If you are someone preparing to build a new house in a hurricane prone region, you may wonder what construction material is the best for a hurricane proof house? When we ask that question we are typically referring to the frame (skeleton) of the home. The decision of what material to use on the frame a home is important, and there are several factors that go into that decision. Those factors include material cost, performance, and ease of construction. For those of us living in a coastal area, the material performance is of particular importance, but the other factors must be examined as well. This article compares two construction materials to build a house in a hurricane prone area. The majority of people will assume that wood is the only choice for residential construction, but I would encourage you to at least weigh the benefits of a concrete or other solution.

Wood

When we speak of wood construction, we are referring primarily of conventional wood construction using dimensional lumber and plywood. The frame is built with studs, rafters and joists. Conventional wood construction is either done on site (stick built) or partially in a shop (prefabricated). Examples of prefabricated wood construction includes wood trusses or modular homes built in the shop and delivered to a job site. The modular home industry is growing, and is even marketing itself to the high end housing markets. Other methods of constructing with wood include heavy timber framing, and structural insulated panels.

The biggest benefit to wood construction is its relative cost. Houses can typically be built less expensively with wood than with other material options. This is the primary reason that wood construction is so prevalent. Wood has been around for years, and has proved itself to be a viable building material to withstand the weather. Like any building material, however, when not constructed or designed properly, wood has come up short in the face of Hurricanes. So, it is possible to build a house to withstand hurricane force winds, but some measures should be taken to ensure that it is designed and built properly. An employer once told me that the most important thing to look for when designing with wood was the connections. Connections are king when it comes to wood, so pay special attention to this area. Most building departments require that some engineering be done to ensure that the connections, and other critical items, be evaluated before a permit is issued for the house.

Concrete

When it comes to performance, there are many benefits to building a house with concrete. Concrete is strong, resistant to fire, decay, termites, and mold. This material is truly sustainable, and that includes sustaining a hurricane. This of course, assumes that the material is designed and installed properly. Concrete construction can be built using either forms, or by using preformed units (aka masonry or blocks).

The most basic method of installing concrete is to build plywood forms, and then pour the concrete walls and floors, which rest on a concrete foundation. The steel reinforcing is placed within the formwork prior to pouring the concrete. Forming the concrete can be labor intensive, and hence cost prohibitive. Insulated Concrete Forms, or ICF are one solution that have been developed to make concrete a more viable option for residential construction. The forms consist of Styrofoam, which is lighter and easier to erect than the plywood forms. Concrete masonry units (CMU) construction, consists of preformed hollow blocks of concrete that are stacked in place, filled with steel reinforcement and then grouted on-site. CMU is also commonly, and incorrectly, referred to as cinder blocks. This method is a widely accepted method in Florida for hurricane proof construction due to its reasonable cost versus the strength that the material provides.

A slight deviation from CMU is AAC, which stands for Aerated Autoclaved Concrete. AAC is a lightweight aerated concrete that is also preformed in standard size blocks, that can be stacked in place, and then filled with steel reinforcement and grouted on-site. AAC is a building material that is relatively new in the US. AAC is gaining popularity because it is lightweight, energy efficient, and is relatively simple to cut and install. I have seen details from the suppliers showing threaded rod systems used inside the blocks, but I would not recommend this practice. Rebar designed to work with concrete should be used inside of the AAC units, and not threaded rods.

I believe that concrete, whether it be formed-in-place concrete or concrete masonry, has inherit strength benefits that will naturally resist hurricane force winds. In addition a concrete option will bring other benefits such as resistance to mold, fire, and termites, as well as energy efficiency. Any of these concrete options will likely be slightly more expensive than wood when evaluated based on initial cost. That being said, it should be noted that the cost over the life of the material, in addition to the up front cost should be considered. For example, a wood home typically costs more to insure than a concrete home. In addition, some states have tax deductions for using energy efficient materials such as AAC. Finally, you must place some value on the higher risk of a wooden home possibly not doing as well in a hurricane as a concrete home.

In making your decision of what material to use to build your hurricane proof home, you will likely compare cost, performance, and other factors. Do not merely assume that what everyone around you is doing will be sufficient for your home. Be aware that there are options to choose from, and it is important to consider which option is the best for your house and your preferences. Finally remember that price is important, but building a house improperly can cost you later.

By: Andy Rich

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Basement construction is something you have to carefully plan before executing. One mistake and you could end up with problems year after year, and you really wouldn’t want to have to deal with that and spend periodically for repairs. Let’s take a look at some important points to make your basement dreams come to life.

Organize Ahead

The current basements may have weight rooms and saunas, home entertainment centers, lap pools and dance floors, climate-controlled wine cellars, bars, bedrooms and baths. Think about what you really want and visualize. Imagine what your empty basement will look like once you’re done with it. You may then try to sketch out your concept, visit your basement, and visualize how you’re going to put together your ideas.

