In the face of the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, residents of storm-prone areas need a peace of mind that their home is sturdy enough, and safe enough, to weather a big storm. Hailing from Asheville, N.C., a place hit by devastating hurricanes and floods several times in the past century, Deltec Homes offers a hurricane-resistant round home model that can help homeowners up their safety game and give them that peace of mind.
Founded in 1968, Deltec Homes has spent nearly 50 years building homes primarily in hurricane-prone areas, and has developed effective strategies to construct storm-proof homes. Deltec has constructed 5,000 homes since then, and hasn't lost a single one due to high winds, largely due to the unique design and shape of the home, quality of materials, and engineering methods, according to a company statement.
The iconic storm-resistant homes are intentionally constructed in a round shape so that wind blowing from any direction won’t build up enough pressure to cause a structural failure. With a 6/12 roof pitch, the homes do an excellent job deflecting winds, and are also less likely to be lifted off the ground in a storm. The circular structure's radial floor and roof trusses also disperse the energy built up by strong winds efficiently, and therefore reinforces the home’s strength in extreme weather.
Outside its unique design, Deltec Homes are also built with carefully selected materials. Composed of framing lumber that is twice as strong as typical materials, Deltec’s walls and trusses stay strong in the face of storm winds, and water-proofing is achieved by impact-glass reinforced windows. Clad with plywood sheathing, the home's exterior walls and roof add strength to the fundamental building structure and protect the home from flying debris.
Check out this video about Deltec's hurricane-resistant homes:
