Stucco versus Frame

[Carmpat]

Hello,

I was talking to a friend of mine who lives in AZ and I was telling her I cannot make up my mind whether to purchase a stucco or frame house. She said if I were to get stucco in 4 to 5 yrs, we would have to repaint it? Has that happened to anyone else living in The Villages? I do realize that AZ does get wind storms so that could be the reason.

We have vinyl siding on our current home. On one side of the house due to the lack of sun mold grows up the side. We ususally powerwash our home about twice a year. Do folks in The Villages also have that problem?

Thanks.

Patti

[l2ridehd]

Stucco requires painting every 5 to 7 years in Florida. As with every chose there are pro's and con's between vinyl and stucco. I have both and really the most important consideration is location. So buy the right location and accept either as they are both fine.

[Happinow]

We are purchasing block/Stucco because we feel in high winds and storms it will be more sturdy. Don't forget Florida does get some nasty weather. Safety is our #1 concern so wood frame is not an option for us, paint or no paint. I'm sure everyone has a reason they bought their home either block or wood. We'd like a poured frame (sturdier than block) but told they don't do that with any of the designer models anymore. Which ever one works best for you.

[aljetmet]

:agree:We are purchasing block/Stucco because we feel in high winds and storms it will be more sturdy. Don't forget Florida does get some nasty weather. Safety is our #1 concern so wood frame is not an option for us, paint or no paint. I'm sure everyone has a reason they bought their home either block or wood. We'd like a poured frame (sturdier than block) but told they don't do that with any of the designer models anymore. Which ever one works best for you.

:agree:

[nkrifats]

We are purchasing block/Stucco because we feel in high winds and storms it will be more sturdy. Don't forget Florida does get some nasty weather. Safety is our #1 concern so wood frame is not an option for us, paint or no paint. I'm sure everyone has a reason they bought their home either block or wood. We'd like a poured frame (sturdier than block) but told they don't do that with any of the designer models anymore. Which ever one works best for you.

I have seen 2 houses in last 4 months that I believe are designer that have had poured frame. I would check on that. I saw them in ST James on Edenville Path

[Bill-n-Brillo]

.......We'd like a poured frame (sturdier than block) but told they don't do that with any of the designer models anymore. .....

I have seen 2 houses in last 4 months that I believe are designer that have had poured frame. I would check on that. I saw them in ST James on Edenville Path

The Allamanda is the only Designer model I'm aware of that is poured wall construction. Still listed on TV's web page for Designer homes. See page 2:

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/newlyconstructed/images/featuresheet/Allamanda-FP.pdf

Both stick-built and CBS constructed homes in TV meet all current code requirements, including wind. Buy which ever type you prefer! :MOJE_whot:

Bill :)

[wendyquat]

We bought poured wall/ stucco just because we liked it. After 4 months we are very happy with utility bills!

[kathyzapp]

We have an Allamanda. When we picked this model last summer we were told it is the only designer which is poured concrete. Our neighbor just had a Cedar built and it is poured concrete.

[Applepie]

Tomorrow ( Feb.2) marks the 5th anniversary of the horrible tornado that struck The Villages during the night. It didn't really
matter whether you had a stucco or frame house. Both types suffered servere damages. The windows were blown out and the roofs were gone.

[downeaster]

Tomorrow ( Feb.2) marks the 5th anniversary of the horrible tornado that struck The Villages during the night. It didn't really
matter whether you had a stucco or frame house. Both types suffered servere damages. The windows were blown out and the roofs were gone.


I am glad you mentioned this, Applepie. I saw the damage and the tornado wasn't concerned if it was block or frame. It even blew down concrete block walls around CYV's. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security because you live in a block home.

[Happinow]

Good point...

[OpusX1]

We picked CBS because we feel it is quieter and because it looks like a Florida house.

[Carmpat]

I would still like to know if folks in The Villages who live in a frame house has problems with mold growing on the sides of the house due to lack of sun?

Didn't I just read about a house fire in a stucco? I guess it could happen to the frame or the stucco.

Thanks.

Patti

[Graytop]

I would still like to know if folks in The Villages who live in a frame house has problems with mold growing on the sides of the house due to lack of sun?

Didn't I just read about a house fire in a stucco? I guess it could happen to the frame or the stucco.

Thanks.

