North Carolina’s First Hurricane and Disaster Resistant Home Completed in Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina February 26, 2001) - Construction is complete on the first hurricane and tornado resistant home in the Southeast. The SecureTech™ home is constructed with solid steel-reinforced concrete and built by Security Building Group, LLC, a collaboration of experienced residential builders and concrete contractors in Raleigh.

Although the first SecureTech home was completed in Security Building Group’s hometown, the home’s construction technology is ideal for all coastal communities in the state as well as all along the Eastern seaboard’s hurricane region. This unique home is located at 1109 Wake Forest Road just outside of the downtown area in the Mordecai Historic District but Security Building Group plans future projects in the coastal area.

"Inside a SecureTech built home, you’ll find distinct advantages because of the rock solid construction for unparalleled safety and security," said David Pfanmiller, Security Building Group. "We are committed to this new type of construction which protects the home from fire, infestation, and forces of nature like hurricanes and tornadoes."

A SecureTech home is perfect for coastal living. It is not only safe, but can be built in any choice of architectural styles, including contemporary, traditional, one or two-story, in a single or multi-family home. Once cast, the exterior walls can be covered in any of a wide range of attractive, low-maintenance materials: from stucco to siding to brick or stone. Inside, plaster-finished walls with optional built-in crown moldings, distinctive floor coverings that include carpeting, ceramic tiles and natural stones, hardwoods, and laminates, and other extra touches add warmth and personality to the home’s appearance.

In recent years, more and more Americans have discovered the many benefits of concrete construction. "SecureTech’s state-of-the-art construction technology allows a builder to create a high-quality home that’s safe, secure, comfortable and attractive," said Pfanmiller. "Plus the added cost-saving benefits such as low maintenance and reduced ownership cost make these homes very appealing as an alternative to traditional wood construction."

Because of concrete’s incredible thermal storage capacity, a SecureTech built home stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than traditional houses. Airtight construction and rigid insulation also eliminate external air infiltration to keep inside temperatures extremely consistent and comfortable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has consistently awarded SecureTech built homes a Five-Star Rating for energy efficiency through its ENERGY STAR® home program. Homes with the ENERGY STAR label are designed to use less energy so that homeowners save money on utility bills and help protect the environment. And particularly in areas where homes are close together, solid monolithic concrete’s sound-buffering qualities minimize noise from traffic, airplanes, and neighbors - as well as noise inside the home - so families can relax in an atmosphere of quiet and comfort.

As ENERGY STAR homes, SecureTech built homes place an emphasis on conserving energy and reducing indoor air pollution. A SecureTech constructed home follows the "Green Building" objectives and also significantly conserves trees by reducing the need for lumber. In countries where lumber is scarce and with the conservation of natural resources a priority, homeowners have enjoyed the benefits of concrete, stone and masonry homes for thousands of years.

 The SecureTech home in Raleigh is featured in the first SecureTech consumer brochure, which made its debut at the 2001 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) convention in Atlanta and the World of Concrete Convention in Las Vegas. The two-story, two-unit townhouse is open for tours to the media, government agencies, architects and others interested in learning more about the home’s technology before the home is eventually sold. Other new SecureTech built town homes are currently under construction in Eagle Chase subdivision in Raleigh.

For more information or a consumer brochure please Wendy Shannon at 919-933-8026 or wshannonco@msn.com.

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For further information, electronic files or photography please contact: Wendy Shannon, 919-933-8026

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