Does Construction method matter to you?

[PersonOfInterest]

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?

[retiredguy123]

I wouldn't buy a house with vinyl siding. The "stucco" houses are not actually stucco. They have a "cement" finish applied over the concrete structure. I think it is more durable than stucco or vinyl siding.

[charlie1]

having lived in Florida for over two decades and having built and living in both concrete block and wood frame houses in Florida, I would not buy a wood frame house. I have no personal experience with the precast but would not hesitate to buy one at this time.

[Bay Kid]

Concrete/stucco for me.

[MrFlorida]

I would prefer precast myself.

[Bilyclub]

Drove past the precast plant yesterday and saw a lot of empty transport trailers. Are they slowing things down a little ?

[Stu from NYC]

Concrete/stucco for me.

As I understand better able to withstand a tornado or hurricane than vinyl.

[villagetinker]

We had a choice when we built (2013) and specified concrete block, we were not interested in stick built, and as I recall there was additional cost for poured concrete construction. We are very happy with our choice.

[Babubhat]

Concrete block. Nothing else for me

[tophcfa]

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?

All things being equal, concrete block. That being said, location, privacy, price, and lack of traffic are way more important to us than construction method.

[JRcorvette]

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?

The last home that I built in TN had precast wall sections on the first floor. The were great and much stronger than concrete block not to mention better moisture protection. Quality of workmanship is something different.

Basically the homes in TV are just over priced Track Home.

[Worldseries27]

Precast has many admirable features, however from a home purchaser's perspective it has severely limited building options like no more developer built florida rooms etc

[AxSlash]

CBS (Concrete Block Stucco) is what we prefer & bought in 2020. Still our preference for not just storm safety reasons but maintenance as well. You hear about those getting their homes washed several times a year. CBS stays clean & free of mildew unlike siding. Only small drawback is to annually inspect around window trim for small cracks, easily fill with a silicon, and paint. Just did that yesterday and good as new.

[gbs317]

I don’t know, I see the everyone here saying go concrete but we have our vinyl siding cottage for five years now with no issues. We liked the location and the bigger than most fenced in yard. IMO it’s all personal preference.

[La lamy]

If I was to build new I'd go for cement product, either blocks or poured.

[westernrider75]

We definitely wanted block construction after talking with several experienced builders. We are very impressed with this houses ability to to maintain the appropriate temperature.

[Petersweeney]

Sounds like the conversation the three little piggies had……..

[Windguy]

No stick-build house for me in hurricane country.

I saw a video of houses being hit by an atomic blast when I was young. There’s a dramatic difference in damage between stick-build and concrete block.

https://youtu.be/ztJXZjIp8OA

[Larchap49]

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?

I opted for vinyl after living in a block/stucco house in Clearwater for 28 years. In 28 years we painted that house 5 times, very expensive. With vinyl pressure washing a couple times a year leaves alot of money for other activities. Also not too worried about hurricanes here like I was near the gulf in Clearwater. Only downside I see is vinyl house is not as bullet proof.

[coconutmama]

All things being equal, concrete block. That being said, location, privacy, price, and lack of traffic are way more important to us than construction method.

Totally agree to all.
Concrete block can be changed for windows, additions, etc. I don’t see the precast as having that capability. The Villages must be saving $ with the precast but don’t see any savings being passed down to the buyer. Is it as stable in high wind? We will find out eventually. The walls of precast are thinner

But yes, location is more important to us than construction type

[TomPerry]

No stick-build house for me in hurricane country.

I saw a video of houses being hit by an atomic blast when I was young. There’s a dramatic difference in damage between stick-build and concrete block.

https://youtu.be/ztJXZjIp8OA
Good point! Which family do thing was the happiest after the blast?

[Larchap49]

The last home that I built in TN had precast wall sections on the first floor. The were great and much stronger than concrete block not to mention better moisture protection. Quality of workmanship is something different.

Basically the homes in TV are just over priced Track Home.

Sorry but don't agree. I have worked in residential construction and have seen the quality of many different builders in major developments in unscaled areas around Clearwater FL. I have looked at the framing and concrete methods and they are above average. I have found that the home measurements are accurate and square. I've witnessed no cracking of driveways like the upscale development I lived in last. Only cutbacks I see are in flooring, counters and appliances, all of which are replaceable.

[joelfmi]

Never a true word spoken add on to this CDD bond fees, high amenity fees, renters, no community travel, turnpike noise.

[Laker]

Have watched several YouTube videos of people driving around Ft Myers Beach after Ian. Was surprised that newer wood-frame homes were totally sound, albeit several with a few shingles missing. And a bunch of them were 3 story high vacation rental homes.

