In recent years, American homeowners are considering more than just open floor plans, granite countertops, and curb appeal when purchasing a house.
The United States has experienced numerous weather-related disasters and wildfires in the past few years, resulting in billions of dollars in losses. More and more American residents are prioritizing homes with stronger resilience to catastrophic events.
This trend is gaining momentum rapidly. Industry experts point out that it’s not just about saving on insurance premiums but also about being able to rest easy knowing their homes can withstand the next storm, flood, or uncontrolled wildfire.
Homeowners across the country are adopting a solution known as “resilient design.”
Resilient design involves using materials, layouts, and furniture during construction or renovation that can withstand the most severe natural events.
A government website called “The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit” released a report titled “Extreme Events,” showing that from 2004 to 2013, hurricanes resulted in $392 billion in losses, tornadoes and severe storms caused $46 billion in losses, and storm-induced floods led to $30 billion in losses.
Last year alone, 27 weather events caused losses of at least $1 billion. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these events resulted in losses totaling $182.7 billion.
Max Coupland, CEO of Insuranceopedia, stated, “We have observed a significant shift in homeowners’ behavior, especially in high-risk areas such as Florida, California, and coastal Texas.”
“The recent hurricanes, wildfires, and floods have made these risks more imminent rather than distant,” he said.
With the worsening extreme weather events in recent years, insurance companies are tightening their underwriting guidelines. Homes that have disaster resilience considerations in their construction or renovation are not only safer but also easier to insure.
Other professionals in the insurance industry have also noticed a rising trend of incorporating weather-resistant components, such as reinforced roofs or fire-resistant roofs, impact windows, and moisture-proof exterior walls, when building or renovating homes.
Rami Sneineh, Vice President of Insurance Navy Brokers in Illinois, said, “Homeowners are more aware than ever of the increasing risks posed by wildfires, floods, and hurricanes.”
“Many people are looking to have upgraded homes to withstand these dangers,” he added.
Clearly, homeowners understand the value of long-term protection and are willing to pay for properties that offer the best functionalities. The trend now emphasizes providing a secure living environment rather than just seeking comfort or luxury.
Recent surveys support these observations.
In July of this year, the National Association of Home Builders listed disaster-resistant design as one of the top trends for 2025.
According to consumer data released by Hippo Insurance based in California in May, over half of the surveyed American homeowners stated that resilience to climate risks is their primary consideration when purchasing a home.
Zillow, a real estate platform based in Seattle, predicted that features like impact-resistant windows and fire-resistant materials have become selling points in the real estate market for 2025.
Home sellers are also highlighting features in their properties that can resist extreme weather to a certain extent. Zillow’s data revealed that buyers place significant importance on these features. An analysis found that 86% of homebuyers consider it very important for homes to have at least one climate-resilient feature.
Moreover, compared to last year, the number of homes for sale on Zillow mentioning flood barriers increased by 22%. Homes with seismic retrofitting increased by 20%, and those mentioning water catchment systems increased by 19%.
Additionally, the number of homes with drought-resistant lawns increased by 14%.
In the past, Illinois was not considered “hurricane country.” However, Steve Mlynek, CEO and founder of HomeBuild Window, Siding & Door Replacement Company in Chicago, told the Epoch Times that in the past two years, there has been a 60% surge in demand for impact-resistant windows in the state.
“After a severe storm in 2023 shattered hundreds of windows, homeowners started specifically inquiring about hurricane-grade protection,” Mlynek explained.
He mentioned that laminated-glass window systems can withstand debris generated under winds of up to 130 miles per hour.
These windows, which are typically priced 25% to 30% higher than standard models, have been proven in tests to block 2×4 projectile missiles launched at a rate of 50 feet per second.
Moreover, these windows can block over 99% of UV rays and further reduce noise by 40% to 50%.
Mlynek added that another benefit is that insurance companies are rewarding homeowners for investing in these aspects.
He said, “Many of my clients have seen reductions in their home insurance premiums ranging from 5% to 15%. Also, in areas with higher wind speeds, some insurance companies are starting to require the installation of impact-resistant devices.”
In terms of saving homeowners on insurance costs, Coupland mentioned that in states prone to hail, such as using class 4 impact-resistant tiles to replace the roof can lead to discounts of up to 25% on premiums.
