Hurricane Simulator to Blow Real Houses Down

I can't help but wonder about this. On the one hand, it's a great idea to test the ability of buildings to withstand the elements. On the other hand, instead of spending so much money building the machine, why not use all the air produced by professional attention seekers like Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton instead? After all, they've got to be good for something at least, right?

Unfortunately that is 'hot air' ... hot air rises ... proving to be as useless as the sources of the 'hot air'

Almost ANY home built in the last 100 years can withstand 100-150mph winds for a while. The roof shingles may blow off or if its corrugated steel sheets some my fly off.

Houses get damaged seriously in hurricanes by the hundreds of mini twisters inside the hurricanes and the STORM SURGE.

Straight line winds just move the house around and may shear off some loose wood and roofing but the real terror comes when you hear that Boeing 747 trying to land in your front room and realize you are being hit by an imbedded twister.

No one is ever going to build a hurricane proof home.

But this is what 5 CAT 3-5 hurricanes and their damage have taught me over the years;

• Steel roofs with screw down lugs NOT nails
• Hurricane clips that hold the rafters in place instead of toe nailing
• Running your corner posts all the way to your attic (preferably steel I beams)
• 2x6 stud walls
• 3/4" plywood for attic floors (ceilings)
• 5/8" A/C plywood for roofs (particle board is supposed to work better but as your roof leaks over the years it rots and breaks up)
• stay away from Roof Ridge ventilator strips..........when they shear off, your ceiling becomes an instant water fall

....and most important........don't build your house on the coastline or in a flood zone below sea level...........

netmaker

Those almost-round homes built by a manufacturer in Asheville, N.C. stand up amazingly well to hurricanes. The octagonal/round shape doesn't present as large a surface for winds to push against. Plus, the floor and ceiling beams go to center which enables the back wall to help support the front. Clever, but not everyone wants to live in a round house ! ! !