FAQ's

Q. What is a housewrap or weather barrier and what does it do?
A. A secondary layer of protection against bulk water intrusion and air infiltration.... while supporting a home's propensity to "dry out".

Q.What are the benefits of using a weather Barrier?
A.Keep occupants comfortable, protect against moisture related issues and lower energy costs.

Q.Can a complete housewrap system add value to a home?
A.Yes-a home properly installed with a weather barrier can significantly reduce any loss in the wall systems installed R-value and protect it from moisture related issues.

Q.Is it important that a homebuilder use window flashing tape and seal all plumbing/electrical penetrations, if so why?
A.Yes-all penetrations in a wall are always subject to water intrusion and as such all must be sealed properly.

Q.Why should an weather barrier installer use buttoncaps vs. common staples?
A.To assist in reducing "blow-off" during construction as well as allowing fewer fasteners to be used-The plastic washer on a buttoncap provides greater surface area contact and thereby better hold down

Q.What is the benefit to using a certified installer?
The piece of mind of knowing the contractor has successfully completed classroom training passed a written examination and has demonstrated the proper installation techniques through jobsite audits.

Q.Is Sutton Contracting Solutions a certified installer?
A.Yes- Sutton Contracting is a certified DuPont Tyvek, DuPont Stormroom, Typar Housewrap, Dow Weathermate-plus, Weather-smart housewrap and Greenguard housewrap installer. Each of our installers and field managers have successfully completed each installation course.

Q.What is a DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR®?
A.A DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® is an in-home aboveground hurricane and tornado shelter. The room is an innovative design created by DuPont engineers using DuPont™ KEVLAR® - a light weight material that is, lb for lb, 5 times stronger than steel. The room consists of wall panels containing DuPont™ KEVLAR® that are connected using structural steel connectors and are attached to a concrete slab foundation with an epoxy anchoring system. An attractive steel door that meets FEMA requirements is used for the entryway. The room can be wired for electricity and cell phones can be used when safely inside. Plumbing can be added if requested.

Q.What is DuPont™ KEVLAR®?
A.Pound for pound, DuPont™ KEVLAR® is five times stronger than steel, yet is surprisingly lightweight. It is the same material used in bullet-resistant vests that protect our police and military forces, and is used in NASCAR® race cars for lightweight, durable body sections that can withstand impacts during collisions.

Q.How are hurricanes and tornados dangerous?
A.Approximately 1/3 of the US is threatened by high winds. There are, on average, over 1000 tornados reported every year and the number of hurricanes per year has reached  record levels. The central part of the United States, known as tornado alley, sees the most extreme tornado threats. The coastal regions of the mid-Atlantic and Gulf States experience the most hurricanes. The most damaging storms can have winds that travel at 250mph. Tornados damage homes in two ways: 1) wind uplift that tears apart structures and 2) the windborne debris from these structures turns into deadly missiles.

Q.Why are shelters needed?
A.Most homes in hurricane and tornado area are not built to withstand high winds. Adding an in-home shelter adds an easily accessible place for a family to go to in the event of a tornado. A tornado gives little to no warning. Running or driving to a remote shelter is often unrealistic. If not in a mandatory evacuation zone, families with residential shelters can weather hurricanes at home.

Q.Who sets the criteria for an aboveground storm shelter?
A.FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has created a national standard and published a prescriptive standard in ‘FEMA 320: Taking Shelter from the Storm.’ The standard requires structures to withstand high wind loads and to resist a 12ft, 15lb, 2’x4’ building timber shot at the shelter at 100 mph. 100mph is how fast a 250+mph wind will carry the 2’x4’. The FEMA criteria were established in conjunction with the national experts on extreme winds from Texas Technical University’s School of Wind Engineering. The DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® meets the national requirements for hurricane and tornado shelters.

Q.How was the DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® tested?
A.The DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® was tested at three independent labs. The wall panels and the entire room have been tested at these facilities and have been found to meet the national requirements for aboveground storm shelters.

Q.What does a DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® look like within a residential home?
A.Because the DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® can be finished inside and out to match the walls in the home, the StormRoom can be used as a closet, small bathroom, or storage. The room is ventilated and electricity and plumbing can be installed.

Q.What type of homes can have a DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR®?
A.The DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® is ideal for existing or new residential construction on a concrete slab foundation that meets the design requirements found in FEMA 320. Any engineered foundation that meets the uplift requirements such as those detailed in FEMA 320 would be appropriate for use with this shelter. The room is available in several rectangular configurations with the maximum external footprint equaling 169 ft2. Custom sizes are available between 35 ft2 and 169 ft2.

Q.Where can the room be located?
A.The DuPont™ StormRoom™ must be anchored to a concrete foundation on the ground floor or in the basement and can serve as a cedar closet, wine cellar, downstairs powder room or guest room closet in new construction and existing homes. It can also be added to a garage or addition.

Q.Who installs the DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR®?
A.Only authorized installers will install the DuPont™ StormRoom™. The DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® is an installed sale to a builder or consumer providing the builder an innovative turnkey product offering.

Q.How much will the DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® cost?
A.DuPont does not set retail pricing, but national pricing has shown that the room can cost between $6500 and $14,000 to the consumer installed depending on type of options selected and whether the install is in new construction or being retrofitted into an existing home.

Q.Are there Building Codes for Hurricane and Tornado Shelters?
A.ICC plans to issue a shelter standard in mid- 2006.

Q.Is the DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® patented?
A.There are multiple patents pending on the StormRoom for room and wall construction.

Q.What types of storm shelters exist today?
A.There are currently two categories of storm shelters that include above- and belowground shelters. Current aboveground shelters can be made with steel and concrete. Both types have suppliers that have met the national criteria for storm shelters.

Q.Can the DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® be used for other applications?
A.The DuPont™ StormRoom™ with KEVLAR® has a security door option and is intruder resistant.