Question re TV house construction

[Tvflguy]

We golfed at Mickylee yesterday. While waiting for tee off, I was checking out the nearby new house construction.

Many of them were using precast concrete panels for walls. Being craned into place. So interesting.

Few questions….
The windows seemed to be in place/installed already. Must be very efficient and better quality done in the factory rather than on site.

Seems that some houses still were built by block. I assume some models aren’t in the mix for factory built walls.

Does this type of construction allow for modifications by the lot owner? ie moving/changing windows, door, etc location….

Our Designer home, we built in 2013- we were able to move, enlarge etc. nice feature. Overall I love the prebuilt concrete walls. Seems to be great cost savings plus quality.

[pikeselectric]

We golfed at Mickylee yesterday. While waiting for tee off, I was checking out the nearby new house construction.

Many of them were using precast concrete panels for walls. Being craned into place. So interesting.

Few questions….
The windows seemed to be in place/installed already. Must be very efficient and better quality done in the factory rather than on site.

Seems that some houses still were built by block. I assume some models aren’t in the mix for factory built walls.

Does this type of construction allow for modifications by the lot owner? ie moving/changing windows, door, etc location….

Our Designer home, we built in 2013- we were able to move, enlarge etc. nice feature. Overall I love the prebuilt concrete walls. Seems to be great cost savings plus quality.

From an electrical standpoint, we are still able to make aftermarket modifications to precast model homes. There may be surface mounted materials (boxes, pipe, etc.) in some instances.

[Bilyclub]

The wall plant is in the TV industrial park just East of I-75. GoldWingNut's latest video explains why the developer had decided to limit the options in designer homes. Most stretches are not allowed currently.

[BrianL99]

We golfed at Mickylee yesterday. While waiting for tee off, I was checking out the nearby new house construction.

Many of them were using precast concrete panels for walls. Being craned into place. So interesting.

Few questions….
The windows seemed to be in place/installed already. Must be very efficient and better quality done in the factory rather than on site.

Seems that some houses still were built by block. I assume some models aren’t in the mix for factory built walls.

Does this type of construction allow for modifications by the lot owner? ie moving/changing windows, door, etc location….

Our Designer home, we built in 2013- we were able to move, enlarge etc. nice feature. Overall I love the prebuilt concrete walls. Seems to be great cost savings plus quality.

Pre-cast homes offer the advantage of "quick build". They lack flexibility (as an Electrician posted earlier) changing plumbing, electrical work, room configurations are all difficult to do. Essentially, when you buy a Pre-Cast (Tilt Up) constructed home, it's always going to be the same home and everything is going to stay where it was when new. Speed is the only advantage in my opinion.

Tilt Up Construction is often used in Commercial applications, where there's no need to modify or hide modifications in the future. In other words, you can have electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc., visibly run along walls, in chases or in conduit and no one is going to care.

[asianthree]

Our Warbler has all 10’ ceilings. Ours was block built in 12/2022. None of the “custom” homes were tilt wall in our village

[kingofbeer]

We golfed at Mickylee yesterday. While waiting for tee off, I was checking out the nearby new house construction.

Many of them were using precast concrete panels for walls. Being craned into place. So interesting.

Few questions….
The windows seemed to be in place/installed already. Must be very efficient and better quality done in the factory rather than on site.

Seems that some houses still were built by block. I assume some models aren’t in the mix for factory built walls.

Does this type of construction allow for modifications by the lot owner? ie moving/changing windows, door, etc location….

Our Designer home, we built in 2013- we were able to move, enlarge etc. nice feature. Overall I love the prebuilt concrete walls. Seems to be great cost savings plus quality.
Moving windows, changing windows... Nope.

[kkingston57]

Pre-cast homes offer the advantage of "quick build". They lack flexibility (as an Electrician posted earlier) changing plumbing, electrical work, room configurations are all difficult to do. Essentially, when you buy a Pre-Cast (Tilt Up) constructed home, it's always going to be the same home and everything is going to stay where it was when new. Speed is the only advantage in my opinion.

Tilt Up Construction is often used in Commercial applications, where there's no need to modify or hide modifications in the future. In other words, you can have electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc., visibly run along walls, in chases or in conduit and no one is going to care.

Speed is not the only advantage. Poured concrete walls will not be affected by termites and is probably the best wind resistant construction. A property owner can feel a lot more safe and opt out of buying windstorm(hurricane) coverage on their property. Beets the heck out of stick/frame construction with particle board wood walls.

