Robert Wolfe Construction Content

Commercial buildings in the Gulf Coast face environmental challenges that can affect their design, construction, and performance. From hurricanes and wind-driven rain to humidity, flooding, and the salinity of coastal air, the climate in this region calls for a different building design than in many inland locations. For business owners, developers, and real estate investors, these circumstances affect much more than the appearance of properties. They affect structural reliability, operating expenses, maintenance costs, regulatory compliance, tenant safety, and long-term property value, making it crucial to understand these factors early in the planning stage. Designing Commercial Buildings to Withstand Hurricane Winds Hurricane-force winds may be among the top factors to consider in any Gulf Coast construction project. Winds can create strong forces that affect roof components, exterior walls, openings, windows, and the overall connections within a structure. If one component is...