Video: Deltec Homes' Documentary Style Marketing Film

A Deltec Homes marketing film released May 12th 2006.

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Read the May 12th, 2006 News Release by Deltec:

North Carolina-based Deltec Homes' Unique Houses Withstand Katrina and Other Major Storms with Minimal to No Damage

Pass Christian, Mississippi: Dale and Carolyn Medley of Pass Christian, Miss., weren't sure what they would find when they were finally able to return to their home after hurricane Katrina. "I couldn't believe it. I had to see it, because I have never seen anything like this before and I hope I never do again," said Dale after returning home.

The city of Pass Christian was nearly destroyed by Katrina. A 29-foot tidal surge accompanied by sustained winds of over 145 mph pounded Pass Christian for almost twelve hours. As it turned out, most buildings in Pass Christian and on the Mississippi coast were destroyed.

However, much to the Medley's surprise, not only did they find their home intact, but in relatively good condition. The Medley's had chosen a pre-fabricated home from North Carolina-based Deltec Homes.

Deltec Homes, located in Asheville, North Carolina, has been building wind resistant housing for almost 40 years. "We have never lost a home to high winds," said Joseph Schlenk, Director of Sales and Marketing for Deltec. "We've known for years that our homes are wind resistant, but we had no idea how they would perform against a 29' high wall of water," Schlenk said. Deltec's success in high winds is mostly attributed to the shape of their homes. Deltec builds round homes.

The main damage to the Medley's home came from the 29-foot tidal surge, which flooded the lower level of their two-story, 3,000-square-foot house. "All of the windows held satisfactorily. Some of them got leakage from the water being elevated but none of them got blown out or broken. No seam ruptures, nothing at all wrong on the upper level," said Dale.

The Medley's insurance adjuster was even more impressed than they were. "She could hardly believe it. She said she had seen a lot of houses in her time, but she had never seen one stand like this one. The home is pretty much structurally intact with not much wind damage. All the damage caused by wind is this little bit of missing fascia board and some shingles from the roof," Dale said.

"Deltec Homes aren't exactly round, they are polygons or multi-sided structures. They are comprised of flat 8-foot-wide wall sections joined together at the appropriate angle for that model size. The 8-foot-wide wall panels don't have enough exposed surface area to allow wind to build up any significant pressure, Schlenk said. "Our system allows for total design flexibility, so our homeowners can have a very conventional floor plan or a very contemporary one."

Because of their homes success against Katrina, Deltec recently released a documentary style marketing film, which chronicles the success of their homes against hurricane winds. The Medley's story along with nine other homeowners are documented in the film. "After Katrina we contacted all of our homeowners that were in her path. None suffered any structural damage. Any damage was limited to either minor cosmetic damage or a few missing roof shingles," said Schlenk.

When asked about the future of Pass Christian, Dale and Carolyn's optimism shines through. "Some of our friends' houses that have been here 70-80 years are completely gone. There are no businesses left, most of the homes are gone but everybody says we'll rebuild it. It was probably the best place on earth to live."

Contact Info:
Joseph Schlenk
800-642-2508
jschlenk@buildingsmart.net
Homeowners available for interview.
Related Links http://www.deltechomes.com/