Why a remodel is the right time
Strengthening a finished house means cutting into finished walls and ceilings. During a remodel, those surfaces are already open. Adding hurricane straps, upgrading openings or improving the roof connection costs far less as part of the project than as a separate job later.
It also changes how the house performs in the next storm and, in many cases, what you pay for insurance.
Impact windows and doors
Windows, sliding doors and garage doors are the weak points in a storm. If one fails, wind pressure inside the house can lift the roof from below. Impact rated windows and doors are tested to resist wind borne debris, so they protect the opening without shutters to install every time a storm approaches.
For most coastal remodels, replacing the large sliding doors to the lanai is the single most valuable upgrade.
Roof to wall connections
The connection between the roof framing and the walls is what keeps the roof on. Older homes often rely on nails alone. Where a remodel exposes the top of the walls, metal clips or straps can be added to tie the roof to the structure, and the attic and roof deck can be inspected at the same time.
The wind mitigation inspection
Florida insurers are required to offer premium discounts for qualifying wind mitigation features. To get them, a qualified inspector documents your home on the state’s uniform mitigation verification form, recording things like roof shape, roof deck attachment, roof to wall connections and opening protection.
Scheduling that inspection after a remodel that included impact openings or improved roof connections puts those upgrades on record with your insurer.
- Impact rated windows and doors, or approved opening protection
- Roof to wall clips, single wraps or double wraps
- Roof deck attachment and secondary water resistance
- Roof covering that meets current code
Do not forget the flood side
Wind is only half of the storm. In a flood zone, the 50 percent rule can apply to large remodels and storm repairs, and flood resistant materials below the flood line help a home recover faster. We check both before design.
How we build it in
Storm protection is part of how we plan every Sarasota project, from a whole home renovation to a storm damage rebuild. We identify what can be strengthened while the walls are open, include it in the proposal, and pull the permits so the work is inspected and documented.
Planning a remodel in Sarasota? Call Craftline at (941) 207-0761 or book a free consultation. Our office is at 1343 Main Street, Suite 314.