Paul Beers, owner of Glazing Consultants International, which specializes in protecting the building envelope, has opened a new office in Biloxi, Miss., a town ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina less than two years ago. “Building efforts along the Gulf Coast are at a critical turning point, and the opportunities for new construction are tremendous,” he said. “Housing and infrastructure restoration is gaining momentum, and thanks to the recent adoptions of hurricane-resistant building codes in the Gulf region, a much safer coastline is emerging. When we’re hired to develop a cost-effective, retrofit hurricane protection solution for a building owner, or hired to consult on codes and standards for a building project, it’s gratifying to know that steps have been taken to ensure a certain level of protection for the residents in these communities.” 

Beers is not alone. As cities in the Gulf Coast region continue to rebuild their business districts and neighborhood communities, architects, developers, engineers and others are jumping on the opportunity bandwagon—taking on various roles as problem solvers and problem preventers.

Reminders of Katrina Linger 
Still, with experts forecasting a very active hurricane season for the U.S. and reminders of Hurricane Katrina still evident throughout the region, many coastal residents are wondering whether or not their homes and communities are really better prepared to weather a storm. The news is good, according to Nanette Lockwood, director of legislative affairs for Solutia Inc., which supplies polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers used in laminated glass for architectural glazing applications. “Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were the only three states on the U.S. hurricane coast (Texas to Massachusetts) that hadn’t adopted statewide minimum building codes requiring hurricane resistance.” She notes that building code changes in these states now require storm protection on glazing units, either with impact-resistant glass or shutters. “Legislative activity in the Gulf Coast region has resulted in positive steps forward to address catastrophic risks from windstorms. Awareness of the benefits of high-performance laminated glass and other hurricane mitigation techniques has sky-rocketed.” 

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Solutia’s Saflex division sponsored and completed one of the first studies of its damage. The study found that a staggering 75 percent of devastation inflicted by Katrina could have been prevented by the use of hurricane-mitigation building techniques.  The study also showed that window protection in advance of a hurricane is one of the most critical ways to protect a building. During a hurricane, windows are the most vulnerable part of a house. When a window is shattered by the force of wind or by flying debris, wind and water get inside the house and wreak havoc. The destruction can range from major water damage to total structural collapse.

Despite her optimism that steps are being taken to build a safer Gulf Coast, Lockwood points out a grim statistic. “Katrina could have been much worse. Studies show that if Katrina had landed 40 miles west, in a more densely populated residential area, six times as many homes could have been destroyed.” Reports like this only add urgency to the rebuilding efforts along the Gulf.

What Has Changed?
Shortly after Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast region of the U.S., Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour announced the formation of the Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. Its mission? To develop a broad vision that would give local Gulf leaders access to ideas and information to help them decide what their region would look like five, 10 or even 30 years down the road. Though only 21 months have passed since Katrina made landfall, plans highlighting local architectural style, integrated community design and hurricane-resistant structures have already emerged, leaving the region ripe for rebuilding opportunities. 

Doug Marek, a manufacturer’s representative for the glass fabricator Viracon, is optimistic about the future of the Gulf Coast. “The climate is changing along the Gulf and all signs point towards the emergence of bigger, better and safer buildings,” he said. “In New Orleans, large condominium complexes and mixed-used developments are on the boards. It’s a slow process, but the trigger is ready to be pulled. As building occupancies increase so will construction.” 

The most recent “Katrina Index,” a monthly report that relies on dozens of economic and construction indicators to track the recovery process in New Orleans and the surrounding metro area, shows improvement in the region’s economic recovery. Compiled by the Greater New Orleans Data Center and the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program in Washington, D.C., the May Katrina Index reported the housing market is stronger, with greater home sales and housing rehab activity. This increased activity has boosted the demand for impact-resistant glass in residential homes. “Fortunately, the demand is not limited to residential buildings,” said Lockwood. “Building code reform has also reached the commercial structures being rebuilt along the Gulf Coast.”

Ken del Corral agrees with Lockwood. A Gulf South salesman for NuAir Manufacturing, in Florida, del Corral recently retrofitted two homes in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. “Right now, most of the rebuilding efforts are focused on retrofitting commercial buildings, but the residential rebuilding landscape is about to explode. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity here, and it’s going to last for the next 10 to12 years,” he said.

