Make your house storm-proof!
Storm damage is one of the biggest worries for many homeowners. not undoubted Experience shows that extreme weather conditions such as high winds, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall have become more frequent in recent years. For helping to mitigate the undesirable consequences of high wind loads for roofs andfacades, you will find useful information how to protect your house and property against damages caused by harsh weather conditions. We give you tips on what to do in the event of a storm warning, what you should consider when repairing or renovating your roof, and what checklist will be helpful for you and your insurance company in the event of storm damage.
Protect your home from the vagaries of nature – with roofs and façades made of weather-resistant and robust aluminium and this guide on storm safety.
Severe weather such as storms, thunderstorms and heavy rain – the reasons behind them
Recent years have seen increasingly drastic weather events. "The more frequent occurrence of severe weather events is mainly linked to global warming. Warmer air can absorb more water vapour than colder air, resulting in larger amounts of precipitation," explains Assoc. Prof. Mag. Dr. Herbert Formayer from the Institute of Meteorology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna. Wind speeds of about 75 km/h and above are called storms. These are caused by the clash of high and low pressure areas, by the exchange of cold and warm air. “The Alps are also home to the Föhn gales, strong southerly winds powerful enough to damage houses," says Formayer.
Consequences can be, for instance, ripped-off roofs, damaged roof tiles, destroyed façades, broken windows and fallen trees in the front garden – depending on their strength, storms can cause enormous damage to the house andit’s surroundings. Heavy rain, snow, floods and large temperature fluctuations also put building materials to the test. It is therefore a good idea to consider local weather conditions requirements for the house, the roof, and the façade when building or renovating your house, and to take this into account when choosing the appropriate construction materials. Snow loads and temperature fluctuations play a special role at high altitudes. Flood protection, in turn, is a topic that should not be forgotten in highflood risk areas.
A storm is coming, what should we do?
Generally, you can take precautions against storm damage with a comprehensive insurance policy In addition to the financial protection, you can also use simple measures to prevent storm damage. In the event of an approaching storm, clear away or secure all movable objects such as garden tools, flower pots and garden furniture. Cars should be parked in the garage or at a great distance from trees before a storm. Because flying branches and loose objects can cause damage not only to vehicles, but also to the house roof and façade. The roof in particular offers the strong storm wind a lot of surface area to attack: There is a risk of roof tiles coming loose, which on the one hand damages the roof cladding and allows ingress of rainwater. On the other hand, falling roof tiles can also cause severe damage around your house and even injure people and animals. Since roofs should also withstand storms, snow loads and heavy rain, your roof deserves special attention during new build and renovation. A strong and break resistant material as well as installation and fixing methods of all PREFA roof and cladding products provides safety in stormy times.
Storm-proof and long lasting: Expert tip
PREFA aluminium roofs and façades aresuitable to protect your home from storm damage. That's why, when planning your new building or renovation, you should choose suitable roof and façade products that match your regional requirements. PREFA offers products that are perfectly matched to each other, highly resistant to extreme weather conditions, and technologically in step with the times. You have a tiled roof and are thinking of renovating or replacing it with a storm-proof roof covering? An aluminium roof from PREFA is perfect for renovating old roof trusses, because the coated aluminium is not only durable and low-maintenance, but also lightweight and adaptable.
PREFA complete package: roof, façade, flood protection
Not only PREFA aluminium products for roofs, but also our façade products are weatherproof, break-proof and storm-proof even in extreme conditions. That’s because aluminium has outstanding material properties and is highly durable. The roof and façade products owe their high storm resistance to the special installation and fastening method. PREFA cladding panels can be fixed to the substructure either directly using the integrated nail strip, or indirectly with clips.
In areas known for their extreme storm peaks, the installation of the roof and façade elements can be adapted to the special requirements of the respective region through additional measures. In exposed locations, for example, the number of fasteners is increased as required and the type of fastening – whether nailed or screwed – is specifically adapted to the wind load. As a result, a roof and façade from PREFA can withstand even high wind speeds and raging storms. The PREFA Sidings, for example, are installed with specially developed PREFA storm clips for larger building widths which provide particularly strong support for the individual façade elements.
Installation by professionals
Another important point that speaks in favour of PREFA roof and façade systems in times of storm is that the products are only installed by trained professionals, which ensures professional installation. In the PREFA Academy, tradesmen from different companies are trained directly by PREFA installation instructors. This gives home owners and architects a high degree of security. And you and your family can rest assured: With PREFA you have a reliable roof over your head.
Mountain, sea, or valley - wherever extreme weather conditions prevail
Strong storms not only blow in the mountains or along the coast, but also sweep across the lowlands. If a building is located in a very exposed position or stands unprotected in a windbreak, it is subject to particularly high wind speeds in a valley as well. For example, wind loads can become an issue for free-standing buildings on the outskirts of a town or for tall buildings in the city. Whether your house stands on a mountain, in a valley, or by the sea: If it is to withstand special weather conditions, it is important that the choice of products is well-thought-through and the type of fastening is carefully planned. PREFA partner companies are trained accordingly and can also draw on the advice of PREFA experts and technicians – all for the protection of your home.
Renovating an old roof and making it storm-proof
Old, loose tiles or slate, cracks or damage to the roof cover – particularly in locations where storms and severe weather can occur frequently, a functioning roof is very important. Consequential damage, such as water ingress, can be serious and a roof renovation is then often unavoidable. A regular inspection of the roof covering and timely roof renovation are therefore recommended in any case.
