Coastal Designs

Impacts of El Niño and La Niña on the hurricane seasons

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 14:11:00 +0000

With the approach of the hurricane season and the strong potential for El Niño to develop during the next few months, the effect that El Niño has on both the Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes seasons is worth exploring. The hurricane impacts of El Niño and its counterpart La Niña are like a see-saw between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, strengthening hurricane activity in one region while weakening it in the other. To see how the current season is developing, go to the National Weather Center Weather Prediction Center at > http://origin.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml

3 Must-Haves For Hurricane-Proof Designs

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:45:00 +0000

1- Durable Roofing:
A TPO membrane from provides strong resistance to tears, punctures, and impact damage. Installed over waterproof plywood sheathing, the white material also reflects sunlight to help keep the house cool.

2- Strong Framing:
Laminated veneer lumber (LVLs) featuring cross graining and engineered layers provides superior strength and less waste.

3- Impact-Resistant Windows & Doors:
Impact-resistant windows and sliding doors with laminated glass and durable frames provide protection against large and small airborne debris.

These three items are the most important items in planning for the best Hurricane-Proof dwelling.
Information shared from 'Builder' Magazine, December 2014 - http://www.builderonline.com/building/three-elements-of-a-hurricane-proof-house_o

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:42:00 +0000

Use Plenum Trusses To Keep Ducts Out of Your Attic: If you want to do something really stupid with the ducts for a heating and air conditioning system, put them in an unconditioned attic.

In cold climates, designers, builders, and contractors know this and, for the most part, avoid it. They also have basements as an alternative location. In hot climates, designers, builders, and contractors do the really stupid thing all the time. Use Plenum Trusses To Keep Ducts Out Of Your Attic!

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 16:11:00 +0000

See-through fireplaces boost design options
Versatile indoor/outdoor propane fireplaces capitalize on the outdoor living trend while sealing out fluctuating weather conditions. This is a really great way to get the fireplace on an outside viewing wall without blocking the view! Really great on Ocean-Front or Water-Side cottages!

See-through fireplaces boost design options

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 18:13:00 +0000

Flood insurance bill gets final push from senators
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of senators made another push Tuesday (1-7-14) for a vote on legislation to delay hikes in federal flood insurance premiums, saying the number of property owners facing skyrocketing increases grows each day. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/07/flood-insurance-premiums-senate-bill/4362861/

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:31:00 +0000

Bahama Shutters are a great way to add shade to your windows while keeping a view. As some may not know, they can also be made to strong enough to protect your windows in storms too. They can be left open, or can be easily closed (from the inside) before a storm. (photo courtesy of Seacoast Systems, Inc., 109 N. 15th St., Wilmington, NC 28401) Also see Houzz Ideabooks http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3186047/list?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u136&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery17

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:53:00 +0000

IKEA Designs an $86,500 Prefab, with the help of Ideabox. This seems to be a match made for the times... for those of you wanting a house RIGHT NOW, just place your order and wait for the semi to arrive. I love IKEA - It makes logical sense, but will it have staying power in today's market? Unfortunately, this is only available in the West right now, hopefully on the East Coast by 2014. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57389515-1/ikea-designs-$86500-prefab-house-instructions-included/

Automatic Color Selector - Chip-It! by Sherwin-Williams

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Sherwin-Williams has a new tool to help you find your favorite house colors. Just drag their new Chip-It! tool onto your web browser's tool bar and go! I tried it and it was really easy... it even shows some colors I was not aware of. Great tool! Now you can find out exactly what colors your favorite house is wearing. (photo from 2012 HGTV® Dream Home by Sherwin-Williams)

Cottages as close to the water as you can get!

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:20:00 +0000

These floating cottages are as close as you can get to the water. I love small, simple, prefab cottages. I found these at IdeaBox. Called the "Drift," a "Tender" series of floating homes. Check with your local codes to see if these are allowed in your area.

