Let’s Talk What You Should Know This Hurricane Season
Hurricane-resistant homes in Sanibel are top of mind this season—and for good reason. With forecasts predicting an active 2025 hurricane season, now is the time to take a closer look at how your home is built—or how it could be improved. Whether you’re planning a renovation or starting fresh with a custom build in Sanibel or Fort Myers Beach, smart design choices and durable materials can make all the difference.
At Alair Sanibel, we work with homeowners to create hurricane-ready custom homes and renovations that are as strong as they are beautiful. As locals, we understand what it takes to build in a coastal environment, and we’re actively helping clients across Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach ensure their homes are designed with care, quality, and long-term resilience.
What Makes This Year Different?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and this year, forecasters at NOAA’s National Weather Service are predicting above-normal activity across the Atlantic basin—which includes the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Florida’s southwest coast. That means more named storms, more chances for severe weather, and more reasons for homeowners in Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach to make sure their homes are ready for whatever this season may bring.
What Does a Resilient Coastal Home Look Like?
It’s not about turning your home into a fortress—it’s about making intentional decisions during the build or renovation process that give your property a better chance to stand strong. We guide our clients toward features like:
- Impact-rated windows and doors to protect against windborne debris
- Elevated foundations and site grading to mitigate flooding and storm surge
- Metal or hurricane-rated roofing systems built for high winds
- Concrete block construction (CBS) for increased structural integrity
- Effective drainage strategies to manage rainfall and runoff
- Impact-resistant entry and garage doors for added storm protection
These are choices that balance safety, performance, and style—especially when tailored to the needs of homes on the islands.
Required vs. Recommended: What You Should Know
| Required by Code | Alair’s Recommended Upgrades |
|---|---|
| Impact-resistant windows or shutters | Double-layer impact glazing for added efficiency & safety |
| Minimum roof fastening specs | Upgraded hurricane straps and ring shank nails |
| Flood vents in flood zones | Smart site design with raised grade and custom flood planning |
| Garage doors meeting wind rating | Reinforced garage doors with low-maintenance finishes |
| Standard hurricane clips or connectors | Full continuous load paths for better structural performance |
Coastal Style That Lasts
A hurricane-conscious home doesn’t have to look like one. We help clients choose beautiful, durable materials that hold up in a coastal climate, like:
- Weather-resistant siding and finishes
- Luxury flooring that stands up to sand and water
- Outdoor kitchens with marine-grade appliances
- Fixtures and hardware designed for salty air environments
- Energy-efficient windows and insulation that improve comfort and reduce costs
- Thoughtful indoor-outdoor flow to maximize breezes and natural light while maintaining protection
- Backup power solutions such as generators or solar-plus-battery setups to keep your home running during outages
The result? A home that performs well—and still feels like home.
Local Experience That Matters
Our team understands the unique considerations that come with building or renovating in this region—from FEMA flood maps to local permitting to working within Sanibel’s and Fort Myers Beach’s architectural review process. We’re not just contractors—we’re partners who live and work in this community, helping homeowners build with confidence.
That’s why we’ve created a simple Hurricane Season Readiness Checklist—a quick visual guide to help you think through storm-smart planning for your home this season.
Let’s Talk About What’s Possible
If you’re thinking about building or renovating—and want to make sure your home is ready for this hurricane season and the many seasons to come—we’d love to connect. Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating a space you already love, we’re here to help guide you through it.