Toto, I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore . . .

One needs only to tune to their network news programs during the hurricane and tornado seasons to see what havoc natural weather disasters can reap on the typical American home. Witnessing the devastation of entire neighborhoods laid waste by these powerful forces of nature, we can only thank our higher source that we were not occupants of those flattened homes, and are not facing nights spent in emergency shelters, having lost most of our earthly possessions.

What solutions can new homebuilders offer, making structures safer when nature relentlessly poses risks such as these to our very existence? Wood framed construction, as is commonly employed in new home construction, generally cannot withstand the power and sheer intensity of the blows that can be landed by a freak tornado or angry hurricane. Granted, in many parts of the U.S. where weather concerns such as these are not warranted, homes constructed with wood and steel frames will continue to be the framing method of choice. But what can be done to rebuild areas such as those in Oklahoma and Florida after the past several years of rampant weather damage and prepare them for any sequels Mother nature has in store? The answer may be insulated concrete forms.

One of the largest manufacturers of ICFs is AAB Building System, Inc., of Ontario, Canada, which manufactures their trademarked and patented Blue Maxx Wallsystems. Blue Maxx is a structural expanded polystyrene building form made for cast-in-place concrete walls, that remains in place as an integral part of the building after the concrete has been poured. These forms are linked by polypropylene webs to create "form units." Once the walls are properly aligned, concrete is placed in the forms. The forms then provide insulation, air and vapor barriers, as well as the strapping surface for interior and exterior finishes. They resemble "Lego" building blocks and, with a simple 2-day training course provided by AAB, builders can quickly learn the proper construction techniques.

Systems such as this can be utilized for severely weather-prone areas when these forms are then reinforced with rhebar, making them virtually "bulletproof" to the elements. Entire office buildings and homes can become tornado and hurricane resistant using this method of construction; those wishing to retro-fit older structures can use the system for "safe" rooms within the building as well, offering a haven from destruction when disaster strikes. To quell skepticism, ICF manufacturers, as well as those providing the concrete for them have proof.

The Portland Cement Association of Skokie, Illinois provides a video demonstrating tests performed on conventionally built steel and wood framed houses, and then the same tests repeated with structures constructed of ICFs. In its remarkable footage, the video shows wall panels subjected to the impact of a 15-pound wood stud "missile" traveling at 109 miles per hour. The frame walls, some even faced with brick, failed to stop the airborne hazards, but the concrete walls successfully resisted the impact.

In 1995, the 14,000 square foot Palm Plaza shopping center in the Virgin Islands as in the eye of the storm when Hurricane Marilyn struck the island of St. John. Eight homes out of ten on the center's side of the island sustained extensive damage. The Hyatt Regency St. John, just down the street, was so battered that remained closed nearly two years later, and nothing was left of the building next door except the slab. But Palm Plaza built with ICF-type construction reinforced with steel rhebar, emerged from the devastation with barely a scratch.

"The use of insulated concrete forms is the main reason Palm Plaza escaped damage during Hurricane Marilyn as well as Hurricane Bertha ten months later," said developer Ed Hecht. In St. John, Hecht is now designing a $1 million custom home with this system for homeowners from hurricane-prone North Carolina.

Look at the 3,100 square foot house going up in St. Lucie, Florida, and you'd never know that beneath its ordinary exterior, it's a "hurricane house", with walls built to resist winds up to 150 miles per hour. In this case, the house is not really a home, but a teaching center showcasing building materials and techniques that should help keep a house together when a hurricane hits. This ICF wall system was installed in one week in this "hurricane house" - the first of five planned throughout the state. Part of the Residential Construction Mitigation Program, the Regional Windstorm Damage Training and Demonstration Centers were initiated by the Florida Department of Insurance to help state and local governments teach hurricane-resistant methods of construction. These sample dwellings illustrate the use of other helpful building products, such as impact resistant shutters, laminated glass, garage doors and roofing materials, in addition to demonstrating cutaway sections of walls and ceilings. They also offer models and classrooms to be used by visitors and state and local government trainers.

These wall systems have a number of added advantages, according to Chris Earl, an AAB spokesperson. "The Blue Maxx Wallsystem eases human impact on the natural environment by saving trees, creating durable, energy-efficient buildings and reducing waste, using recycled materials, " cites Earl. "Not one tree is destroyed in the production of this system, making it a prime building material choice in a world which continues to destroy an expanse of forest the size of Nepal every year." The product contains no chlorine and uses pentane, a simple hydrocarbon, as its blowing agent, virtually eliminating damage to the ozone layer. The wall system is designed to last as long as the building is occupied, which is geared to a 50-year period, but can be longer than a century.

AAB is one of 50 or so manufacturers of insulated concrete forms, a construction method quickly gaining acceptance and results throughout the U.S. Perhaps if systems such as these had been used on Dorothy's house in Kansas on that fateful day, we would never know the Land of Oz, and the wicked witch of the East would not have lost her ruby slippers when the house fell on her. Creating weather resistant homes are a huge priority in the building industry, however. And perhaps with the use of products and systems like the ICF method of construction, we can face tornado and hurricane seasons with less dread and more confidence after all.

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Published: June 25, 1999

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A veteran of the real estate and homebuilding industries since 1986, Dena Kouremetis first joined Realty Times as a new homes writer in 1998. Since then, she has authored four books, written consumer columns on new homes issues for websites and newspapers all across the country, contributed to builder trade magazines, appeared as a guest expert on several radio shows and even created a ten-chapter podcast for LendingTree.com’s homebuilder website, iNest.com, now available on iTunes, entitled Uncharted Waters; Navigating the Purchase of a New Production Home. Kouremetis recently joined her local Folsom, CA Coldwell Banker office as a broker associate while continuing to write for the real estate industry. For the past three years, she has been training real estate agents for both the resale and new homes industries, putting her experience, research expertise and gift of expression to work to help others entering the business.