How to make your home hurricane-proof in a changing climate

Making your home hurricane-proof can be a significant financial commitment. But the plan could pay off as such storms become more intense amid climate change.

According to This Old House, the national average cost to upgrade a whole home to hurricane windows in 2024 will be $1,128 to $10,293, including installation, or $100 to $500 per window. And that’s just one project.

Upgrades can help consumers protect their homes, typically one of their most valuable assets, from storms and other natural disasters.

A 2022 analysis of hurricane-resistant construction by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that strengthening home roof-to-wall joints and narrowing the spacing between nails could save approximately $8.1 billion annually in physical damage from storms. It is said that there is a possibility.

Hurricanes are among the costliest natural disasters in the United States, and experts say storm-related damage is likely to become even more severe as the storms intensify.

Projected effects of global warming on hurricane activity include increased coastal flooding due to rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and stronger, more intense storms, according to a research summary from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. etc. are included.

“Rising sea surface temperatures could increase the wind speeds of tropical cyclones, potentially causing more damage if they make landfall,” the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions think tank said.

According to forecasts from reinsurer Swiss Re, predictions for housing losses due to hurricanes have been on the rise since the 1970s due to increased hurricane activity and changes in property values ​​due to population growth. However, improvements in building standards have offset some of that increase.

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Record-warm tropical and subtropical eastern Atlantic sea surface temperatures have led scientists to expect a “very active” hurricane season in 2024, according to Colorado State University hurricane researchers.

The latest forecast calls for 23 named storms, 11 of which are expected to develop into hurricanes. Five of them are expected to reach “severe” level, or Category 3, 4, or 5 storms, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

Water temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean are averaging about 1 degree Celsius, or 1.5 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit, warmer this year. That may not sound like a big deal, but it’s a big difference, says Phil Klotzbach, a senior research scientist in Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

“The tropical Atlantic Ocean is currently record warm,” he said. “That means more fuel for the storm that’s about to form.”

Although air and water conditions may change, residents in storm-prone areas would be wise to consider starting a housing project early.

“Now is the time to prepare and plan,” Klotzbach said. “There’s no need to make these preparations at the last minute.”

Hurricanes are different, unpredictable storms, said Jeff Ostrowski, a housing analyst at Bankrate.

“We don’t know if we’re going to be dealing with storm surge or high winds or heavy rain. We’re trying to prepare for all of those things at once,” he says.

Leslie Chapman Henderson, president and CEO of the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Housing (FLASH), says that to prevent damage from hurricane winds, there are two There are important factors. you want to:

Make sure the structural strength between the roof and walls can withstand wind pressure and debris impact. Secure all openings in your home, including doors, windows, and the garage.

“What we’re trying to prevent is pressurization. It’s like a balloon that inflates and if it gets too inflated… it pops,” she said. “When the wind blows, the same thing happens to your house.”

1. Have an inspector evaluate your home

Having an inspector come see your home is a good starting point for your project. They will provide you with a report on which parts of your home need to be redone or reinforced in preparation for severe weather.

2. Reinforce the roof

According to the Department of Energy, the average cost to replace a roof in the United States is approximately $10,000, but the exact cost depends on several factors, including the size of the roof.

For those preparing to reroof their homes, Fortified, a nonprofit reroofing program that fortifies homes against severe weather, helps toughen roofs to withstand local challenges. will provide guidelines on how to do so, said company president Jennifer Rangel. He is also the founder of Trifecta Construction Solutions, a sustainable consulting firm in Florida.

“It shows you what you need to do to make your roof stronger,” she said.

If you’re not ready to completely reroof your home, adding caulk or adhesive to strengthen your home’s soffit (i.e., the material that connects the edge of your roof to the exterior wall) can help channel out wind and water. less likely. FLASH’s Chapman-Henderson said he got into his attic during the storm. According to Angi.com, soffit and fascia repair work (usually the horizontal board on the outside of the soffit) can cost anywhere from $600 to $6,000.

