Builder's Cottage - Wind load

[lexxter]

Hello,

Just recently found this site. I would like to build a  Builder's Cottage. Later on, I would like to add a Victoria's Cottage. Much like the combination project shown on the site.

I live in NW Florida on the coast. I would be building these on some property that is at least 50 miles inland. I am not sure what the code requires. I think it is 140 mph here, but goes down to 120 mph where I will be building.

My question is what wind loads are the stock plans designed to support? Is there a better solution that I should be looking at?

Also, it looks like the combination project was started a couple of years ago. Why are there no completed photos?

Thanks...

[jraabe]

Any house in FL will need an engineering review for wind load and hurricane ties. No stock plan will be designed for hurricanes as it would be a waste of money building that way in 98% of the locations it would be built.

The plans you mention are actually designed to have pretty strong wind resistance (80 lbs/sf) but you will need extra hold-downs and some additional straps between the walls and the rafters.

If you find a practical engineer it will not be a big deal.