Aug 24 2007
On the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County Texas, Crown Team Texas is constructing hurricane resistant homes that are certified by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (I.B.H.S.).
The Institute for Business & Home Safety started the "Fortified... for safer living" program in 2000. It combines strict building guidelines with a rigorous inspection process. It also provides home certifications that builders can advertise and home buyers can use to request insurance discounts.
They are built to withstand hurricane winds as well as the most severe flooding, says Jim Hayes, the managing principal. "I was inspired by Alys Beach, and we decided to build subdivisions based off those standards," Hayes said.
The insurance industry is a major force behind efforts to build super-strong houses. Fortified homes such as those at Alys Beach and Audubon Village are being constructed to new standards set by the I.B.H.S.
The full article is available at http://www.texasgulfcoastonline.com/HurricaneHomes and includes more information regarding specific communities currently offering these hurricane resistant homes and videos of the fortified construction process.