Apparently the hurricane- standard building codes are effective.

[Priebehouse]

No stick-build house for me in hurricane country.

I saw a video of houses being hit by an atomic blast when I was young. There’s a dramatic difference in damage between stick-build and concrete block.

https://youtu.be/ztJXZjIp8OA

Sticks or stone will break out bones but nukes will always kill you!

[john352]

I wouldn't buy a house with vinyl siding. The "stucco" houses are not actually stucco. They have a "cement" finish applied over the concrete structure. I think it is more durable than stucco or vinyl siding.

More than 10 years ago, a major tornado cut a path through The Villages in the early morning hours of Ground Hog Day. The path of destruction started in Wildwood and destroyed a church on US 441. Many homes were destroyed. The homes built with concert blocks still had their exterior walls standing, helping to protect the residents inside.

[Janie123]

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?
Concrete block walls are more expensive to construct but add savings in termite and water damage possiblities. I believe insurance costs for block houses are lower. I think the siding/EIFS is a different discussion than block or stick framed. We do NOT have stucco homes in the US, they use Exterior Insulation and Finishing system. The upside to EIFS is additional insulation 1-2” over the outside of the block walls then a coating applied to the insulation. Also, with EIFS you can change colors when painting. Coming from Colorado, vinyl siding can be destroyed during a hail storm… probably not a problem here in FL. Also, siding can be applied to concrete block walls which I believe is TV building process… could be wrong.

[sowilts]

Block is used for larger spans. Stand up poured has windows installed and those homes are preset. They have a limit on wall length. Take a ride to Fort Meyers to see the damage of a hurricane.

[tuccillo]

EIFS, haven't heard that term used in sometime. That term had a negative connotation in Georgia in the 90's because of poor installation practices. EIFS is not what is used in The Villages. The "stucco" is a concrete-like mixture that is applied directly on the concrete blocks.

Concrete block walls are more expensive to construct but add savings in termite and water damage possiblities. I believe insurance costs for block houses are lower. I think the siding/EIFS is a different discussion than block or stick framed. We do NOT have stucco homes in the US, they use Exterior Insulation and Finishing system. The upside to EIFS is additional insulation 1-2” over the outside of the block walls then a coating applied to the insulation. Also, with EIFS you can change colors when painting. Coming from Colorado, vinyl siding can be destroyed during a hail storm… probably not a problem here in FL. Also, siding can be applied to concrete block walls which I believe is TV building process… could be wrong.

[Fastskiguy]

Concrete block all the way, then you can make stretches and basically go crazy making it just the way you want.

Oh...wait....

Joe

[maistocars]

Concrete block or precast only.

[kkingston57]

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?

5 Years ago, block was 5K higher than frame in the mid priced homes. Defintely worth the extra money then. Block(CBS) is stronger and less likelihood of having termite problems and can be easily be re painted. Siding painting does require an additive to the paint and siding does fade. Pre cast is better than both(more uniform) and should be considered. Lived in Palm Beach County before moving to TV and best wind protected homes were pre cast. Pre cast can have a lifetime finish also. Need to ask if TV's pre cast walls are lifetime finished.

[skippy05]

When we have high winds you will regret buying that plastic siding house. Additionally, no matter what anyone tells you to the contrary, plastic houses do not look executive. They look cheap.

[jmpate]

I opted for vinyl after living in a block/stucco house in Clearwater for 28 years. In 28 years we painted that house 5 times, very expensive. With vinyl pressure washing a couple times a year leaves alot of money for other activities. Also not too worried about hurricanes here like I was near the gulf in Clearwater. Only downside I see is vinyl house is not as bullet proof.

I do like ur comment about vinyl homes not being bullet proof! If that's the major drawback, I'll raise a glass. Having lived in a stucco home in NM, you can have it....expe sive to paint, at least every 5-8 years and tendency to crack & blister. No Thanks!!!

[Burgy]

CBS (Concrete Block Stucco) is what we prefer & bought in 2020. Still our preference for not just storm safety reasons but maintenance as well. You hear about those getting their homes washed several times a year. CBS stays clean & free of mildew unlike siding. Only small drawback is to annually inspect around window trim for small cracks, easily fill with a silicon, and paint. Just did that yesterday and good as new.

And painted at a big expense with dull colors.

[jimjamuser]

having lived in Florida for over two decades and having built and living in both concrete block and wood frame houses in Florida, I would not buy a wood frame house. I have no personal experience with the precast but would not hesitate to buy one at this time.
I always wondered if a concrete block house was COLDER than a wood frame house - due to less insulation in walls?

[Debfrommaine]

Had both four times, like them all. No issues except had to paint stucco. Part of the territory that goes with it.

