5 ms·

I would start with using screws/bolts instead of nails holding the wood to the foundation. It takes a lot to pull that loose. The other problem is the roof bein

I would start with using screws/bolts instead of nails holding the wood to the foundation. It takes a lot to pull that loose. The other problem is the roof being lifted off from suction. I would bet that bolting it to the frame would stop a lot of that. With relatively minor changes like that, an ordinary wood frame house should be considerably stronger.

noir_lord 8y ago
All that stuff exists, you can get re-enforced roof and truss connections and hurricane ties to upgrade existing buildings. The issue is as always cost, people operate on a "why spend the money it may never happen" risk model generally and are averse to dealing with a problem til it punches them (personally) in the face, I mean this isn't new, as a species we don't deal with things until it gets to the brink. If you want a fascinating example of this in the general case read up on the Clean Air Act in the UK. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act_1956 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act_1956
- skookumchuck 8y ago
  That's why there's building codes. After all, I don't want the wreckage from your house smashing into mine.
burfog 8y ago
This has been the building code in Florida for a quarter century. Most people do better. Typical construction in Florida is concrete block. There is no "ordinary wood frame house" in Florida. That would be out of place. We have termites, but not concrete-eating termites. To me it feels like the houses are about 5% wood frame, 90% concrete block, and 5% solid poured concrete that could stop a truck tossed by a tornado.
- skookumchuck 8y ago
  If I was an architect, I'd be headed to Florida first to survey the damaged and undamaged and see what design elements worked and what failed. Then hang out my shingle to offer this expertise for the rebuild.
kwhitefoot 8y ago
That's how they do it on the west coast of Norway plus not having any overhangs, no or very small eaves.

noir_lord 8y ago

All that stuff exists, you can get re-enforced roof and truss connections and hurricane ties to upgrade existing buildings. The issue is as always cost, people operate on a "why spend the money it may never happen" risk model generally and are averse to dealing with a problem til it punches them (personally) in the face, I mean this isn't new, as a species we don't deal with things until it gets to the brink. If you want a fascinating example of this in the general case read up on the Clean Air Act in the UK. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act_1956 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act_1956

skookumchuck 8y ago
That's why there's building codes. After all, I don't want the wreckage from your house smashing into mine.

burfog 8y ago

This has been the building code in Florida for a quarter century. Most people do better. Typical construction in Florida is concrete block. There is no "ordinary wood frame house" in Florida. That would be out of place. We have termites, but not concrete-eating termites. To me it feels like the houses are about 5% wood frame, 90% concrete block, and 5% solid poured concrete that could stop a truck tossed by a tornado.

skookumchuck 8y ago
If I was an architect, I'd be headed to Florida first to survey the damaged and undamaged and see what design elements worked and what failed. Then hang out my shingle to offer this expertise for the rebuild.

kwhitefoot 8y ago

That's how they do it on the west coast of Norway plus not having any overhangs, no or very small eaves.