Designing for Hurricanes: From Impact Windows to Roof Uplift Resistance

Designing for Hurricanes: From Impact Windows to Roof Uplift Resistance

How AVENTIS Homes engineers coastal luxury to withstand Florida’s strongest storms

Building a luxury coastal home in Florida is not just about architecture and beauty — it is about engineering a structure capable of withstanding hurricane-force winds, flying debris, storm surge, and the corrosive salt-air environment. At AVENTIS Homes, we design and build every home with one uncompromising standard:

Strength is the minimum. Performance is the goal. Longevity is the result.

From our exclusive use of PGT WinGuard® impact windows to our System 42® engineered trusses and uplift-rated roofing systems, every component of an AVENTIS home is selected, engineered, and constructed to endure.

This article walks you through the science behind our approach — and why it matters when building on Florida’s coastline.

1. PGT WinGuard® Impact Windows: The Gold Standard for Coastal Protection

PGT WinGuard® Impact Windows: The Gold Standard for Coastal Protection

AVENTIS Homes is proud to be the exclusive provider of PGT WinGuard, widely recognized as the strongest and most reliable impact-resistant window system for Florida coastal construction.
These windows are not “hurricane compliant.”

They are hurricane-defeating.

Engineered and Tested for Real Hurricane Conditions

PGT WinGuard products undergo the most strenuous testing in the industry, including:

These aren’t marketing terms — they are engineering credentials that matter on the water.

2. Why AVENTIS Uses WinGuard: Built for Strength, Longevity & Insurance Saving

Why AVENTIS Uses WinGuard: Built for Strength, Longevity & Insurance Saving
  • A structural shield — not just a window
    Laminated impact glass remains intact even when cracked, preventing internal pressurization — the leading cause of catastrophic roof failures during hurricanes.
  • The strongest frames in the industry
    PGT WinGuard’s aluminum and vinyl frames are engineered with:
    • Heavy-gauge extrusions
    • Reinforced glazing channels
    • Marine-grade hardware
    • Multi-point locking systems
      These resist salt-air corrosion, wind vibration, and structural stress better than any mass-market alternative.
  • Proven real-world performance
    PGT reports zero known impact failures in millions of installed WinGuard units.
  • Insurance advantages
    Because WinGuard exceeds code, most insurers rate homes with these windows as lower risk — often resulting in premium reductions.
  • Ideal for full-concrete-shell coastal homes
    AVENTIS builds concrete structures. WinGuard is engineered for the higher rigidity and tighter tolerances those structures require.

3. Roof Systems Built for Uplift Resistance

Roofs are the most vulnerable structural element during a hurricane. Uplift pressures create suction that tries to pull the roof off the house — especially at edges, corners, and overhangs.
AVENTIS designs every roof system to exceed these forces.

hurricane-ready roof types

We offer three hurricane-ready roof types:

  • Standing seam metal roofing
  • 5V metal roofing
  • Concrete tile or slate roofing systems

Each is engineered for:

  • High uplift resistance
  • Increased fastener density
  • Secondary waterproofing
  • Code-exceeding edge metal protection
  • Salt-air corrosion control

4. System 42® Engineered Trusses: The Structural Backbone

Every AVENTIS roof begins with System 42® trusses, engineered for both the dead load of heavy materials and the extreme uplift forces of hurricane winds.

System 42® Engineered Trusses

Why System 42® Matters on the Coast

  • Designed for heavy concrete tile and slate roofs
    Most typical truss systems are not engineered to carry the long-term weight of concrete/slate. System 42® is.
  • Custom load-path engineering
    Each truss layout is engineered to:
    • Transfer uplift forces safely to the concrete tie beams
    • Maintain roof geometry during extreme winds
    • Resist torsional rotation under load
  • Enhanced hurricane straps and tie-down systems
    AVENTIS uses upgraded connectors that significantly exceed minimum code requirements.
  • Perfect for luxury rooflines
    Tray ceilings, vaults, complex dormers, modern flat sections — all engineered without compromising strength.

5. Precision Fastener Spacing: Where Most Builders Fail

Precision Fastener Spacing: Where Most Builders Fail

Fastener spacing determines whether a roof remains intact during hurricane uplift.
AVENTIS never uses generic patterns.

Metal Roofs (Standing Seam & 5V)

Engineered to include:

  • Concealed clips engineered for extreme uplift
  • Tighter spacing at ridges, eaves & corners
  • High-pullout-resistance screws
  • Edge metal systems compliant with ANSI/SPRI ES-1
  • Peel-and-stick underlayments (ASTM D1970)

Concrete Tile & Slate Roofs

We reinforce with:

  • Engineered fastening patterns
  • High-strength battens
  • Foam-set or screw-set systems rated for uplift
  • Reinforced ridge & hip fastening
  • Proper headlap for wind-driven rain intrusion resistance

The result:
A roof system designed as a unified hurricane-resistant structure, not a collection of parts.

6. Secondary Water Barriers & Waterproofing Systems

Wind-driven rain is one of the most destructive forces in a storm.
AVENTIS protects your home with:

  • High-temp underlayments for metal roofs
  • Self-adhered peel-and-stick membranes
  • Extra flashing at valleys & penetrations
  • Upgraded roof-to-wall transitions
  • Fully sealed dry-in inspections before roofing begins

Even if a shingle, tile, or metal panel lifts, your home remains protected.

7. Why AVENTIS Homes Outperform During Hurricanes

Aerial view of waterfront homes along a canal, showcasing luxurious properties with boat docks under a bright sunlit sky, highlighting a serene coastal lifestyle in a vibrant community.

Every AVENTIS home is engineered as a complete system, not isolated components.
You get:

  • PGT WinGuard® impact windows (the strongest in the industry)
  • System 42® engineered trusses for heavy roof systems
  • Metal or concrete tile roofs designed for high uplift resistance
  • Enhanced fastener spacing engineered per wind zone
  • Best-in-class waterproofing and secondary barriers
  • Full compliance with FEMA elevation requirements
  • A concrete structural shell built for storms

This is why clients choose AVENTIS when failure is not an option.
Luxury here doesn’t just mean beautiful — it means durable, engineered, protected.

Ready to Build a Hurricane-Ready Luxury Home?

Your coastal home deserves to be as strong as it is beautiful. AVENTIS Homes is the leader in hurricane-engineered luxury construction on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Call (727) 902-3007 to schedule your consultation.

AVENTIS Homes — Elevated by Design, Built to Endure.

Roger Peace

Roger Peace, Director of Client Services at AVENTIS Homes, leads client experience for FEMA-compliant luxury coastal builds on Florida's Gulf Coast through technology-driven transparency. With a background in executive leadership and strategic operations, he ensures seamless coordination between design, construction, and client communication teams. Roger's systematic approach aligns project execution with client expectations throughout the entire build process.

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