BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Surviving A Hurricane: A Hurricane-Resistant Construction Solution

Publication Date

August, 2020

Video showing how differently constructed homes stand up to a hurricane and how it can be easy to retrofit a home to make it hurricane resistant using Simpson Strong Tie.

Hurricane Straps

Publication Date

September, 2018

Author(s)

FLASH Strong Home

Organization(s)

FLASH

Video showing how to create a continuous load path using hurricane straps and anchor bolts to comply with FLASH Strong Home practices.

Hurricane Straps

Publication Date

September, 2020

Author(s)

FLASH Strong Home

Organization(s)

FLASH

Video describing hurricane ties and how they make your home more ready for severe weather by strengthening structural connections.

Is Your Home Protected from Hurricane Disaster? A Homeowner’s Guide to Hurricane Retrofit

Author(s)

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

Organization(s)

IBHS

Publication Date

January, 2002

Report describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more hurricane resistant.

FORTIFIED Roof System - Hurricane

Publication Date

December, 2014

Animated video showing how to properly apply roof decks in hurricane regions according to IBHS practices.

FORTIFIED Animation: Hurricane - OPENINGS

Publication Date

August, 2015

Video showing the requirements for ventilation openings in roofs to comply with IBHS FORTIFIED Home requirements.

Be Hurricane Ready: Secure Soffits

Publication Date

June, 2019

Video describing an easy method of properly securing soffits on your home per IBHS FORTIFIED Home guidelines.

FORTIFIED Roof System - Hurricane

Publication Date

August, 2015

Video explaining the basics of roof science and how to design and install a roof that complies with IBHS FORTIFIED Home requirements.

FORTIFIED Animation: Hurricane - ATTIC VENTS

Publication Date

August, 2015

Video showing the requirements for attic vents in homes to comply with IBHS FORTIFIED Home requirements.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Gable End Overhangs

Author(s)

Florida Disaster

Organization(s)

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Publication Date

September, 2020

A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Wood Frame Walls

Author(s)

Florida Disaster

Organization(s)

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Publication Date

January, 2010

Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.

FORTIFIED Home Re-Roofing Checklist - Hurricane

Author(s)

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

Organization(s)

IBHS

Publication Date

January, 2022

Checklist providing information about the specific requirements of FORTIFIED Roof™ design and construction standard for re-roofing specific for hurricane resistance.

FORTIFIED Animation: Hurricane - Continuous Load Path

Publication Date

August, 2015

Video showing key connection joints for a properly installed continuous load path per IBHS FORTIFIED Home specifications.

Fortified Home Roof Deck Attachment for Hurricanes

PDF

FORTIFIED Home New Roof Requirements Overview: Hurricane

Author(s)

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

Organization(s)

IBHS

Publication Date

June, 2019

Checklist providing good and bad methods of fortifying the roof, especially in hurricanes.

Make your home more resilient for hurricane season

Author(s)

Blanchard Tobie,

Reichel Claudette Hanks

Organization(s)

LSU Ag Center Research Extension

Publication Date

June, 2021

Web article describing many ways homeowners, contractors, and builders can make homes more resistant to hurricanes, tornadoes, high winds, floods, and hail.

FEMA Avoiding Hurricane Damage: Action Items for Homeowners

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

January, 2017

Fact sheet describing how to prepare for hurricane season and mitigate damage from floods and high winds.

Inside FORTIFIED: Installing Drip Edge in Hurricane Areas

Publication Date

May, 2018

Video showing how to install drip edge on roofs in hurricane areas per IBHS Fortified Home standards.

2020 Fortified Home Standard Detail Set Hurricane

Author(s)

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

Organization(s)

IBHS

Publication Date

January, 2020

Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance in severe thunderstorms, straight-line wind events, and high winds at the outer edges of tornadoes.

Installation of Drip Edge over Underlayment for Hurricane Zones

IBHS Fortified Home Drip Edge Installation for Hurricanes

PDF

Bracing of Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

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

2019 Fortified Home New Construction Hurricane Technical Summary

Author(s)

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

Organization(s)

IBHS

Publication Date

January, 2019

Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for New Homes.

FORTIFIED Home Hurricane Technical Requirements Summary: Existing Homes

Author(s)

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

Organization(s)

IBHS

Publication Date

October, 2019

Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for Existing Homes.