8 Elements For Classic Kitchen Style

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:21:00 +0000

This "Kitchen Workbook: 8 Elements of Classic Kitchen Style" by Rebekah Zaveloff of KitchenLab, discusses the elements to consider in order to create the classic kitchen. I believe a well designed classic kitchen can extend the useful age of any home! Photo by Chris Barnes, builder, CLB Custom Homes, Hampstead, NC (http://www.clbcustomhomes.com/)

Great Idea for Rainwater Harvesting

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:10:00 +0000

The Rainwater Hog is a NEW great way to harvest rainwater! Rainwater harvesting is smart for using FREE (natural & untreated) water for lawns, gardens and washing your pets or cars. Claim your own FREE Rainwater! The Rain Hog system is the first system I've run across that is attractive as well as practical. "Rainwater can be used for watering your garden as well as for toilet flushing, laundry washing and bathing. Rainwater stored in food grade HOGs can be used as an emergency potable water supply. Rainwater is soft water, which means that it wont cause a build up of calcium in your plumbing like hard water can. You can drink rainwater as long as your roofing material does not contain toxic materials. You will need to add a first flush diverter to the fine screen filter in the Inlet kit. Don’t let your rainwater go to waste - the Rainwater HOG is functional, efficient and visually discreet rainwater storage!" Check them out at "http://rainwaterhog.com/" - COASTAL DESIGNS

Hurricanes Cause Floods

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:59:00 +0000

Image via NJ.com

Hurricanes cause as much damage from flooding as it does from high winds. In the last Hurricane Irene, some of the people escaping the wind damage were hit by devastating flooding. Hurricane season isn't over, do you have flood insurance? If not, you need to call your insurance agent as soon as you can! No matter if you think you are not in a flood prone area, flooding can get you!

Go to this website, Flood Smart - The official site of NFIP, and learn all about it.

"How To Live Before You Die" - Steve Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:49:00 +0000

As most people already know, Steve Jobs announced his step down for Apple CEO a few days ago. Although it may feel like history ending, Steve Jobs stepping down as CEO is not a surprise, he has major health issues. He's not completely gone, Steve will step down to Chairman of Apple, where his genius and work ethic will still keep Apple one of the best companies in the world, now the second largest (by capital) in the world! Apple will still be the best computer product on the planet for a long, long time. Upon finding a photo online yesterday of Steve in a state of declining health, I can't help but think back to his commencement speech at Stanford University, June 2005. It's quite poignant and still relative! (click on the title above)

Repairing Your Flooded Home

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 01:23:00 +0000

For all the unfortunate people in the Northeast who had flood damage from Irene, I ran across this free PDF download from the Red Cross & FEMA that may help. It's VERY detailed! If you are in a flood area, it can also help you prepare for a flood. Great booklet!

Decorative Wood Shutters

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Here's a few great shutters for your cottage. Storm shutters can replace to option of required impact-resistant glass on new construction, but these are great on old cottages! To get the best protection, use solid wood, buy the best rust-resistant or rust-proof hardware and hang them so you can easily get to them when they are needed! Shutters shouldn't just be considered for looks... make them work and earn their keep!

Storm Resistant Roofing

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:16:00 +0000

I ran across this link that goes into how to create "Storm Resistant Roofing." A good strong roof is one of the most important features to weather storms! Check this out and get some real tips that could help save your house in a hurricane by making sure the roof stays on!

Planning Tips: Designing and Building your Vacation Cottage

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:42:00 +0000

Before you select a cottage design, consider the following tips in helping you with your choices. Any good design should be based on a collection of decisions, ideas, wishes and a great deal many tradeoffs that have to be considered and weighed in order fit your family to your budget. Any successful design is one that keeps on giving your family the best vacation it can have... for a lifetime.

1. The Building Site
2. Selecting a Cottage Plan
3. The Approval Process
4. Cottage Living Tip

Storm Warnings: Extreme Weather is from Climate Change

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:01:00 +0000

"More violent and frequent storms, once merely a prediction of climate models, are now a matter of observation" - says John Carey of Scientific American.
Some may call it Global Warming, others say it's just a natural cycle - whatever it is, weather is getting more extreme. Parts of the country have recently experienced record cold, now record rainfall and record tornadoes. If this is any harbinger to future possibilities, might we see more record breaking Hurricanes this year? I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope that it's all coming from the recent La Nina which is trying to transition back to normal. Either way, my work keeps me thinking about hurricanes and their destructive power.