[jimdecastro]

We golfed at Mickylee yesterday. While waiting for tee off, I was checking out the nearby new house construction.

Many of them were using precast concrete panels for walls. Being craned into place. So interesting.

Few questions….
The windows seemed to be in place/installed already. Must be very efficient and better quality done in the factory rather than on site.

Seems that some houses still were built by block. I assume some models aren’t in the mix for factory built walls.

Does this type of construction allow for modifications by the lot owner? ie moving/changing windows, door, etc location….

Our Designer home, we built in 2013- we were able to move, enlarge etc. nice feature. Overall I love the prebuilt concrete walls. Seems to be great cost savings plus quality.

I am in Newell. There are a FEW standard stretches available but NO internal changes. The windows are not put in before the walls are installed. Some houses are still block because of where they are - even if a tilt wall model exists. If you look at Unit 44 site map in Newell there are several lots listed as non-prefab locations.

[BrianL99]

Speed is not the only advantage. Poured concrete walls will not be affected by termites and is probably the best wind resistant construction. A property owner can feel a lot more safe and opt out of buying windstorm(hurricane) coverage on their property. Beets the heck out of stick/frame construction with particle board wood walls.

The question asked, was: "Tilt Up vs Masonry". Tilt Up is faster and less flexible. If there's a "poured concrete" home anywhere in The Villages (or in the USA), I've never seen it. It's not a practical way to build homes.

[joelfmi]

This type of construction is a cost way saving sway for the Builder to increase profit. If not for the light there would be no shadow of what they are doing. Look for homes that are built in place ground up not prefabricated.

[jimbo2012]

Speed is not the only advantage. Poured concrete walls will not be affected by termites and is probably the best wind resistant construction. A property owner can feel a lot more safe and opt out of buying windstorm(hurricane) coverage on their property. Beets the heck out of stick/frame construction with particle board wood walls.

You still have stick built roof and interior walls and other woodwork, so possible termites are still an issue.

As far as wind again the roof can have shingles blow off and drench the house or worse yet the roof can blow off.

So just because you have concrete walls you still have risks which should be insurred



.

[tuccillo]

There are Courtyard Villas in The Villages with poured concrete walls using removable forms. I do not recall that a very large percentage of the Courtyard Villas were built that way. I believe they have stopped constructing them that way, however. Most have been concrete block or framed. There are many ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) homes with poured concrete walls and permanent forms in the US. Whether something is "practical" depends on what you are trying to do. For example, if you are building a high end, custom home with superior energy efficiency and strength then ICF is a good way to go.

The question asked, was: "Tilt Up vs Masonry". Tilt Up is faster and less flexible. If there's a "poured concrete" home anywhere in The Villages (or in the USA), I've never seen it. It's not a practical way to build homes.

[huge-pigeons]

The walls of these new homes are built offsite and constructed onsite with a crane. 1 benefit would be a solid wall for insulation purposes and another would be wind resistant, but you would still need to insure them because the windows and especially the roofs can get damaged in tornadoes and hurricanes.
These factory constructed walls are nothing new. I looked into using ISP walls on my 1985 custom home in the north which have superb insulating qualities over stick built.
I also heard that TV is cutting back on major changes that you can do to a house plan, takes longer to build and a more specialized crew is needed

[justjim]

You still have stick built roof and interior walls and other woodwork, so possible termites are still an issue.

As far as wind again the roof can have shingles blow off and drench the house or worse yet the roof can blow off.

So just because you have concrete walls you still have risks which should be insurred



.

You are spot on. Your roof is usually the first part of the house to go in a storm and having block or concrete walls only makes you “feel” safer but “feelings” don’t make it so.

[Ptmckiou]

The tilt-up wall homes will soon be almost all TV homes of the future. Our contractor stated it’s much higher quality construction being solid concrete, and built in a controlled environment. Yes, the windows are installed in the factory prior to shipment, along with with many other things. Consequently, this has stopped all the changes to outside walls of a plan. No more. Inside you can still make some adjustments. Higher quality, lower cost, quicker construction. Win. Win.

[Bilyclub]

This type of construction is a cost way saving sway for the Builder to increase profit. If not for the light there would be no shadow of what they are doing. Look for homes that are built in place ground up not prefabricated.

