Building Homes for Bad Weather

Here in California we may not see the same kinds of high-wind tornadoes and hurricanes that plague other parts of the country at certain times of the year, but that doesn’t mean we’re completely immune to bad weather. It is still crucial for our custom home builders in Sonoma County, CA to design and build homes that are capable of withstanding disasters and exposure to bad weather.

Fortunately, doing so has become easier over the years, as there have been significant advances in building technology and an improved understanding of weather patterns and climate events. Now, there are many more options available for homeowners who want to protect their families, and those options have also become more affordable than ever before.

With this in mind, here are some of the strategies home construction teams often use to ensure a home will be able to hold up to any bad weather that might occur.

Mitigating the effects of potential flooding

Choosing the right site for your home is one of the most important steps you can take early on in your home design and building process. You should always be aware of the potential for flooding in your area, and how rising water levels or storm surges could potentially affect your area. Many insurance companies will simply refuse to cover homes that are located in flood plains, which is another factor to consider, so you might find it difficult to get your home the protection it needs.

Fortunately, you can easily look up the NOAA’s color-coded maps that show information about flood plains and where water surges might occur in a potential flooding scenario. You should carefully look over these maps before you settle on a construction site, and also make sure insurance companies will cover construction in that spot.

Special floor and roof designs

Among the many upgrades to home construction and design that are meant to combat the effects of storms are new flooring and roofing designs. Roofs that have multiple slopes tend to perform better under wind forces than simple gable roofs with two slopes. Gable roofs are cheaper to build, but don’t hold up as well to major storms.

Wall designs

Numerous studies have shown that one of the most economical and efficient ways to resist flooding and strong winds is to use ICF walls. ICFs are made out of Styrofoam blocks that get reinforced with rebar and then filled up with concrete. They are extremely durable and capable of withstanding fires, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, making them ideal for use in many areas around the country that see some significant and dangerous weather events.

ICFs are often used by schools and military buildings to ensure the safety of their structures. They have the added benefit of being greatly energy efficient.

For more information about some of the ways in which you can build new homes that are capable of withstanding inclement weather, contact the custom home builders in Sonoma County, CA at ABA Custom Homes, Inc. today.

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