can take five or six weeks to arrive, Jose said.

Panels and shutters

Shutters and panels that cover your windows during a hurricane are a low-cost alternative to impact windows (of course, you can always do both). The materials typically cost less and so does the installation.

Storm panels are the best value option. You attach them ahead of a hurricane and remove them after. This means a minimal impact to the look of your home. Panels cost between $7 and $8 per square foot, according to the Sun Sentinel. With this option, bolts or tracks are permanently attached around the windows. When a storm is on the way, the homeowner fastens the panels to the bolts or tracks. This takes about 15 minutes per window, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Roller shutters are permanently attached to your home but the installation is incognito until a storm comes. There are a few different styles, but roller shutters are the most common. They cost $30 to $55 per square foot, according to the Sun Sentinel. The shutters hide above the windows all year round. Like a garage door, they are pulled down for a hurricane. It’s easy, and your entire home can be prepped in minutes.

Reinforced walls

The benefits of shutters and impact windows are muted if your walls are weak. Older homes can face this issue, according to Sweeten contractor Adrian. “It is possible the structural support around the doors and windows are not able to handle the wind load,” he said.

An older home built in the 1930s that Adrian worked on had hollow concrete around the doors and windows. To strength those walls, he had to pour concrete into the hollow areas. This added five days to the project timeline and about $3,000 to the budget. However, this is a good practice to consider during an exterior renovation.

Doors should swing out

This isn’t a minor detail. Whether your exterior doors swing inward or outward can significantly impact your home’s hurricane resistance. When a storm breaches your exterior doors or windows, it can exert pressure on your roof and walls.

Normally, the only thing stopping an exterior door from flying off is the lock and hinge. “If you make the hinges so the door swings outside the home, it gives the door more resistance to wind,” said contractor Adrian. In High-Velocity Hurricane Zones like Miami-Dade county, the building code requires external doors to swing out.

Exterior doors that swing outward offer greater resistance to wind forces, reducing the risk of them being blown off their hinges. In areas like Miami-Dade County, building codes often require external doors to swing outward.

Roof straps: A crucial reinforcement

Your roof is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home during a hurricane. Securing your roof with galvanized steel straps between the wall plates and trusses is a crucial step in hurricane-proofing.

Retrofitting an older home with roof straps is often done in conjunction with other exterior renovations. While adding straps alone can be more expensive if you’re not redoing your roof, it’s a worthwhile investment to protect your home from severe weather.

A hurricane while renovating

While renovating during hurricane season may seem risky, it’s possible with proper planning and precautions. Discuss the logistics with your contractor and ensure your home and materials are adequately protected.

• Insurance coverage: Verify that your home insurance and contractor’s insurance cover your home and materials during construction.
• Storm preparation: As a hurricane approaches, your contractor should secure materials and remove tools from the worksite.
• Window protection: If windows haven’t been installed, cover them with plywood to prevent damage from flying debris.
• Emergency supplies: Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies, including food, water, first aid supplies, and a flashlight.
• Communication plan: Establish a communication plan with your family and friends in case of a power outage or other emergency.
• Backup power: Consider installing a backup generator to ensure essential services like lighting and refrigeration continue to function during a power outage.
• Stay informed: Monitor weather forecasts and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Evacuation plan: If necessary, develop an evacuation plan for your family and practice it regularly.

By following these tips, you can minimize the risks associated with renovating during hurricane season and protect your home and family.

Investing in hurricane-proofing is a wise decision, especially as the frequency and intensity of storms continue to increase. By taking these steps, you can protect your home and peace of mind during hurricane season.

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