A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Concrete Sustainability Hub, supported by the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, found that engineered, reinforced concrete masonry homes in Florida sustained roughly half the wind damage of wood-frame homes during Hurricane Irma.
The researchers reviewed post-storm building damage data from three major hurricanes, Irma (2017), Harvey (2017), and Michael (2018). The data came from National Science Foundation NHERI DesignSafe field assessments. The study compared wood-frame, reinforced concrete masonry, and reinforced concrete construction, and found reinforced masonry performed better than wood-frame homes in every hurricane examined.
For mason contractors, the report is a reminder that resilience is not only about the roof, windows, and doors. Those details matter. But the underlying structural system can drive how much damage a home takes and how fast a community can recover. Florida alone is estimated to have about $1.8 trillion in hurricane-exposed residential property, so even small performance gains can turn into big dollars after a storm.
The study describes modern, reinforced masonry construction as a system that combines concrete masonry units (CMU), steel rebar, and grout. Vertical and horizontal reinforcing steel helps strengthen block walls, and grout helps lock the assembly together to resist high winds and windborne debris.
Practical takeaways to discuss with the design team and owner include making sure the structural intent is buildable and inspectable, confirming where vertical and horizontal reinforcing is required, and treating grout placement and consolidation as a critical step, not an afterthought. The research also points to the value of clearer performance information for buyers, similar to how EnergyGuide labels help consumers compare appliances.
The study notes that Florida’s building code upgrades have added roughly $3,000 to the average home’s construction cost, and that premium has historically been recovered through avoided storm losses in about eight years.
Read the full, original article from Morningstar here.