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12 Ways to Get Your Home Cyclone-Ready
If you live in a part of the country where cyclones occur and want to protect your home, here are 12 steps to take
Those living in the east and north of Australia are unfortunately in for another tough summer, with an above-average number of cyclones predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology. The number of tropical cyclones forming in Australian waters is typically between nine and 11, with four crossing the coast. But this year, the Bureau predicts a 70 percent chance of at least 11 cyclones, with the season starting earlier than usual and the storms pushing further southward.
While sadly it’s not possible to design a completely cyclone-proof house, there are ways to minimise the chance of serious damage, from simple maintenance measures, such as trimming trees and keeping gutters clear, to integrating appropriate design features, including cyclone-rated doors and shutters that will improve your home’s resilience in the long-term. Here are 12 of the most important steps for cyclone protection, according to the experts.
While sadly it’s not possible to design a completely cyclone-proof house, there are ways to minimise the chance of serious damage, from simple maintenance measures, such as trimming trees and keeping gutters clear, to integrating appropriate design features, including cyclone-rated doors and shutters that will improve your home’s resilience in the long-term. Here are 12 of the most important steps for cyclone protection, according to the experts.
According to the Cyclone Resilient Building Guidance for Queensland Homes (CRBGQH), produced by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, your home’s wind classification can be related to its view:
- No view: usually C1 classification. This would generally be homes on flat land that is located away from the shoreline and surrounded by many other buildings.
- Some view: usually C2. This is the most common classification for homes in cyclone-prone parts of Queensland. Generally, this rating applies to homes on gently rising ground with a view past surrounding properties. It is also used for homes located a street or two away from the coastline.
- Good view: usually C3. This classification is used for homes with a view over the surrounding streets or out to sea.
- Really great view: at least C4. This is the highest cyclone wind classification and applies to homes built on the tops of hills or on rising land near the coast.
2. Build to a higher wind rating
According to CRBGQH, you can
improve the wind resistance of your home by asking your builder to use the products and details for a higher wind classification. For example, if your home is classified as C1, request that it be designed and built using C2 details.
Need building or renovating advice? Find an architect near you on Houzz
According to CRBGQH, you can
improve the wind resistance of your home by asking your builder to use the products and details for a higher wind classification. For example, if your home is classified as C1, request that it be designed and built using C2 details.
Need building or renovating advice? Find an architect near you on Houzz
3. Choose resilient materials
The priority when building in a cyclonic area is to ensure that your home is strong enough not to collapse, be lifted off the ground or slid off its foundations in a cyclone, says Greenwood.
“To do this, there are various design standards that can be used, such as the Australian Standard for residential timber framing. But in some more extreme cyclonic parts of Australia, a suitably qualified engineer must be consulted,” he says.
The priority when building in a cyclonic area is to ensure that your home is strong enough not to collapse, be lifted off the ground or slid off its foundations in a cyclone, says Greenwood.
“To do this, there are various design standards that can be used, such as the Australian Standard for residential timber framing. But in some more extreme cyclonic parts of Australia, a suitably qualified engineer must be consulted,” he says.
“When selecting or specifying cyclone-resilient building products and materials, you must ensure they comply with relevant Australian Standards, have the appropriate wind rating for the location and be durable enough to perform to the required level in future cyclones, which includes being weather-resilient.
“They should also minimise the volume of wind-driven rainwater that enters the home and withstand water and dry out without deteriorating, particularly for external wall and roof claddings,” says Greenwood.
“They should also minimise the volume of wind-driven rainwater that enters the home and withstand water and dry out without deteriorating, particularly for external wall and roof claddings,” says Greenwood.
4. If you’re near the water, choose rust-resistant materials
For homes close to the ocean, use components and connections with high levels of corrosion resistance to slow deterioration. This will help maintain the strength of your home and make it stand up better to extreme storms, states the CRBGQH.
For homes close to the ocean, use components and connections with high levels of corrosion resistance to slow deterioration. This will help maintain the strength of your home and make it stand up better to extreme storms, states the CRBGQH.
5. Improve the resilience of your roof
Your roof and cladding can be the first things to fail in a cyclone, says Greenwood.
“Appropriate roof tie-downs and roofing fasteners are essential; manufacturer’s documentation provides information about the correct fixings for sheet roofing into battens. With roof tiles, every tile should be secured to the battens by an appropriately rated clip or fixing.
“Attachments to your roof, such as solar panels, should also be designed by an appropriately qualified person to ensure they do not become dislodged and create a hazard,” he says.
Your roof and cladding can be the first things to fail in a cyclone, says Greenwood.
“Appropriate roof tie-downs and roofing fasteners are essential; manufacturer’s documentation provides information about the correct fixings for sheet roofing into battens. With roof tiles, every tile should be secured to the battens by an appropriately rated clip or fixing.
“Attachments to your roof, such as solar panels, should also be designed by an appropriately qualified person to ensure they do not become dislodged and create a hazard,” he says.
According to the CRBGQH, you can improve the resilience of your roof by replacing:
- Rusted or deteriorated roof sheeting or roofing screws.
- Deteriorated or split battens.
- Nails with screws or straps in batten-to-rafter/truss connections under sheet-metal roofs.
- Skew nails with straps or bolts in rafter/truss to wall connections.
6. Strengthen your doors and windows
Installing extra bolts and stronger hinges on your entrance doors will make them less likely to blow open during a cyclone, states the
CRBGQH. You might also want to upgrading to cyclone-rated doors.
Installing extra bolts and stronger hinges on your entrance doors will make them less likely to blow open during a cyclone, states the
CRBGQH. You might also want to upgrading to cyclone-rated doors.
