Living next to the ocean is truly a luxury, but it comes with some additional costs. Beachfront homes are highly susceptible to storm damage, water damage, and salty air corrosion. When it comes to something as special and costly as a beachfront house, it’s essential to take every step to secure its integrity. In this blog, we will discuss and break down the three most important aspects of protecting your beachfront home.
Proper Building Techniques to Prevent Damage
Elevating Floors
One of the most important building procedures for beachfront homes is elevating the floor level with a steel or concrete base. The foundation of a house is the load-bearing portion of the structure, typically built below ground. A concrete slab is commonly used for house foundations as they require the least amount of lot preparation to begin building.
At a minimum, any house foundation must do three things well: support the structure above, keep out groundwater, and act as a barrier to water and soil vapor. These factors are especially important in tropical climates.
Impact Windows and Doors
Impact windows and doors are usually the highest ticket item in the scope of materials required to build a home. Since beachfront properties experience strong winds and sometimes even hurricanes, investing in impact windows and doors is of the utmost importance. In modern times, architecture has shifted towards glass fenestration, so it’s vital to work with professionals who have experience with this process.
Choosing the Right Roof
When considering what roof to install in your beachfront home, you must remember that it needs to be able to drain water efficiently and can sustain strong winds. One of the go-to’s for tropical regions is metal roofing. While you pay more upfront, metal roofing is much sturdier compared to asphalt shingles and is better equipped to resist rot, mildew, and corrosion.
Maintenance
Ensuring that your beachfront house is protected from the elements of a tropical region starts with the construction process. However, routine maintenance is just as important to the longevity of your home. The following is essential maintenance that every beachfront homeowner should do:
- Pressure wash your home twice a year to remove sediment that builds up naturally.
- Spray fresh water every few weeks around all window/door openings to help increase the lifetime of products.
- Apply a waterproof coating to your deck every 2-3 years.
- Store patio furniture in a designated area during storms.
- Assess damage after storms and take action accordingly.
- Fix and replace windows as needed.
Being a responsible homeowner and conducting routine maintenance will ensure the integrity of your home is sound and help save money in the long run.
Investing in the Right Insurance
No matter how much you invest in your home’s safety, emergencies are oftentimes out of our control. That’s when having the right homeowner’s insurance policy can help. It’s imperative for houses built in coastal and tropical areas to be protected from the heightened threat of storm damage, water damage, and salt corrosion. Here is an insurance guide we recommend brushing up on if you own or plan to own a beachfront home.
Additionally, homeowners of beachfront properties should highly consider looking into flood insurance to protect their assets.
Ensure Your Home’s Safety Today
After reading through the three most important aspects to protect your beachfront home, you may be wondering who is qualified to do such a job. Luckily, Prestige Island Exports has decades of knowledge and expertise in coastal fenestration. We provide innovative design solutions to provide your home with the best protection while fulfilling all your style desires. Don’t cut corners when it comes to your beautiful beachfront house, please contact us today to explore your fenestration options.
