Florida Hurricanes and Your New Home

As professional architects and builders, we like to say that no two building projects are exactly alike. The truth, though, is that there's one way in which all our projects are alike: the elements, methods, and technologies we use to ensure a home's design can withstand a hurricane's force and destructive natural events.
​
The intensity, frequency, and duration of hurricanes are worsening and, as the climate continues to warm, are projected to increase. The Banov team designs homes engineered to withstand the harshest of weather conditions. We want our clients to feel they'll be protected, and their home will be secure no matter what the weather is outside.

Standing Up to Hurricanes

​Building codes are the first, best defense against destructive hurricanes. After years of record damages from increasingly powerful storms, Florida enacted the most stringent building codes in the country. They require:

• Impact protection for doors and windows.
• Stronger ties between walls and roofs.
• More secure attachment of roofing materials.
• Documentation that building components withstand wind and wind-driven rain.
• And more.

Meeting Florida's building code is not prohibitively expensive.  Taking fortification to the next level does not necessarily add significant costs to a construction budget.  The long term benefits and the return on the investment translates into fewer repairs, more insurance savings, peace of mind.

Next Gen Hurricane-Proof Materials

Along with impact-resistance glass and new roof attachment methods, which are now common practice,
​
experimental materials are also being studied for their hurricane sturdiness. Researchers are  studying glass prototypes that increase impact glass resilience even further. Others are looking at engraved "bendable glass" that bends in strong winds without shattering. At the US Naval Research Lab, they're developing what's called a "transparent armor" material which has an opacity level similar to glass but is made from an ultrahard ceramic.

Even reinforced concrete, a Florida construction staple material, is being studied for ultra-high-performing bending qualities to enhance its strength against hurricane force winds.

Building Strong

Designers, builders, and homeowners alike are looking for new ways to fortify their homes from hurricanes without sacrificing aesthetics. While there's no such thing as a hurricane-proof home, there are levels of resistance, and levels of investment that can protect your home and your family from serious hurricane damage. Partnering with an experienced design build firm ensures your Florida home is designed with quality of engineering, structural integrity, and aesthetic values in mind. ​