ABE 421: Farm structures, crop processing and storage Y4S2
2020-21
COASTAL BUILDING MATERIALS
Materials and construction methods should be resistant to flood and wind damage, driving
rain, corrosion, moisture, and decay.
All coastal buildings will require maintenance and repairs (more so than inland construction)
— use proper materials and methods for repairs, additions, and other work following initial
construction.
A) Flood-Resistant Materials
Flooding accounts for a large percentage of the damage caused by a coastal storm. Building
materials exposed to flooding must be resilient enough to sustain a certain amount of water
exposure in order to avoid the need for complete replacement after the flood.
Definition: Flood-resistant material as any building material capable of withstanding direct and
prolonged contact (i.e., at least 72 hours) with floodwaters without sustaining significant damage
(i.e., requires more than cosmetic repair).
The following are examples of flood-resistant materials:
o Lumber: pressure-treated or naturally decay-resistant, including redwood, cedar, some
oaks, and bald cypress
o Concrete: a sound, durable mix, and when exposed to saltwater or salt spray, made with
a sulfate-resisting cement, with a 28-day compressive strength of 5,000 psi minimum and
a water-cement ratio not higher than 0.40 – consult ACI 318-02, Building Code
Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary.
o Masonry: reinforced and fully grouted
o Structural Steel: coated to resist corrosion
o Insulation: plastics, synthetics, and closed-cell foam, or other types approved by local
building officials.
Building Construction – Coast – Eng. Kapkwang Page 1
ABE 421: Farm structures, crop processing and storage Y4S2
2020-21
This table lists examples of flood-resistant materials used in coastal homes.
Location of Name of material
material use
Piles and posts Round, tapered wood piles preservative-created for ground contact, at a
minimum: square-section piles or wood posts preservative – treated for
marine use.
piers Reinforced concrete or CMU or wood that is preservative-treated foundation
or marine use.
Foundation walls Reinforced concrete or CMU or wood that is preservative-treated foundation
or marine use.
Beams Solid sawn timbers and glue-laminated products, either naturally decay-
resistant or preservative-treated for aboveground exposure; built-up members
preservative for ground contact.
Decking Preservative-treated or naturally decay-resistant wood or composite wood
members (e.g. manufactured of recycled sawdust and plastic)
Framing Sawn wood or manufactured lumber (preservative-treated or naturally
resistant to decay if in close proximity to the ground.
Exterior sheathing High capacity shear wall sheathing rated – “exterior”
Subflooring Plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) rated “Exposure1” or rated
“Exterior”- If left permanently exposed (e.g. exposed underside of elevated
house on open foundation)
Siding Vinyl or naturally decay – resistant wood
Flooring Latex or bituminous cement formed-place, clay, concrete tile, precast
concrete, epoxy formed in place, mastic flooring, polyurethane formed in
Building Construction – Coast – Eng. Kapkwang Page 2
ABE 421: Farm structures, crop processing and storage Y4S2
2020-21
place, rubber sheets, rubber tiles with chemical set adhesives , silicone floor
formed in place, terrazzo, vinyl sheet-goods, vinyl tile with chemical-set
adhesives, pressure-treated lumber or naturally decay resistant lumber.
Walls and ceilings Cement board, brick, metal, cast stone in waterproof mortar, slate, porcelain,
glass, glass block, clay tile, concrete, CMU, pressure-treated wood, naturally
decay-resistant wood, marine grade plywood or pressure-treated plywood
Doors Hollow metal
Insulation Foam or closed-cell
Trim Natural or artificial stone, steel or rubber
B) Wind-Resistant Materials
Homes in many coastal areas are often exposed to winds in excess of 90 mph (3-second peak
gust). Choose building materials (e.g., roof shingles, siding, windows, doors, fasteners, and
framing members) that are designed for use in high-wind areas.
Examples:
o Shingles rated for high winds
o Double-hemmed vinyl siding
o Deformed-shank nails for sheathing attachments
o wind-resistant glazing
o reinforced garage doors
o tie-down connectors used throughout structure (from roof framing to
o Wider framing members (2’’x6’’ instead of 2’’x4’’)
Building Construction – Coast – Eng. Kapkwang Page 3
ABE 421: Farm structures, crop processing and storage Y4S2
2020-21
C) Corrosion and Decay Resistance
Coastal environments are conducive to metal corrosion and moisture- and termite-related decay
of other building materials. Metal corrosion is most pronounced on coastal homes (within 3,000
feet of the ocean), but moisture- and termite-related decay are prevalent throughout coastal areas.
Corrosion-Resistant Metals
Most jurisdictions require metal building hardware to be hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel.
Some local codes require protective coatings that are thicker than “off-the-shelf” products
typically have. For example, a G90 zinc coating (0.75 mil on each face) may be required, which
is thicker than the common G60 (0.5 mil on each face) coating.
Recommendations
Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel hardware. Reinforcing steel should be
protected from corrosion by sound materials (masonry, mortar, grout, concrete) and good
workmanship. Use galvanized or epoxy-coated reinforcing steel in situations where the
potential for corrosion is high.
Avoid joining dissimilar metals, especially those with high galvanic potential (e.g.,
copper and steel).
Some wood preservatives should not be used in direct contact with galvanized metal.
Verify that wood treatment is suitable for use with galvanized metal, or use stainless
steel.
Metal-plate-connected trusses should not be exposed to the elements. Truss joints near
vent openings are more susceptible to corrosion and may require increased corrosion
protection.
Building Construction – Coast – Eng. Kapkwang Page 4
ABE 421: Farm structures, crop processing and storage Y4S2
2020-21
D) Moisture Resistance
Materials resistant to moisture can greatly reduce maintenance and extend the life of a coastal
home (however, by themselves, such materials cannot prevent all moisture damage. Proper
design and installation of moisture barriers is also required).
Recommendations
Control wood decay by separating wood from moisture, using preservative-treated wood,
using naturally decay-resistant wood, and applying protective wood finishes.
Use proper detailing of wood joints and construction to eliminate standing water and
reduce moisture absorption by the wood (e.g., avoid exposure of end grain cuts, which
absorb moisture up to 30 times faster than the sides of a wood member).
Do not use untreated wood in ground contact or high-moisture situations. Do not use
untreated wood in direct contact with concrete.
Field-treat any cuts or drill holes that offer paths for moisture to enter wood members.
For structural uses, employ concrete that is sound, dense, and durable; control cracks with
welded wire fabric and/or reinforcing, as appropriate.
Use masonry, mortar, and grout that conform to the latest building codes.
E) Termite Resistance
Termite damage to wood construction occurs in many coastal areas (attack is most frequent and
severe along the arid and semi-arid regions and other tropical areas). Termites can be controlled
by soil treatment, termite shields, and the use of termite-resistant materials.
Recommendations
Incorporate termite control methods into design in conformance with requirements of the
authority having jurisdiction.
Building Construction – Coast – Eng. Kapkwang Page 5
ABE 421: Farm structures, crop processing and storage Y4S2
2020-21
Where a masonry foundation is used and anchorage to the foundation is required for
uplift resistance, the upper block cores must usually be completely filled with grout,
which may eliminate the requirement for termite shields.
Use preservative-treated wood for foundations, sills, above-foundation elements, and
floor framing.
Building Construction – Coast – Eng. Kapkwang Page 6
