Frame sided or stucco/cement CYV?

[gerryann]

Any opinions regarding preferences? I'm wondering if utilities might be less with stucco/cement, rather than the vinyl exterior? .....or maybe the vinyl sided might be easier to keep clean? Any other differences between the two?

[The Villager II]

You don't have to paint vinyl.

[getdul981]

I could be wrong, but I don't think they are building anything but stucco any more, There is a whole section behind our house and I believe every one of them is stucco. They were all poured concrete. There were cement trucks in and out of there for weeks.

[John_W]

We have a ten month old masonry CYV 'Woodlawn' model, now called a 'Durham'. When the windows and doors are closed my surround system cannot be heard outside and it can be a very loud system with 4 tower speakers, a sub-woofer and center channel speaker and a 200 watt Sony amp. Our last two electric bills were $92 and $93 and we have our central air on all the time. In fact, if we set it lower than 80 degrees it's too cold inside, we usually have it set on 81 degrees. The masonry CYV's are constructed using forms and the walls are continuous poured concrete, not cider block construction.

We considered both styles, but they had dropped the price on our unit twice. Once when our villa section was down to about ten units and a second time because they had decided to rename all the models and wanted to move the already built units. So after ours was reduced a total of $12,000 it was actually cheaper than the vinyl version. Also, we had been living in a vinyl home in Maryland since 1998 and we had a constant problem with mildew on one side and I had to scrub it with a brush or power wash it every year, so I figured get the stucco if we could afford it.

Ours looks similar to this one, except our shrubs have really grown big and we had the pine straw replaced with copper rocks which I think looks nice with that stucco color. We had a holly tree in front which we have moved to the backyard and replaced by a European Fan Palm.

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/newlyconstructed/NCHimages/201111435_1.jpg

[John_W]

...There is a whole section behind our house and I believe every one of them is stucco. They were all poured concrete. There were cement trucks in and out of there for weeks.

When they build a villa section they are all the same kind. They don't mix vinyl with stucco in the same villa section. They do built many more masonry CYV's, in Tamarind Grove we have five villa sections, four are masonry and only one is vinyl and there is no patio villas. You have to go to Buttonwood or St. James for a patio villa, which a Buttonwood Cabot Cove was our original choice when we were on our LSV.

[gerryann]

Very informative info...thanks.

[George Bieniaszek]

We have a poured concrete 2BR CYV in Pennecamp and prefered that over the stick built CYV. My wife and I liked the look because it gave a "Florida lookl" to the home and neighborhood. Also, they alternate the colors of the homes on the street so they all don't look alike.

I agree with the previous poster about the quietness of our home when the windows are closed, although I don't have any experience about how quite the other style CYV is. I do think that the concrete villas take a while longer to heat up in the summer time thus saving AC costs.

It's all personal choice, and there is no bad choice to make. These homes are well built.

I also feel, and this is just a personal feeling, that in the event of a tornado or strong hurricane, yes you may loose the roof with either style home, but a concrete home will still be standing and if you are home riding out this event, you may be safer. Again, just my thoughts, no experience (and I do not want to experience it) to back up my statement.

[jimbo2012]

Granted it has advantages, but frame construction has come a long way over the years and can, when properly built, withstand winds of 120mph.
And as said the roof can go as well as the windows, so the walls may be there but the house still needs a rebuild.

Also there is still a risk albeit less for termites, the roof and other interior uses of wood.

But overall I read that the insulating properties because of the use of insulation is better in fame built home.

Also design flexibility is limited in concrete.

Difficulty with Wiring and Plumbing in concrete

Usually the cost is higher I think.

[CarGuys]

Frame Designer saved me $15000 over the block. I gained 7 inches of garage space and interior. I was able to have a drywalled insulated garage

My siding is 140+ mph rated Mastic wide plank solid foam insulated. Hit it with you hand it does not move. http://www.mastic.com/Products/Siding/Structure®_Home_Insulation_System.aspx

I can clean the home with a automotive brush and garden hose. Never have to paint. vinyl is final.

The money I saved with a frame bought us the garage stretch room bump outs, extra insulation in the garage walls and in the Lani and Garage ceilings. Solid Steel foam core insulated garage doors. Hardwood floors upgraded Tile and upgraded appliances. A 23 by 29 stretched Lani with attached bird cage.

And yes I wanted a Block home. BAD! But I would not have had the larger home. Changed my mind ten minutes before the design team closed us out.

Now that the home is up I don't regret it. All those who have Block I admire them. Many people go back and forth on this.

[gerryann]

Giving me lots more to think about..........

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

The one issue I have with my current home with siding, is the decorative window shutters always get wasp nests under them. I guess the warmth and shelter is perfect for them. I've also noticed ants, and other insects crawling under the siding. Just a couple of small reasons I prefer concrete. I had an all brick and concrete house and never had either problem.

[justjim]

Just a thought. I was told by a couple of Agents (real estate) that Stucco was easier to resale.

[John_W]

... I've also noticed ants, and other insects crawling under the siding...

I have not seen it myself, but I've been told a couple of times and read it on this board that snakes love to crawl under the vinyl siding.

[CarGuys]

The one issue I have with my current home with siding, is the decorative window shutters always get wasp nests under them. I guess the warmth and shelter is perfect for them. I've also noticed ants, and other insects crawling under the siding. Just a couple of small reasons I prefer concrete. I had an all brick and concrete house and never had either problem.

I've noticed ants bug spiders and damn near everything crawling around in and on top of our home and the neighbors. It's Florida. Massey is my new best friend. LOL