Resisting the Elements: How New York Houses Resist Hurricanes

Your home in the United States is a typical American dream. In principle, almost anyone can afford such a dream. But how stable will it be? For example, can it withstand the onslaught of a tornado? Let's try to figure it out.

Wealthy Americans buy or build solid brick and stone homes. But, as statistics show, they are far from the majority. Ordinary people often have rather flimsy structures, in our opinion. They can be easily damaged under extreme circumstances, for example, hurricanes - frequent visitors to America. And some houses are completely frame, after a strong gust of wind they fold up like houses of cards. And this is in coastal areas, where natural elements are especially rampant. Are Americans so frivolous and do not understand what kind of dangerous housing they have built for themselves?

First, hurricanes mainly affect the southern states of the United States, where it is known to be warm and even hot all year round. Therefore, it makes no sense to create something solid in such areas. In addition, such light houses, if they fall apart under the onslaught of a tornado, will not cause serious harm to the tenants. But if destruction appears, say, in a brick house, then most likely, you cannot do without victims.

In addition, Americans are used to insuring everything, including, of course, housing. If their "house of cards" collapses, then they will receive the amount due for it. With this money, they will either repair the destroyed building. Or they may even move to another, safer area and build or buy new housing there.

But round houses, as it turned out, do not break and withstand hurricanes due to their design. Now engaged in such structures deltec homes... This private company was founded in 1955, the head passed away in 2017.

On the subject: 'It turned out like a house of cards': a three-story building collapsed in Brooklyn

As far as can be judged from the current website, round houses are still being built. In 2014, the company celebrated a kind of anniversary - its 5000th round house.

Such houses, according to the creators, are able to withstand even Category 5 hurricanes. They have already withstood the most powerful, destructive "Dorian" in the Bahamas with winds up to 300 kilometers per hour. The tropical element claimed the lives of several dozen people, 70 thousand lost their homes. And only the aerodynamic round houses were practically intact. Due to its roundness, the wind glides over the surface and is not able to make a devastating blow. In addition, the materials used are of high quality, and the outside of the house is covered with special paneling. The roofs, to match the style of the house, are gently sloping to withstand the hurricane and secured with special straps.

And the windows are completely high-tech - made of laminated glass with a synthetic inner sheet that resists destruction if suddenly an object falls into it. By the way, it is the windows that are the weakest point in the building. If the windows fly out under the onslaught of a tornado, then the gaping holes draw in the wind, which tears the house apart from the inside.

Why haven't round houses become mainstream in the coastal regions of the United States? One of the main reasons is probably because few people like their "non-classic" design. In addition, judging by the unique design and high quality materials used, they are significantly more expensive than frame houses of cards. Therefore, for someone it is better to have a house demolished after a hurricane and received insurance for it, which will allow you to start a new life - perhaps in a better place.