Inside FORTIFIED: Fastening Sheathing on New Roofs in Hurricane Areas

Publication Date

May, 2018

Video showing how to install sheathing on new roofs in hurricane regions while following IBHS Fortified Home guidelines.

Inside FORTIFIED: Fastening Sheathing on Existing Roofs in Hurricane Areas

Publication Date

May, 2018

Video showing how to correctly install sheathing on existing roof deck in hurricane regions in accordance with IBHS Fortified Home practices.

IBHS Fortified Home Re-Nailing Roof Deck for Hurricanes

PDF

Wood Frame Roof-to-Wall Connections in Hurricane Retrofit Guide

Author(s)

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Organization(s)

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Publication Date

January, 2010

A hurricane retrofit guide describing techniques for strengthening roof-to-wall connections for family homes.

Right - This concrete roof is properly attached and reinforced to withstand hurricane winds.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Retrofit of Existing Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

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

Right – Hurricane strapping attaches every roof truss to a wall stud.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Hurricane-New Construction Roof Deck Attachment, Structural Wood Panels

Hurricanes, Earthquakes & Tornados - Design of Wood-frame Structures for Extreme Forces

Publication Date

December, 2013

Video presentation describing wood framing design to withstand extreme forces from severe weather.

Example A of a gable truss and gable end wall bracing for a home in a hurricane region

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Example B of a gable truss and gable end wall bracing for a home in a hurricane region

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Hurricane Mitigation Retrofits for Existing Site-Built Single-Family Residential Structures

Author(s)

Florida Building Code

Organization(s)

Florida Building Code

Publication Date

January, 2006

Code describing the requirements for existing site-built single-family homes to receive roof-to-wall retrofits when re-roofing.

Failure of Roof Structure from Pressurization Due to Window Failure During a Hurricane.

Publication Date

Tue, 09/01/2020 - 12:00

Metal Roof Systems in High-Wind Regions - Hurricane Ike Recovery Advisory

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

February, 2009

A Recovery Advisory guide reccomending practices for designing and installing metal roof systems that will enhance wind resistance in high-wind regions (i.e., greater than 90-miles per hour [mph] gust design wind speed).

Building Performance: Hurricane Andrew In Florida - Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance, FIA 22

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

December, 1992

Document containing recommendations on how to brace roofs and gable end walls based on lessons learned from analyzing the destruction from hurricane Andrew.

Hurricane-Prone Regions of the United States with ASCE 7-05 and 7-10 Boundaries

Publication Date

Wed, 12/01/2010 - 12:00

Right - The wall framing is connected to roof framing with metal ties for hurricane-resistant construction.

Failure of barrel tile roofing due to bond failure between underlayment, mortar, and tiles during a hurricane.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

End wall failure under hurricane force winds due to inadequate bracing of the gable end wall.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Right - Correct angle for installing an engineered structural screw to secure a rafter to a wall for hurricane resistance.

Publication Date

Sat, 11/01/2008 - 12:00

Bolted metal hurricane strapping ties the roofing to the framing and the framing to the foundation walls for resistance to high winds.

Publication Date

Wed, 01/01/2014 - 12:00

FEMA Best Practices for Minimizing Wind and Water Infiltration Damage - Hurricane Michael in Florida, Recovery Advisory 2

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

June, 2019

A recovery advisory guide presenting important recommendations to reduce wind and water infiltration damage to new and existing residential buildings.

Right – Taping the roof sheathing seams can greatly increase the likelihood of water infiltration into a home in the event of a hurricane.

Right – Taping the roof sheathing seams can greatly decrease the likelihood of water infiltration into a home in the event of a hurricane.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Failure of extruded concrete flat tile roofing due to bond failure between tile, mortar, and underlayment resulting from hurricane force winds.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

This roof is hurricane proofed with a coated insulated OSB deck sheathing that is caulked and taped at all seams with a water-resistant tape, then fully covered with a peel-and-stick membrane, and asphalt shingles.

Wrong - Toe nails in roof truss are set too low in framing bracket and hurricane strap is set too high so lower nails don't hit lower 2x6 of top plate.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/05/2023 - 12:00

Right - An unvented attic with no soffit vents, borate-treated fascia board, metal drip edge, and concrete block construction on this south Florida home help make it resistant to hurricanes, pests, and wind-born wildfire embers.

