Planning Ahead: Disasters
Resilient design can help people recover more quickly and help structures withstand disasters. Incorporating resilient design into your building plans can keep you safer and save you money in the long run.
When You Lose Power
Architects and contractors are stressing survivability in construction, even when the homes lose power. This means extra insulation, quality windows and doors and durable construction. Resilient designs also turn to the natural environment, incorporating passive heating and cooling – situating the home so that it can take advantage of natural sunlight and breezes to keep it warm and cool.
Also consider wholehouse solar systems with backup batteries that can power the home without the electrical grid. Many homeowners are considering these systems instead of upgrading cabinets or other luxuries.
Insulation
Wrapping your home up in a snug jacket of insulation may cost more initially, but it can cut down on your energy usage and bills in the long term. Work with your
contractor to choose insulation with a rating that’s appropriate to your environment. You should also look at sealing products to help that insulation do its job well and not allow drafts into your home.
Windows and Doors
Your contractor will also be able to help you choose windows and doors that take the most advantage of natural light and keeps out drafts. In hurricane-prone areas, look for materials that can stand up to the punishing winds and rains of tropical cyclones year after year. And don’t forget about the garage door; planning a little now can save you money and trouble in the future.
Flooding
If you live in or near a flood-prone area, work with your contractors and engineers to protect your investment. It may mean elevating your home through foundation or dirt work, or it could be just planning for natural spots for water to gather and flow away from your home. Either way, you want to plan for future development around your home and take that into consideration as well. More paving means more storm water runoff, causing flooding where, historically, there wasn’t.