Owning a vacation beach house in Florida may sound awesome, but one of the biggest challenges of building a house by the beach is its proximity to the salty sea water, humidity, exposure to direct sunlight all year round, and salt spray corrosion. So here are five important things to consider while building your Florida beach house.
Local Zoning
Every beach town has different local zoning requirements, and if you are planning on building a beach property, you’ll most likely need to apply for the appropriate CAMA Permit (Coastal Area Management Act). Most beach and waterfront properties will have CAMA setback requirements and also local setback requirements that you need to take care of.
If your new beach house is in Florida, you must know that The State of Florida has established Coastal Construction Control Lines (CCCL) on a county-by-county basis. The purpose of the CCCL is to preserve and protect coastal barrier dunes and adjacent beaches from thoughtless construction that can harm the stability of the beach-dune system or accelerate erosion. Therefore, permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems are required for the construction of beach houses.
Selection of Materials
Choosing the right materials for your beach house is as important as planning and designing it. Salty ocean water is corrosive in nature and affects your property’s exterior very easily. So you need to select materials like decay-resistant woods or composite supplies that can withstand harsh weather and require very little maintenance. Concrete, fiberglass, and non-cellular PVC plastic are also great options.
Protection from Wind and Hurricane
Another critical point to consider is wind loads. The design must be structurally engineered by a professional architect who is well-versed in planning and designing beach houses that can get affected by heavy winds or hurricanes.
Some insurance providers offer discounts for low-slope and hip roof systems that reduce wind loads. Roofs must be fastened in a way that they are not lifted by strong winds. During the construction process, ensure that gutters and downspouts are not blocked so that there is a smooth water flow during heavy rains.
Sturdy Windows & Doors
Windows and doors must have laminated glass with an impact-resistant coating so that it’s not affected by flying debris and high winds. You can also install shutters for extra protection and bracket your garage door to prevent more extensive damage.
There are many difficulties in building in a coastal area with regular floods or storms and harsh weather conditions. You need a builder who is adept at navigating environmental restrictions, guidelines, and laws.
Adkins Building & Construction has a team of experienced professionals with proven skills in completing construction projects in and around many coastal communities along the west coast of Florida. We comply with all regulations and finish our work within budget and on time. To know more, contact us at the earliest!