He said other home facilities that can help save on insurance costs include hurricane shutters, reinforced doors, elevated HVAC systems, flood barriers, and moisture-resistant insulation.
In some states, insurance companies may require these upgrades for new policies, especially in flood-prone areas.
Enhancing insulation for energy efficiency can also lead to added energy-saving benefits. Coupland mentioned that most homeowners can recoup their initial investment within eight years when factoring in this aspect.
He emphasized that upgraded windows can provide homeowners with additional protection for decades.
Interior designers have also observed a growing trend where more clients are seeking to integrate disaster-resistant design into residential and commercial spaces.
Cheryl Hucks, an interior designer in High Point, North Carolina, with over 30 years of experience, stated, “I see clients focusing on disaster preparedness as the core of their home layout reconsideration.”
“Just last year, I redesigned three basements into dual-purpose spaces that can serve as family suites or safe shelters in severe weather,” she said.
She noted that one of the significant changes homeowners are making in their design is avoiding bulky furniture since these pieces could become dangerous projectiles or trap occupants during storms.
“I have opted for modular lightweight furniture that can be quickly moved indoors, equipped with built-in storage spaces to hide emergency supplies, and easily accessible,” Hucks explained.
Recalling an instance where interior design met practicality, she shared, “After a tornado warning last spring, a client specifically requested cordless curtains that are easy to remove.”
For her commercial clients, disaster-preparedness design in office spaces has become a major focus.
“I just finished a design for an office space where the conference room doubles as a storm shelter, complete with reinforced internal walls and an emergency communication system,” she said.
“The investment required for this design is 40% higher than traditional commercial designs, but their insurance company offers premium discounts, so they can offset the cost within two years,” she added.
She noted that installing safety features doesn’t have to make homes or businesses look like doomsday bunkers. For example, specially designed ottomans can store emergency supplies and furniture can create natural pathways to indoor safe spaces without sacrificing what she calls “sophisticated comfort.”
Hippo Insurance, in its 2024 Housepower Report, pointed out that 28% of surveyed American homeowners expressed concerns about not being prepared for extreme weather events. This proportion has increased from 25% in 2023.
The study also showed that among 2,000 homeowners, 88% were willing to pay more for homes with climate-resilient features.
Sneineh, who works in the insurance industry and is also a homeowner, expressed that prioritizing resilient design has become a common consideration for Americans, and it’s understandable.
“Knowing that your house won’t be affected by extreme weather gives you peace of mind… I would definitely spend more money to buy a house with these features,” he said.
“The value of this investment comes from the knowledge that this house will be better equipped to withstand future weather events and protect my family better,” Sneineh added.
For existing homeowners looking to enhance their homes’ resilience to disasters such as fires, hurricanes, and floods, upgrading and renovating their homes is an option.
Jeff Lexvold, founder of Tropic Renovations in Florida, told the Epoch Times that since Hurricane Ian struck southwestern Florida in 2022, he has seen a “significant shift” in his customers’ priorities.
“After that storm, we installed thousands of drywalls, and the conversation completely changed. Homeowners are no longer primarily concerned with aesthetics but start thinking, ‘Can this house withstand the next hurricane?'” Lexvold said.
He mentioned that the most significant demand he has witnessed is for whole-house exterior wall sealing and moisture-proof systems.
“During routine bathroom renovations, I discovered minor cracks in the plaster leading to significant mold behind the walls. Now, I always start consultations with an external inspection,” Lexvold said.
According to Lexvold’s observations in Sarasota and Charlotte counties in Florida, the installation of impact-resistant windows has now become a standard feature in homes rather than an optional one.
Coupland suggested that other effective upgrade measures during severe weather events include using fire-resistant roofing materials such as metal tiles or high-fire-grade asphalt tiles.
He also recommended that homeowners consider installing hurricane straps and reinforcing garage doors.
Enhancing homes with more climate-resilient materials may come at a higher price, but customers are willing to pay for superior products.
“We only use GE’s silicone paintable all-weather exterior sealant, priced at $13 per tube, instead of the cheap $3 products that fail within two years. Customers are willing to pay more for higher-quality products after seeing water damage photos from other properties,” Lexvold explained.
As homeowners continue to invest in weather-resistant home features, they are not only ensuring the safety of their families but also making an investment that can lead to long-term savings and protection against future weather events.