By Anne Balogh
Market: Whether living in quaint cottages or sprawling estates, homeowners all along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts share one common concern: Every year, from the months of June through November, their homes might be in the direct path of a nasty hurricane. Indeed, after the devastating 2005 hurricane season–one of the worst in U.S. history–this is no small threat. Yet residential developments along coastal areas still flourish, as homeowners choose to adapt rather than abandon their beachfront havens.
Strategy: A new generation of storm-resistant building products, many of which were on display at the 2006 International Builders' Show, is enabling builders and remodelers to ease the anxiety of seaside residents. "Coastal builders need to go the extra mile to make absolutely certain our homes can stand up to anything Mother Nature throws at them," says Bill Burris of Burris & Straus Beach Developers.
His firm did just that during the construction of 20 townhomes and 18 single-family homes at The Bay Club of Beach Haven in Long Island Beach, N.J. The picturesque cottage-style residences provide sweeping views of the water and New Jersey sand dunes, yet are stalwart enough to withstand hurricane-force winds.
"We've done more than just select products that are code-compliant for coastal areas," Bill explains. "We've taken the extra step to make certain we selected top-of-the-line building products that will offer our residents long-term security, low maintenance and peace of mind."
Remodeler Scott McCartney of 1st Choice Home Improvements, Pensacola, Fla., agrees about the importance of window selection–both for protection and aesthetics. For coastal homeowners looking to replace existing windows, the option to eliminate unsightly shutters is also a big selling point, says Scott. "Homeowners are tired of looking at them," he contends. "Plus they like the energy savings from the insulated double-pane glass."
Product of choice: Accordingly, Burris & Straus installed StormBreaker Plus impact-resistant windows from Simonton Windows in all Beach Haven homes. Likewise, Scott's remodeling firm has been installing StormBreaker Plus windows for about three years, mostly for customers who live within a mile of the coast, where Florida building codes require the installation of impact-resistant windows and doors. Although the windows cost 50 to 75 percent more than a standard double-pane window, according to Scott, he anticipates growing demand for them as more homeowners learn about the benefits.
"Building professionals know that selecting sturdy windows is a key factor in safeguarding a home during a severe storm," says Bill Lazor, senior product manager for Simonton. "When glass breaks in regular windows, strong winds and rain can enter a house and literally cause the roof to blow off. A heavy invisible plastic interlayer sandwiched between the panes of glass in the StormBreaker Plus window literally prevents the puncturing of the glass from flying debris. This means the envelope of the house remains secure, greatly reducing damage done inside the home. Best of all, these windows never need to be boarded up or shuttered."
The StormBreaker Plus line meets or exceeds the windborne debris standards of the Southern Building Code Congress International, ASTM, and the Texas Department of Insurance. More recently, they passed the ultimate challenge by receiving Dade County, Fla., building code approval.
Bill maintains that the windows' combination of impact resistance, energy efficiency and aesthetics has helped make the Beach Haven project a winner. "We selected these windows to make it easier for our homeowners to enjoy their chosen lifestyle rather than worry about the potential for severe storms and continual upkeep of their homes."
| 
)
)
