Across the country, 2017 was a harsh year for homes. Mother Nature unleashed her fury in myriad ways as hurricanes rocked the Gulf Coast and forest fires burned through California. While many in South Florida have grown accustomed to the seasonal storms, people in other afflicted areas often had no idea of how to cope with such events.
This proved especially true in the Houston area, as Harvey became the first major hurricane to hit Texas since 2008. The University of Wisconsin’s Space Science and Engineering center called the flooding from Harvey a “one-in-a-1,000-year flood.”
All told, 2017 accounted for the most expensive hurricane season on record, as hurricanes Harvey, Nate, Irma, and Maria racked up more than $200 billion in damages, according to Bloomberg.
Fires across California proved just as record breaking; the $9 billion generated from insurance claims marks the costliest wildfires in U.S. history. The Thomas Fire was especially perilous—it was the largest fire ever to be recorded in the state.
To limit damage from these unpredictable storms, there are a number of new products designed for resilience.
NanaWall Systems unveiled its SL73 folding glass wall system. The firm says it is one of the industry’s toughest hurricane-resistant folding systems and is designed to “meet and exceed” Miami-Dade AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association) certification requirements. The SL73 is tested to prevent water, wind, and debris from entering the building up to 15 stories.
Sky-Frame debuted its new Hurricane-Rated Glass and Corner Module at the International Builders’ Show. Sky-Frame says its frameless sliding window and door system is rated for hurricane impact according to Florida’s Dade County benchmark standards. The system also features an electric drive and an insect screen that’s integrated into the frame and fully retracts out of sight when not in use. The system also has tear-resistant tension cords made of Vectran fiber, which Sky-Frame says guarantees maximum stability and weather resistance.
MI Windows and Doors released its new aluminum 100 series sliding glass door. The door comes with the firm’s StormArmor impact-resistant package, which the firm says provides maximum protection against severe storms and extreme weather conditions. The door is tested under AAMA criteria and can withstand projectiles traveling in excess of 35 mph. MI also says every StormArmor-enhanced unit comes standard with Cardinal LoE-366 glass and Preserve film, which provides protection from dust, debris, and scratches. The 100 Series Door comes in white, bronze, and clay. It can be configured up to 16 feet wide by 8 feet tall.
Boise Cascade’s AJS 24 FMJ I-Joist features a foil-faced insulation board, which the firm says is a critical component for passing the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E119 fire test required to establish equivalency to dimensional-lumber joists. The joists have also been tested independently and meet International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) acceptance criteria for fire protection of residential floors. Boise says the joists arrive ready for installation on the jobsite and are designed without a specific top or bottom orientation to help assure correct framing.
DaVinci Roofscapes says its composite roofing tiles outperform both natural slate and cedar shakes when it comes to resiliency. The firm says its tiles have a Class A Fire Rating, Class 4 Impact Rating, and a 110-mph wind rating. The tiles are one inch thick and 12 inches wide and seek to provide an authentic replica of real cedar shakes. The company says composite tiles are more resistant than wood to cracking, fading, mold, algae, fungus, insects, salt air, and sea spray. DaVinci says they can be installed in HVHZ zones requiring minimum wind velocity (three-second gust) of 150 mph.
Winco Window introduced the latest version of its 3250 Steel Replica Windows, which the company says are capable of withstanding up to 200-mph hurricane winds. Winco says the product is designed for coastal areas and is ideal for historic projects that want to reflect the architectural integrity of traditional buildings. The windows are hurricane-impact tested to meet AAMA Certification, Missile E and Missile D, and ASTM E1886/E1996 enhanced protection of wind zone 4 requirements for hurricane winds up to 90-psf design pressures. Winco says these windows are manufactured with heavy aluminum frames, which make them a competitive alternative to real steel windows at a 30% to 40% cost reduction.
Sierra Pacific is releasing a host of resilient products in 2018. New this year will be the FeelSafe BiFold Door (available spring 2018), FeelSafe Push Out Casement (available later this year), and the FeelSafe Aspen Casement (in development). Sierra Pacific says each product will be impact-resistant and able to withstand Zone III or IV hurricane-force wind and water damage. The company’s H3 FeelSafe platform, which also includes Double Hung Windows, uses its patented Fusion Technology. Sierra Pacific says this integrates extruded aluminum, vinyl, and solid wood, which results in improved energy efficiency and performance.
Kolbe Windows released its High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ)-approved Ultra Series of beveled direct set windows and doors at the 2018 International Builders’ Show. These units come in both single-glazed and insulated versions, as well as steel-reinforced and non-reinforced mulls. The Ultra Series also has IPD4 impact certification. Kolbe says its products improve air, water, and structural ratings without the need for unsightly brackets or visible rods to hold the sash in place.
