New residents of Florida may not be aware of the importance of buying a home that can withstand the strong winds and heavy rains of a hurricane. If you are new to the area and looking to purchase a home in Florida, there are three main places that you should inspect before making an offer on your new home by the beach.
The Roof:
A gabled roof is the most susceptible to the damage that can be caused by a hurricane. If the home that you have fallen in love with has a gabled roof, you should be sure that there are plenty of extra braces in the trusses or that it has galvanized metal hurricane straps. These straps will also help to secure the roof to the rest of the house. If your dream home does not have these extra measures already taken you should be prepared to incur the extra cost of having it done to ensure your safety.
The Windows:
During a hurricane, the strong winds and rain can and most likely will break windows. The glas can be a huge safety risk for yo and your family. When you are evaluating the safety of the home that you are planning to purchase, be sure that the home has storm shutter installed. These storm shutters are the most effective way to protect your windows from breakage during a hurricane.
The Doors:
The doors in your new home will most likely have some kind of locks, however, most locks, even bolting locks are not strong enough to undergo the hurricane winds with out damage. You should look for additional locks that should be installed to ensure that the door stays closed during a hurricane. Garage doors are another potential problem during a hurricane. A horizontal bracing system will help to lessen the damage done by a hurricane to your garage door.
These things will increase the value of the home, since most are pricey to install. You should keep this in mind when making an offer on a house that is either hurricane proofed or not in Florida. If you're looking for a quick place to live check out furnished apartments in Florida.
