Forget winter, hurricane season is coming!

Are you prepared?

This season is being forecasted as yet another active hurricane year. Be prepared for another doozy of a season. New Yorkers, Bostonians and New Englanders, you know about tough weather like the nor’easters but hurricanes are not something to be taken lightly. You need to protect your family and you need to protect your home.

Here’s how you can get ready for your first hurricane season.

The “guide”

The first thing you should do is settle in for some light bedtime reading with your Miami-Dade County hurricane preparedness guide. This document will tell you everything you need to know about prepping for hurricane season.

Is your home hurricane-resistant?

Miami-Dade is in the high-velocity hurricane zone, which means that windows, doors, roofs and eaves must be able to withstand winds up to 175 miles per hour. This isn’t a recommendation, it’s actually mandated by The Florida Building Code, which provides a strict level of building codes that all houses in hurricane zones must stick to.

There is an even higher level of safety created by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). This “fortified home” standard goes above and beyond even the Florida Building Code, which is one of the strictest in the country.

If you just recently invested in a home in South Florida, you’re going to want to ensure that you’re up to code not only for your safety, but to protect your home investment. One great benefit of securing your home against hurricanes, especially if you level up to the IBHS standards, is that it actually adds value to your home. IBHS-level homes sell for 7% higher on average.

The main areas of your home to focus on before hurricane season are the following.

• Impact windows
• Panels and shutters
• Reinforced walls
• Doors that swing out
• Fitting roof straps

As one of Miami’s premier architecture and design teams, we know a thing or two about hurricane-proofing your home. We know the ins and outs of the Florida Building Code and can help you get up to the gold standard of the IBHS recommendations.

Hurricane readiness is all about protecting your family and keeping your home safe. If this is your first hurricane season, please don’t make any assumptions about your home’s level of safety.

Call us today if you need assistance making your home hurricane ready and beautiful (yes, it can be both!).