[ton80]

[QUOTE=MandoMan;2299963]They are all good and will withstand a hurricane so long as the roof trusses are properly attached and the roof sheathing is properly nailed down and the shingles are properly attached.


Hurricane Andrew happened in 1992. Many studies were done to find the causes of failure and how to eliminate those causes. The result was the major building code rewrite that issued in 2002. Mandoman's sentence is a good explanation of what the key consideration is.
So today, All construction methods have the same design criteria and are "equal" in principle.

Obviously 1992 houses were designed to a lower criteria with less effective structural integrity. Consequently any opening led to more damage and often to complete destruction. Anecdotally, block construction had some inherent advantages that reduced total destruction During Hurricane Andrew and 2007 Tornado.

The comments regarding high velocity zones and construction methods are interesting but are not pertinent to building in The Villages. High velocity zones are basically coastal areas subject to potential waves from large bodies of water such as the Gulf or Atlantic. Basically NO construction method can withstand the force of high velocity waves. As pointed out in #41 by Greatlawn, The building Code now requires buildings in high velocity zones to be built on anchored concrete pillars 14 ft high (above high tide?). Stick built is the normal building method for private residences.