Will a ‘Storm-Proof House’ Become a Real Estate Selling Point?  

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Protecting homes from bad weather may be taking on a new sense of urgency. Severe storms—characterized by high winds, heavy rain or even possibly hailstorms and tornadoes—are among the most common and damaging natural catastrophes in the U.S., resulting in billions of dollars in damages each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Some home buyers may even be factoring the weather into their real estate decisions. For example, home buyers can get climate risk factor scores for individual properties from sites such as Realtor.com. These scores gauge the risk of high winds, extreme heat, flooding, and more.

A growing area in new home construction and remodeling is focusing on weather-proofing homes. Some manufacturers are even touting reinforced roofs and wind-rated garage doors, impact-resistant windows, and hardier exteriors that could possibly even withstand wind gusts of 135 MPH — or more.

“The reality is that all homes are threatened by the rise in extreme weather,” says Michael Peck, a licensed contractor and vice president of installation at Leaf Home, a national home improvement company. But homeowners can still fight back: “It’s not only possible to protect your home [even] from some tornado damage; it’s imperative as the threat of extreme weather increases,” he adds. “Weatherizing your home will increase its value, aid in preventative upkeep, and in some cases even be life-saving.”

The Most Vulnerable Areas in a Home When Storms Strike

• Windows
• The roof (particularly older roofs or shingle roofs)
• Garage doors
• Home exteriors (especially vinyl siding and wood-framed homes)
• Crawl spaces and basements
• Landscaping (e.g. uprooted trees and fallen branches)

How Homes Can Become More Storm-Proof

Experts chime in with some of the ways homes are getting outfitted to weather bad storms.

Reinforced roofs: Roof damage can occur when the wind gets underneath the roof’s edging. If the wind is strong enough, it could even cause the roof to rip away from the home. Fortified-rated roofs have reinforced roof edges and a sealed roof deck that can help keep water out. Also, certain roof styles may be more wind-resistant, such as metal or flat roofs.

Impact-resistant windows and doors: “When windows and doors that are not wind-rated break, the interior of a house acts like a balloon, speeding up its destruction,” says Aris Papadopoulos, founder of the Resilience Action Fund, a nonprofit that focuses on helping homes and communities better withstand climate hazards. Homeowners can look for windows and doors that are labeled with a wind-resistant rating as well as check for certifications from established organizations like the American Architectural Manufacturers Association.

Wind-rated garage doors: “The garage door is often the largest and most vulnerable opening of a house,” Papadopoulos says. It can blow off in high winds, leaving the house exposed to further damage. Look for a sticker or label on the side of the garage door to see if it has a wind rating. The label is usually shown in miles per hour (from 74 mph to 180 mph). It should also list a PSF value (pounds per square foot), which measures the pressure the garage door can withstand. Absent a rating label, consider installing a wind-rated garage door or reinforcing your existing one, such as by having metal reinforcement beams installed on your door or iron castings riveted to the door’s slats.

Upgraded siding or exterior materials: Wood-framed homes and vinyl siding are vulnerable to storm damage. On the other hand, brick or stone veneer or concrete-fiber board siding tends to be more resilient against heavy winds and hail, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Thunderstorm Ready guide. Homes built with insulated concrete forms could even possibly withstand winds of over 200 mph. ICF is considered one of the most storm-proof construction materials available.

Whole-home lighting surge protectors: Sudden power surges during a storm or lightning strike can damage a home’s electronics and appliances. Surge protectors can be added to the home. These divert electrical currents away from electronic devices and can help prevent damage.

Steel gutters and downspouts: Vinyl and aluminum gutters may be more prone to damage from hail or storms, which could lead to leaks. Galvanized steel gutters and downspouts may offer greater durability and protection from fallen tree branches and storm damage, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Storm-proof your insurance: Most standard home insurance policies cover damage caused by wind-related issues or tornadoes—unless your policy specifically excludes wind damage, says Pete Piotrowski, chief claims officer at Hippo Home Insurance. Some insurance providers may offer separate deductibles for wind and hail or even supplemental tornado insurance, particularly in areas that are prone to bad weather. Homeowners should remember that standard home insurance typically doesn’t cover flood damage, which often accompanies storms with tornadoes or heavy rains. They will want to check with their insurance company on what their policy covers. Also, some insurance companies may offer discounts for adding storm-proofing retrofits to your home.

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