Whole-Building Design Strategies -

Disaster Resistance

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Guide describing ways to strengthen roof assemblies for resistance to hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.

Guide providing information about flashing around a chimney to protect the intersection of the roof and chimney walls from water intrusion and anchoring of a chimney to prevent collapse in high winds.

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to clay or concrete tile roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Guide describing how to provide a strong continuous load path from the roof through the wall to the foundation to ensure a structurally sound building and increase racking resistance in hurricanes, high winds, tornados, and earthquakes.

Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.

Guide describing space planning for emergency supplies storage.

Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires and thermal losses.

Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.

Guide describing garage doors that are pressure-rated to withstand wind pressures from hurricanes, high winds, and tornados.

Guide describing the advantages and disadvantages of gable roofs and hip roofs and how both designs react under high wind loads.

Guide describing how to install low-e interior storm windows.

Guide describing how to brace gable end walls to resist wind pressures.

Guide describing how to install low-e exterior storm windows.

A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to metal roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.

A guide describing how to elevate and secure HVAC equipment for protection against floods, earthquakes, and high winds.

Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.

Guide describing how to provide a continuous load path with appropriate connectors to improve the wind resistance of attached porches, carports, and decks during high-wind events.

Guide describing ways to retrofit an existing roof to increase its resistance to damage during hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.

Guide describing requirements for sheathing and sealing the roof decking in accordance with the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home Program's Hurricane and High Wind Standards, and other roofing considerations to increase the roof's disaster resistance.

Guide describing designs and construction retrofits for roof assemblies to resist pressures at roof edges during high-wind events.

Guide describing how to seal roof valleys and how to seal around pipes, chimneys, and other roof deck penetrations.

Guide describing design for shelter-in-place spaces during windstorm storm events.

Guide describing the need for adequate structural sheathing in exterior walls in homes in high-wind areas.

Guide describing how to construct the walls of a home with bracing to resist wind and earthquake loads.

Guide describing how to strengthen or protect windows against wind and wind-borne debris during high-wind events including hurricanes and tornados.