Florida company says new Styrofoam home construction can withstand Category 5 hurricanes
The new manufacturing facility in Kissimmee, Florida, is promoting new construction using Styrofoam as a way to build safer homes that can withstand the winds of Category 5 hurricanes.
Florida company claims new Styrofoam home construction can withstand Category 5 hurricanes
According to a report from FOX 35 in Orlando, a new manufacturing facility in Kissimmee, Florida, is promoting new construction using Styrofoam as a way to build safer homes that can withstand the winds of Category 5 hurricanes.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A new way to build safer and stronger homes is coming to Central Florida, and the material is something you might not expect – Styrofoam.
The Styrofoam building process has been widely used in Europe for over 40 years.
According to a report from FOX 35 in Orlando, a new manufacturing facility in Kissimmee, Florida, is promoting the construction as a way to build safer homes that can withstand the winds of Category 5 hurricanes.
A Florida company is claiming that new Styrofoam home construction can withstand Category 5 hurricanes.
(FOX 35 Orlando)
"These are called SCIP construction walls – they’re structural concrete insulated panels," said Ryan Skelly of Vero Building Systems. The Styrofoam pieces are 3D cut to any design and are used as insulation.
Mesh wiring is wrapped around it, then shotcrete is sprayed to create an impermeable concrete structure.
Annette Rubin, CEO of Vero Building Systems, said she wants to pave the way for better builds that can withstand Category 5 hurricanes.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON
A look back at Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian was a monstrous Category 4 hurricane with 150-mph winds when it first came ashore on Cayo Costa, Florida. About 90 minutes later, the hurricane made a second Florida landfall – this time just south of Punta Gorda with 145-mph winds. Hurricane Ian made its final landfall in South Carolina.
"It’s blast-proof, it’s bulletproof, up to 250-mph winds – I’ve seen it shot with a cannon at 60 mph, and it did not pierce the panel," Rubin said. She said her promise is to donate 10% of the profits to the community and to help rebuild homes destroyed by hurricanes to be more durable and resilient.
"The market is hungry for a better way to build structures. People are really sick of seeing the devastation," Rubin said.
The goal is to not only save lives when the next storm rolls through but to improve the quality of life. The homes are advertised as energy efficient and do not require any additional insulation. Construction can be completed in a matter of days, and the cost is competitive.
NEW TO FLORIDA? HERE'S A GUIDE TO HELP PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST HURRICANE SEASON
Hurricane hunter flies through Ian: Most turbulent ride I've been on
Nick Underwood, NOAA Hurricane Hunter Engineer, recalls traveling through the eye of Hurricane Ian in the Lockheed WP-3D Orion.
"We can build affordable housing at a price point that works for the builder and works for the consumer and keep that demographic of people safer. That’s what we’re about," Rubin said.
The demo house is viewable at the Vero Building Systems plant in Kissimmee. It was constructed in just three days.
The company can ship its pre-fabricated Styrofoam walls anywhere in the world. Their work in Central Florida has already begun with projects in Groveland, Haines City and an apartment complex in Hollywood, Florida.