Masonry Magazine April 2006 Page. 53
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Masonry Computer Estimating
That Does It All... in 3D!
by Tradesmen's Software
times," Norred said. "I just have had no concern about the
structural capability of this building. My only concern is
erosion. There is nothing we can do about rising water but
in the wind rating it would survive a Category Four or Five
hurricane."
Proving Its Worth
NORRED AND TANKERSLEY both are pleased with
the masonry aspect of the home and how each has with-
stood the onslaught of hurricane force winds. So far, each
has gone virtually unscathed. "It is more a matter of trying
to aesthetically keep it from being beat up, than of being
blown away," Tankersley said.
Natural disasters are probably the ultimate barometer of
a building's mettle because they represent some of the
most extreme conditions to which a structure will be sub-
jected. But as hurricanes continue to ravage the coastlines
of America, more and more homebuyers are choosing con
crete masonry construction.
"A lot of these houses are really high-end custom homes
and people are spending a lot of money to buy a sliver of Gulf
front. So if you are building in such a place, with such a high
property value, it does not make sense to skimp on building a
house not only for hurricane winds but durability over the
years," Tankersley said.
"I have had more people asking me about concrete con-
struction after these storms," Hartzog said. "I think it depends
on where you are building and the type of structure you are
building as to what material they like. As for me, I would much
rather build out of block."
Tankersley related the story of a home he designed in
Rosemary Beach, Fla.: "It was much further inland and the
client wanted a wood-frame, wood-sided house. We
designed the house and then the owners decided to sell and
move somewhere else. They had a ton of people look at the
lot and the house, but every sale fell through because it was
not masonry. They would have sold it five times over if it
had been a concrete masonry design."
For more information on concrete masonry, visit the National
Concrete Masonry Association website at www.noma.org
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CIRCLE 163 ON READER SERVICE CARD
April 2006
Masonry 51