7 Features Of A Typhoon-Proof Home Worth 500K by MyProperty

Being a tropical country, the Philippines is battered by numerous typhoons every year. As a result, typhoon-proofing techniques were developed by businesses to withstand such weather disasters. Social media users show several ways to secure your home during strong winds, floods, and heavy rain. Others report that they renovated their houses in order to install features that can reduce damage to their homes and properties.

In one of his vlogs, vlogger-architect Oliver Austria, aka Pinoy Architect, shared the features that a typhoon-proof home should contain. If you’re planning to build a new house, you may want to include these six elements, based on the video:

A Home With Floaters For Floods

In his vlog, Austria used the sides of a shipping container as the main structure of the house. The sides had rollers, which allowed the house to move around or “float” when floodwaters rise during typhoons. Austria said that the structure could float up to five meters. 

 

While it is rare for floodwaters in the country to rise this high, residents living in a floating home can rest assured that they will be safe nonetheless. In addition, the actual floating home is secure as it’s fastened to a strong, solid post.

Fasten Your Roofs For Better Protection

Flying roofs is a common problem during typhoons due to the strong winds. Without a roof, your home’s interiors will become wet and damaged by rainwaters. As a solution, Austria recommends using metal roof fasteners to secure your roof. The vertical spacing between these screws must be between 50 to 60 centimeters, while horizontal spacing should be 20 centimeters. 

 

It’s also crucial to clean the gutters of your roof regularly, especially before the arrival of a typhoon. Dirt, fallen leaves, and other debris can get trapped in these areas, blocking the flow of rainwater. Too much water in your gutters leads to leaks in the ceiling and further property damage. The last thing you’d want is a broken home and damaged interiors in the middle of a disaster.

Keep The Water Out

Windows are common sources of leaks during rains and storms. In his vlog, Austria mentioned that he minimized the number of such fixtures in his typhoon-proof home. He also provided tips in reducing leaks in your windows. 

 

Sealing your windows with silicone can keep moisture and water out of the home. Austria recommends using a caulking gun in enclosing these fixtures. It’s also ideal to create a slope structure on your windowsill. This slope feature lets rainwater naturally slide outside.

From Balcony To Wind Protection

On the second floor of Austria’s typhoon-proof house is the main living space. There, you’ll find a balcony equipped with a few outdoor furnishings. A net hangs above it with some greenery, providing the shade in the space. However, this is not your usual balcony as it transforms into a disaster-resilient feature of the house. 

 

With a foldable balcony, homeowners can pull up the entire deck, folding it into the home’s exterior. This makes the house protected from the rising waters and raging winds outside during typhoons and tropical rainstorms.

Living Space Above Ground

Floods in the Philippines can reach as high as the ceiling of the first floor of a bungalow house. For this reason, elevated living space is a design feature proposed by Austria to keep the home safe from floods. On the side of the house, you’ll find the stairs to reach the main living space.

 

On the other hand, the open, empty “first floor” can serve as a multi-purpose area. Homeowners may use it as a car park or start a garden. You can use this as an outdoor play zone for your kids if you plan to make it your family residence.

Maximized Space

Austria’s typhoon-proof home features expansive free spaces, thanks to innovative, clever storage solutions. In this home, the sleeping quarters are well-kept in a Murphy bed. The dining space is also a pull-out, with the tables and chairs hidden in the walls. 

 

By having secret compartments in the walls, you’ll have a lot of free space to protect your items and bring the outdoor furniture inside. You won’t have to worry about flying patio chairs or throw pillows during typhoons.

 

Austria estimates that building a typhoon-proof home with these seven features will amount to Php 510,000, minus the cost of the lot. However, such an investment is sustainable and can save lives. Consider adding these seven home features to strengthen your home against heavy rain and typhoons.

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