Be Practical

Now’s the time to consider the basics of basement construction. Make sure you know how to deal with the dampness, flooding, musty odors and mold. Hire an expert to establish the source of any water problems, including seasonal leakage, and ask for a solution. You may employ one or more sump pumps, with one run by a battery or generator lest a power outage. Utilize a dehumidified and employ appropriate ventilation. Moreover, consider installing other “necessities” such as water heater, furnace, wiring, heating/cooling systems, and so on. These should be highly accessible.

Get Creative

You are doing a cool basement construction project, not something that will look like every other basement out there. Don’t leave your flooring as cold concrete. You could easily install wood products to warm up the place. It’s as easy as tapping the floor pieces together over the concrete ground. Allow some light in by either adding windows or unique lighting fixtures. Observe other basement styles in your friend’s basement and with photos online / in magazines. See what clever ideas and concepts they have. Sometimes, simply visualizing is not enough to make your dream basement a reality.

Get Started With The Appropriate Materials

Getting the right materials for your basement construction project is extremely important. First of all, materials and labor expenses are generally what establishes a project’s overall cost. Don’t expect to have only basic materials if you’re planning on building a plush basement that nobody else in your neighborhood has. Common sense should be used here.

Get Clever

Your walls could have noticeable cracks. Consider using paint, murals, wallpaper or panels. In parts where the ceiling is lower due to plumbing, you cold employ built-in closets or features. There are many tricks to troubleshooting basement construction problems, such as employing vertical lines on the walls to create the illusion of height (for low-ceiling basements). To transform a cold basement to a warmer, more inviting one, use dimmed lights with a yellowish glow (rather than white fluorescent ones), area rugs (wall-to-wall carpets can create moisture issues), and warmer tones for wall paints and furniture fabric. Don’t forget the staircase-this is the first people will actually notice. So try to match the staircase with the overall design of your basement. Think about employing a French door so that you keep noise away but can still view what’s going on.

By: Casey Torren

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Discount construction equipment plays an important role in increasing the sale of construction equipment in the market. Discounts are one of the recent marketing practices introduced to increase the sale of construction equipment. Depending on the availability, the equipment can be purchased from any of the local stores, authorized dealers, or online stores.

Construction equipment includes lawn and garden tractors, riding and walk-behind mowers, gator utility vehicles, commercial mowing equipment, and compact utility tractors. Both light and heavy construction equipment are available at discount prices. Heavy construction equipment include cranes, bulldozers, well drilling machinery, cable plows, generators, loaders, earthmoving equipment, scrapers, draglines, rollers, and light towers. Used construction equipment is also available at discount prices.

There are a number of manufacturers producing a large selection of quality construction equipment at discount rates. Retail stores have clearance sales at certain times of the year and they clean-up old stocks to make room for fresh items. This is the best time to get quality construction equipment at exceptional prices. Some companies offer discounts while introducing new products. As a result they can gain publicity and attract customers. If you purchase construction equipment in wholesale, great discounts can be availed.

Discount rates vary as per the procedures and policies of each manufacturer. Due to the use of standard materials, there is an extensive improvement in the quality of construction equipment. Technological advance and severe price pressures have changed the selling pattern of these items.

The Internet is an ideal platform for finding the finest prices for discount construction equipments. Today, almost all companies have online shopping facilities for their construction equipment. Additionally, there are several websites that carry high quality discount construction equipment. Online stores are able to provide their products at discount prices because they do not have to pay monthly rent for store space like the department stores do. Most of them provide free shipping.

By: Kent Pinkerton

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A successful construction project is a mix of design talent and highly experienced building and construction techniques. Coupling an experienced design team with a knowledgeable builder is a definite formula for success. These two types of expertise create the dazzling new living concepts we see rising around us. They’re the result of a healthy combination of experience and innovation.

Architecture: Creative design and CAD magic at work

Best practice in the building industry is a series of well organized functional steps starting with creative design. Modern design, using computer assisted design, (CAD) ensures professional standards of work, attention to detail and high quality design which complies with building regulations and statutory approvals requirements.

Consultation: Getting it right on site

A site may contain a maze of issues, including drainage, soil quality, tree roots, clay, and other situations. All these things can be highly expensive if they affect the building work.

Having a detailed survey of the site (site contours and heights) is absolutely necessary prior to undertaking the design drawings as it may impact the type of design and construction undertaken. Having a geotechnical report (soil report) up front which identifies the type of material the building is to be founded on is absolutely necessary as it may impact the type of design and construction undertaken.

