home style

[Chipper]

Which type of home is better, frame built or block and stucco? We were at TV last week and saw both but I'm curious what current residents have to say.

[goingtothevillages]

I just completed my search, etc. and bought a concrete and stucco. I like to looks better than frame/vynal and have spoken to several residents who were in the frame/vynal and sold to purchase a concrete/stucco - they stated that their utility bills were significantly lower. I just purchased a Courtyard Bungalow at Mission Hills and it has poured concrete/stucco rather than the block and stucco - ANYONE know what difference I might notice with poured concrete rather than block ???????

[graciegirl]

In the same style home, for example, Gardenia,Camellia, the block stucco ends up having a little less square footage inside because the walls are thicker. Or so I have been told.

It seems that the roofs were blown off frame and block stucco alike during the tornado that touched down here a few years ago.

I think some framed homes with the newer cuter shingles are just as nice looking as the block stucco.

We had a frame in Hadley and loved it and we have a block stucco now and love it.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Any of the three types of home construction being built presently in TV (stick-built, CBS, poured walls) meet current construction code requirements. Many people feel that the two concrete-based construction types will hold up better in high winds. Choose whichever type of construction you'd prefer - much of it comes down to personal preference.

A couple of other thoughts about construction types:

- I feel that the two concrete-based home types will be more resistant to pest intrusion. Strictly a logic-based conclusion on my part. Stick-built homes will have a gasket material of some type between the outside walls' sill plates and the concrete slab. My guess is that, even with the gasket closing up the gap between the bottom of the sill plate and the slab, there will still be ways for insects, etc. to get inside. Poured walls and concrete block exterior walls - it's concrete/mortar right on the slab. No gaps.

- I believe you'll find that homes with gable roof construction will be somewhat more expensive to insure than homes with hip roof construction. Winds will have more of a tendency to flow over a hip roof whereas gable roofs provide additional vertical surface to the exterior walls of your home which will have more of a tendency to be impacted by high winds.

JMHO!! :D

Bottom line - Pick what YOU like the best in a home. "It's all good!"

Bill :)

[Chipper]

Thanks for the info. I had several concerns about frame built homes with the main concern being bug or termite damage. The other concerns were holding up to the weather and the insulation value of the walls.

[rodie]

Any of the three types of home construction being built presently in TV (stick-built, CBS, poured walls) meet current construction code requirements. Many people feel that the two concrete-based construction types will hold up better in high winds. Choose whichever type of construction you'd prefer - much of it comes down to personal preference.

A couple of other thoughts about construction types:

- I feel that the two concrete-based home types will be more resistant to pest intrusion. Strictly a logic-based conclusion on my part. Stick-built homes will have a gasket material of some type between the outside walls' sill plates and the concrete slab. My guess is that, even with the gasket closing up the gap between the bottom of the sill plate and the slab, there will still be ways for insects, etc. to get inside. Poured walls and concrete block exterior walls - it's concrete/mortar right on the slab. No gaps.

- I believe you'll find that homes with gable roof construction will be somewhat more expensive to insure than homes with hip roof construction. Winds will have more of a tendency to flow over a hip roof whereas gable roofs provide additional vertical surface to the exterior walls of your home which will have more of a tendency to be impacted by high winds.

JMHO!! :D

Bottom line - Pick what YOU like the best in a home. "It's all good!"

Bill :)


Thanks for info on the hip vs gable roof. Can you elaborate a little. My insurance company that I might go with just asked if our house will have a hip or gable roof. We are building a Lantana with a hip roof. I just don't know what the difference between hip and gable is.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Here is some info on hip and gable roof construction with a photo or two:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_roof

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gable

Bill :)

[Happinow]

When building, do we have the choice of poured concrete or concrete block?? Do we also have a choice of hip or gable roof? Don't know just how many choices we have with construction.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

When building, do we have the choice of poured concrete or concrete block?? Do we also have a choice of hip or gable roof? Don't know just how many choices we have with construction.

Those things are dictated by which particular home/floor plan you choose.

Some models that are stick-built will have a version that is CBS construction - some won't. Some are poured wall construction only - Allamanda, for example.

If you look at a particular floor plan on TV's web site, the page that gives you the details on it will tell you about the type of construction it is.

Bill :)

[Jim 9922]

Thanks for info on the hip vs gable roof. Can you elaborate a little. My insurance company that I might go with just asked if our house will have a hip or gable roof. We are building a Lantana with a hip roof. I just don't know what the difference between hip and gable is.

Many insurance companies give a small discount for hip roof. Apparently less damage in wind storms. If you havew one make sure your agent knows about it.

[Trish Crocker]

I want stucco just because it seems more like Florida. The sided homes are beautiful, inside and out, but I have had sided here in Michigan and love the 'tropical' look of the block.

