Florida hurricane building guides
24 guides for builders who build strong.
Plain-English help on ICF, composite rebar, impact glass, flashing, wind zones, product approvals and coastal building in Florida.
- 5 topics
- Free to read
Takeoffs. Approvals. Delivery.
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Building Basics
What ICF, composite rebar, impact glass and liquid applied flashing are, in plain English.
Building BasicsWhat Is ICF? Insulated Concrete Forms ExplainedA plain-English look at how insulated concrete forms work and why Florida builders use them.2 min read 
Building BasicsICF vs Wood Frame vs Concrete Block in FloridaThree common wall systems compared on strength, insulation, speed and what each needs to succeed.2 min read 
Building BasicsHow an ICF Wall Goes Up, Step by StepFrom footing to finished pour: what happens on an ICF jobsite and where crews need to pay attention.2 min read 
Building BasicsWhat Is Fiberglass Composite (GFRP) Rebar?How glass fiber reinforced polymer bars work, how they differ from steel and where they make sense.2 min read 
Building BasicsImpact Windows and Doors ExplainedWhat laminated impact glass is, how it is tested and what the labels and ratings mean.2 min read 
Building BasicsHow Liquid Applied Flashing WorksA seamless membrane for openings, joints and walls: what it is, where it goes and what to watch for.2 min read Hurricane Strength
Florida wind zones, the building code, opening protection and safe rooms.
Hurricane StrengthFlorida Wind Zones and Building Code BasicsHow the Florida Building Code treats wind, what a wind-borne debris region is and why Miami-Dade and Broward are different.2 min read 
Hurricane StrengthHow Hurricanes Damage Buildings: Roofs, Openings and WallsThe usual failure points in a storm and what builders can do about each one.2 min read 
Hurricane StrengthWind-Borne Debris and Opening ProtectionWhy every opening needs protection in coastal Florida and what your options are.2 min read 
Hurricane StrengthSafe Rooms and Storm Shelters: What Builders Should KnowHow safe rooms are designed to national standards and why ICF is a common choice.2 min read 
Hurricane StrengthThe Hurricane-Ready Envelope as a SystemWalls, openings, flashing, roof and foundation work together, and the weakest one decides the result.2 min read Plan and Order
Product approvals, takeoffs, delivery and what to ask your supplier.
Plan and OrderProduct Approvals and Miami-Dade NOAs: How to Read ThemWhat the numbers and tables in a product approval mean and how to match them to your opening.2 min read 
Plan and OrderMaterial Takeoffs: What to Send Your SupplierHow to get an accurate list of forms, bars, openings and flashing from your drawings.2 min read 
Plan and OrderOrdering, Staging and Delivery for Florida JobsitesA checklist for getting material to the site on time, in order and in good shape.2 min read 
Plan and OrderQuestions to Ask Your Building Material SupplierTwelve practical questions that separate a reliable supplier from a risky one.2 min read 
Plan and OrderPlanning an ICF Home with Your Architect and EngineerWhat to decide early so ICF walls, openings and floors fit together.2 min read 
Plan and OrderCoordinating Trades Around ICF WallsHow electricians, plumbers, drywallers and finishers work with insulated concrete form walls.2 min read Coastal and Marine
Corrosion, seawalls, flood zones and salt air.
Coastal and MarineWhy Steel Rebar Corrodes Near the CoastHow salt and moisture reach steel inside concrete and why that shortens the life of coastal structures.2 min read 
Coastal and MarineBuilding Seawalls, Docks and Pools with GFRPWhere non-corroding composite reinforcement makes the most sense around Florida water.2 min read 
Coastal and MarineFlood Zones and Elevated Coastal HomesWhat FEMA flood zones mean for a new coastal build, and how elevation and wind work together.2 min read 
Coastal and MarineSalt Air, Sun and Humidity: Choosing Materials for FloridaHow the Florida climate wears on materials and how to pick ones that fit.2 min read Finish and Protect
Flashing details and stain removal that protects the finished exterior.
Finish and ProtectWhat Is CitraShield? Stain Removal Without Pressure WashingHow a biodegradable, no-rinse treatment lifts algae and mildew stains and what to expect afterward.2 min read 
Finish and ProtectWhy Roofs and Walls Stain in FloridaThe algae, mold and mildew behind black streaks and green film, and why Florida is ideal for them.2 min read 
Finish and ProtectFlashing Details at Windows and DoorsThe order of work around a rough opening: sill first, jambs next, head last, all lapped like shingles.2 min read Put the guides to work.
Project MatcherType what you are building in plain words and see which PowerHouse brands and services fit, then ask for a quote.Open the tool ICF Wall EstimatorEnter wall length, height and openings to estimate form blocks and concrete volume, then send the numbers with your quote request.Open the tool Hurricane Season CalendarA month-by-month list of builder planning steps around Florida hurricane season, with the service that helps.Open the tool Quote Prep ChecklistPick your project type and get a tailored checklist of what to send, so the takeoff and quote are fast and accurate.Open the tool Build Sequence PlannerSee the order of materials and trades for a coastal home, a multifamily build, a commercial building or a seawall, with the…Open the tool