Building to Meet Hurricane Codes
Good afternoon and happy Friday! Many of you have asked about how the HGTV Dream Home in the Florida Keys was designed and built to meet hurricane codes. Our friends over at sister site HGTVPro.com have the full story on building the home, including 31 very informative videos from the job site.
Watch the “Coastal Homes” video to hear HGTV house planner Jack Thomasson, architect Rick Wissmach and construction manager Mike Uhre discuss the techniques and materials used to make the HGTV Dream Home in Islamorada as strong as it is beautiful. For instance, there are concrete 16-inch diameter concrete piles going down seven feet into the ground.
Be sure to click on each of the tabs to the left of the player to explore all the videos for more on the home, including the backup generator, tankless hot water heater and even the tools used to build the home.
Finally, have you entered today for a chance to win the HGTV Dream Home in the Florida Keys? You can enter once a day, every day, but time is running out: the entry period ends Feb. 19.
MORE ABOUT HGTV DREAM HOME 2008
Enter the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win a Beach House in the Florida Keys
HGTV Dream Home Online Tour
HGTV Dream Home Giveaway Prizes »
HGTV Dream Home Giveaway Rules »
HGTV Dream Home Central »
Share Photos/Videos of the Florida Keys »
The Shore at Islamorada: Site of HGTV Dream Home 2008 »
Thanks fcole for the video, now this will probably answer a lot of the questions about the durability of the home for bloggers who are not aware of how they build homes in S. Florida. The home is very beautiful and some lucky person out there will be very LUCKY to win such a fabulous prize. If you win, Worry about taxes and insurance later on and enjoy the moment.
hello,this year dream home is just beutfull. i just want to know if i even have a chance of winning that house? i mean i’v been entering for years but no luck yet i wanted to win last year home so bad i could smell it.i even dreamed that won that house .how do you select the winner from 40ml enteris that you get?do you already have a winner? are we wasting our time entering every day? i can’t get out my head the way that last winner was selected no disrespect to any one and best wishs to winner may lady luck always smile on you and your family. but how did you know that one number that you got out the wheel was for that person name? if you ask me each person who enters should get a number when entering and you do a live drweing for those numbers then few days later announce the winners name . thank you and good luck to all
I have seen a door in the master closet. It appears to be blocked by a bench. A secret room perhaps???
Well, anyhow, I think the house is wonderful. The views are amazing. I loved everything about the house. Congratulations, everyone did a marvelous job!!! Thank you, for letting us look at all these gorgeous homes.
Hey, just another thought about another door I see, that seems to lead to nowhere!! You know the one across from the master shower!! The sitting room does not have a door in it, therefore I have come to the conclusion that two doors leading to a similar place means only one thing. A SECRET SPACE/ROOM!!!!
FCOLE; Thank you so much for this post. I knew the DH was built for the best protection of weather conditions in this part of Florida, but the video just confirmed it. Wonderful information about things I had no idea about, such as: Underground Propane Tank, Stand-by Generator (so glad this home has that), Tankless Water Heater (I love this feature!) Install & Benefits. Moen, your products are beautiful, but I don’t know if I could stay in that shower long enough to figure it all out. Guess I’d assign that room to my married children for a romantic evening while I entertained my grand-kids “down below”. This was such an informative post, and Jack, don’t be surprised if you hear from the Vegas Lady. Thanks HGTV—GREAT JOB, and pleasant dreams to all the dreamers.
I think that there is a deck or something across from the master shower. There is a French door there that looks like it has outdoor light coming in. The one in the master closet leads to a small storage space of some kind that you can see in the layout.
Thank you so much for the terrific explanations about the hurricaine codes and generator. You have been so great at answering all the questions. I really love this home! It would be the perfect retirement spot for my husband and I to share with our family!
