Building Roofs That Endure: Jamaica’s Guide to Hurricane-Resistant Design in a New Climate Era

IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE YOU READ Everything shared here is based on general good practice, lived experience, and sound construction principles, but these are ideas—not prescriptions. They are not a replacement for the technical judgement of a licensed structural engineer who has assessed the specific property, location, soil conditions, wind exposure, and risks involved. Hurricane behaviour changes from parish to parish, from coastline to coastline, and even from hilltop to valley. A house in Negril, perched on the cliffside, is a completely different engineering challenge from a house in St. Mary, or a coastal home in Black River. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each project requires its own professional assessment, and the final recommendations must always come from a qualified engineer or architect who understands the site. These concepts are useful ideas, and many of them are strong principles in hurricane-resistant design—but they will not apply to every situation. If you s…