Homes in the Links at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania were designed with high insulation levels to keep out drafts and withstand weather disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Photo / Washington Post
Homes in the Links at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania were designed with high insulation levels to keep out drafts and withstand weather disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Photo / Washington Post
A movement in the home-building industry in the United States to adapt to risks of climate change is gaining momentum, promising new houses that are tougher and more able to bounce back from extreme weather events.
Although much attention has focused on green building practices, resilient-design strategies take the concept of building efficiently a step further with a proactive approach to creating durable homes that can withstand almost anything Mother Nature throws at them.
Unusual weather patterns, such as January's historic blizzard on the United States' east coast and a rare tornado outbreak in late December in parts of the South and Midwest of the US, highlight the vulnerability of residential structures.
A 2014 climate change survey by Munich Reinsurance America, a major provider of property and casualty reinsurance, found that 63 per cent of Americans plan to fortify or have already fortified their homes to protect themselves from severe weather events. Forty-seven per cent would consider moving away from hazard-prone areas, and a similar portion have purchased or plan to buy an additional insurance policy, such as flood or earthquake insurance.
According to the Resilient Design Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Vermont, resilient design is "the intentional design of buildings, landscapes, communities and regions in order to respond to natural and man-made disasters and disturbances as well as long-term changes resulting from climate change, including sea-level rise, increased frequency of heat waves and regional drought."
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a resilient home - solutions vary from region to region. For example, siding could be formulated to be resistant to moisture and freeze-thaw in the North or for resisting hail and flying storm debris in the South.
High Performance Homes, a custom builder in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, has taken several steps to ensure its zero-energy homes are resilient to fluctuating weather patterns. The company was selected in 2015 by the US Department of Energy as a Housing Innovation Award winner.
Mike and Brenda Scyphers movedto the Links at Gettysburg about 10 months ago and were excited about the energy savings and structure of the homes. Photo / Washington Post
Kiere DeGrandchamp, president of High Performance Homes, said the structural insulated panels that encase his homes provide a superior wall assembly that can better tolerate the effects of extreme weather and resist damage from fire, mold and water.
Last year, Mike and Brenda Scyphers moved into their new home at the Links at Gettysburg, a High Performance golf course community in Pennsylvania.
"When we first came across the High Performance Homes and saw the construction techniques and the options available, we were very excited because of the energy savings and structure of the homes, and also because of the fact that they are much more positive in terms of the impact on the environment," Mike Scyphers said.
On a cold and windy day, they don't have to worry about air leakage in their home, thanks to high insulation levels and tight construction.
"We certainly don't have the draftiness in this house that we had in our old home," Scyphers said.
Concept homes showcasing the inherent advantages of resilience and sustainability offer a preview of the possibilities for building a home that can absorb and rapidly recover from a disruptive event.
Pardee Homes, a member of the TRI Pointe Group, is also building homes with durability in mind.
Klif Andrews, Pardee's Las Vegas division president, pointed out that in Nevada, this is accomplished with everything from sturdy exteriors of concrete and stucco to drought-resistant landscaping using high-efficiency irrigation.
Pardee's two concept homes, billed as Responsive Homes, debuted January 18 at the National Association of Home Builders' International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.
"We don't have wood details that are going to dry out, crack or age over time," Andrews said.
The garage of a home under construction at the Links at Gettysburg has traditional exterior walls with two-by-fours and insulated panels at the doorway. Photo / Washington Post
"These homes use net-zero electricity. They generate 100 per cent of their electricity needs through solar panels. They also have high-efficiency irrigation and drought-resistant landscaping. A lot of permeable surfaces allow rainwater to penetrate through to the ground rather than run off."
Smart sensors on the roofs can detect rain and communicate with the lawn's irrigation system to conserve water.
Richard Skorpenske, director of advocacy and sustainability at Covestro, formerly known as Bayer MaterialScience, was a member of the building and construction team for the 170-square-foot portable structure.
The building envelope enables the miniature home to withstand wind shear. Insulation inside and out adds strength and resilience to the walls, while solar shingles reduce dependence on a power grid. Plastic abounds in everything from decorative touches to pipes.
"Of course, the one obvious thing plastics bring is durability and long life of the product," Skorpenske said. "It can survive in elements and maintain functionality. . . . The trim does not rot. The vinyl siding will not deteriorate with sunlight or aging. The double-paned windows have plastic window frames. The plastic pipes don't corrode. A home is resilient when it doesn't have to depend on a grid for support. A resilient home is a home that can heal itself despite the weather, climate change or economic-stressor events."
A piece of the structurally insulated panel in one of the houses being built by High Performance Homes in Pennsylvania. Photo / Washington Post
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Robert Weitz, a former home builder and founder of RTK Environmental Group, an environmental testing firm that services the Northeast from Boston to the Washington area, has been working closely with builders to repair homes damaged by mold and construct new homes that are more resistant to climate change.
The need for resilient design is especially apparent to architects, who want their buildings to stand for generations.
Key considerations when building a resilient home:
• Build above ground to avoid water intrusion into the lower level and lessen potential radon infiltration.
• Make sure your builder uses a high-quality housewrap to protect against damaging wind and rain that can penetrate exterior siding.
• Use drywall panels that are specially treated to resist mold, mildew, moisture and fire.
• Incorporate proper building orientation and daylighting strategies to ensure natural light and comfortable interior temperatures during a power outage.
