11/18/2021
One very important aspect of building in the flood plain is using flood-resistant materials. Although they cannot prevent flood damage as a whole, they can minimize the hardship of repairing and rebuilding after damage occurs by reducing the work to mere cleanups and cosmetic repairs. When it comes to materials, flooring options can include concrete, concrete tile, ceramic, clay, terrazzo, vinyl or rubber tiles.
For wall and roof materials, alternatives can include brick, concrete, concrete block, fiber cement siding panels, glass block, stone, ceramic and clay tile, and closed-cell foam insulation, among others. Fiberglass doors and PVC trim and finishes that are non-porous can also help minimize damage due to flooding.
In addition to flooding on the Cape & Islands and South Shore, we must also deal with the threat of hurricane-force winds. Massachusetts adopted the International Building Code several years ago. This legislation governs the design and construction of all buildings in the Commonwealth. As a result, homes must be able to withstand three-second gusts of winds up to 110 mph!
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There’s no secret that climate change is resulting in more severe weather, and consequently, more flooding—something we have become all too familiar with on Cape Cod and the South Shore. In order to adapt to these changing conditions, architects are designing homes with features to help prevent ...
