What Construction Material is the Best For a Hurricane Proof House?

If you are someone preparing to build a new house inThe most basic method of installing concrete is to
a hurricane prone region, you may wonder whatbuild plywood forms, and then pour the concrete
construction material is the best for a hurricane proofwalls and floors, which rest on a concrete foundation.
house? When we ask that question we are typicallyThe steel reinforcing is placed within the formwork
referring to the frame (skeleton) of the home. Theprior to pouring the concrete. Forming the concrete
decision of what material to use on the frame acan be labor intensive, and hence cost prohibitive.
home is important, and there are several factors thatInsulated Concrete Forms, or ICF are one solution
go into that decision. Those factors include materialthat have been developed to make concrete a more
cost, performance, and ease of construction. Forviable option for residential construction. The forms
those of us living in a coastal area, the materialconsist of Styrofoam, which is lighter and easier to
performance is of particular importance, but theerect than the plywood forms. Concrete masonry
other factors must be examined as well. This articleunits (CMU) construction, consists of preformed
compares two construction materials to build a househollow blocks of concrete that are stacked in place,
in a hurricane prone area. The majority of people willfilled with steel reinforcement and then grouted
assume that wood is the only choice for residentialon-site. CMU is also commonly, and incorrectly,
construction, but I would encourage you to at leastreferred to as cinder blocks. This method is a widely
weigh the benefits of a concrete or other solution.accepted method in Florida for hurricane proof
Woodconstruction due to its reasonable cost versus the
When we speak of wood construction, we arestrength that the material provides.
referring primarily of conventional wood constructionA slight deviation from CMU is AAC, which stands for
using dimensional lumber and plywood. The frame isAerated Autoclaved Concrete. AAC is a lightweight
built with studs, rafters and joists. Conventional woodaerated concrete that is also preformed in standard
construction is either done on site (stick built) orsize blocks, that can be stacked in place, and then
partially in a shop (prefabricated). Examples offilled with steel reinforcement and grouted on-site.
prefabricated wood construction includes woodAAC is a building material that is relatively new in the
trusses or modular homes built in the shop andUS. AAC is gaining popularity because it is lightweight,
delivered to a job site. The modular home industry isenergy efficient, and is relatively simple to cut and
growing, and is even marketing itself to the high endinstall. I have seen details from the suppliers showing
housing markets. Other methods of constructing withthreaded rod systems used inside the blocks, but I
wood include heavy timber framing, and structuralwould not recommend this practice. Rebar designed
insulated panels.to work with concrete should be used inside of the
The biggest benefit to wood construction is itsAAC units, and not threaded rods.
relative cost. Houses can typically be built lessI believe that concrete, whether it be formed-in-place
expensively with wood than with other materialconcrete or concrete masonry, has inherit strength
options. This is the primary reason that woodbenefits that will naturally resist hurricane force winds.
construction is so prevalent. Wood has been aroundIn addition a concrete option will bring other benefits
for years, and has proved itself to be a viable buildingsuch as resistance to mold, fire, and termites, as well
material to withstand the weather. Like any buildingas energy efficiency. Any of these concrete options
material, however, when not constructed or designedwill likely be slightly more expensive than wood when
properly, wood has come up short in the face ofevaluated based on initial cost. That being said, it
Hurricanes. So, it is possible to build a house toshould be noted that the cost over the life of the
withstand hurricane force winds, but some measuresmaterial, in addition to the up front cost should be
should be taken to ensure that it is designed and builtconsidered. For example, a wood home typically
properly. An employer once told me that the mostcosts more to insure than a concrete home. In
important thing to look for when designing with woodaddition, some states have tax deductions for using
was the connections. Connections are king when itenergy efficient materials such as AAC. Finally, you
comes to wood, so pay special attention to this area.must place some value on the higher risk of a
Most building departments require that somewooden home possibly not doing as well in a
engineering be done to ensure that the connections,hurricane as a concrete home.
and other critical items, be evaluated before a permitIn making your decision of what material to use to
is issued for the house.build your hurricane proof home, you will likely
Concretecompare cost, performance, and other factors. Do
When it comes to performance, there are manynot merely assume that what everyone around you
benefits to building a house with concrete. Concreteis doing will be sufficient for your home. Be aware
is strong, resistant to fire, decay, termites, and mold.that there are options to choose from, and it is
This material is truly sustainable, and that includesimportant to consider which option is the best for
sustaining a hurricane. This of course, assumes thatyour house and your preferences. Finally remember
the material is designed and installed properly.that price is important, but building a house improperly
Concrete construction can be built using either forms,can cost you later.
or by using preformed units (aka masonry or blocks).