Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Teresa Merelman, Broker, Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VTPhone: (802) 793-5171
Email: [email protected]

3 Ways to Hurricane-Proof Your Home

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 09/04/2024

Hurricanes can cause damage to your property in a variety of ways. Luckily, there are also many ways you can protect your home from the catastrophic effects of strong winds, rain and everything else a hurricane can bring. Here are three areas to focus on when hurricane-proofing your home:

Windows

Windows are an important feature to focus on when preparing for a hurricane. Broken windows can be the most common cause of damage and injury, whether from broken glass or structural damage. Consider installing high-impact windows throughout your home that can withstand the intense wind speeds and strengths of a hurricane. They'll help protect you against flying debris and water leakage with a lower likelihood of shattering under impact.

Roof

The roof is another part of your home that's particularly vulnerable to hurricane damage. If a roof is completely blown away or caved in, the elements can reach the rest of your home and cause tremendous damage. Two ways you can reinforce your roof for hurricane safety include metal roofing and architectural shingles.

Metal roofing made of tin, steel, aluminum, zinc or copper can be an expensive option but lasts a long time while providing excellent wind protection. Architectural shingles are thicker and heavier than traditional shingles and will provide better defense against the ravages of strong hurricane winds.

Entry Points

Your garage door is a huge entry point into your home and therefore a vulnerable point in a hurricane. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, consider investing in hurricane-resistant garage door installation. These doors have extra reinforcement and hardware to help them withstand the pressure from strong winds.

You can also protect your garage door and other entry points into your home with removable metal panels. These are a more budget-friendly and flexible option because they are temporary. They also require some DIY work to mount them before a storm hits, so make sure you familiarize yourself with the process if you choose this route.

The better prepared you are for a hurricane, the less damage your home will take. Consider these options when formulating your disaster preparedness plan with your household.

About the Author
Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

 Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include: 

  • ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
  • CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
  • e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
  • CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
  • CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
  • AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
  • TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
  • RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
  • GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009) 
  • SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009) 
  • SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
  • AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
  • SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

  • Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
  • Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
  • NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder 
  • Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
  • Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.