How Designing a Home in Florida Differs from the Rest of the Country?

From the cars we drive to our “Jimmy Buffett” state of mind, it doesn’t take long to realize, Florida is different in many ways. Just like all other states, we have sunshine, storms, humidity, and wind damage, but what sets us apart is the abundance of all combined elements and how they can wreak havoc on your home.

All too often, we have a client wanting to duplicate a home from Ohio or purchasing design plans from a website in New York. While they may work well for weather up north, the same rules do not apply for the Sunshine State.

After the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Florida included a few of the following enhancements to the standard building code:

1. 1. Code now focuses on wind resistance and roof integrity. Therefore, the use of staples over nails is no longer permitted when installing roof shingles. Using nails (in the properly enforced nailing patterns) ensures the shingles are attached securely as the margin of error is greater when using staples.

1. Impact-resistant windows. Protect your home by using approved hurricane shutters or high impact windows. To be on the safe side, we recommend installing high impact windows as you don’t have to worry about storage or installation. We make sure all clients understand the benefits before installation.
2. Building exterior. In addition to the roof and windows, every part of the exterior of the building must now be tested and approved to Florida code. You must also have a NOA (notice of acceptance) applied to your home before completion.

Florida homes are designed for wind while the rest of the country is designed for snow or earthquakes. Regardless of where you’re moving from, we welcome you to the Sunshine State and look forward to working with you to build your dream home. As always, feel free to email jason@stfdd.com or call 941.342.9401 with any questions you may have. We offer a Free Consultation. Contact Us Today!