Hurricanes are annoying. They always leave behind a lot of damage and losses. However, getting mad at the weather cannot help anyone. If you are concerned about a hurricane, you will need to come up with a way to stay safe. One of these ways could be making your house hurricane-proof. In this article, we intend to show you the cost, you may have to incur if you want to make your house hurricane-proof.
It’s Possible to Build a Hurricane Proof House – But, the Cost is High!
Imagine this: a house that has the ability to withstand a category 5 hurricane. When we talk about a category 5 hurricane, we are talking about a storm whose winds move at a speed of 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles every hour).
To build such a house, you will need to be prepared with a lot of cash. To be able to stay calm in your house while the hurricane takes on everything on its way outside, you have to prepared to spend $25,000 to $50,000 on average. There are several aspects to take into consideration especially dealing with mass amounts of water. Most people try to get a water softener, but there are more steps to take. Not to mention the different costs you’ll run into.
Below, we have indicated some of the specific costs you may have to incur. Keep in mind that these are not all the costs you may have to incur.
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Roof & Door Reinforcement
Building a roof that meets the minimum standards for what can be referred to as a “hurricane-proof roof” will cost you approximately $1000. Now consider adding the garage door to your hurricane-proof house. This will further increase your budget. For an average hurricane-proof home, you should expect to spend approximately $2000 on the garage door and roof reinforcements.
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The Safe Room
While waiting for the hurricane to end, you wouldn’t want to freeze. This tells you that you may need to have a heat source inside the house. You can invest in a wood or natural gas stove. The installed cost for a wood or natural gas wood stove may amount to about $5000. Another option can be a electric fireplace.
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Backup Generator
Hurricanes don’t care whether you need to have light in your hurricane-proof house. They will take down everything, including the power lines. For you to have light in your hurricane-proof house throughout, you will need to invest in a backup generator. On average, the installed cost of a backup generator will amount to $6000. It might be more or less depending on the generator you choose to install. Here is a thorough guide on selecting a generator for the hurricane season.
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Source of Heat
While waiting for the hurricane to end, you wouldn’t want to freeze. This tells you that you may need to have a heat source inside the house. You can invest in a wood or natural gas stove. The installed cost for a wood or natural gas wood stove may amount to about $5000. According to Top-Rated Fire Place Inserts in comparison to traditional gas and wood fireplaces, electric fireplace inserts are cheaper to set up, require almost no maintenance, and you never have to worry about your home getting smoky.
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Hurricane Resistant Windows
These could require you to pay about $55 to $40 per square foot glass area. Doing the math would suggest that an average window would require you to pay about $500 to $600 for the materials. Depending on the house you are planning on building, you may need to have about $15,000 saved for building your hurricane resistant windows.
A Hurricane Proof House Doesn’t Mean No Damage
Investing in a hurricane-proof house in hurricane-prone areas like Florida can help you minimize your losses in the long run. However, this does not mean that a hurricane will cause zero damage to your home. Damages are still possible. After a hurricane, you may find that you need to repair your house. Because hurricanes in Florida are so common, it is extremely important that you have the number for an Orlando roofers, plumber and flood restoration company handy to be able to quickly fix any damage to your home. Fixing your house as quickly as possible will allow you to return back to your normal day to day life without worrying about the damage done to your house. If the hurricane warning seems severe consider moving out. Contact a local moving company that’s still operating in the area. Seal your home when leaving and keep your family and precious possessions safe.
A Hurricane Proof House is Worth it – But, It Is Expensive
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, investing in a house that has the ability to resist the storm is a good idea. You will be able to avoid the constant losses hurricanes cause. What you have to keep in mind when building your hurricane-proof house is that the costs will be higher when compared to building a normal house. Also, keep in mind that the house may still sustained some damage in the case of strong storms. Therefore, always be sure you can reach out to a company that can help you fix your house if it sustains any damage.