[retiredguy123]

I always wondered if a concrete block house was COLDER than a wood frame house - due to less insulation in walls?
No. Both wall systems have a total insulation R-value of about R-13 according to the building code. Ceilings have R-30.

[jimjamuser]

No. Both wall systems have a total insulation R-value of about R-13 according to the building code. Ceilings have R-30.
Thank you.

[justjim]

I’m not an expert on construction but a few years ago I lived next door to a retired engineer I would consider as a well qualified individual in this field. I will call him George. What surprised me about George is the house he had built was a vinyl siding constructed home. My house was concrete block. They were almost exactly the same in size. One day I ask him why he decided to build a vinyl sided home. Following is the essence of what he had to say.

Well, laughing he said, if my house was concrete block it would have less square feet in it than yours. Second, I will not ever have to paint it. Third, our roofs are the same and the first thing that goes in a strong wind is the roof. I already knew it had nothing to do with money because he could, as they say, buy and sell me. He said some others things like insulation etc. but the point was he deliberately built what he wanted and that was a vinyl stick built home. Regardless, my wife liked “the looks” of our concrete block house way better than George’s and at the end of the day that is all that really matters.

[Remembergoldenrule]

I’m sure they all meet building code standards. If you go to first sections built in the 90’s, both vynal and stucco houses both look good and have withstood all the weather and hurricanes for last three decades. Look for location and floor plan you like.

[asianthree]

I always wondered if a concrete block house was COLDER than a wood frame house - due to less insulation in walls?

Frame Seabreeze @1534sf or block Lily @1934. Both at same temp for year cycle. Heating or cooling cost on block either the same or less some months.

[MandoMan]

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?

My preference is precast because it is very strong and fast to erect. Both precast and block walls can withstand any hurricane so long as the roof trusses are properly attached to the walls with code-required hurricane ties, the roof sheathing is nailed down properly, and their are good quality shingles properly nailed. “Stick built” housing, made with 2x4s, 2x6s, and steel studs, with sheathing under that vinyl and again properly built roofs, are nearly as good and can withstand with easy any hurricane that reaches here. They might even withstand a tornado.

Don’t believe garbage on here about shoddy construction. There are building codes, and they are followed. That’s not the same as whether or not you are satisfied with the quality of the paint or the finish carpentry or something like that, or the quality of the light fixtures. They are perfectly safe.

The houses that are less safe in The Villages are some of the original single and double wide prefab houses with carports on the Historic Side. But even so, they are much safer than mobile homes on concrete blocks found outside of The Villages here and there.

I prefer stucco to vinyl, but vinyl is fine. It’s what I have on my house.

[Vermilion Villager]

I noticed several homes going up in the newest village of Richmond are made of concrete block, so they are still using this method. I wasn't back down here for a lot of the construction this summer so don't know if there are any pre-cast in there or not.

[vintageogauge]

When the tornado came through TV and down our street in 07 the stick & vinyl homes were destroyed in comparison to block and stucco homes on either side of it only having roof and window damage. I would not own a vinyl home down here after seeing that and consider myself very fortunate to have been sleeping in a block home when it hit our street.

[Karmanng]

As I understand better able to withstand a tornado or hurricane than vinyl.

From what I understand from my renter that used to be in the building business the FRAME homes are much more insulated than the concrete and precast homes. I have had both in Arizona.....Concrete does not seem to hold up very well in lots of rainy weather here. It deteriotes and you can still get termites with concrete. have NOT had any with the frame house so far.

[Karmanng]

[QUOTE=kkingston57;2158923]5 Years ago, block was 5K higher than frame in the mid priced homes. Defintely worth the extra money then. Block(CBS) is stronger and less likelihood of having termite problems and can be easily be re painted. Siding painting does require an additive to the paint and siding does fade. Pre cast is better than both(more uniform) and should be considered. Lived in Palm Beach County before moving to TV and best wind protected homes were pre cast. Pre cast can have a lifetime finish also. Need to ask if TV's pre cast walls are lifetime finished.


NOT TRUE about the termites !!!! They were in my home in Arizona that was block construction.........another home is FRAME no evidence on the frame home as of yet. Does NOT matter what style home you have for termites

[Karmanng]

I think the homes painted blue and odd colors actually look cheap........Frame is really not all that bad.......

[Karmanng]

The stucco does CRACK and the paint does peel IF you have stucco you can plan on repainting every few years about 5 years as the paint does FADE. I have had 2 in Arizona FYI

[Karmanng]

I do like ur comment about vinyl homes not being bullet proof! If that's the major drawback, I'll raise a glass. Having lived in a stucco home in NM, you can have it....expe sive to paint, at least every 5-8 years and tendency to crack & blister. No Thanks!!!


