Living in a tiny home has several advantages, but you must feel safe inside the tiny space, even during hurricanes and heavy storms. While ordinary builders focus on insulation and siding materials to protect your home from heat, rain, and snow, what about wind, storms, and hurricanes? Build your own tiny house with the help of a builder who is trusted and skilled enough to develop structures that meet International Building Codes. With so many builders in the market, choosing a certified, established, and trusted one is confusing. At TinyHouseMe, we help you connect with 100s of trusted tiny home builders across the US and Canada. You can now build your own tiny home by storm-proofing the structure and installing home security systems to prevent dangers while offering you peace of mind.
Are tiny houses safe during stormy weather conditions?
If your tiny home has proper weatherproofing, the structure is safe from lightning storms and thunder. Taking precautions during storms is important, as heavy rainfall can cause wood and electrical damage. You can protect electrical connections by keeping the tree branches away from the power lines or running them underground to protect them from external weather conditions. In addition, ask the builder to use siding and roofing materials that are not susceptible to moisture damage.
How do tiny houses survive extreme weather?
Extreme weather conditions can affect the safety of your conventional house, and a tiny home is no different. Heavy rainfall, high winds, floods, fires, and earthquakes are prevalent in certain places, so you should ask the builder for hurricane-proof tiny home designs. Investing in a tiny home on wheels is a great way to help you avoid weather extremities. With wheels, you can flee and relocate to a space that’s not vulnerable to hurricanes and natural disasters.
Here are a few ways you can weatherproof the tiny home:
Consider parking the tiny home on wheels at a better location
During a storm, park the tiny home in a direction where the winds won’t cause much damage to the structure. Park the house next to a stronger and bigger structure so the wind doesn’t hit your house directly. Use tarpaulin around the parking location to create windbreaks and reduce the pressure your tiny home receives.
Use better materials
If you live in a hurricane-prone zone, consider the environment and then build your own tiny house. The designing of your tiny home should be done by a professional architect or take the help of a trusted home builder willing to customize it as per your requirements. For example, source projectile-level windows and glass surfaces, as they are stronger than ordinary fixtures. Rather than choosing shingles for the roof and siding, install sheets of corrugated steel to stop individual parts from flying off. The materials you choose to incorporate inside your tiny house determine whether or not, the structure can withstand strong winds and hurricanes – therefore hire a trusted builder to build your own tiny home.
Seal all holes
Protecting the tiny home against strong winds is the only thing you should be thinking about during hurricanes and storms. Rain can easily penetrate and create unwanted moisture inside the house. Check the tiny home thoroughly and ensure all holes are sealed. You can also caulk holes with a sealant to keep water outside the house and prevent any seepage through its structure.
Install hurricane shutters
Did you know hurricane shutters can be installed as add-ons to protect doors, windows, and other glass surfaces from flying dirt and debris during storms and hurricanes? The shutters are available in many shapes and sizes and can be attached via a DIY installation. While some shutters are easy to install, others might need professional assistance.
Polycarbonate guards also protect tiny homes against wind damage which are affordable too. This kind of shutter is made from plastic and guards the entryways against flying debris.
Accordion shutters can be moved before a storm and can protect entire sections of the house as they are made with sturdier materials. The best part is that these shutters can be easily installed and removed as and when necessary.
Install hurricane ties
You should install hurricane ties to secure all frames and joints tightly. Hurricane ties work by joining rafters and trusses on the top wall of the tiny home and helps reinforce the structure against storms, strong winds, and even earthquakes.
Consider anchoring the tiny house
Anchoring your tiny house is a great way to protect the structure from hurricanes and storms. By anchoring, you secure the tiny home to solid ground and prevent the structure from toppling. Different anchors are available depending on soil conditions, including concrete. For example, an auger anchor works best for hard soil, whereas if you live in a rocky area, rock anchors are better as they drive beneath and can prevent the tiny house from toppling over. However, for anchoring the tiny house, you need stable, level ground and then you should go and find the most appropriate anchor based on the soil type.
Can shipping containers withstand hurricanes?
Many tiny house models are available in the market, but only a few are hurricane-proof. Container homes are a great choice if you are looking for a structure resistant to stormy weather and hurricanes. Custom Container Living is one of the most trusted builders of container homes in the US. Their container houses are engineered to withstand weather elements and are a good bet to beat a hurricane.
However, connecting with established builders like Custom Container Living takes a lot of work. Waiting in the queue and getting a response after days is a pain. That’s why TinyHouseMe has made things simpler for you. We instantly connect you with multiple tiny home builders to make the search easier for you. We have 100s of tiny home builders in our platform and help you get matched with the right builder of your choice. So, sign up now and connect faster with your chosen builder.