In existing houses with an attic, it is necessary to ensure the connection of the roof and walls. Installing metal clips or straps will enhance the anchoring effect and essentially secure the house, she said. Although the exact cost will vary depending on factors such as the size of the home and the scale of the project, these renovation costs can range from $850 to $1,350, according to home insurance company Kin.

3. Secure windows and doors

“Do I have windows that were affected by the hurricane? If not, can you install them?” says Melissa Cohn, regional vice president at William LaVeiss Mortgage.

If installing new hurricane windows isn’t in the budget, shutters are a low-cost option to protect windows and other openings, Chapman-Henderson said.

Shutter types vary depending on the material, installation method, and price. Steel removable galvanized rain panels cost $5 to $6 per square foot, making them the most affordable option, according to information compiled by FLASH.

Languell, of Trifecta Construction Solutions, said even with impact-resistant windows, it may be worth installing shutters as an extra layer of protection.

Garage doors, on the other hand, are the “largest and most vulnerable opening,” Chapman-Henderson said. According to FLASH, replacing your entire garage door with a wind-resistant or impact-resistant version can cost between $2,000 and $9,000.

Emergency braces can be a low-cost solution. Temporary two-by-four wood braces can reinforce non-draft doors for about $150 in materials and installation. Garage door storm kits can cost up to $750, according to FLASH data.

“You can do this much in terms of fortifying your home, but you’re still at the mercy of whatever storms come your way,” said Bankrate’s Ostrovsky.

4. Talk to your insurance company about possible discounts.

Fortifying your home against disasters can lead to lower insurance premiums.

Insurance companies typically take into account the risk of natural disasters when deciding which properties to underwrite and at what cost. As a result, some companies are retreating from high-risk areas or drastically raising prices.

Existing homes also tend to cost more to insure than new homes because they are built to less stringent building codes.

Ostrovsky says that if you have an inspector visit your home and recommend projects to make your home hurricane-proof, talk to your insurance agent about which suggestions are most likely to lower your premiums. please.

Loretta Waters, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, said it’s important to note that the type and extent of premium relief available vary from state to state and depend on risk, company exposure and regulatory environment. .

Although homeowners insurance rates are based on measurable risk and mitigation measures can help reduce risk, he said scientific measurement of catastrophe risk and mitigation measures are still evolving. .

“Analysis of the price premium associated with mitigation efforts is all about degree of risk and does not completely eliminate risk from policy,” Waters said.

If the cost of preparing your home for a hurricane is daunting, there may be grants, tax credits, or other programs to help ease the burden.

Chapman-Henderson said some states have matching grant programs for disaster retrofits.

In Florida, residents may be eligible to apply for a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $10,000 for approved upgrades such as shutters, roofs, and reinforced garage door roof-to-wall connections. she said. Alabama and Louisiana have similar programs.

For more information, homeowners can search for loans, grants or tax credits available in their state through dsireusa.org. It lists all the funding opportunities and incentives to harden homes against disasters, Languel said.

For people with bad credit or who live in states without matching dollar programs, the Property Appraisal Clean Energy Program allows homeowners to finance the upfront cost of qualified improvements to their property and pay off their property taxes. You can pay for your expenses over time through your invoice. Chapman-Henderson said.

Energy-efficient mortgages, also known as green mortgages, may also be worth considering. According to LendingTree, these loans can help homeowners finance eco-friendly home upgrades or buy a home outright that reduces energy consumption and lowers utility bills. However, they often have strict lending limits and require additional information at the time of application.

Depending on your hurricane-resistant project, it may be suitable. Rangel said energy efficiency can go hand-in-hand with durability.

“Sealing the underside of the roof sheathing also helps from an energy standpoint because it seals all the cracks and gaps,” she said. This repair will also help secure the roof of your home and prevent water and air leaks.

The same applies to window replacement. “When you replace your windows from single-pane glass to energy-efficient impact-resistant windows, you save energy,” Languel says.

In this new series, CNBC examines what climate change means for your money, from retirement savings to insurance costs to career prospects.

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