Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

ignacio

Apr 27, 2006, 11:20 AM

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Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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Why are houses in the USA, built in tornado alley or hurricane coastal areas built of wood and cardboard, and flimsy sheet-metal trailers allowed as residences in these danger prone areas in the USA ?

Would construction costs be so much higher over there to build steel reinforced concrete housing, such as is done here in Mexico ?

Wouldn't insurance costs be much lower, if houses were built strong in the USA, and perhaps offset the costs and make them much safer ?

If this post belongs to 'construction forum' please move over there, I just thought that this is more of a general question and is NOT about construction in Mexico, but in the USA.

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Apr 27, 2006, 1:56 PM

Post #2 of 12 (4529 views)

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Re: [ignacio] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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Thomas Jefferson had prefabbed concrete houses for sale in the late 1800s, early 1900s. Weren't economically feasable to ship. Some NOB do build houses in this manner, but it's such a pain trying to comply with several different, outmoded, and varying codes and laws that the average person won't do it.

Besides, if this kind of construction was prevalent, Insurance companies wouldn't make money and it would put the construction companies and suppliers out of business possibly affecting the national economy. You know our priorities and policies up here. Planned obsolescense and just build anything good enough to last through the warranty period. The good old American way of life.

Besides, it just makes too much sense.
Getting older and still not down here.

(This post was edited by Ron Pickering W3FJW on Apr 27, 2006, 1:59 PM)

patricio_lintz

Apr 28, 2006, 11:45 AM

Post #3 of 12 (4481 views)

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Re: [ignacio] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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They used to build some houses that way in the states. I had a house which was built to the 200 mph wind standards which breifly existed in Florida in the 1970s.

It was concrete blocks with a poured concrete lintel holding it together at the top. It had cement tiles holding down the roof. The 1700 ft house cost $35,500. It sold for over $120,000 in the late 1980s. But my ex wife got the appreciation. :(

patricio_lintz

Apr 28, 2006, 11:47 AM

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Re: [ignacio] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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Also see The Jimmy Carter Prohect at:

www.tridpanel.com

Rolly / Moderator

Apr 28, 2006, 11:53 AM

Post #5 of 12 (4476 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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Pat, your link does not work.

Rolly Pirate

Bloviator

Apr 29, 2006, 5:09 AM

Post #6 of 12 (4444 views)

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Re: [ignacio] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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The sad part of it is that those who can least afford to replace damaged or destroyed housing are the ones who have no choice but to live in the flimsy prefab homes and - what a surprise - are wiped out by every hurricane or tornado that blasts through the South Atlantic/Gulf coast (hurricanes) or Middle West tornado alley.

Gringal

Apr 29, 2006, 1:13 PM

Post #7 of 12 (4414 views)

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Re: [ignacio] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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For your answer, consider a recent news story about the plumbers union in a major city opposing the installation of a new, efficient urinal in a large public project because there were fewer plumbing needs in the design.

patricio_lintz

May 1, 2006, 3:04 PM

Post #8 of 12 (4375 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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http://www.tridipanel.com/

~disasterproof homes ~The Jimmy Carter Project

Housing for Humanity built 14 homes which all made it through a direct hit by Hurricane Andrew.

mazgordon

May 28, 2006, 9:07 PM

Post #9 of 12 (4300 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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Sounds good! Is this product or similar available in México to your knowledge?

¡Echar todo la carne al asador!

patricio_lintz

May 30, 2006, 12:44 PM

Post #10 of 12 (4262 views)

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Re: [mazgordon] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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I built my house using RYMSA panel, and accessories. these are manufactured and sold from the factory in Guadalajara. They have an architect and an engineer on staff who willaid in yor construction project.

See my house www.flickr.com/potos/juan_patricio

See past posts on this forum. Search "panel"

Also consider the CONTEC block system.

Ron Pickering W3FJW

May 30, 2006, 1:12 PM

Post #11 of 12 (4259 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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Bad link to pix.
Getting older and still not down here.

(This post was edited by Ron Pickering W3FJW on May 30, 2006, 1:12 PM)

patricio_lintz

May 30, 2006, 1:41 PM

Post #12 of 12 (4255 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Tornado, Hurricane proof houses in USA

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try: www.flickr.com/photos/juan_patricio

that's: juan_patricio