Achieving Housing Resilience Through Retrofits
The increased number of significant natural disasters occurring over the past few years, coupled with ongoing concerns over the effects of climate change, have prompted action at every level of government to increase the resiliency of communities, infrastructure and buildings.
Research shows that homes built to the International Residential Code (IRC) perform well when subject to natural hazards. Although about 1 million new homes are constructed each year to current codes, approximately 80% of the housing stock in the United States was constructed prior to the development and adoption of the 2000 IRC, meaning the vast majority of existing homes in the United States could see increased resilience through retrofitting.
The benefits of retrofitting homes originally constructed to obsolete building codes or none at all to improve their resistance to blizzards, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and wildfires far exceed the benefits that could be obtained from further increasing the already-stringent code requirements imposed on new homes by recent editions of the IRC.
NAHB's Construction Technology Research Subcommittee worked with Home Innovation Research Labs to develop Retrofit Improvements - Making Homes Safer in Disasters, a series of two-page guidelines illustrating techniques for retrofitting existing homes to improve their performance against natural hazards. Targeted at homeowners, each guideline highlights the benefits of implementing the practice, the hazards addressed, considerations to discuss with a builder or remodeler, and the incremental costs of implementing the practice.
Many practices are cost effective, especially when incorporated as part of routine maintenance or a planned home improvement project.
As the 2020 hurricane season ramps up, it is appropriate the first set of guidelines include several practices aimed at improving the wind resistance of existing homes:
- The guideline on attachment of shingles provides information on proper selection and installation of wind-resistant asphalt shingles as part of a reroofing project.
- Adding a sealed roof deck using enhanced underlayment can help minimize water damage if roofing materials are lost during a severe hurricane.
- Home owners who are concerned about debris such as tree limbs, trash cans, patio furniture, or roofing and siding materials from nearby homes that can be picked up and carried along by hurricane winds, hitting and breaking windows, can review the guidelines on hurricane shutters and impact-resistant doors.
Two other guidelines now available cover flashing and sealing of roof penetrations — a recommended practice in any part of the country where heavy rainfalls occur — and guidance on preventing ice dams for home owners in colder parts of the country interested in getting a head start on preparing for winter.
NAHB and Home Innovation Research Labs thank the International Code Council, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their assistance in prioritizing the selected retrofit practices and providing review of the technical content.
For more information on the retrofit series, contact Gary Ehrlich.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jun 20, 2025
The New American Home 2026: Innovation Meets ImpactThe New American Home 2026, the official show home of the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® in Orlando, is already drawing industry buzz for its distinctive design and rare structural features.
Jun 19, 2025
Award-Winning Advice: Surround Yourself With Good PeopleIn the latest edition of Pro Remodeler, 2024 Remodeler of the Year Mike Pressgrove shares advice from his career.
Latest Economic News
Jun 20, 2025
Single-family Construction Loan Volume GrowsCredit conditions for builders and developers eased in the first quarter of 2025 as the level of outstanding 1-4 family residential construction loans rose for the first time in two years, according to data released by FDIC.
Jun 18, 2025
The Fed Pause ContinuesReflecting most forecasters’ expectations for the June FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve continued its post-2024 pause for federal funds rate cuts, retaining a target rate of 4.5% to 4.25%.
Jun 18, 2025
Sharp Drop in Multifamily Production Brings Overall Housing Starts DownA sharp decline in multifamily production pushed overall housing starts down in May, while single-family output was essentially flat due to economic and tariff uncertainty along with elevated interest rates.