Patti

Hi Patti,

To answer your question about mold,...yes,...it does grow on homes here too. On my home it grows on the north side,...no worries, we have the house powerwashed with TSP and a little bleach at least once a year and it takes care of it. :)

[Carmpat]

Thank you Graytop. So I guess it doesn't matter which one I pick. You should see my development every house has mold on it. You would think living in Florida with the sun shining as bright as can be this wouldn't happen but it does. I still have more time to think about this. I will let hubby know.

[Graytop]

Thank you Graytop. So I guess it doesn't matter which one I pick. You should see my development every house has mold on it. You would think living in Florida with the sun shining as bright as can be this wouldn't happen but it does. I still have more time to think about this. I will let hubby know.

The north side of my home doesn't get much sun,...I think the "green stuff" is fairly common....:)

[tsew22]

The Allamanda and the Cedar are both designers, with poured concrete.
We have the Alamanda, the Cedar was not available when we purchased.
The Cedar is a little larger, and has a lay out like the Wispering Pine.
Hope this helps, and good luck with whatever home you build.

[graciegirl]

The story of the three little pigs has made a major impact on all of our lives.

I knew it would. I was a kindergarten teacher. Early Education is more important than college!

[sandybill2]

We chose block/stucco---when we thought of Florida that is the type home we always invisioned. If I remember correctly, our homeowners was a little cheaper because we bought this type of home. We just had our house painted---we bought in -07--it was built in 04. Wasn't' as expensive as we thought to have it painted and it looks brand-new again. Good luck with your decision. -

[tommy steam]

We chose block/stucco---when we thought of Florida that is the type home we always invisioned. If I remember correctly, our homeowners was a little cheaper because we bought this type of home. We just had our house painted---we bought in -07--it was built in 04. Wasn't' as expensive as we thought to have it painted and it looks brand-new again. Good luck with your decision. -

I am thinking of a block/stucco home also but was worried about painting it every several years. May I ask you about how much it was to get painted , and the name of the contractor you used ,for future reference? thank you.

[aljetmet]

I am thinking of a block/stucco home also but was worried about painting it every several years. May I ask you about how much it was to get painted , and the name of the contractor you used ,for future reference? thank you.

Tommy, I have this figured out for you. The money you save in home insurance will more than pay for painting your house probably every three years... :coolsmiley:

[wendyquat]

We are in a concrete/ stucco cyv built in 2006. Paint still looks fine to me! :a040:

[Figment]

We're only here a short time, Aug. 2011, and the insurance agent said with the stucco and hip roof in a CYV the insurance was less. Seems like the stucco keeps the temp in the house more steady.

[Carmpat]

We went with the Iris and it is in the process of being built right now. We can't wait to move in around the second week of July. Thanks everyone for your input.

Patti

[CarGuys]

You have the same roof support in a frame or a block home. Both secured and built to Florida code.
http://www.icihomes.com/blog/2010/03/19/concrete-block-vs-engineered-wood-frame/

[CarGuys]

NO! In a modern insulated home ,Stucco does not keep the temp more steady? Go Gosh lets let them old wife's tales please end. It comes down to taste and what someone can feel comfortable with.

http://www.icihomes.com/blog/2010/03/19/concrete-block-vs-engineered-wood-frame/

[Carmpat]

Herv, while that is true about the inside structure we decided on the stucco for a change instead of looking a frame house as we have lived in this type of home for the past 35 yrs. Patti

[hdh1470]

NO! In a modern insulated home ,Stucco does not keep the temp more steady? Go Gosh lets let them old wife's tales please end. It comes down to taste and what someone can feel comfortable with.

Concrete Block vs Engineered Wood Frame (http://www.icihomes.com/blog/2010/03/19/concrete-block-vs-engineered-wood-frame/)

Great link.I have always known that frame was more energy efficient.But some
here will say its not true.

[Shirleevee]

Great link.I have always known that frame was more energy efficient.But some
here will say its not true.

For me personally, I love the look of siding....all the block homes look the same imho.

[Sable99]

Mom and I closed on our home on May 4th. After going back and forth many times between vinyl and stucco, I decided on an Iris which is stucco.

Part of my decision was on the advise of a friend. Her late husband was a Florida home inspector and they both did a lot of work for Habitat for Humanity. He always advised people to go stucco, if they could afford it, because of termites -- even in TV. He said no matter how well you maintained your home or how clean you kept you can't depend on your neighbors.