[l2ridehd]

As with anything there are pro's and con's to each. I own one block and two stick built homes. Termites may be worse in stick built, but your going to have to have a termite contract on both and the price is the same so not sure that is an issue.

Block or poured concrete homes need to be painted every 5 to 7 years vinyl does not. And both require pressure washing at a minimum annually.

Stick built gives about 1.2% more square footage home for home. 4 inch walls vs 8 inch walls. Stick built is a whole lot easier to add electric outlets or exterior wall mount TV's or new cable outlets in the future.

Concrete seems to be a little quieter, maybe less energy, but I can't prove that and so far all measures I have done prove the opposite. Only thing I can guess as to why is the stick built homes have better wall insulation as both have the same attic insulation.

No data to prove, but I agree with Bill, concrete and hip roofs should hold up better in high wind.

Concrete costs more and will increase your tax bill slightly FOREVER.

Having both and lived in both, I am not sure I would prefer one over the other. Location, location, location should far out weigh the concrete vs stick built issue. If building new on a specific lot and could chose either, would probably chose block for the better storm protection if budget was not an issue.

[janmcn]

If the storm is bad enough, it really doesn't matter. In 2007 when the tornado hit TV, my frame cyv neighborhood was completely decimated as were brand new concrete block homes nearby.

[swrinfla]

My Gardenia is block/stucco. When it was built nearly 7 years ago, the stick version had a different model name (can't remember now what it was). An option I had was to fill the blocks with a spray-foam insulation, which I believe makes it "snugger!" I doubt that the "poured concrete" can accommodate that.

Having seen many poured concretes in the construction phase, I'd hazard a guess that the so-called loss of interior space caused by blocks would be regained, as the walls seem quite thin.

Termites. I resisted (unsuccessfully) any treatment against them when I built. Today, I was visited by a Massey rep wanting me to do a renewal program. He made it clear that even the smallest settlement cracks which have appeared over the years are prime locations for termites to get in! After much reluctance, I signed off on getting a renewed treatment.

I was told that the original treatment had a "shelf life" of just about 5 years. The new treatment will cover for 10 years.

I still think the threat of termites is over-blown, but now I should never have to worry ever again. Or, so I've been led to believe! :laugh:

As others have said, build what you want! The quality of product (homes) has always been excellent.

SWR
:beer3:

[OpusX1]

Our CBS Courtyard villa is $135.00 per year less for insurance. I know this because the agent rated it first as a stick built and I pointed out that we had a CBS and she rerated it. We also like the looks better than sided. I think it is a bit quieter too.

[Chipper]

I want stucco just because it seems more like Florida. The sided homes are beautiful, inside and out, but I have had sided here in Michigan and love the 'tropical' look of the block.

We live in the Grand Rapids area and we also have only had sided homes. Hopefully, TV will be in our future.

[Shimpy]

Less maintance on stick, more wind protection with block, although once a window or door goes then the wind could lift the roof off on either. You pay quite a lot less for stick and that's what I have after living the last 58 years in nothing but block in S. Florida. We don't have the strick wind codes that they have in S. Fla. so I guess they figure we have less of a chance of getting a catagory 3 or higher hurricane.

[John_W]

We moved into our poured concrete wall CYV in July and we found setting our A/C on 81 degrees was perfect. On occasion if I just came back from riding somewhere in the open golf cart on a hot day I might turn it down to 80 for a few minutes and I never put it on 79 because that was too cold. My electric bills in Maryland were $300 to $400, so my $90 to $130 bills here have been nice.

Vinyl siding I hear is an attraction for snakes, they like to slither up inside the space between the vinyl siding the the plywood walls. Although most snakes are harmless, I still wouldn't care to see one crossing my yard when I'm walking my dog. That's one reason I bought a CYV was for the fence and the protection from other creatures. Also as someone wrote, I had a vinyl siding home up north and stucco looks more Floridian to me.

[tommy steam]

Thanks for the info. I had several concerns about frame built homes with the main concern being bug or termite damage. The other concerns were holding up to the weather and the insulation value of the walls.

The salesman I was with , told me that you can have termite damage with a cement or block home...the termites can eat the roof rafters ,So the lesson here is to get termite protection...I too thought termites would not harm a cement house.

[Shimpy]

Vinyl siding I hear is an attraction for snakes, they like to slither up inside the space between the vinyl siding the the plywood walls. .

For those that don't know, the vinyl siding is ATTACHED TO the plywood walls.

[Shimpy]

The salesman I was with , told me that you can have termite damage with a cement or block home...the termites can eat the roof rafters ,So the lesson here is to get termite protection...I too thought termites would not harm a cement house.

Termites eat wood. A block home will have furring strips nailed to the wall that holds the wallboard inside. Most of the walls have metal studs, but mine has some wood studs. Of course the roof is all wood.

[CarGuys]

It is something you will go back and forth with for quite awhile. And maybe why many Villagers move three times we have been told?

