Tornados! those beasts! question.. (Huntsville: home, tornadoes, floor)

[Yoo Shin]

How about factoring that newer homes are built a bit more stronger then in the past, mainly due to increasing building code standards? When my wife and I moved here 1 1/2 years ago, my Father advised to find a house that was a recent (5 years or newer) build and all brick, saying that the home will be better off then older/partial brick or wood homes.

It seems logical, but I don't know if there's really any truth to that or if that's jut another naive myth like "don't wear your seat belt, so you're thrown from the car away from the accident".

[cpg35223]

Well, basements aren't a guarantee, but they sure improve your odds. Seriously, if you take a direct hit from an F5, not much is going to help you. You just hope that dumb luck spares your life.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Yoo Shin

my Father advised to find a house that was a recent (5 years or newer) build and all brick

Aren't most homes that are "brick" really just wooden framed homes with a brick exterior? Is the brick exterior more for looks than for anything else?

How many homes are truly "all brick"?

[amsa526]

If no basement (with reinforced ceiling and in-ground) exists -I would invest in an in-ground shelter instead. They cost less than $6K - and can fit up to 6-8 people depending on the model. They can be camouflaged so they blend in the backyard.

[33458]

Originally Posted by Charles

Aren't most homes that are "brick" really just wooden framed homes with a brick exterior? Is the brick exterior more for looks than for anything else?

How many homes are truly "all brick"?

It's in the fine print...'all brick' should be brick, brick and block - solid but of varying density with a wood frame...well - according to my Architectural references...the old houses could be a few to several feet thick. Sigh. Of course, that's a nightmare when you want to redo the electicity or insulate...but great for storms.

That house we were cooing over in the DUMPS thread - the amazing find in Decatur...OLD but pristine. She is solid brick. (DUDE.)

New? Eh.

Houses that state 'brick', just 'brick' are probably veneer...yeah - wood frame with a thin layer of exterior brick. Not knowing for sure what's under that. AL does not spell that stuff out like FL does, requires much prodding.

I don't know what the ratio here is for cbs VS. wood frame construction...anybody?

P.S.
Quite the little fury today, no? Roll call?

Husband and Sweet Pea got in the car to drive to CRP for an egg hunt at school...I got online and saw a notification for closing, so called them back. Bummer. OK, they decided to go to the mall so she could run around a bit...then the siren goes off...I call, he's already turned around.

Husband is then standing on the porch, looking over the large hill next to us...and sees some circulation going over. The siren starts -again- and the TV starts chattering about Chapman mountain...would be what husband had just seen.

His Aunt is in Murfreesboro...need to call on her. Bad things there.

While none of us treat tornadoes lightly...the huff about wind strengths still proves us a bit jaded. Too conditioned to 50-70 MPH bursts during tropical storms to get so freaked out about 25-40...though as before, I remove or shelter anything that might otherwise take flight. Wind is wind.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by 33458

Quite the little fury today, no? Roll call?

I saw several cars parked under the overpasses on 565 around 215 this afternoon. There was rain and light hail. Maybe they were anticipating bigger hail like we all saw on the news?

[33458]

I only saw, maybe, quarter-sized chunks here...but yes, was impressed by what they showed during the broadcast...that stuff can trash your car.

I'm guessing that's why they were parked...no real good for any other reason.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Yoo Shin

will be better off then older/partial brick .

Like this:

[mm42]

Originally Posted by Yoo Shin

How about factoring that newer homes are built a bit more stronger then in the past, mainly due to increasing building code standards?

HAHAHA!

Newer homes are mostly built with poor quality materials compared to older homes. They use low-grade lumber and waferboard.

My previous house built in 1973 was way more solidly built than most of the tract homes being put up now.

Code has improved some things, like double-paned windows, electrical standards, etc.

You can buy a well-built new home, but you have to be choosy to do so. You can also buy a poorly-built older home. Both are "buyer beware" situations in Alabama, and you should not count on the building code to protect you from poor construction!

[mm42]

Originally Posted by 33458

I don't know what the ratio here is for cbs VS. wood frame construction...anybody?

I would guess the ratio in the range of 100:1-1000:1. i.e. almost all brick veneer.