StormSmart

LIFESTYLE STORMSMART: OUR NEW STANDARD FOR RESILIENT LIVING

In Florida, resiliency isn’t optional—it’s essential. Hurricanes, flooding, and extreme heat demand homes built to withstand the unexpected and protect what matters most.

That’s why LifeStyle Homes is proud to be the first builder in our area to adopt the FORTIFIED Gold™ standard for all new homes through our new StormSmart program. This nationally recognized standard strengthens critical structural systems to better resist severe weather, reduce long-term repair costs, and help families recover faster after storms.

StormSmart joins SunSmart and HealthSmart as a core pillar of how we build — delivering homes designed to protect your family, reduce costly repairs, and provide true peace of mind. For homeowners who want even more protection, additional resiliency upgrades are available.

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WHAT IS FORTIFIED HOME™?

FORTIFIED Home is a nationally recognized building standard backed by decades of research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. By going beyond standard building codes—especially with a stronger, more resilient roof—it delivers superior protection against severe weather and reduces the risk of damage and property loss.

FORTIFIED Home is the national standard for resilient construction and is officially recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration, FEMA, and multiple states as an effective way to reduce storm damage to homes.

THREE LEVELS OF PROTECTION

The FORTIFIED Home program offers three progressive levels of protection, beginning with FORTIFIED Roof. Each level builds upon the next, culminating in the program’s most comprehensive and resilient certification: FORTIFIED Gold—the new LifeStyle standard.

FORTIFIED Gold, the program’s highest designation, is designed to significantly reduce storm damage from hurricanes and severe weather. That means stronger roofs, reinforced connections, better protection against water intrusion, and homes built to stand firm when it matters most.

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LifeStyle Solar Homes

HERE’S WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

When a home produces as much energy as it consumes on a yearly basis, it has achieved a zero-energy performance.

Stay dry: Better protection from high winds and wind-driven rain helps keep your home and belongings safe.

Return faster: Reduced risk of water intrusion can mean less damage and less time away from home after a storm.

Save money: A FORTIFIED designation may qualify you for homeowner insurance discounts (check with your agent for local eligibility).

THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATIONS

The FORTIFIED Home program requires LifeStyle Homes to achieve third-party verification at every level to confirm all upgrades are installed correctly. This independent review helps us ensure each homeowner receives the highest level of protection possible.

STORMSMART OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

While your LifeStyle home will be built to the high standards of FORTIFIED Gold, we have curated a selection of optional à la carte upgrades you may choose to enhance your home’s resilience against severe storms. Should you elect to include any of these options, pricing will be based on the size and specific features of your individual home.

Metal standing seam roofs provide superior wind resistance and are less likely to lift or fail during hurricanes compared to shingle systems. They also shed rain quickly and resist wind-driven debris impacts.

Hurricanes and severe storms in Florida often cause prolonged power outages. A whole home generator keeps essential systems like air conditioning, refrigeration, medical equipment, and communication running, helping families stay safe, comfortable, and secure during and after emergencies.

A stem wall is a raised concrete or concrete block foundation wall built on a footing that elevates the structure above grade, allowing the home to sit higher. Elevated stem walls reduce flood risk from storm surge and heavy rainfall. Raising the structure helps prevent water intrusion, structural damage, and costly flood-related repairs.

Impact glass is designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and resist shattering from flying debris, keeping the home’s interior safe and reducing the risk of structural damage. They also help maintain the building envelope, preventing wind-driven rain from entering and minimizing internal pressure that can lead to roof or wall failure during severe storms.

Shutters provide an additional layer of protection against debris and extreme pressure fluctuations. They also help prevent seal failure and reduce interior damage if impact glass is compromised.

Outswing doors use wind pressure to seal tighter against the frame rather than forcing them inward. This greatly reduces the chance of door failure under hurricane-force winds.

A Miami-Dade County rating for garage doors meets the stringent High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) structural and impact test standards required in that region. These doors are tested for large missile impact resistance and high design pressures and are certified to withstand the extreme wind and debris forces, which can guard against catastrophic roof or wall failure during a severe storm.

Concrete block structure (CBS) second stories provide significantly higher wind and impact resistance than wood framing. This adds mass and strength where wind loads are greatest during storms.

Using the ZIP® System under roof porch ceilings creates a continuous air- and moisture-resistant barrier that helps protect porch structures from Florida’s heavy rain, wind-driven moisture, and high humidity. This added layer of protection improves overall resiliency by reducing water intrusion, limiting mold and rot, and helping the home better withstand hurricane-related weather over time.

Fiberglass mat gypsum panels are moisture-, mold-, and fire-resistant and designed for exterior applications where durability and resistance to weather exposure are critical. DensGlass® soffits resist moisture, mold, and wind damage better than traditional materials. They are less likely to fail or detach during high winds, preventing wind entry into attic spaces.

 Routing bathroom and laundry fans through soffits minimizes roof penetrations, which are common leak and failure points during storms. Fewer penetrations improve roof integrity and reduce the risk of water intrusion. A simpler, more continuous roof surface performs better under hurricane conditions. (This approach excludes dryer vents and kitchen hood exhausts.)