Design: Bringing your dreams to life

Architects and building designers can create your dream home in detail. Experienced builders and construction managers will tell you to stay focused on basics, like:

Be sure that both your designer and builder have experience undertaking the type of project you have in mind. Experience is all-important. Expert designers and builders are super-efficient, and can deal with the most demanding technical issues quickly and effectively. Have the builder work with the designer from the outset, from a cost perspective, so that the clients budget can be measured and met. This is critically important. Problems are found and solved before they happen, protecting your budget. Co-ordination of services drawings with the design drawings is crucial prior to starting construction. This ensures that the builder does not get held up during construction and there are no additional costs. A good services plan prevents “surprises” on site, like delays and problems fitting your water and power mains to your home because plans weren’t coordinated.

Building professionals do everything well

Having a clear and accurate construction programme (timeline) is absolutely necessary in ensuring all parties understand the project and the time frame involved. Delays and mistakes can demolish your budget. Top builders monitor timely progress of construction and cost controls.

The expert touch: High quality construction

Quality control calls for expert building construction management. Having professionals overseeing your building is your best defence against mistakes and problems. An expert builder will enforce your quality controls for you. They ensure that you get top standard construction work and don’t cut corners on plans. Expert builders are your guarantee of success.

By: Christopher Nield

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When you think of log cabin construction you could give some thought to what you will get out of this cabin after it is finished. For example, you might like the look of a rustic log cabin with a striking forest background. There is no other type of home that can give you the primitive beauty that you can get from a log cabin. Another plus is that there is uniqueness about a log cabin.

Any home can make you comfortable, but only a log cabin can give you that cozy warm feeling that comes from a dwelling such as this. Even when you are inside the logs on the inside of the cabin gives you a very warm feeling like no other place. To give you an idea of how different they are just imagine spending Christmas in a log cabin . it’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

The environment is another good reason to have a cabin constructed. The material for a log cabin can be salvaged from reclaimed and salvaged timber so you don’t need to feel guilty about cutting down the forest to build your home. These cabins are bio-degradable and after many years will rot away and return to the ground from which it came. They use less toxic materials so the environmental footprints are much less than other materials. You also have the option of using solar energy to supply all your electrical and heating needs for your home.

The construction of a log cabin can be cheaper than traditional houses in some cases. Where traditional homes cost on average $115.00 per square foot, a log cabin will cost around $90.00 per square foot. This will add up to savings not only on the square footage, but also on heating costs, as cabins tend to keep you warmer and takes less to heat.

By: Jim Poniente

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There are different building materials used for different climates. There are likewise building and construction materials which are considered as an all weather goods.

ROCKS, BRICKS

Rocks and bricks are solid materials which can withstand strong typhoons and tidal waves and tsunamis for houses near the open seas and oceans. In the northern part of the Philippines where it faces an open sea, an island is predominantly filled with houses built by rocks and resembles like an igloo. The rock materials serve as their protection from strong typhoons which may pass their island at any time of the year.

Bricks are also considered one of the sturdiest construction materials, which can be considered as an all weather proof building base. Known to have been made from clay, the brick’s solid nature is often used to protect homes from strong winds and rains. In ancient historical architectural designs, it often depicts a solid constructed structure made out of combination of bricks and stones. Take for example the ancient churches around the world which is still standing now and built ages ago, majority of its structure base are from rocks, stones and bricks.

HAYS, GRASSES AND NATURAL LEAVES

Believe it or not, most resorts in tropical countries, utilizes, hays, grasses and natural leaves as walls, roofs and shades. Due to its hot and warm climate, the use of natural leaves come in handy s as to attract more air inside the house. Unlike concrete building blocks which directly hinder air to get through the roofs and walls of house structures, the use of natural big leaves, allows the air to sip through and thus an ambience of coolness is created. Due to the softness in nature of these materials, these are often supported by hard wood, metals and steels and concrete cements to enforce strength for protection.

HARD METALS, STEELS AND ALUMINUMS

Metals, steels and aluminum are likewise hard elements which are used in roofing for an all-weather condition. These are usually used in roofings, trusses and casement windows. Most often, these materials are used for insulating any home for extreme weather conditions, such as extreme heat during summer and extreme coldness during winters. At the same time these materials are often seen as having the best security feature when used as a construction base, because its hard to break, cut and mutilate. Thus, aside from being all weather materials, they are also materials for security and safety.

REINFORCING BARS AND CONCRETE SLABS

Homes are protected spaces for individuals from harm – be it from natural calamities and disasters or from man-made situations. Either of the two, your homes must be properly built to wither all weather conditions. Thus the presence or utilization of deformed bars to reinforce concrete structures is needed to provide ample support to the main structures. Concrete slabs, on the other hand, are often used for floorings to support the weight of all objects, equipment and even individuals living under one roof. The concrete slabs serve as a protection from direct contact with the soil.

By: Flynna Sarah Molina

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