June 1 marked the first day of hurricane season for North America. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts “above normal” hurricane activity this year. While we can’t predict where storms will land, or their severity, we can take steps to build more resilient homes that can better weather the storm.
Building stronger homes is becoming a more popular concept among homeowners wanting to ensure their home is protected against nature’s forces. No better example of this is Hunters Point, a community near Bradenton Beach, Florida, which boasts “some of the most sustainable, energy-efficient and hurricane-proof homes in the country.” Its careful and deliberate attention to each home’s design resulted in residents reporting little to no damage to their homes as last year’s severe hurricanes, Helene and Milton, swept through.
For homeowners looking to strengthen their home’s building envelope, spray foam insulation’s innovative properties not only make homes more comfortable inside, but they also have secondary structural benefits that add to the overall resiliency of a home. An unvented attic designed with spray foam provides wind uplift protection to the roof of a home, critical during high wind events like hurricanes. It also increases your home’s raking strength, which when applied the walls of a home, can better withstand heavy wind and storms.
In the realm of flood preparedness, closed-cell spray foam insulation emerges as an exceptionally effective preventative measure. FEMA has designated closed-cell spray foam insulation as the only acceptable insulation material resistant to floodwater damage. Other types of insulation may have to be thrown out after coming into contact with floodwaters and excessive moisture. However, closed-cell spray foam insulation does not retain water, reducing the risk of mold and mildew development. Data from a case study showed it can simply be washed off before allowing the rest of the home to dry out. Using closed-cell spray foam can minimize repair time and get you back into your home faster.
Last year, a spray foam contractor went viral for putting together a makeshift barrier around his home using sand bags and filling the gaps with spray foam, protecting it from the 2 feet of floodwaters that Hurricane Milton brought ashore. While this was a temporary solution, it demonstrates spray foam’s unique properties.
Homeowners looking to protect their biggest investment should look to spray foam insulation as a vital building material against the impacts of hurricanes.