Instead of "On" the Beach, stay "Over" the Beach!

noreply@blogger.com (coastaldesigns) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:50:00 +0000

These floating Hotels allow you to stay at the beach as close as possible to the water - in fact, OVER the water! Check them out. However, I don't design floating beach homes, only the ones firmly attached to the ground so they don't wash away.

Floods Really Cost Taxpayers!

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:47:00 +0000

The recent flooding along the Mississippi River (again) has brought more misery and property damage of enormous proportions. I'm sorry, but it seems to me if people are required to build their homes and businesses ABOVE the Flood Elevations, we would have a lot less damage. I'm not suggesting we don't build in flood-prone areas, but we make it a requirement to raise construction higher. I have been designing homes along the Atlantic coast for several years and everything is designed to be built above the Federal Flood Elevations. Either our predictions of "Flood Elevations" are too low, or we have a different set of guidelines for people in the floodplains along the Mississippi. For instance, the damage from Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans could have been a lot less if people were REQUIRED to build above the flood levels! Knowing what I do, I would never build a house below the water level elevation of the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, in a time we really don't need more regulations, I suggest we consider adding a requirement (that) we build our structures above flood levels. I also think we need to revise our flood level elevations up to a more reasonable height, based on more recent floods. (click on the title to see ABC news report)

Build a SAFE ROOM For your loved ones

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:44:00 +0000

"Taking Shelter From The Storm: Building a SAFE ROOM inside your house". This is a FREE Book on HOW-TO, including construction plans and everything. FREE Stuff that might just save your life of the life of someone you love! Download or order the FREE book "FEMA 320" at the FEMA web site "http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/fema320.shtm"

New plan added: April 28

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:53:00 +0000

Here is a list of new plans we just added to our website:

Townhouses (4-Plex)

Bridge Creek Townhomes

Laurel Creek Townhomes

Wall Sheathing For Wind Resistance!

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:03:00 +0000

For wall sheathing that has the best wind resistance, use WINDSTORM by Norbord. It can meet Hurricane Code and is used in Florida's 140MPH Codes! Watch this video and learn more. This stuff is great! Meet Code The Better Way - Also Save Up To $1,000 Or More Per House. See more at "http://www.windstormosb.com/"

New Plans Just Added: Laurel and Palmetto

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:56:00 +0000

Here is a list of new plans we just added to our website:

Cottages over 2,000 s.f.

Laurel 2800-5E

Palmetto 2184-3

Hope you have a great day!

New NC Building Codes for Energy Conservation

noreply@blogger.com (coastal designs) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:35:00 +0000

The North Carolina Building Code Council voted Dec. 14, 2010 to increase energy efficiency standards in new homes and buildings, which will save consumers an average of $30 to $100 each month, create jobs across our state, and help home builders who have struggled during the recession. The Council voted to increase efficiency standards in commercial construction by 30 percent and in residential construction by 15 percent beyond the building code’s current standard. The new building code will take effect in January 2012 and becomes mandatory in March 2012. In addition to the mandatory 15 percent increase in residential efficiency, the Council also established a voluntary compliance path and special recognition for builders who choose to build new homes to the higher 30 percent efficiency standards and above. The new building code takes effect January 2012.

Coastal Designs

Impacts of El Niño and La Niña on the hurricane seasons

3 Must-Haves For Hurricane-Proof Designs

Use Plenum Trusses To Keep Ducts Out of Your Attic: If you want to do something really stupid with the ducts for a heating and air conditioning system, put them in an unconditioned attic.

See-through fireplaces boost design options

Automatic Color Selector - Chip-It! by Sherwin-Williams

Cottages as close to the water as you can get!

8 Elements For Classic Kitchen Style

Great Idea for Rainwater Harvesting

Hurricanes Cause Floods

Related articles

"How To Live Before You Die" - Steve Jobs

Repairing Your Flooded Home

Decorative Wood Shutters

Storm Resistant Roofing

Planning Tips: Designing and Building your Vacation Cottage

Storm Warnings: Extreme Weather is from Climate Change

Instead of "On" the Beach, stay "Over" the Beach!

Floods Really Cost Taxpayers!

Build a SAFE ROOM For your loved ones

New plan added: April 28

Wall Sheathing For Wind Resistance!

New Plans Just Added: Laurel and Palmetto

New NC Building Codes for Energy Conservation