How to Future-Proof Your Coastal Investment

Owning a rental property on the Florida coastline is an exciting investment. However, coastal living comes with extra wear and tear, and storms are not a question of if but when. If you want to protect your income, keep tenants safe and avoid expensive surprises, it’s essential to future-proof your property today.

Key takeaways: You can future-proof your coastal investment by installing hurricane-rated garage doors and impact-resistant windows, among others. These upgrades help you reduce repair costs, increase your income and make your property more appealing to tenants.

Why You Need to Future-Proof Your Property in Coastal Areas

If you own a rental near the coast, your property is dealing with more than just sun and sea breezes. Salt air speeds up corrosion, moisture encourages mold and both can chip away at any structure over time. Coastal areas also sit on the front line of climate change. Sea levels are rising by approximately one-eighth of an inch each year, and that extra water brings heavier rainfall and stronger storms. That means your coastal property is under environmental pressure that inland rentals simply don’t face.

What’s more, Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the U.S. Every stretch of its coastline has been hit by at least one hurricane since 1850. The southeast coast faces the highest risk, followed by the Panhandle, but no area is entirely off the hook. Even places that see fewer direct hits, like Tampa, Jacksonville and the Big Bend, can still feel the impact of landfall somewhere else in the state.

Future-proofing helps you stay ahead of these environmental risks, instead of scrambling after costly damage. Plus, a well-prepared property is easier to insure, quicker to repair and more attractive to renters who value safety and reliability. 

4 Ways to Protect Your Coastal Rental Properties

Here are four ways you can future-proof your investment property in coastal areas. 

1. Upgrade to Hurricane-Rated Garage Doors

As the largest opening in your property, a standard garage door can become a severe liability during storms and hurricanes. Decades of post-storm damage investigations show that more than 90% of house damage in severe windstorms begins when garage doors fail, collapse or cave in under windborne debris.

You can avoid those risks by installing hurricane-rated garage doors for your home in Florida from leading names like Broten Garage Door Sales. This family-owned and operated company has been operating in Pompano Beach since 1995, offering local expertise, high-quality products, professional installations and a one-year labor warranty. Its best hurricane-rated garage doors use multiple layers of steel and other durable materials, with some models able to withstand winds of up to 200 mph. 

2. Install Impact-Resistant Windows 

Aside from installing the best hurricane-rated garage doors, it’s also important to upgrade to high-quality impact-resistant windows. These can withstand flying debris and intense pressure changes. Unlike standard glass, they also stay in place even when cracked to keep wind and rain out of your property. This upgrade does more than protect during storms. It can also reduce noise, improve energy efficiency and make your rental more secure year-round. 

Among the leading companies in Florida for impact-resistant windows is Florida Coastal Windows. Located in West Palm Beach, the company offers a comprehensive line of windows, including casements, rolling, single hung, fixed, architectural and project-out windows — each one designed to resist hurricanes and rust. You can also find a wide range of doors and shutters that meet the highest impact standards in its catalog.

3. Reinforce Roofing and Improve Wind Resistance

Roof damage is one of the most expensive problems you can face in Florida’s coastal areas. Your roof needs to be able to withstand salt corrosion, hurricane damage, UV exposure and other unique coastal conditions. The right roof material in the Sunshine State should also be highly reflective, helping you reduce attic heat and increase your home's energy efficiency.

Florida Roofing and Gutters provides top-quality products and expert installations to help future-proof your coastal investment. Based in Fort Myers, the company offers specialized roofing services for property owners in Florida. It only offers roofing systems that meet the Florida Building Code. Plus, its professional team understands how the state’s wind, heat, moisture and salt air affect roofs over time.

4. Prepare for Flooding 

Heavy rainfall and unpredictable coastal conditions mean water can find its way into your property. Since most standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, it makes sense to reduce your risk before water becomes an expensive problem. Preparing your rental for flooding may protect the structure, its contents and your long-term income.

Companies like Dam Easy Flood Barriers offer adjustable flood protectors that can fit securely into any doorway and other vulnerable entry points. With teams across Florida, it can tailor its flood barrier kits based on your property’s weak spots and local flood risk. Best of all, you can deploy its reusable systems in under five minutes with no tools, which is helpful during emergencies.

Ensure Your Property Is Ready for Whatever That Rolls In

Hurricanes, salt air, flooding and constant sun exposure are part of coastal life in Florida, but costly surprises don’t have to be. When you future-proof your coastal property with the best hurricane-rated garage doors, impact-resistant windows, top-quality roofing materials and flood barriers, your investment is far better positioned for the long run.

Evelyn Long is a writer that specializes in housing market trends. She is also the editor-in-chief of Renovated Magazine, where she writes essential resources for renters and homeowners. She has contributed to several other publications like the National Association of Realtors and Realty Executives.