It's hard to see anything from a thousand miles away.

[JMintzer]

This type of construction is a cost way saving sway for the Builder to increase profit. If not for the light there would be no shadow of what they are doing. Look for homes that are built in place ground up not prefabricated.

Is this one of those "negative" posts about The Villages that you were talking about on the AZ vs FL thread?

[dewilson58]

It's hard to see anything from a thousand miles away.

:BigApplause:

[Bilyclub]

I am in Newell. There are a FEW standard stretches available but NO internal changes. The windows are not put in before the walls are installed. Some houses are still block because of where they are - even if a tilt wall model exists. If you look at Unit 44 site map in Newell there are several lots listed as non-prefab locations.

Unless somethings changed, the walls come with the windows installed. GoldWingNut has a video that covers precast construction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dCUekKv-SI

[kendi]

The wall plant is in the TV industrial park just East of I-75. GoldWingNut's latest video explains why the developer had decided to limit the options in designer homes. Most stretches are not allowed currently.

That information is not in the latest video. Sometime back is last we heard him talk about the walls

[jacqueline larsen]

They’re common south of 44. Very sturdy!

[dougawhite]

I believe the new schools in the southern area are made with the precast tilt-wall construction.

[toeser]

The question asked, was: "Tilt Up vs Masonry". Tilt Up is faster and less flexible. If there's a "poured concrete" home anywhere in The Villages (or in the USA), I've never seen it. It's not a practical way to build homes.

A lot of homes built in Minnesota use poured concrete for the lower level. Some are full basements, but others are close to being a first floor with walk-out patio doors.

[BrianL99]

The tilt-up wall homes will soon be almost all TV homes of the future. Our contractor stated it’s much higher quality construction being solid concrete, and built in a controlled environment. Yes, the windows are installed in the factory prior to shipment, along with with many other things. Consequently, this has stopped all the changes to outside walls of a plan. No more. Inside you can still make some adjustments. Higher quality, lower cost, quicker construction. Win. Win.

It's essentially the road to "cookie-cutter" homes and way to deal with skilled labor shortages. It doesn't take a brain surgeon, to supervise pouring concrete into a mold and then having unskilled labor, hooking them all together like Lego blocks.

Anyone who works with concrete will tell you, this method of construction is not without it's own set of issues. They may be different thank stick framing or block/masonry, but it's not a panacea.

[Papa_lecki]

This type of construction is a cost way saving sway for the Builder to increase profit. If not for the light there would be no shadow of what they are doing. Look for homes that are built in place ground up not prefabricated.

Is it possible they moved to this method of construction to keep the cost of the homes we pay down? Vs increasing profit.

The profit margin of the developer is going to be the same - it’s an easy formula - sale price of home - cost to build = profit

Lower the cost to build, lower the price of the home

[Remlod]

The question asked, was: "Tilt Up vs Masonry". Tilt Up is faster and less flexible. If there's a "poured concrete" home anywhere in The Villages (or in the USA), I've never seen it. It's not a practical way to build homes.

The Alamanda is poured exterior wall construction, at least mine is. There are several other similar floor plan with block as well as wood and siding. The Alder is a similar layout but it is block.

[Karmanng]

Speed is not the only advantage. Poured concrete walls will not be affected by termites and is probably the best wind resistant construction. A property owner can feel a lot more safe and opt out of buying windstorm(hurricane) coverage on their property. Beets the heck out of stick/frame construction with particle board wood walls.


NOT SO FAST on the termites!!! We had a block home and guess what? We HAD TERMITES!!!! My home in TV from my renter who was a builder stated that the frame home was built quite well and better insulated. ALSO BLOCK homes DO in fact get a number of cracks on it over time from settling and WATER damage........Case in point on my block wall that I have! Constantly fixing............

[BrianL99]

I believe the new schools in the southern area are made with the precast tilt-wall construction.

Typical application for Tilt Up construction.

Schools, dormitories, warehouses, factories, large garages.

Any sort of construction that relies on "replication", is a candidate. It's simply panelized construction, using concrete instead of wood products. Cuts time of construction, improves tolerances, but decreases flexibility.

[BrianL99]

A lot of homes built in Minnesota use poured concrete for the lower level. Some are full basements, but others are close to being a first floor with walk-out patio doors.

