It’s that time of year again – when everyone in South Florida starts talking about hurricane season and the potential impact it will have on your home and your living situation. 

While Miami is a tropical paradise, it does deal with its fair share of weather. While hurricane season has been gentle for the past few years, any native Floridian will tell you – that’s not enough of a reason to not be prepared. 

We aren’t going to spend our time here telling you to stock up on water, batteries, flashlights and canned coffee (although you should), but instead we want to discuss how you can weather-proof your South Florida home while still focusing on stunning design elements. 

Beauty and brawn are all the rage, if you ask us. 

Designing Your Home to Withstand the Elements

You know you’re a Floridian, when 75 mph winds don’t catch your attention. Listen, we get it. You can typically find our team still designing and planning away during Tropical Storms and even Category 1 hurricanes. We jest. Sorta. 

But that’s because our homes are designed with resiliency in mind. Florida has long been renowned for its unique building codes that ensure your home will be safe and able to withstand strong winds. But that still leaves you and your home susceptible to other outside forces (pun so intended) like falling trees, windswept debris, and a loss of power. 

Here are some key design elements to consider adding to your home that will keep you feeling cool, calm, and collected in the face of adverse weather. 

• Impact Windows and Doors: A big part of hurricane resilience is making your home more resistant to wind and debris. One way to do this is by installing impact-rated windows and doors, which are designed to withstand hurricane-level winds and flying objects. Both of these design elements elevate your home’s design with their aesthetic, and their increased insulation can lower your energy bill, along with your insurance premiums. Pro tip: sure your doors open outward, which allows them to stay closed more tightly amid heavy winds.
• Raise Your Foundation: With rising water levels, and storm surges that keep pushing further inland, elevating your home is a worthwhile consideration. For homes that are near waterways, the ocean or the bay, we recommend connecting with an architect sooner rather than later. More and more homes are building on the second story and allowing the first to serve as a garage, ensuring any rising water from a storm will not impact their property. 
• Go Solar: Hurricanes often leave communities without power for extended periods. So, it’s very important to have an alternative source of electricity available, like a full house generator or solar panels with a wall battery. Either option will grant you precious peace of mind during these stressful times. Your less-prepared neighbors will be highly appreciative as well, if you get what we mean.
• Add Water Purifiers: Certain communities may also have limited access to clean water in the aftermath of a hurricane. This is why it definitely makes sense to install a water purification system in your home, if you haven’t already. Water purification is highly recommended for any home these days, since it’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly than purchasing plastic bottles

Are you concerned about your home’s vulnerability to storm damage? When you’re ready to add some protective upgrades, give us a call. We’ve been through quite a few storms during our 20+ years of business in Miami and around South Florida, so we’re happy to help you assess and resolve your home’s biggest safety risks.