THANK YOU I totally agree and thats coming from Arizona now too..........I feel the same it does blister...........faster than you think

[Karmanng]

WRONG You still need to power wash the stucco and be careful as paint can and will chip...........I have seen my cousins home look very dirty and she has stucco......you see lots of cobwebs and bugs attzched to the crevices.....

[Karmanng]

More than 10 years ago, a major tornado cut a path through The Villages in the early morning hours of Ground Hog Day. The path of destruction started in Wildwood and destroyed a church on US 441. Many homes were destroyed. The homes built with concert blocks still had their exterior walls standing, helping to protect the residents inside.


BUT it will hurt more if the walls fall down on you for sure !!!

[Karmanng]

5 Years ago, block was 5K higher than frame in the mid priced homes. Defintely worth the extra money then. Block(CBS) is stronger and less likelihood of having termite problems and can be easily be re painted. Siding painting does require an additive to the paint and siding does fade. Pre cast is better than both(more uniform) and should be considered. Lived in Palm Beach County before moving to TV and best wind protected homes were pre cast. Pre cast can have a lifetime finish also. Need to ask if TV's pre cast walls are lifetime finished.

Certainly wrong on the termites!!! AZ house was block we had termites....Frame with stucco house Nothing.......Stucco needs regpainting and power wash also FYI

[Oneiric]

Do block houses, being thicker than pre-cast, offer more insulation and sound absorption? Also, don't vinyl siding homes, being smoother, seem to have more mold/fungus problems than block or pre-cast?

[Packer Fan]

Well,
As usual, lots of good disinformation and rampant speculation here. I have an engineering degree, run major construction projects(all having to conform to FM Global wind shear requirements), and have 2 homes in TV. One is a 10 year old Wisteria, one is an 8 year old Jasmine so they are about the same thing, although the Jasmine is about 100 square feet more due to the bump outs. But overall same thing. Here are the facts as I see them, comparing the 2. They both have been through several hurricanes.
1. The frame house is about the same as the Block and stucco from a wind protection standpoint. They are built to the same Cat 3 hurricane standards, and the roof is wood in both, and would be the first thing to go. No difference.
2. Looking at the heating and cooling, I think the Wood frame house is a bit more energy efficient, but only by a little. Heck, with what it costs in TV, who really cares?
3. The siding is almost zero maintenance. It costs me about $100 to have it power washed twice a year to keep it sparkling white.
4. The block and stucco fades and has a few cracks, I will have to spend like $5000 to have it repainted in a few years. I also found out that if you try and cover the bottom with the original paint color, it doesn't match perfectly because the current paint fades.
5. For commercial construction, we use all 3 methods depenending on the job. Tilt up concrete is a bit less expensive, and the most durable, but you can't change anything once it is there, so we usually use curtain wall construction that can be modified more easily later.

Overall, I think all 3 are fine. The quality of the villages construction is very good. I really don't get it when people criticize it. Both my houses look almost new and they have both had many renters in them as well as my wife and I spending several months a year there. For ease of care and cost, go with frame construction and siding - it is the lowest maintenance long term. I will be keeping the block and stucco house because it has a golf cart garage and my wife and I like the look of the cement finish, more florida.
Either way, stay away from palm trees - they are high maintenance!!! (I know, doesn't fit this thread, but I just hate them so much had to share).
Ed

[Red Rose]

In a tornado it doesn't matter what kind of construction your house is. The roof is usually the first thing to go so you lose your protection in any of the 3 types of construction.

[fdpaq0580]

No sticks, no straw, if the big bad hurricane tries to BLOW your house down. Concrete blocks, please. I saw what happened to the 3 little pigs.
🐷🐷🐷

[kingofbeer]

The stucco does CRACK and the paint does peel IF you have stucco you can plan on repainting every few years about 5 years as the paint does FADE. I have had 2 in Arizona FYI
Stucco cracks are a simple repair. What do you do if the vinyl cracks, tears, or fades?

[DTI812]

Where did you see the precast plant? I’ve never found it

[Garywt]

We stopped looking at wood/vinyl as my wife preferred the brick homes. In her mind she just felt safe in brick. Also we liked the layouts of the brick at the time. We have a brick block home as the were just starting the prefab homes when we bought. So yes, the place we bought changed based on the building material.

[Normal]

Concrete block only. Sticks are out and pre-poured doesn’t have enough versatility nor the implosion strength of block. With prefabricated walls, if the roof comes off during a hurricane, the walls can fall inward given rusted retention bolts or cable. Block is the only way to go.