Texas has 367 miles of coastline, and hurricanes have impacted the state throughout history. From the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 to Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Texans know the devastating power of these storms. ICF construction offers proven protection.
How Hurricanes Destroy Homes
Hurricanes attack homes in multiple ways:
- Wind pressure: Direct force on walls and roof
- Wind uplift: Suction that lifts roofs off
- Flying debris: Missiles traveling at 100+ mph
- Storm surge: Walls of water that crush and sweep away structures
- Flooding: Standing water that saturates and weakens materials
ICF addresses all of these threats.
ICF Hurricane Performance
Wind Resistance: ICF walls are rated to withstand 250+ mph winds—well beyond Category 5 hurricane intensity (157+ mph). The continuous concrete structure doesn't have the weak connections that fail in wood frame homes.
Debris Impact: FEMA tests show ICF walls resist impacts from 2x4 lumber traveling at over 100 mph. Wood frame walls are penetrated by the same debris.
Hurricane Katrina (2005): An ICF home on the Gulf Coast survived a 20-foot storm surge that reduced neighboring houses to bare foundations. The homeowners found their belongings still inside—wet but intact—while neighbors lost everything.
Storm Surge Resistance
Unlike wind, storm surge can't be outrun or hidden from. Water pressure is immense—a 10-foot surge creates approximately 5,000 pounds of force per linear foot of wall.
Wood frame walls simply can't withstand this force. ICF walls, with their reinforced concrete core and continuous foundation connection, can. Many ICF homes have survived surge events that destroyed everything around them.
Building Hurricane-Ready
A truly hurricane-resistant home requires more than just ICF walls:
- Hurricane straps: Connect roof structure to ICF walls
- Impact-resistant windows: Prevent envelope breach
- Reinforced garage doors: Often the first failure point
- Elevated construction: In flood-prone areas
- FORTIFIED certification: Third-party verification
Inland Hurricane Protection
You don't have to live on the coast to need hurricane protection. Hurricane remnants bring destructive winds and tornadoes far inland. Austin and Central Texas regularly experience severe weather from Gulf storms.
ICF provides tornado protection using the same principles that resist hurricanes.
Build Storm-Proof
Whether coastal or inland, we can help you design a home that stands up to Texas weather.
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