7. Upgrade your walls
In a high cyclone-risk area, the CRBGQH recommends strengthening the walls and ceiling of one or two rooms in the centre of your home. This helps create a strong compartment you can use for shelter during a cyclone or if your home is struck by wind-borne debris (bearing in mind that you would only shelter in place if you don’t live in a storm-tide zone).
In a high cyclone-risk area, the CRBGQH recommends strengthening the walls and ceiling of one or two rooms in the centre of your home. This helps create a strong compartment you can use for shelter during a cyclone or if your home is struck by wind-borne debris (bearing in mind that you would only shelter in place if you don’t live in a storm-tide zone).
8. Install screens
Upgrading your windows and exterior doors with cyclone-suitable shutters or screens can protect them from flying debris and limit wind-driven rainwater from entering your home, states the CRBGQH.
Upgrading your windows and exterior doors with cyclone-suitable shutters or screens can protect them from flying debris and limit wind-driven rainwater from entering your home, states the CRBGQH.
9. Regular maintenance
Regular home maintenance in and around your home is also key to reducing the chance of storm damage, says Jimmy Scott, general manager of resilience and recovery at the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
“Trim tree branches, clean gutters and downpipes, repair cracked tiles on roofs, and replace broken sealant around windows,” he says.
Regular home maintenance in and around your home is also key to reducing the chance of storm damage, says Jimmy Scott, general manager of resilience and recovery at the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
“Trim tree branches, clean gutters and downpipes, repair cracked tiles on roofs, and replace broken sealant around windows,” he says.
10. Check outdoor structures
And don’t forget about sheds and other outdoor structures, says Greenwood. “Sheds are usually lightweight and subject to similar wind pressures as the main building, so they must be designed for the same wind classification and have appropriate tie-downs and fixings.
“Even fences, shade sails, aerials, satellite dishes, and water tanks will be subjected to significant wind pressures during a cyclone. These outdoor objects should be constructed and installed to reduce the potential for them to become wind-borne debris,” he says.
And don’t forget about sheds and other outdoor structures, says Greenwood. “Sheds are usually lightweight and subject to similar wind pressures as the main building, so they must be designed for the same wind classification and have appropriate tie-downs and fixings.
“Even fences, shade sails, aerials, satellite dishes, and water tanks will be subjected to significant wind pressures during a cyclone. These outdoor objects should be constructed and installed to reduce the potential for them to become wind-borne debris,” he says.
11. Assess your garage door
Older garage doors are generally not designed to resist extreme storm damage, so if you live in a high-risk area and have a garage, be sure to have the door assessed by a qualified professional, states the CRBGQH.
“Where the wind blows a garage door in, there is potential for damage to the contents of your garage and, in some cases, the large opening contributes to higher internal pressure that can cause damage to the rest of the home.
“Since 2015, all new garage doors installed in cyclone areas must comply with AS/NZS 4505 [standards]. These [cyclone-proof garage doors] have features such as wind locks that make it harder for the doors to blow in,” states the CRBGQH.
Garage door upgrade options include:
Older garage doors are generally not designed to resist extreme storm damage, so if you live in a high-risk area and have a garage, be sure to have the door assessed by a qualified professional, states the CRBGQH.
“Where the wind blows a garage door in, there is potential for damage to the contents of your garage and, in some cases, the large opening contributes to higher internal pressure that can cause damage to the rest of the home.
“Since 2015, all new garage doors installed in cyclone areas must comply with AS/NZS 4505 [standards]. These [cyclone-proof garage doors] have features such as wind locks that make it harder for the doors to blow in,” states the CRBGQH.
Garage door upgrade options include:
- Replacing your older garage door with one that complies with AS/NZS 4505 standards.
- Fitting certified temporary braces that strengthen your existing garage door.
12. Get regular inspections on older homes
If your home was constructed before the mid-1980s, it may not have been designed and built for the wind speed specific to its location and can be at a higher risk of damage, states the CRBGQH.
“Regular inspection and maintenance of your home is critical to maintaining cyclone resilience and [you may need to] seek advice from an engineer or builder to identify ways to reduce the vulnerability of your home.
“Engage a certified building inspector or licensed building professional to inspect your home and ask them to clearly list the items that can be repaired and those that need to be replaced. A professional will inspect and assess the structure of your home and provide recommendations for maintenance or upgrades that strengthen the wind resilience of your home during a cyclone,” the guide states.
If your home was constructed before the mid-1980s, it may not have been designed and built for the wind speed specific to its location and can be at a higher risk of damage, states the CRBGQH.
“Regular inspection and maintenance of your home is critical to maintaining cyclone resilience and [you may need to] seek advice from an engineer or builder to identify ways to reduce the vulnerability of your home.
“Engage a certified building inspector or licensed building professional to inspect your home and ask them to clearly list the items that can be repaired and those that need to be replaced. A professional will inspect and assess the structure of your home and provide recommendations for maintenance or upgrades that strengthen the wind resilience of your home during a cyclone,” the guide states.
Your turn
Are you concerned about the effects of climate change and the potential for cyclone damage to your home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need to read more on protecting your home from extreme weather events? Don’t miss this story: 10 Ways Good Design Can Keep Your House Cool in Summer
Are you concerned about the effects of climate change and the potential for cyclone damage to your home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need to read more on protecting your home from extreme weather events? Don’t miss this story: 10 Ways Good Design Can Keep Your House Cool in Summer
“When designing and planning a new home or alteration, it is imperative that an accurate assessment of the site and its features is carried out by a professional such as an engineer, builder or building certifier to determine the right wind classification so the correct building standards can be applied,” says Steve Greenwood, building support services technical adviser at Housing Industry Association (HIA).
The wind region you’re in is based on wind speeds, the frequency of extreme weather events in your area, and the terrain surrounding the site, such as where your home will sit on a hill or rise, he says. It also factors in any shielding provided by other surrounding buildings or groups of trees.