A concrete home in Cape Coral, FL, proved its strength when it withstood two separate incidents in less than two months — a 90 m.p.h. car crash and then, hurricane force winds.

The first incident occurred in June 2004 when A concrete home in Cape Coral, FL, proved its strength when it withstood two separate incidents in less than two months — a 90 m.p.h. car crash and then, hurricane force windsthe Demczyk home in Cape Coral, along Florida's west coast, endured the crash of a car traveling at a reported 90 m.p.h. with only minor damage to the exterior finish. The home's owners came away from the incident with an impressive sense of security and confidence in the strength of PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms.

And when recent Hurricane Charley threatened the home with 165 m.p.h. wind gusts last August, the residents barely blinked an eye as the raging storm passed through their Florida neighborhood.

The Demczyks told PolySteel that they were one of very few families in their Cape Coral neighborhood to stay with their property.  As neighbors prepared to evacuate, one commented to Ray Demczyk, “I suppose you’re staying since your house is so safe?”  “Yes, I did stay in my home during the hurricane” said Mr. Demczyk, “I know my house is superior in strength to other homes.” 

According to local media reports, the hurricane, which made landfall in Punta Gorda just north of Cape Coral,  ravaged the area with wind speeds of 145 m.p.h. gusting to 165 m.p.h.  You would expect some major damage to any home under those conditions. However, the PolySteel walls of the Demczyk residence experienced no significant damage. A section of the swimming pool screen was ripped from its concrete foundation and a few tiles were blown off the roof. 

Demczyk attributes the durability of his roof to the trusses used, which were designed to withstand winds of 140 m.p.h. “Large hardwood trees and palm trees on our property were completely uprooted or snapped in half, yet the main house was completely unharmed,” remarked Demczyk.   

Due to the PolySteel wall’s sound class rating of 48, the family heard very little noise from the storm.  "We knew the wind was screaming outside and we could see major debris flying through the air, but inside the house remained quiet," Demczyk said.

No homes were totally destroyed in the Demczyk’s neighborhood, although many roofs were torn away. Demczyk expressed relief that his neighborhood escaped major damage when Hurricane Charley veered a little north before coming ashore.

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