[jimbo2012]

But what about the wood inside the house?

The roof is all wood?

They can find a crack in the concrete/stucco and make a trail to the wood don't you agree?

[hotrodgirl]

But what about the wood inside the house?

The roof is all wood?

They can find a crack in the concrete/stucco and make a trail to the wood don't you agree?

Indeed they can! I have a stucco/concrete home in Boynton Beach with a framed roof as do all the homes in my neighborhood. Each year I have my home inspected and treated for termites. My neighbor across the street was infested with them as was one other house around the corner. They had to be tented for treatment which was very expensive, and then inspected for damage. So I fully intend to get that important service each and every year in TV as well!

[CarGuys]

Mom and I closed on our home on May 4th. After going back and forth many times between vinyl and stucco, I decided on an Iris which is stucco.

Part of my decision was on the advise of a friend. Her late husband was a Florida home inspector and they both did a lot of work for Habitat for Humanity. He always advised people to go stucco, if they could afford it, because of termites -- even in TV. He said no matter how well you maintained your home or how clean you kept you can't depend on your neighbors.

Here we go again. The implied image or suggestion that some cannot afford a Stucco! Poor people you had to settle for a frame home. Ohhh my you built a Frame! So sorry for you!

Sorry don't cut it! Termites do not discriminate on getting into a attic or interior WOOD WALLS that are in both constructions.

A Tornado or Hurricane of Flood does not have Google Weather and as it strikes. Oh Gee its a Block Home they get bypassed?

Different people have different taste and gosh it boils down to just that. As my friends Carm and Pat they just wanted the look. I am Happy for them.

I have a Dear friend almost a brother in TV who built a Block home. I am concerned for him. His Wooden Roof Trusses in less than 8 months have sagged causing his ceiling to distort crack and move down. TV came out and repaired the ceiling only to immediately have it move again.

He has paid to consulted with a truss engineer as to the strength and construction of his roof. The entire roof might have to come off and some interior walls rebuilt stronger?

And Geeee Golly Wizz. It's a Block Stucco Home.

[CarGuys]

Good Advise on Termites.

I think Some have quoted before. The termite protection is a service and a insurance policy.

[Carmpat]

Herv, When we were there in May we knew of the damaged celiling but we didn't know it happened again. On my that is not good to hear. I haven't talked to them in a couple of weeks as we have been busy trying to get the rest of our things packed up. We have two more weeks before we are out of NJ. We will definetely sign up with a termite service. I have learned allot by reading all of your posts. Thanks for the kind words too. Patti & Carmen

[CarGuys]

Herv, When we were there in May we knew of the damaged celiling but we didn't know it happened again. On my that is not good to hear. I haven't talked to them in a couple of weeks as we have been busy trying to get the rest of our things packed up. We have two more weeks before we are out of NJ. We will definetely sign up with a termite service. I have learned allot by reading all of your posts. Thanks for the kind words too. Patti & Carmen

I think Ceiling repair and revision # two is holding on the home! GOOD news, Can't wait till were all together down there soon. And I am Soooooooooo Jealous but Soooooo happy that your home is able to be pre wired for surround sound! That is wonderful news.

I begged the design team to do that in our December home construction. Maybe my whinning and others had them listen. Now I am at the Mercy of Galaxy Communications or ( HELP ) any other surround sound contractor viewing

Safe trip and congrats on your new home. Excited for you!:bowdown:

[Markam]

I think some home designs just look better in stucco and others lend themselves to vinyl. Personally, I like the look of stucco and I think it generally carries a bit of a perceived quality advantage. After all, I don't believe there are any Premier level homes with vinyl siding, are there?

[Carmpat]

Herv, Yes we can't wait to see you guys again but it is going to so hot when we arrive. We really wanted to move in the fall but wasn't sure The Villages would still be offering the 4% incentive at that time. The rest of this week NJ will be having a heat wave over 95 degrees and up to 105 degrees. This way by the time we arrive we would have experience the hot humid weather.

Carmen wants to talk to you when you get here in July too about epoxy sealing the garage floor. We were told we should wait up to 28 days before having this done.

I don't think there are premier homes with the vinyl siding either. I do like Carguys choice of Mastic Premiumn siding he chosed. When you want to finest quality, there simply isn't a better choice versus the old vinyl siding. For the look and feel of wood without the maintenance.

Patti