Building Codes: Status Report
Everyone is looking at the next opportunity for growth and, fortunately, the news is good for the glazing industry. An independent report published by Ducker Worldwide estimates that hurricane-resistant glazing makes up over 23 percent of the laminated glazing market in North America. Furthermore, the report concludes that 60 percent of the growth in the U.S. laminated glazing market will be due to hurricane resistant glazing over the next several years. According to economic forecasts and market trend research, use of impact-resistant glass window and door systems is expected to increase exponentially over the next four years, as consumers, architects and builders continue to accept and understand its benefits. 

“As new building codes become effective and federal measures are enacted, it is essential to understand state building codes and standards to ensure compliance,” said Lockwood. “The new building codes have opened the door for architects, builders and anyone in the glazing industry who wants to be involved in rebuilding a Gulf Coast region that is better than ever.” 

There has been some recent noteworthy legislation.

In Louisiana, statewide mandatory minimum codes have been adopted and are currently being enforced. Although recent attempts to repeal the codes have been extensive, it appears efforts to defend them have been successful. Two new bills have been introduced in the Louisiana House and Senate that, if enacted, will greatly benefit the rebuilding efforts in the state. 

The proposed Senate Bill (SB) 37 grants an exclusion from state sales and use taxes for the sale, purchase, or use of any materials and products manufactured, rated, and marketed specifically to prevent window damage from storms. House Bill (HB) 152 proposes a state sales tax refund to business owners for purchases of tangible personal property to replace, repair, improve, or rebuild damaged or destroyed businesses in Hurricane Katrina or Rita disaster areas. 

In Mississippi, legislation was passed that required five of the six coastal counties to build to hurricane-resistant building codes. The legislation also set up an optional state code for the rest of the state. Efforts to make building codes statewide are on-going. 

Most recently, Governor Barbour signed HB 753, which allows for a cost-benefit wind hazard mitigation construction study that will help bring focus to laminated glass and its benefits. Additionally, the bill establishes a comprehensive hurricane damage mitigation program that offers grants encouraging residential owners to retrofit their properties to make them less vulnerable to hurricane damage.

Alabama building codes have been challenging. A lack of consensus stalled any substantive building code reform in 2006. However, in May 2007, HB 526 successfully passed the House of Representatives and is now awaiting approval in the Senate. A major provision of this bill provides that all areas enforcing codes be required to adopt and enforce the 2003 or 2006 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). 

Although Florida has had strong building codes since 2001, legislation was already in place that blocked the enforcement of opening protection in the Panhandle. As of January 25, 2007, that exemption has been successfully removed, opening up a significant market in one of the fastest-developing coastlines in the U.S. 

Earlier this year, significant efforts were required in South Carolina to fend off proposed amendments weakening the 2006 IRC, and in May HB 3820 was introduced that would provide homeowners with incentives to retrofit their homes with opening protection. The proposed bill would mandate insurance credits for opening protection and other mitigation techniques. 

The consulting team at Glazing Consultants is already gearing up for this year’s expected busy hurricane season. Like many others in the industry, Beers hopes that his company will be able to help prevent devastation before it happens. “The glazing industry has the tools and technology it needs to help mitigate damage,” said Beers. “As building codes improve, so does the opportunity to build better structures. And that is good news for everyone.” 

Gulf View Resort Rebuilding 
Situated on the Florida waterfront in Clearwater, Gulf View Resort attracts visitors with its sandy beach and tremendous Gulf of Mexico seascape. To maximize the views, units feature expansive windows. However, given recent storm experience, the owner also recognized the need for tough, reliable hurricane protection. That’s why, when it came time to replace the resort’s glazed openings, impact-resistant glass windows and doors were installed.

The Gulf View Resort consists of two towers–a nine-story and a seven-story building—each with suites and single rooms overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Not only did NuAir retrofit sliding glass doors and fixed windows, but it also installed new fixed glass lites on either side of air conditioning units under the main windows in each room. The openings were fitted with monolithic impact glass with a bronze tint to enhance energy performance. The company also installed a massive 9 x 18-foot palladium window on the seven-story tower. 

“After the round of hurricanes we had a few years ago, we’ve had more owners and architects than ever inquiring about impact glass,” said Mark Cohen, sales representative for NuAir Manufacturing. “Home and business owners are seeking the proven round-the-clock passive protection impact-resistant glass provides without the hassles of shutters or screens. For ease, convenience and tough hurricane protection, it doesn’t get much better than impact-resistant glass.”

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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