Disaster-proof houses are using the same material that protects police officers. It also mitigated terrorist damage at the Pentagon. By Christina B. Farnsworth
Millibar’s Kevlar protects buildings from most natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes.
Millibar, developed by New Necessities of Gainesville, Ga., is a high-wind, severe-storm, and seismic structural reinforcement ribbon made of Kevlar. Kevlar, also used for bulletproof vests, is one of the strongest materials available: It has a tensile strength of 525,000 psi vs. 36,000 psi for steel. Millibar-reinforced spaces can survive falling trees and flying debris.
The company has developed a “Sanctuary Saferoom” plan that uses the material and traditional building materials to “create an armored bunker within the structure.” The company also sells what it calls “armored wallpaper,” in 4-foot-by-8-foot sheets. Check out the Web site at www.millibar.com for information and pricing.