Publication Date

Tue, 06/01/2021 - 12:00

Right – This hot-humid climate home employs several hurricane- and termite-resistant features including concrete block construction, borate-treated framing, a hip roof design with metal drip edge, impact-rated windows, and an unvented attic.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Climate-specific features include bug- and moisture-resistant concrete block construction and borate-treated interior framing; a hurricane-resistant spray-foamed hip roof; and ventless roof soffits to keep out wind-driven rain.

Buildings damaged by a hurricane storm surge: upper homes on gulf shoreline were hit by large waves above the lowest floor, lower left home on bay and right school 1.3 miles from gulf shoreline were hit by surge and small waves.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/01/2010 - 12:00

Connection Points for Gable End Overhang with Outriggers

Publication Date

Tue, 09/01/2020 - 12:00

Hip roof

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Recommended tile and mortar placement for barrel tile roofing

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Get a Storm Ready Roof

Publication Date

November, 2016

Video explaining why having a strong roof is so important in hurricane zones and recommendations on how to construct a roof that will stand up to hurricane force winds from LSU AgCenter.

Outrigger faming for a gable end roof overhang

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Recommended tile and mortar placement for "S" tile roofing system.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Typical roof truss top chord bracing

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Recommended tile and mortar placement for extruded concrete flat tile roofing system

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Detail A - Typical truss web bracing

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Detail B - Typical wood gable-wall bracing

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Failure of "S" tile roofing in high winds due to bond failure between mortar and tiles.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Observed roof bracing for gable roof overhang and recommended modification

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Failure of composition roof shingles and underlayment due to high winds.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Composition shingle roofing system showing sheathing and hot-mopped underlayment

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Primary wood framing systems: walls, roof diaphragm, and floor diaphragm

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

Wind uplift pressures on gable end overhang with ladder framing

Publication Date

Tue, 09/01/2020 - 12:00

Porches, Carports, and Deck Attachments

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.

Right - every rafter is secured to the wall framing with metal ties.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Wrong - This concrete roof was not adequately attached and reinforced and failed in high winds.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Inside FORTIFIED: Sealing Roof Seams with Two Layers of Felt

Publication Date

May, 2018

Video showing how to install felt underlayment in hurricane areas, per IBHS Fortified requirements.

High winds pulled part of the roof off this gable-roofed home.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Wrong - This roof failed in high winds due to lack of metal attachments to the framing.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Right - This roof has a low gable and is secured to the wall framing to resist wind uplift.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Right - In hot climates, paint flat roofs light colors to reflect solar heat gain.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Wind Resistant Roof Systems

Publication Date

September, 2008

Video describing attic ventilation methods for wind and water-resistant roofs to comply with FLASH Strong Home guidelines and improve hurricane resitance.

The components of a roof include the rafter framing or trusses, purlins, plywood roof decking, underlayment, and the roof covering.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

Wrong – This house under construction is lacking wall to truss bracing and the bottom chord of the scissor trusses is several feet above the top of the end wall top plate

Publication Date

Sat, 07/01/2006 - 12:00

A thermosiphon solar hot water system heats a fluid in the solar collector; the heated fluid heats potable water in a roof top tank.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

2017 Florida Building Code – Building, Sixth Edition

Author(s)

International Code Council,

Florida Building Commission

Organization(s)

ICC,

FBC

Publication Date

July, 2017

Florida building code including all the amendments and additions by Florida for the wind-borne debris regions and the high-velocity hurricane zone.

Roof tie-down details for truss-to-wall connections from Fortified Home

Publication Date

Wed, 05/01/2019 - 12:00

Protect Your Home in a FLASH with Huber ZIP System Roof Sheathing and Tape

Publication Date

December, 2016

Video showing how to protect your home via Huber ZIP System Roof Sealing and Tape from moisture problems arising from high wind or hurricane damage per FLASH Strong Homes guidelines.

Opening Protection Systems - Doors, Windows, Garages

Publication Date

February, 2015

Video showing proper attic ventilation systems for hurricane-prone regions compliant with IBHS Fortified Home standards.