After every major hurricane, the media highlights a “hurricane-proof” home that withstood the storm. After Hurricane Michael hit Mexico Beach, Florida, the spotlight was on the Sand Palace—a hurricane-resistant house built by New York City vacationers. It’s a fortress on the Gulf, and the homeowners, while vague on cost, doubled the typical per-square-foot price to achieve this level of protection. A luxury most of us can’t afford.

More recently, The Wall Street Journal reported on another multimillion-dollar hurricane-resistant home built by a billionaire. This house was featured following Hurricanes Helen and Milton, once again showing that if you have the money, you can build a house that can withstand anything. But let’s be honest—most of us aren’t billionaires. (Interestingly, articles like these rarely mention the mobile homes that have also survived high winds despite being built to current minimum codes.)

For those of us on a more realistic budget, here’s how you can build a hurricane-resistant home without breaking the bank.

Build a single-story home with poured concrete walls

Concrete is your best friend when it comes to resisting hurricane winds. A single-story home with poured concrete walls creates a solid, durable structure that can handle extreme weather. And thanks to aluminum concrete forms, construction is fast. Your contractor can set up the forms in a day and pour the concrete the next. The result? A home that’s built like a bunker but can feel like a cozy retreat.

Install a hip roof

A hip roof—sloped on all four sides—offers superior wind resistance compared to other roof designs. Roofs with a pitch between 4/12 and 5/12 have proven themselves in wind tunnel tests, standing up to the most ferocious storms. Be sure to follow the Florida building codes for fastening, which are designed for high-velocity hurricane zones. And don’t worry—your roof won’t blow off, as long as you avoid shortcuts. The homes you see devastated after hurricanes? Most of them were built under outdated codes or poorly maintained.

 

Use the Fortified Home program for roofing

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety developed the Fortified Home program, a set of construction guidelines designed to improve a home’s resistance to natural disasters, including hurricanes. Their roofing recommendations can help your home withstand high winds—and might even earn you a discount on your insurance premium. If you’re looking for a resilient, affordable roof system, this is the place to start.

Know about FEMA’s resources 

FEMA offers a wide array of resources—for both new construction and remodeling projects—designed to help homeowners prepare for hurricanes. Whether you’re starting from scratch or retrofitting an existing structure, FEMA’s guidelines can provide valuable insights on everything from wind-resistant designs to adding safe rooms.

Install Miami/Dade County–compliant windows and doors

Even if you’re not living in Miami, you’ll want to look for impact-resistant windows and doors that meet Miami/Dade County standards. These are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and flying debris, making them an essential feature for any hurricane-resistant home. While these will add some cost, they won’t break the bank, and they offer peace of mind during storm season.

In sum

While the multi-million-dollar hurricane-resistant homes featured in The Wall Street Journal may be out of reach for most of us, building a resilient home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By incorporating strategies like poured concrete walls, a hip roof, Fortified roofing systems, FEMA resources, and impact-resistant windows and doors, you can create a home that stands strong in the face of hurricanes—without needing billionaire status.

________________________________________________________________________

Fernando Pagés Ruiz is a builder and an ICC-certified residential building inspector active in code development.