Building for events

[Bill Robinson]

Déjà vu or whatever.
In my travels around the Home Depot Nation I have been promoting building to events, floods, storms and the like.
This based on my experiences in Louisiana after storms: Katrina, Rita, Ike...... Most recently Isaac.
Just yesterday (Thursday Oct 25) I was in Totowa NJ and two days before that in East Haven CT. The mantra is build to events, not just to the day-to-day.
On the Weather Channel this morning residents in those areas are steeling for Sandy, Déjà vu.
There are several good resources for building event-damage- resistant homes.
We were talking about that yesterday and in the coming days I hope to point out some of the event-resistant construction details.
http://bit.ly/UM11Le

[m beezo]

Bill,
one of the things that I was aware of when I was more involved in New Orleans was the houses being rebuilt versus torn down and replaced. I know that there was a Katrina Cottage that was set up as a package deal to build homes in the New Orleans area and maybe other areas also. Not sure if it took off or not but they had several sets of plans that could be a starter home and then additional rooms added later.

And then I saw some guys on some home show that were doing shipping contianer homes for quick turn around times. And I beleive the last page of JLC had some prefab homes in Alaska. Getting a home for someone asap seems to be one of the biggest challenges for places hard hit especially if you want to encourage folks to stay around and help rebuild the community.

Is that the type of stuff you are talking about? I know that you have to have a plan and cannot just pull this off at the last moment but I think there has to be some way to get folks back in their homes a little sooner than has happened at least in NOLA.

[Bill Robinson]

Beezo,

I am thinking that there are a couple of approaches.
Replacement is certainly an option and the ones you have mentioned are interesting.In some cases this is the most practical method.

In fact, I was on the committe that came up with this

My focus is on rebuilding existing whenever possible.

Certainly having a plan is helpful.
The biggest mistake is running down to the big box store and buying a bunch of paper faced drywall to replace the damaged stuff you just pulled out.

Maybe this, or an equal instead.

THe patent is expired now so there are several manufacturers of glass-faced drywall.

[Ted S.]

I remember when Densglass Gold was the only option for "glass mat" gypsum sheathing, they had the market cornered. Now today, every other manufacturer has a similar product. I heard it was a patent issue.

The issue is however, it is not as smooth as paper. It is rougher, you can see the glass fibers.

So my question is, how do you finish this product? Is there now a "finish grade"?

[Bill Robinson]

Level 5 finish.

[Ted S.]

It looks like the DensArmor Plus can be taped and finished like drywall, although they say to abut traditional paper faced GWB at corners and transitions, so there must be a slight difference in finish. However it does appear glass mat GWB for interior finish is readily available.

[MarkMc]

Some other thoughts on the subject.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...307268526.html

[Bill Robinson]

Not really sure if thisis political but I am sure it will be noted if it is.


That said, it poses an interesting question, rebuild or relocate?

I am obviously in favor of preserving our families, communities, cities and country by adapting to changing conditions.

[Bill Robinson]

It looks like the DensArmor Plus can be taped and finished like drywall, although they say to abut traditional paper faced GWB at corners and transitions, so there must be a slight difference in finish. However it does appear glass mat GWB for interior finish is readily available.

Unfortunately Ted it is not as widely used as I would like due to distribution and availability.

It is not usually available in the big box stores.

To find it one must go to specialty contractor stores.
The ones the pros use.

It does want a level five finish in most cases.

[m beezo]

Bill, I was thinking along those lines and wondering how long before we hear that folks should not be allowed to rebuild along the coast. Or anywhere that that much water could come along and destroy something. I remember the outcry about not rebuilding NOLA and am glad they did not listen to it.

[Ted S.]

I would be concerned the insurance companies play a role in that. I bet they are looking at this issue and wondering just how exposed they really are.

[Kevin Stricker]

That said, it poses an interesting question, rebuild or relocate?

Relocation is generally not an option if you want your insurance check. Few policies allow you to rebuild in other than the original site unless the foundation is destroyed. Something to consider before buying property in a disaster prone area.

[Bill Robinson]

Ted, this is not the first go round for the insurance companies in these circumstances.

They are all about managing risk and in most cases proactively.

Interestingly I understand their busiest years are not necessarily centered around major events like katrina, Irene, sandy and Joplin.

But in other local storms, ones we may not hear about in the national news. Hail, local flooding, fire and of course earthquakes. Not to mention the errant trucks on deadman curve.

There are already in place several hazard resistant building practice in place. Now it depends if the local jurisdictions will promote this.

And of course insurance rates will rise dramatically for non-hardened structures.