Gracie and Bill spell out the reasons for both quite well. Some people have no option for a Block Home only the Frame is available.

I talked to several builders before deciding. My curb appeal heart was leaning toward Block but my Garage and my wife's Lani requirements had us end up with a frame.

Remember Block or Frame. The roofs can both be ripped off just as easy if the force is strong enough. When I asked my builder to double the Hurrican strapping he re - assured me that was not necesary. With the strapping codes now required if they fail then we should not be any where near or in that home.

Bugs will get into any home! As will mice and other critters. Pest control is a fact of life and will protect any home is done properly and on time.

It all comes down to budget space and curb appeal. My saleperson, God Bless his sole was so helpful in our decisions.

One thing I did was upgrade to stronger two sided coated steel doors with 1/3/8 solid foam centers.

Herv

[Shimpy]

One thing I did was upgrade to stronger two sided coated steel doors with 1/3/8 solid foam centers.

Herv

The code in S. Fla. says all exterior doors must open OUT. Regardless what they are made of, if the door isn't supported by a frame all around it on the inside as an outside opening door it will only be held from blowing in by the latch. The first thing I noticed when we bought our house was the door opened in unfortunately.

[Trish Crocker]

We live in the Grand Rapids area and we also have only had sided homes. Hopefully, TV will be in our future.

Hi fellow Michigander! I have a granddaughter that lives in the Grand Rapids area, we're just outside of Detroit. Have you been to TV yet? I see you just started posting so welcome to TOTV!

[BigLew]

I just completed my search, etc. and bought a concrete and stucco. I like to looks better than frame/vynal and have spoken to several residents who were in the frame/vynal and sold to purchase a concrete/stucco - they stated that their utility bills were significantly lower. I just purchased a Courtyard Bungalow at Mission Hills and it has poured concrete/stucco rather than the block and stucco - ANYONE know what difference I might notice with poured concrete rather than block ???????

vinyl

[kentucky blue]

As with anything there are pro's and con's to each. I own one block and two stick built homes. Termites may be worse in stick built, but your going to have to have a termite contract on both and the price is the same so not sure that is an issue.

Block or poured concrete homes need to be painted every 5 to 7 years vinyl does not. And both require pressure washing at a minimum annually.

Stick built gives about 1.2% more square footage home for home. 4 inch walls vs 8 inch walls. Stick built is a whole lot easier to add electric outlets or exterior wall mount TV's or new cable outlets in the future.

Concrete seems to be a little quieter, maybe less energy, but I can't prove that and so far all measures I have done prove the opposite. Only thing I can guess as to why is the stick built homes have better wall insulation as both have the same attic insulation.

No data to prove, but I agree with Bill, concrete and hip roofs should hold up better in high wind.

Concrete costs more and will increase your tax bill slightly FOREVER.

Having both and lived in both, I am not sure I would prefer one over the other. Location, location, location should far out weigh the concrete vs stick built issue. If building new on a specific lot and could chose either, would probably chose block for the better storm protection if budget was not an issue.

Lots of great points,but if finances are not an issue,i would go with stucco/block home every time.Like that old adage "you get what you pay for."

[Jim Straz]

It is something you will go back and forth with for quite awhile. And maybe why many Villagers move three times we have been told?

Gracie and Bill spell out the reasons for both quite well. Some people have no option for a Block Home only the Frame is available.

I talked to several builders before deciding. My curb appeal heart was leaning toward Block but my Garage and my wife's Lani requirements had us end up with a frame.

Remember Block or Frame. The roofs can both be ripped off just as easy if the force is strong enough. When I asked my builder to double the Hurrican strapping he re - assured me that was not necesary. With the strapping codes now required if they fail then we should not be any where near or in that home.

Bugs will get into any home! As will mice and other critters. Pest control is a fact of life and will protect any home is done properly and on time.

It all comes down to budget space and curb appeal. My saleperson, God Bless his sole was so helpful in our decisions.

One thing I did was upgrade to stronger two sided coated steel doors with 1/3/8 solid foam centers.

Herv
You are a teacher after all---"SOUL"

[Chipper]

Hi fellow Michigander! I have a granddaughter that lives in the Grand Rapids area, we're just outside of Detroit. Have you been to TV yet? I see you just started posting so welcome to TOTV!

Thanks for the welcome. We were at TV two weeks ago and loved it. I'm ready to move but my wife has a little more time before she can retire. We're still trying to get as much information as possible before we make the move.

[CarGuys]

The code in S. Fla. says all exterior doors must open OUT. Regardless what they are made of, if the door isn't supported by a frame all around it on the inside as an outside opening door it will only be held from blowing in by the latch. The first thing I noticed when we bought our house was the door opened in unfortunately.

Sorry for the confusion. I was refering to the Garage Overhead Doors! not the others,