This Dream House is STUNNING! I live in the mountains outside of Aspen and LOVE IT!! But,my husband and I have always loved the ocean and all that goes with it, ie..fishing,paddling,diving,seashell collecting,,,on and on…we are the perfect people to win this particular Dream Home…from snow/cold to warm weather/ocean…we would love it. Our favorite interests? Snow…..and the Ocean! Thank you for considering us in this most wonderful yet (to us, at least) Dream Home!
And, as a side note, we watch HGTV every New Year’s morning for the Rose Parade, which you have unbelievable coverage!!!! But, finally, we got tickets for the 2009 Parade! I would have never done that if I had not been watching HGTV! Yeah..
Sincerely,
Rosemary Knox
*please let me win….
I would also like to now if there have been any sunamis around that area, if there was what would happen to the home?
I was wondering about the lawn in front of the home as all the surrounding area looks like sand. How do you maintain a lawn in the tropics?
HGTV YOU OUTDID YOURSELF THIS TIME! YOU NOT ONLY BUILT THE DREAM HOME BUT YOU PLACED IT IN THE DREAM PLACE….NOW YOU JUST NEED TO PLACE THE BEST FAMILY IN IT……OURS!!!! HERE'S TO THE POWER OF PRAYER!the poulsens
What are the chances of winning?
Good Morning,
I am curious about the bathroom located on the first floor next to the childrens room, Why no photos? Doesn’t seem like you left out any other areas to view, just this particular area.
this is really, truly a dream home. i’ve been renting all my life and if i could win a home like this, it really would be a dream come true. fingers crossed. good luck everyone.
This home is absolutely gorgeous and it’s mine. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a home, I’ve always wantd a home on the ocean so that I could enjoy God’s beautiful nature and I won’t have very far to go since I’m a Floridian already. Thank you HGTV for the amazing job you have done with this dream house. I’m preparing to move in and enjoy many wonderful years in this masterpiece of architecture.
Want to switch homes? I live in Escondido, CA. I would gladly switch homes with The DREAM HOME. I have 3 acres and 2600 sq ft single story! Mostly all my family live on the E coast where I’m from originally and I want to get back there!!! I really like this house and I have a niece that lives in Key Largo. It would be truly a home sweet home!!!
Hi, I left a comment on the other blog. I am a painter, writer who is infatuated with this house – you have answered many aspects…only one remains…is there air conditioning, or at least space somewhere to have a central air system installed? Perhaps it doesn’t need it with the water breezes???
It is great to know this house is built to last through the worst of hurricanes! I visualize using the first floor’s entertainment room mainly as a art studio. It would be also a great dance/party place!
As I garden, sail and dive too, I can’t think of a more suitable location for me! Congratulations again for a magnificent creation!
I live on the Space Coast of Central Florida and I am really glad to see all of the extras you have put into the home just in case a hurricane strikes anywhere near that area. The ‘strike’ is where the eye actually crosses, but anywhere within 100 miles of that eye is probably going to see some serious damage, and 2004 brought two of those storms only a few miles from my apartment. Although there was no real damage to speak of, let me tell you, going without electricity (especially in the summer heat!) alone is terrible. Add to that no availability to cook (most of us have electric stoves), can’t use the water, probably can’t drive anywhere for days because of trees that fell and other debris…well, you can get the picture. Not only is the construction well considered while building this home, the survival status afterward is taken care of as well. Good Job, guys! You’ve made sure that surviving the storm and its aftermath won’t really be so awful. Thanks you for that, for no matter who wins. And, I have to say, I hope it’s me
My husband and I drove down to tour the dream house this morning. It truly was beautiful, a little too much furniture, but one can work around that. I LOVE the kitchen/dining/sitting room area. My husband was disturbed that the wood mouldings above the doors were just plain painted slabs of wood. He said for 2.2 mil the least they could have done would have been to router the edges. He found a couple of other carpentry issues but liked the house overall. I do have a concern regarding the development of the rest of the property. I know that I read on here somewhere that the rest of the houses are scheduled to be built after the DH is awarded and that a common area pool is also planned. Being a long time SoFla resident, I have to say that I have seen too many developments started and not completed. Given the state of the real estate market everywhere, but particularly here, I would not hold my breath that the rest of this project will come to fruition any time soon. Given all that – it is still a beautiful home that I would be proud to own. I’ve already decided that the garage is to be given over to my son’s music studio.
wow..my hubby a retired norfolk firefighter and myself a retired police officer and trainer can only dream of something like this..wow! it makes the world go away just by viewing it..i have two poodles and they need to put there paws in that sand..my grands would love to visit ..glad we are healthy.who knows…love that truck and the view and all/what designers!!!