We build the same way in the Northeast, but typically if the 1st floor is going to be a "walk-out", it's because it's a sloped lot. It's a function of how much "wall" you need below ground, because of frost.

[Tvflguy]

I’m the OP. And glad that we’re very pleased with our block Designer built in 2013. Made a few moderate changes, we were able to back then - not a Spec house. Was great to have the flexibility to customize. Moving windows, moving the front door wall out to increase foyer size, and expand the home out further.

Seems that most are cookie-cutter now. Expediting and simplifying build but…,

Personally I like the expanded paint gallery colors, but driving “down there” shows smaller lots, shorter driveways, and similar house styling.

[asianthree]

I’m the OP. And glad that we’re very pleased with our block Designer built in 2013. Made a few moderate changes, we were able to back then - not a Spec house. Was great to have the flexibility to customize. Moving windows, moving the front door wall out to increase foyer size, and expand the home out further.

Seems that most are cookie-cutter now. Expediting and simplifying build but…,

Personally I like the expanded paint gallery colors, but driving “down there” shows smaller lots, shorter driveways, and similar house styling.

Our new lot in Richmond is the same SF as our home in what was the middle of TV:wave: yes we have 7’ shorter driveway, but 20’ deeper lot at back of new house, compared to the old property.Rather have less front yard, and short driveway that the new house has.

[Tvflguy]

That’s great, glad you’re pleased. I guess what I’m saying is that even with a larger lot (that costs more $$$) a buyer cannot extend the home out???? Perhaps with a block home but not the tilt wall????

[Dmossien]

We golfed at Mickylee yesterday. While waiting for tee off, I was checking out the nearby new house construction.

Many of them were using precast concrete panels for walls. Being craned into place. So interesting.

Few questions….
The windows seemed to be in place/installed already. Must be very efficient and better quality done in the factory rather than on site.

Seems that some houses still were built by block. I assume some models aren’t in the mix for factory built walls.

Does this type of construction allow for modifications by the lot owner? ie moving/changing windows, door, etc location….

Our Designer home, we built in 2013- we were able to move, enlarge etc. nice feature. Overall I love the prebuilt concrete walls. Seems to be great cost savings plus quality.
As an architect I bought a block house. Termites and mold don’t cut it with me. Moving a window or two is complex and expensive and very messy too. We bought our house as is, except for cosmetics and are very happy after cleaning the duct work and installing an electric air cleaner and hi-tech water treatment system. We love everything here, the people, and landscaping are well beyond belief. Not to bore you but we had just returned from SanAntonio to find a retirement home and my wife left the next day for golf with the girls to FL. Neither of us would ever live in FL. She called the next afternoon to tell me that we were going to search for a retirement house in “The Bubble.” I had no idea but we now live in Chatham and love it! No houses look the same and 95% of our neighbors are great friends. The other 5% shouldn’t live here anyway. Daniel Mossien

[MillerD]

We golfed at Mickylee yesterday. While waiting for tee off, I was checking out the nearby new house construction.

Many of them were using precast concrete panels for walls. Being craned into place. So interesting.

Few questions….
The windows seemed to be in place/installed already. Must be very efficient and better quality done in the factory rather than on site.

Seems that some houses still were built by block. I assume some models aren’t in the mix for factory built walls.

Does this type of construction allow for modifications by the lot owner? ie moving/changing windows, door, etc location….

Our Designer home, we built in 2013- we were able to move, enlarge etc. nice feature. Overall I love the prebuilt concrete walls. Seems to be great cost savings plus quality.


In South Florida where we are from a precast concrete home was the most superb to withstanding hurricanes.

[golfnut]

I’m the OP. And glad that we’re very pleased with our block Designer built in 2013. Made a few moderate changes, we were able to back then - not a Spec house. Was great to have the flexibility to customize. Moving windows, moving the front door wall out to increase foyer size, and expand the home out further.

Seems that most are cookie-cutter now. Expediting and simplifying build but…,

Personally I like the expanded paint gallery colors, but driving “down there” shows smaller lots, shorter driveways, and similar house styling.

Do you spend a lot of time in your foyer? Never dawned on me we needed a bigger foyer.

[Tvflguy]

Do you spend a lot of time in your foyer? Never dawned on me we needed a bigger foyer.

No but it certainly makes the interior seem larger up front. The outside entryway is plenty big too - just wanted more room inside and it was simple for the builder when we designed it.