No matter where you live, you need to do as much as you possibly can to make your home weatherproof. The sun, rain, wind, and hail can all have a dramatic effect on your property's value and how much you have to spend maintaining it. Fortunately, there are numerous exterior upgrades that you can make to make your property more weatherproof. Not only do these boost efficiency and improve aesthetics, but they also contribute to long-term durability.
Upgrade your roofing
One of the best places to start is with upgrading your roofing. If you can get this right, you can cut the long-term costs of owning your property dramatically.
Roofing is usually the weakest link on many properties. It's what fails first before everything else in storms and adverse weather events, especially if you're aging. If you have an old roof, we recommend replacing it with metal roofing or synthetic tiles. These are robust in height when the winds are high, or when your roof is at risk of hail. They're also helpful in case of a fire because these materials tend not to burn.
Just make sure you provide proper flashing around the chimneys and valleys. These are the weakest points of the roof and the parts that are most prone to damage over time.
Install impact-resistant doors and windows
Doors and windows are another weak point on your property, especially during storms. Conventional windows will often blow out completely, and doors can be ripped off their hinges. That's why it's a good idea to upgrade to impact-resistant models. These hold together even when cracked and often have reinforced frames that slip into your walls. This means that they can withstand high wind speeds and even objects that are being carried through the air. Many also have UV protection and other technologies embedded in them to make them more durable.
Replace siding with weather-resistant materials
You could also look into replacing your siding with weather-resistant materials. This can provide you with additional defenses during inclement weather. For example, many homeowners opt for engineered wood and fiber cement. They also use vinyl with insulation backing. What's nice about these materials is that they resist rot, cracking, and hail. They also are better at dealing with wind-driven rain than conventional brick work. Just make sure you seal them up properly so that they provide a genuine shield. If there are gaps in your siding because it's old or damaged, then that can lead to further weakening of your home.
Improve the quality of your downspouts and drainage system
Lastly, you'll want to look into improving the quality of your downspouts and drainage systems. These allow you to deal with water from rain as it lands on your property. If you don't have proper drainage, then it can cause pooling to occur at the foundations, which over time causes weakness and damage.
If you haven't upgraded to seamless gutters with guards yet that block debris, then do so. These are one of the most exciting innovations in the industry of the last decade.
One of the best places to start is with upgrading your roofing. If you can get this right, you can cut the long-term costs of owning your property dramatically.
Roofing is usually the weakest link on many properties. It's what fails first before everything else in storms and adverse weather events, especially if you're aging. If you have an old roof, we recommend replacing it with metal roofing or synthetic tiles. These are robust in height when the winds are high, or when your roof is at risk of hail. They're also helpful in case of a fire because these materials tend not to burn.
Just make sure you provide proper flashing around the chimneys and valleys. These are the weakest points of the roof and the parts that are most prone to damage over time.
Install impact-resistant doors and windows
Doors and windows are another weak point on your property, especially during storms. Conventional windows will often blow out completely, and doors can be ripped off their hinges. That's why it's a good idea to upgrade to impact-resistant models. These hold together even when cracked and often have reinforced frames that slip into your walls. This means that they can withstand high wind speeds and even objects that are being carried through the air. Many also have UV protection and other technologies embedded in them to make them more durable.
Replace siding with weather-resistant materials
You could also look into replacing your siding with weather-resistant materials. This can provide you with additional defenses during inclement weather. For example, many homeowners opt for engineered wood and fiber cement. They also use vinyl with insulation backing. What's nice about these materials is that they resist rot, cracking, and hail. They also are better at dealing with wind-driven rain than conventional brick work. Just make sure you seal them up properly so that they provide a genuine shield. If there are gaps in your siding because it's old or damaged, then that can lead to further weakening of your home.
Improve the quality of your downspouts and drainage system
Lastly, you'll want to look into improving the quality of your downspouts and drainage systems. These allow you to deal with water from rain as it lands on your property. If you don't have proper drainage, then it can cause pooling to occur at the foundations, which over time causes weakness and damage.
If you haven't upgraded to seamless gutters with guards yet that block debris, then do so. These are one of the most exciting innovations in the industry of the last decade.
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