Hey everyone, if you really haven’t figured it out by now the door across from the MASTER SHOWER/BATH is the toilet room. Hopefully it is vented seperately from the rest of the bathroom. You might as well all give up. I have decided and believe deep down in my heart that this is MY HOME! This is my dream, because I can not handle any type of cold. I currently live in Missouri and have only been able to visit Florida 1 time 10 yearrs ago and Vegas 1 time 12 years ago. Call me unlucky if you need to, but I feel that this house was built to my exact specifications, my needs, wants and dreams.
Lets all enjoy the next few weeks, then be happy for WHOMEVER is lucky enough to be choosen.
This is a beautiful house in the Keys. My favorite room would have to be the kitchen. I love that you can see all the other rooms. This is a plus with different age children. The veiws are beautiful from every room. Florida is my favorite place to be, but the keys are the best. Thank for the tour.
Sincerely,
Margaret Russell
THANK YOU HGTV FOR ALLOWING PEOPLE TO DREAM.
I live in Indiana and everyday I pull up the picture of the Dream Home and dream that I am standing on the deck looking out at the ocean. It is a beautiful home. Another GREAT job.
Someone suggested we bloggers go to the message board. YES those folks have been following the Dream Homes for many years. They answered my question about the colors, some are too bright for me. Go over there with your questions.
Just think no State or Local Taxes, and it also is most likely Homesteadable on taxes as well ; if it is your main home!! I am a former Floridian and I sure miss those great tax breaks!!
The secret door across from the master shower seems would be the entrance to the ole ‘water closet’, hmmm? I don’t see it anywhere else.
I seldom miss any episode of the Hgtv shows. I ,m an ardent fan of all your decorating shows and when I saw the HGTV Dream Home 2008 my mouth fell open. It is absolutely georgous!! It has all my favorite colors and I love the thought of living near the ocean. I have lived in the midwest most of my life and have dreamed of living in a warm, sunny climate. There is nothing about the home I do not love! Also, I have a doggie that would love that little doggie home. God bless whoever wins it.
What is the square footage of the Dream home?
Please……. chose a fresh designer for the next dream home. Linda has done great, but can’t we give a different designer a chance? I feel like all the houses have the same basic feel inside.
Nice House with lots of windows…would love to win! One question: What is the height of the ceilings?
Sandi
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008
I enjoyed watching the show of the beautiful home this afternoon on your TV show. What a great home. You thought of everything. I have a March birthday, and I can’t think of a better gift. Thanks for sharing this home with us all.
Being the family dog I wish my owners all the luck. I can’t tell you how much I would enjoy my personel cabana.If I could throw a bone to my owner’s,It would be this home. love,max
Ok, my bubble is officially burst. I was drooling at the site of the Dream Home today. My husband and I camp in the Keys all the time. Last time we were there, we looked up real estate and I even applied my husband for a few jobs in the area. Living in the Keys is a reachable dream for us and when we are financially able, we will do it.
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As I watched the tour of the Dream Home, I thought about how that home would make our dreams come true. My husband agreed, but he’s an accountant, so he quickly informed me that the cost of keeping such a home would be too much for us. So, I ventured online and googled for info on past winners, financial advice, renting possibilities, and whatever else I could think of.
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I was horrified to hear that all of the past winners had sold the homes (and one at a possible financial loss). Why would you enter this contest only to turn around and sell the home? HGTV is marketing the house as a possible home for every entrant, not a possible cash settlement.