Aluminium is extremely light
PREFA's lightweight roof products are ideal for roof renovation. When replacing an old roof with heavy modern tiles the existing framework must be prepare to take the extra load due to structural requiremments. With PREFA, you can save yourself that trouble: Thanks to the aluminium roof, which is many times lighter, additional reinforcements are usually not necessary. Furthermore, a PREFA roof can be quickly and easily handled on site by a trained specialist and can also be easily transported with a flatbed truck. This can significantly reducelabour on site. PREFA aluminium products are lightweight, robust, and resistant. The material thus allows you to save time and money on costly maintenance.
What exactly needs to be considered for a storm-proof roof build up?
The roofbuild up should be dimensioned according to the regionally prevailing snow and wind loads. This is usually the case with new builds. In the case of a renovation, it is advisable to consult a carpenter or specialist. If a very heavy roofing (e.g. roof tiles) was installed before the renovation, it should be checked in advance whether this high weight was perhaps planned as a functional parameter in any way. If a lighter covering is to be installed during the renovation, the roof truss will be pressed down less. It may therefore have to be additionally anchored for structural reasons. The expert will assess the initial situation correctly.
Perfectly matched to each other – the complete system : Expert tip
Whether roof, façade, roof drainage, PV substructure, or flood protection – with more than 5,000 products, PREFA offers a complete system for the whole house. Sophisticated detailed technical solutions let all elements work together perfectly. The result is reliable protection for your home for many years. At the same time, the wide range of colours, formats, and surfaces offers almost infinite design possibilities. In the complete system, every product including accessories can be colour-coordinated to create a consistent image from the entrance to the gable.
Helpful tips for concrete cases
Regular maintenance: In particular after storms and severe weather
After every strong storm or severe weather as well as after each winter, the roof should be checked for any damage. But only to the extent that a visual inspection is possible: Have parts come loose or is the roof surface damaged? If the roof surfaces are not visible from the ground, a specialist company should definitely carry out the inspection. Roofers, tinsmiths, plumbers, and carpenters can move around safely with an appropriate roof safety device, which was usually already installed in the course of roofing. For safety reasons, homeowners are strongly advised not to climb onto the roof themselves!
Did your roof get damaged or develop a leak after a storm?
In this case, you should contact an installation partner in your area – they can assess the damage on site and, depending on the extent of the damage, make emergency or permanent repairs if necessary. If danger is imminent during the storm, the fire brigade will certainly be the right contact.
Reference projects
Whether it's a mountain refuge, an alpine hut, or a mountain station – some buildings have to meet special requirements. PREFA provides optimum execution options for such projects. Here you will find a few reference projects, some of which are presented in short films:
The Seethalerhütte at the Dachstein glacier
The new Seethalerhütte is located in the rugged and rocky landscape of the Dachstein Mountains. The mountain refuge impresses with its slender structure and the appearance of a rock. Since the roof and façade have to withstand very high wind peaks due to the exposed location, PREFA FX.12 roof and façade panels in the colour P.10 stone grey were chosen. Due to the high wind loads, additional storm protection and a screwed fastening were used.
The old “Wiesenhaus” in Linz
When the roof of the 400 year old "Wiesenhaus" was renovated, it was important to preserve its original character. The house is located on a hill in the middle of a large meadow in the Bohemian Forest in the Linz area, where harsh winters and high winds can occur. The old roof truss was originally designed for thatch, so the lightweight aluminium products were the ideal modern roof covering.
A façade on stormy Lake Balaton
A Hungarian family has fulfilled their dream of a single-family house in one of the most popular holiday destinations on Lake Balaton. They chose PREFALZ in P.10 Patina Green for the façade in one of the most wind-prone places in Hungary.
Further storm-proof showcase projects
Learn more about PREFA services
Brochures, offers, photo service and more – our service area for end customers
You can find more information in our service area. Brochures and offers can be easily ordered there. If you have any questions, the PREFA customer service team will be happy to answer them by phone at +44 7570 316257 . Just fill out our contact form and we can advise you more specifically: the right contact person will be happy to get back to you regarding your specific question.
Customer service available for you
Every project is individual, and every builder naturally wants to get the best solution. No matter what questions you have about your project or a product, we are happy to be there for you by phone! If further expertise is needed, we will also be happy to refer you to the appropriate specialists. You can find our complete contact details here:
Order documents free of charge
5,000 products and a wealth of detailed information – with PREFA's helpful documents and information material, you will get an overview. You can order documents you want quickly and, of course, free of charge on our website. Find out more and make your house storm-proof. PREFA is your strong partner. Especially in stormy times.
Brochures, offers, photo service and more – our service area for end customers
You can find more information in our service area. Brochures and offers can be easily ordered there. If you have any questions, the PREFA customer service team will be happy to answer them by phone at +44 7570 316257 . Just fill out our contact form and we can advise you more specifically: the right contact person will be happy to get back to you regarding your specific question.
Customer service available for you
Every project is individual, and every builder naturally wants to get the best solution. No matter what questions you have about your project or a product, we are happy to be there for you by phone! If further expertise is needed, we will also be happy to refer you to the appropriate specialists. You can find our complete contact details here:
Order documents free of charge
5,000 products and a wealth of detailed information – with PREFA's helpful documents and information material, you will get an overview. You can order documents you want quickly and, of course, free of charge on our website. Find out more and make your house storm-proof. PREFA is your strong partner. Especially in stormy times.