Episode 53: Episode 53 – Fortified Homes

The Florida Insurance Roundup from Lisa Miller & Associates

Why were some homes in Hurricanes Helene and Milton heavily damaged while others sustained little or no damage? Much of the answer lies with the building materials and techniques used in their construction.

Former Florida Deputy Insurance Commissioner Lisa Miller talks with a building science researcher, a building products manufacturer, and a developer whose homes survived unscathed from the hurricanes about how resilient construction can save money and insurance costs for both new and existing homes.

Show Notes (For full Show Notes, visit https://lisamillerassociates.com/episode-53-fortified-homes/)

Host Lisa Miller opened the discussion by highlighting the devastation caused by recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton, particularly in Florida. She emphasized the urgent need for homeowners to prepare their properties to withstand such disasters. “Everywhere I go in Florida, I see homes built with plywood and two-by-fours, and I affectionately say that these production homes are built with sticks. I don’t see how they withstand 150 mph winds,” said Miller, who is a disaster insurance and recovery expert. The focus of the episode is on using innovative building products and techniques to enhance the resilience of homes.

Fred Malik, Managing Director of the Fortified Program at the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), shared his expertise on building techniques and materials designed to minimize damage from natural disasters. He stressed the importance of rigorous building standards and inspections, noting that "you get what you inspect, not what you expect." Malik explained that homes built to the Fortified standard undergo thorough third-party inspections, ensuring that critical details are not overlooked. This certification process provides consumers with a way to differentiate between homes that may appear similar but have vastly different levels of resilience against severe weather.

Marshall Gobuty, Managing Director at Pearl Homes Developments, shares his firsthand experience with building resilient homes. He discusses his development, Hunter's Point in Cortez, Florida, which successfully withstood Hurricane Milton without any damage. Gobuty attributes this success to his innovative building practices, which include using a combination of block and poured concrete for foundations, as well as advanced insulation techniques that enhance the structural integrity of the homes.

Scott Lidberg, CEO of NEXGEN Building Products, introduced his company's innovative magnesium oxide-based building materials. He explained how these products can replace traditional materials like plywood and gypsum, offering superior resistance to impact, moisture, and fire.
(For full Show Notes, visit https://lisamillerassociates.com/episode-53-fortified-homes/)