Homes are the safest place on Earth for anyone. However, Hurricanes are the deadliest threat to homes near an ocean or any other water body. Homes in Florida and the Bahamas are more likely to be damaged by hurricanes and other weather challenges. However, the Bahamian construction has developed several ways to protect their homes from hurricanes.
Bahamian architecture has made some major changes in its building techniques. These contemporary home designs have taken Bahamian architecture to a different level. Below listed are some useful tricks to make hurricane-proof homes in the Bahamas:
1. Roof Structure
The roof plays an essential role in keeping a place safe and secure. However, the roof must be connected well with the walls to protect your home from destruction. Several materials are used to construct disaster-proof roofs and walls. The following materials are used to construct a hurricane-proof roof:
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Metal Roof
Hurricane can destroy a place in just a few seconds. However, to protect a place from being shattered in a hurricane, a place must be constructed with specific materials.
For instance, metal roofing is proven to provide resistance against hurricanes and other natural disasters. A metal roof is a structural panel roof system that professionals install. There are no chances for a metal roof to fail in protecting a place against hurricanes. However, the improper installation will not contribute to protecting your place against hurricanes.
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Ceramic Roof
Ceramic roofs are another quite reliable options to go for when constructing a hurricane-proof home. The roof is the strongest and the most important part of a structure. The types of material used for building a home effects the protection and strength of a place during natural disasters.
2. Cover your windows with wood planks
A place with strong walls is resistant to the harshest weather. However, windows make a home or a place vulnerable to hurricanes. But there is no question of building a place without windows. The place would suffocate. So, the first step here is to protect the windows.
In most Bahamian homes, the wood plank covers the windows, making them less vulnerable to the hurricane’s damage. However, some are more convenient with the shutters and accordion. Windows must be powerful enough to face the wind and everything it throws toward them. Because once the window is shattered, it won’t take much time for the entire home to lay down in pieces.
3. Use resilient construction material
Safety comes from the base! During construction, using resilient material can be the best way to protect a place or a home from being shattered in hurricanes.
Resilient materials have the quality of retaining their original shape after being bent. So, concrete is one of the strongest materials used by the most affordable construction services in the Bahamas. During a hurricane, concrete ensures that a hurricane does not scratch a place or a home. So, it is the best building material to go for.
4. Direct hurricane away from the place
Directing a hurricane away from a place may sound impossible practically, but it is possible through tie-down. With the help of tie-down straps and hurricane plates, it is the easiest way to direct wind and hurricanes away from a place.
However, the type of roof selected for a place plays an important role in protecting a home from being destroyed by hurricanes.
5. Use of steel for the construction
Steel construction has become one of the most common construction types. The properties constructed using steel have the same structure as the wooden homes but are more costly than the wood ones.
The major thing to remember here is that the wooden homes are easily flammable, but the steel homes are not. However, they are non-combustible and more reliable against hurricanes.
6. Wood shakes
Wood is one of the most resilient materials for constructing a hurricane-proof structure. The Wood shakes are wood shingles made from split logs. These shingles are rustic. Also, the wood shakes are more wind-resistant than any other material.
However, many builders avoid using wood shakes for construction. According to them, wood may be strong against the wind but is highly flammable.
7. Look for water intrusions
Water intrusion signifies that your home is vulnerable and can be easily damaged during hurricanes and even heavy rains. Regular inspection is necessary to look for any damp areas near the windows. Your windows must be fully protected, and there are intrusions for water to enter your place.
Unusual rotting near the windows can also signify a welcoming hurricane. Inspect the windows and hire a professional for the repair before the other hurricane walks in.
8. Circular homes
It has been proven that homes and places with circular structures are more likely to stand still in a hurricane. The structure of these places is designed in a way to absorb the wind force.
The shape of these homes is known to deflect airflow around the structure. Many companies offer affordable construction services in the Bahamas. For years, the homes constructed in a circular motion stand as during hurricanes.
Conclusion:
Hurricanes are one of the serious problems for the homes built near the ocean. Hurricanes, strong wind, and heavy rainfall make countries like the Bahamas more likely to be damaged. Every year millions of people lose their lives and homes due to hurricanes. It is a great loss for sure.
So, to reduce the loss, countries like the Bahamas have adapted techniques to construct hurricane and disaster-proof homes. For instance, using concrete, wood, and steel can help construct strong homes. However, woods are the least preferred material for home construction because they are flammable and costly.
