Hurricane season is officially here. Building your custom home with the correct materials and installing it properly can help strengthen your home to withstand the worst weather.

There is a good chance that your area will be affected by some type of geological or weather condition. This could include wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and high winds. Roofs and windows are two of the most important areas to consider when building a storm-resistant home. It’s good news for homeowners because these issues can be tackled during new construction or renovation.

Top-down protection for your custom home

Start with the roof to make your Myrtle Beach custom home more storm resistant. Insurance companies that promote hazard-resistant construction say: “When there is enough damage to make a claim, 90% of homes have roof damages.”

These companies, whether you live in an area with high winds, like Myrtle Beach recommend that roof sheathing be attached to the trusses using ring-shank nails. They have a spiral in the shank, and this can increase the hold power of the nail up to 100%. They only work correctly if installed properly, just like any other construction material. The nails should be spaced six inches apart. You need to place a thick underlayment over the roof’s decking so that, if your top layer (usually shingles or tiles), comes off, there is still a protective layer. You should pay attention to the installation, whether you are using shingles, tiles, or metal as your top layer. Tiles and metal sheets could become dangerous missiles. The roof can be damaged by shingles that tear off.

Windows and Doors

Impact-rated windows, which are designed to meet the weather conditions of high-velocity storm zones, relieve owners from the need to board up their windows and door. And you get to enjoy the same insurance discounts as those who have hurricane shutters. If you can’t afford impact-rated doors and windows, you could combine them with a protection system such as hurricane shutters for your custom-built home.

Fires and floods

Slate, cement tile, clay tiles, and stucco exteriors are all excellent materials for fire retardation. They protect a home from storm debris and wind-driven rain. In South Carolina, winds can reach hurricane force. No house is completely fireproof. However, fire retardant materials can help reduce the risk.

Homeowners must pay attention to their landscaping, including the type of plants and the distance from their custom home in Myrtle Beach. The landscaping and site grading is also crucial for preventing damages during storms that can cause high rainfall and travel inland. The grade should slope towards the house and the finished floor should be 6 inches higher than the adjacent grade. If landscaping is planted too near the house, the growth can eventually bring the grade level above the house. Use a waterproof membrane from the foundation up to the wooden frame. This will help prevent water infiltration. Some products should only be used when danger is imminent. 

Hurricane shutters

The shutters range from simple sheets of plywood to complex motorized systems. On the Disaster Safety website, you can find instructions on how to install and make your own.

The DoorDam

Sandbags have been used for centuries to keep floodwater from entering a home. Presray Corp.’s DoorDam is a mechanism that expands inside a neoprene sleeve to cover doorways and block floodwaters up to 32 inches high. The DoorDam weighs the same as a sandbag and can be reused year after year. For more information, visit the DoorDam website.

Garage door bracing systems.

Many garage doors buckle under high wind conditions. Ask your garage door manufacturer if it offers a vertical bracing system, or ask your builder for a recommendation. Many home improvement stores also sell generic kits. You can also make your own wooden columns. The instructions are available on the DisasterSafety.org website.

Portable water pumps

These pumps spray water on your home’s roof and walls, reducing the fuel that a fire can burn.

Home generators

Good home generators can be found in many places. They are useful for any type of severe weather situation. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, they should be used outside.

Call Dawol Homes now if you’re looking for a team of experts who can help build your dream home.

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Dawol Homes
9404 Hwy 17 Bypass,
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 294-2859

Dawol Homes Sales Office
3100 Dick Pond Rd # E
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
843-294-2859

We build homes in: Cypress River Plantation, Waterway Palms, Waterbridge, Murrells Inlet, Collins Creek, Bellwood Landing, Carolina Forest, Plantation Lakes, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Pawleys Island, Litchfield Plantation