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Well, I finally did the math (roughly), and it’s true. The only person who could afford to keep this home, is one who would never have to enter into the contest to begin with. (Unless they felt like getting a deal on a pre-packaged home, which is likely).
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Honestly, I’m going to enter everyday for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to sell a Dream Home to a rich person. Then maybe buy a shack down the street =) Not a bad deal, but not the deal HGTV is marketing.
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By the way, we get Hurricanes much more frequently than Tsunamis(no Tsunamis have devastated Florida *yet*), and in the worst-case scenario, the home would be destroyed, but it sounds like the foundation might stay in-tact. Who cares, living in Florida is worth it…I’d live out of a tent before I’d move any further north.
I see that the 08 dream house will be one of 8 houses on that property site at some point in the future. It looks like a pool will be installed between the house and the beach too.
Now all of that is ok with me. At first I thought it was going to be one house on one property. And one other thing I can not believe how many people think that they can afford to live in a million dollar property. I think you would be doing a great service to publish an estimate of the taxes and insurance along with any monthly fees or dues. Fabulous house in a fantastic location keep up the great work.
I would really love to win it like a million others!LOL!It`s really fun to daydream about winning it!I could invite all my friends and family to see it!
HiThere!
I was wondering how i can get confitmation that my entry is being registered by the system,I keep on registering everyday but nothing confirms me that the entry was taken.
Thanks,
marco
could you also tell us if there have been any earthquakes that have been 8.0 or higher on the richter scale? How about level 5 tornados? Have there been brush fires that consume homes? What about attacks from headhunters; are there safeguards in place?
give me a break… sunamis???? People are too funny. Another funny post was the person who wondered if this is really a fair contest because they have entered before and not won. What a hoot! Yes, you and many million others. If everyone were to win after a few entries, HGTV would be busy building many many homes!
reading these posts is so entertaining! Let’s all just thank HGTV for building a fabulous house and allowing us to dream. Someone will get lucky…
i visited islamorada for the first time last june. it is one of the most wonderful of the keys and is about halfway between miami and key west, so the location is great. the people who live there are wonderful and it was a fantastic vacation. all i could think while i was there was how i wish i could afford a home there. i live about 50 miles from the jersey shore and i LOVE the ocean. i’ve been for years trying to work out how i would finance a home there. my problem is i want one close to the water – they are in the millions. anyway, this giveaway is sooo perfect, probably for so many of us. i’ve already got my moving plan in mind. best of luck to everyone, including me, cause if i win, i’m outta here!!!!!bye, bye jersey, hello florida keys, aka keys disease!
Megan, to answer your question: No, the FL Keys are yet to experience a Tsunami. That said, the Keys did see significant flooding during Hurricane “Wilma” in 2005 (3 to 6 feet). The good news is, this type of severe flooding is rare. The last such occurance was during “Betsy” in 1965. Keys residents know how to take precautions when flooding is expected. In the case of the Dream Home, because the property is not on “stilts” or an elevated foundation, if severe flooding from storm surge is expected, belongings would need to be moved to an upper floor. Again, though minor flooding occurs from time to time, this type of extreme flooding is rare, even in the Keys. Hope that helps.
Ten days ago we were fortunate enough to be in Islamorada, and toured the Dream House. If you think
it’s neat online…it exceeds expectations. The home
is charming, colorful and uses great new innovative building products (siding,flooring etc.) Among the many things that I liked, was the use of bold wall paint on the ceiling, and plan to try that.
I have not yet dreamed of winning the home, but my
granddaughter did.
It is lovely, combined with location, location, location.
Good going HGTV!
What is the weather patterns in this area? I’ve heard alot about hurricanes hitting mid-state, but what about this area? This house is terrific and what a view!!!
