Weathering the Storm: Building a Resilient Home from Roots to Roof

Building a dream home is an exciting milestone—a chance to create a backdrop for family memories that can last for generations. While the sparkle of countertops and the glow of light fixtures can feel exciting, the most important design choices might not be the ones you show off to guests; they’re the ones that help your home stand strong against Mother Nature. From the roof above your head to the ground beneath your feet—and even the landscaping around your property—every choice matters when creating a home that’s as resilient as it is beautiful.

Storm Warning: Why resilience matters

Imagine standing at your window as relentless rain gushes through the streets or watching news reports of flames leaping from ridge to ridge. Catastrophes like these used to feel like distant stories—something that happened to other people in other places, but not anymore.

According to Climate Central a billion-dollar disaster in the U.S. happened once every 82 days in the 1980s. Now, that number is down to every 12 days. It’s not just hurricanes and wildfires damaging homes—severe thunderstorms, flash floods, hailstorms, and tornadoes are devastating parts of the country once thought to be safe from these weather events. Every home is vulnerable.

While costly natural disasters are now more common, homes are often built with materials that can’t hold up during these events, and local building codes often only set minimum standards. From the roof to the foundation, every material and structural choice matters. Insurers know that homes built with resilience in mind stand up better against disaster, which often means more coverage options and better policy terms. Stronger homes don’t just protect your family—they also protect your financial future.

Learn more about what you can do to protect your own home and hear from thought leaders across the industry who are working to turn these challenges into opportunities.

Don’t get swept away in flood zones

Where you build has a significant impact on the threats to your home’s resilience, but flooding is no longer just a coastal concern. A slow-moving storm or days of heavy rain could turn driveways into rivers and basements into ponds. In fact, 40% of all flood claims occur in low-to moderate-risk areas. If you build in a location prone to flooding, consider: 

• Building at least two to three feet above the 500-year floodplain
• Working with engineers who specialize in flood zones
• Securing flood insurance—less than 15% of homeowners have it, yet it’s the most reliable safety net when unexpected floods happen

Walls that work harder

The first step in building a resilient home is the structure. Think of your walls as the spine of your home—the part that holds everything together when pressure mounts. Traditional “sticks and bricks” homes may work, but innovative construction methods are creating stronger alternatives. Here are some options to consider:

RSG-3D construction replaces wood framing with a foam center reinforced by wire mesh, then coated in concrete. This creates a non-combustible concrete shell tied together from foundation to roof. This structure performs well in wildfires, hurricanes, and floods.

NileBuilt homes are constructed with composite and cement instead of wood. They’re designed to resist fire, wind, and water, and in high- wind areas, impact-rated windows and doors are used for added protection.

The IBHS Fortified Gold standard is a good middle ground to improve the resilience of sticks and bricks homes. It reinforces connections between the foundation, walls, and roof, and uses impact-rated windows and garage doors. Fortified homes are designed to stay intact—even during a hurricane or tornado—by keeping the home sealed tight to prevent pressure changes that often cause roofs to blow off.

Peak Priority: The roof

Now that your structure is intact, it’s time to decide what roofing material to use. If your walls are the spine, your roof is the helmet. It’s easy to get hung up on design details, but your roof—one of the most overlooked features of a home—is also your home’s first line of defense. Whether it’s protecting your home from embers during a wildfire or sustaining wind gusts of 165 mph—a resilient roof can make the difference between minimal repairs and significant damage.

Depending on where your house is and the type of disaster you’re at risk for, consider using the following types of roofing materials:

• Wildfire zones: Class A rated roofing materials designed to resist embers
• Hail-prone areas (Rockies to Atlantic): Class 4 impact-rated roofing materials offer better protection
• High-wind regions: Roofs rated to withstand 130+ mph winds offer added security

Avoid asphalt shingles or wood shakes

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in the U.S., but insurers are increasingly limiting coverage, adding depreciation schedules, or raising deductibles for them because they don’t hold up well in catastrophic events—leaving homeowners with higher out-of-pocket costs after a claim.

Wood shake or wood shingle roofs pose an even greater risk in wildfire areas, where they can contribute to total loss. They’re also vulnerable to cracking, warping, and failing under wind or hail.

Tip: Consider a secondary water-resistant (SWR) barrier beneath the roof. Think of it as a raincoat under your roof. If wind strips the roof covering, the SWR barrier helps stop most of the water from pouring in and causing extensive damage inside the home.

Window of Opportunity: Fortify openings

Windows and doors may look similar, but their construction may leave your home vulnerable during a natural disaster. Choosing the right ones means your structure is better able to keep the elements out. When wind, debris, or water breach these openings, pressure inside the house can build quickly—sometimes blowing the roof off.

To keep the elements where they belong (outside), use:

Impact-rated windows and doors designed to withstand flying debris and intense winds, keeping your home sealed during hurricanes and storms.

Storm shutters or roll-down protection as a second line of defense to shield glass from breaking in high-wind regions.

Reinforced garage doors to avoid one of the most common failure points in storms. A stronger garage door helps prevent major structural damage.

Flower Power: Landscaping that protects your home

Outside your home, landscaping can be a useful tool against disaster. Your yard can be more than beautiful; it can also be a buffer zone between your home and the elements. Consider creating a resilient landscape that helps defend against the most common natural disasters in your area:

Wildfire defense: Create defensible space by keeping trees and shrubs trimmed and at least 30 feet from the home. Choose fire-resistant plants like succulents or hardwoods instead of resin-rich evergreens.

Flood control: Use grading and strategic plantings to direct water away from the home. Rain gardens and permeable pavers can help absorb excess water.

Windbreaks: Plant rows of hardy trees as natural shields against high winds—just be sure they’re far enough away so falling branches won’t damage your roof. 

Take advantage of technology to fortify your home.

When lightning strikes (more than once)

Contrary to the old saying, lightning can and does strike the same place more than once. While it’s rarely discussed as a threat to homes, the best defense against lightning is a layered approach:

• Install whole-home surge protection at the main electrical panel
• Supplement with surge-protected power strips for sensitive electronics
• Consider advanced solutions like the EMP Defense system, which may reduce the likelihood of strikes altogether

Fighting fire

Sprinkler systems save lives, but if they're not properly installed or maintained, costly water damage could occur. At MMA, we can discuss which systems best fit your lifestyle and home. For homes in remote locations or for owners concerned about protecting fine art and collectibles, some systems offer significant advantages. We can walk you through your options and additional features that may help protect these items. 

Water Leaks: The quiet culprit

While natural disasters make headlines, water leaks quietly account for a significant share of homeowner claims. Automatic water shut-off devices are now highly recommended and, in some cases, strongly encouraged by insurers.

• For full-time residences, machine-learning systems can adapt to household water patterns.
• For seasonal or secondary homes, time-based systems are better suited, as they don’t rely on consistent usage patterns.

Either option can help prevent catastrophic losses from burst pipes or undetected leaks, saving both money and stress.

Building your forever home?

Let Marsh McLennan Agency Private Client Services (MMA PCS) review the resilience of your future build or existing home—from the roots to the roof.

Insurance is meant to protect against the unexpected, but with catastrophic events happening more often, insurers are rewarding homeowners whose houses use resilient products. Homes built and engineered for the elements with durable materials and technology to minimize damage may receive more favorable insurance terms.

At MMA PCS, we help our clients build resilience from the ground up—reviewing plans, recommending upgrades, and ensuring homes are protected. A dream home should also be a strong one—built not just for today, but for whatever tomorrow may bring.