{"id":18202,"date":"2025-02-20T01:28:50","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T09:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=18202"},"modified":"2025-02-20T14:30:17","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T22:30:17","slug":"how-to-hurricane-proof-your-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-hurricane-proof-your-house\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Smart Ways to Hurricane-Proof Your House"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you own property along a coastline, you watch the weather forecast closely during the summer and fall \u2014 also known as hurricane season. Hurricanes<\/a> are most likely to descend between June 1 and Nov. 30, many of them leaving serious damage and devastation in their wake. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to learn how to hurricane-proof your house to minimize potential destruction and keep your property safe.<\/p>\n

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Selling a House That Needs Work?<\/h3>\n

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<\/div>How to hurricane-proof your house<\/h2>\n

If you live in North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, or Florida, <\/span>states frequently hit by hurricanes<\/span><\/a>, you know how important it is to be prepared. You want to take proactive measures to protect your property, not just during peak season but year-round. We spoke with storm readiness experts and a <\/span>top Florida real estate agent<\/span><\/a> to find out what you should focus on when hurricane-proofing your home.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>1. Install high-impact windows throughout<\/h2>\n

Ron Wysocarski<\/a>, a top real estate agent in Daytona Beach, Florida<\/a>, is no stranger to the ravages of hurricanes. He says windows are one of the most vulnerable parts of a home when it comes to storm damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s best to have hurricane-impact windows with heavy frames that resist breakage and projectiles of up to 150 miles per hour,\u201d he explains. In addition to protecting the house itself, high-impact windows<\/a> help to prevent water intrusion and can lower the cost of your insurance premiums<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After Hurricane Andrew’s widespread damage in 1992, many coastal cities started implementing building codes<\/a> that required new homes to be built with high-impact (hurricane-impact) windows. But if your home is older, you may want to invest in an upgrade.<\/p>\n

Select the right windows<\/h3>\n

When shopping for hurricane-proof windows, check the Design Pressure (DP) rating, which measures air infiltration, water infiltration, and structural load. A DP rating of around 50 should withstand winds up to 200 miles per hour and pressure of 75 pounds per square foot.<\/p>\n

The cost of impact windows will depend on size, material (aluminum versus vinyl), brand, and special features, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,250 to $19,850<\/a>, including installation.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget about permits and post-inspections<\/h3>\n

Wysocarski points out that homeowners typically need a permit to install new windows, and a post-inspection is usually required. In most cases, the installer works with the municipality to take care of those details.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless you\u2019re really experienced, I wouldn\u2019t recommend tackling window installation as a DIY project,\u201d he says. \u201cYou would run the risk of having it flagged in a home inspection as an unpermitted type of window.\u201d A house with unpermitted work<\/a> can lead to headaches and complications when it’s time to sell.<\/p>\n

Explore these other window-proofing measures<\/h3>\n

If you don\u2019t have room in your budget for high-impact windows, here are some things you can do to make your existing windows more hurricane-resistant:<\/p>\n