Megan……… I live on the Gulf Coast. no, we have never had a sunami here. But since they are caused by under the ocean earthquakes, I guess there is always the possibility of having one on any coastline in any country. We do have storm surge from hurricanes, but the elevation looked high enough…….unless you have one like Katrina with a 30 ft. surge. If that happens, no home is safe. So be sure to have insurance! I drove along the coast from Pascagoula, MS to Gulfport, MS after Katrina. The surge was so strong there it actually washed the concrete and brick away from the buildings that were left and bent and twisted metal beams like they were straws. Thank goodness we don’t have hurricanes that strong often. From what I have read, Katrina was the first hurricane of such strength to hit the United States. Meterologists claim that we will see stronger hurricanes because of global warming. That’s why we need to try to learn more about using materials and products that are eco-friendly. HGTv Green Home has a lot of info on building the green way. We also need to be more aware of the things we put into our atmosphere. We have pretty much clean air here without the pollution you see in large cities and I hope we can keep it that way. We are presently fighting against a salt dome project the oil companies are wanting to put in our state (MS). They want to draw millions of gallons of water from the Pascagoula River, then pump the salt water back in which would be devastating to the wildlife. In my opinion it should be put in the middle of a desert somewhere! So we also need to take a stand against corporations that think it’s okay to pollute our water and atmosphere. I hope that everyone touring HGTV will take the time to learn about green building and what they can do to help.
The home is gorgeous. It exceded my expectations. I have two children under the age of 3 and we live in Minnesota. We went to the Florida keys last March and fell in love with the weather and people. We would love to win this home and know that our chances are not good. I guess that one may dream. And it just so happens that the drawing is on my birthday! I love looking through the pictures and dreaming of how our family would look living there. Thank you for the opportunity!
Hi, I’m Margaret from Huntsville, Ala. I love all your beautiful give a way homes. I keep entering,but I don’t have a lot of hope of being considered for your sweepstakes. Or your free remodeling shows.My reason is that I am a widow for the last five yrs. and I am 71yrs old. I don,t know if I would make a good show like I see on T.V. I watch HGTV at least eight hours a day. I have two grown sons,one daughter-in law and three teenage grandchildren who all live in Huntsville. I live by myself,and cant,t afford to remodel things.This does not keep me from enjoying your different shows. I am not overly fond of primary colors and tend to enjoy the tradential design. I keep entering things you offer for fun and I guess A little hope. I live in a brick rancher home with a basement that is fully done. My home is paid for so I am not desperate,but the only way I can see emproving my home is to win something. I love all the remodeling shows,Home Hunters,First time owners,over your head,Get color,Design to sell,and many others.Of course your sweepstakes Homes are the tops.They look so elagent and relaxing. my only other wish would be to modernize my kitchen or one of my bathrooms. Thank you so much for allowing my coments.
Margaret Moore
8126 Hillside L.N. S.E.
Huntsville,Ala. 35802
I ONLY HAVE ONE THING TO SAY. I WANT THAT HOUSE. I DON’T CARE IF IT MAY BLOW AWAY IN A HURRICANE OR SUNAMI, I DON’T CARE IF THE TAXES ARE SKY HIGH. I DON’T EVEN CARE IF THE INSURANCE MAKES ME WANT TO FAINT- THAT HOUSE IS BEAUTIFUL. THAT VIEW IS AMAZING. I WOULD WORK 3 JOBS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE THERE. THAT HOME IF FABULOUS!!!!!! I AGREE WITH ROSEMARY….LET ME WIN TOO.
This house is AMAZING, I have been entering every day and have always dreamed about living on the beach!! Good luck to everyone!
the house is great.My family would be very happy if we won.never had any luck but we can dream. thanks hgtv
I love the dream home!!! My family and I visit the beach 2 to 3 times a year and we have always wanted to own a home on the beach. The kitchen is my favorite room, it is so spacious. I love the colors, they look so………well, beachy. And like everyone else, I feel that it never hurts to dream, and who knows, just maybe those dreams will come true.
Does anyone know the square footage of the house?
Also, someone asked about an A.C unit. I can’t imagine a house in Florida without AC but again, can anyone confirm ?