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Securing Soffits
The eaves of a home can expose the structure to the ravages of wind-driven rain on two fronts: when soffits are blown out during a storm, and when winds of 90 mph or greater drive water through vented soffits. Effective December 2006, the Florida Building Code requires soffit systems to be able to withstand the same design pressures that are applied to windows. This change came about in part because of a recommendation by the Institute for Business & Home Safety's consultant Eric Stafford. Here, IBHS's Tim Reinhold and Bradenton, Fla., contractor Richard Reynolds take a look at the pilot tests of soffit performance that led to the FBC change and recommend what builders can do to prevent soffit failure and water intrusion in real-world situations. Read more
Wetlands Done Right
For coastal developers, the preservation of wetlands often seems like a hindrance to growth. But advances in the science of wetlands restoration and new environmental policy just may be able to find some common ground. Aaron Hoover looks at the issue of "compensatory mitigation" and the policy of "wetlands banking," as well as what it takes to make wetlands restoration a success. Read more
