Pro/Con/Concrete vs Frame

[DebJim]

Let's give this question a good go ...................
Could we discuss the Pros and Cons of
Concrete Block Construction vs. Frame and Aluminum Siding
We're not sure which way to go, especially with the Hurricanes.
Does anyone know if the Concrete Block Construction on TV new homes are
reinforced with rebar rods?
Thanks in advance for any help!

[REDCART]

The Alexa Villas in Mallory Sq are of cement block construction but most were heavily damaged during the tornado of Feb. 2nd, 2007. The first thing to go were the roofs--not the side walls. That was a fundamental lesson for many of us in TV that there is very little that the builder can do to protect us against a tornado. In Central Florida, hurricanes tend to be far less destructive than along the coast line. That being said, block will stand up to a hurricane better than vinyl siding, which is what I assume you meant.

[golf2140]

We moved from a frame home and built a block home. Much better, Utilities much less and quite. Go with block

[784caroline]

NOt only do concrete constructed homes have rebar in them, at every corner and window opening there is rebar dropped down into the block at these corners all the way to the slab and cement is then put into the block holes over the rebar.

[hedoman]

CBS is the only way to go

[mulligan]

They both have to be engineered to withstand the same amount of wind at a minimum. The difference would be the ability of a flying object to penetrate the outside walls. I don't believe this would be as big an issue here in TV as it would with the same house in Key West.

[CTgolfer]

Utility charges are significantly lower with a CBS. We own a CBS home. This past week when the night temperatures were quite low, we got up in the morning to 68 degrees without the heat turned on. My husband watches over a friends courtyard villa that is stick built. He checked their house the same day and the inside of their house was 60 degrees and the heat was on.

[EdV]

Most of the injuries from the 2007 tornado were from the debris being hurled through windows like so much shrapnel. CBS was no safer than wood framed homes in this case. But all of the 21 fatalities from the storm were in mobile homes.