An affordable “non-surgical” method for retro-upgrading a house to better withstand hurricane winds and rain is described, wherein the winds' most strongly depressurized eddies or “Separation Zones” bordering the building envelope are clearly identified and “harnessed” by assured venting of the interior space just into such, thereby depressurizing the interior likewise and strongly reducing or eliminating any net outward-acting force on the building envelope. The “harnessing” is assured simply by installing one-way valves over the vent openings, whereby air can pass outward from the interior to strongest-depressurized Separation Zones but inward flows (such as on the windward) are quickly blocked by the other valved vents “blowing closed”. The roof envelope surrounding the attic is especially addressed, wherein winds from any direction will strongly depressurize the attic and so help hold the roof sheathing down, gables on, soffits and ceiling up—while the valves also block ruinous rain entry on the windward.
展开▼
