Does Construction method matter to you?
 

We see three methods of construction in the Villages. Precast is the newest method, while Block and stucco and Frame and Vinyl have been around awhile. How much emphasis do you place on the construction method when choosing a home? If you love the house and the location would you reject it upon finding out it was not your preferred construction method?

I wouldn't buy a house with vinyl siding. The "stucco" houses are not actually stucco. They have a "cement" finish applied over the concrete structure. I think it is more durable than stucco or vinyl siding.

having lived in Florida for over two decades and having built and living in both concrete block and wood frame houses in Florida, I would not buy a wood frame house. I have no personal experience with the precast but would not hesitate to buy one at this time.

Concrete/stucco for me.

I would prefer precast myself.

Drove past the precast plant yesterday and saw a lot of empty transport trailers. Are they slowing things down a little ?

As I understand better able to withstand a tornado or hurricane than vinyl.

We had a choice when we built (2013) and specified concrete block, we were not interested in stick built, and as I recall there was additional cost for poured concrete construction. We are very happy with our choice.

Concrete block. Nothing else for me

All things being equal, concrete block. That being said, location, privacy, price, and lack of traffic are way more important to us than construction method.

The last home that I built in TN had precast wall sections on the first floor. The were great and much stronger than concrete block not to mention better moisture protection. Quality of workmanship is something different.

Basically the homes in TV are just over priced Track Home.

Precast has many admirable features, however from a home purchaser's perspective it has severely limited building options like no more developer built florida rooms etc

CBS (Concrete Block Stucco) is what we prefer & bought in 2020. Still our preference for not just storm safety reasons but maintenance as well. You hear about those getting their homes washed several times a year. CBS stays clean & free of mildew unlike siding. Only small drawback is to annually inspect around window trim for small cracks, easily fill with a silicon, and paint. Just did that yesterday and good as new.

I don’t know, I see the everyone here saying go concrete but we have our vinyl siding cottage for five years now with no issues. We liked the location and the bigger than most fenced in yard. IMO it’s all personal preference.

If I was to build new I'd go for cement product, either blocks or poured.

We definitely wanted block construction after talking with several experienced builders. We are very impressed with this houses ability to to maintain the appropriate temperature.

Sounds like the conversation the three little piggies had……..

No stick-build house for me in hurricane country.

I saw a video of houses being hit by an atomic blast when I was young. There’s a dramatic difference in damage between stick-build and concrete block.

https://youtu.be/ztJXZjIp8OA

Building materials
 

I opted for vinyl after living in a block/stucco house in Clearwater for 28 years. In 28 years we painted that house 5 times, very expensive. With vinyl pressure washing a couple times a year leaves alot of money for other activities. Also not too worried about hurricanes here like I was near the gulf in Clearwater. Only downside I see is vinyl house is not as bullet proof.

Totally agree to all.
Concrete block can be changed for windows, additions, etc. I don’t see the precast as having that capability. The Villages must be saving $ with the precast but don’t see any savings being passed down to the buyer. Is it as stable in high wind? We will find out eventually. The walls of precast are thinner

But yes, location is more important to us than construction type

Good point! Which family do thing was the happiest after the blast?

Quality
 

Sorry but don't agree. I have worked in residential construction and have seen the quality of many different builders in major developments in unscaled areas around Clearwater FL. I have looked at the framing and concrete methods and they are above average. I have found that the home measurements are accurate and square. I've witnessed no cracking of driveways like the upscale development I lived in last. Only cutbacks I see are in flooring, counters and appliances, all of which are replaceable.

Never a true word spoken add on to this CDD bond fees, high amenity fees, renters, no community travel, turnpike noise.

Tested by Hurricane Ian
 

Have watched several YouTube videos of people driving around Ft Myers Beach after Ian. Was surprised that newer wood-frame homes were totally sound, albeit several with a few shingles missing. And a bunch of them were 3 story high vacation rental homes.

Apparently the hurricane- standard building codes are effective.

Wow!
 

Sticks or stone will break out bones but nukes will always kill you!

More than 10 years ago, a major tornado cut a path through The Villages in the early morning hours of Ground Hog Day. The path of destruction started in Wildwood and destroyed a church on US 441. Many homes were destroyed. The homes built with concert blocks still had their exterior walls standing, helping to protect the residents inside.

Concrete block walls are more expensive to construct but add savings in termite and water damage possiblities. I believe insurance costs for block houses are lower. I think the siding/EIFS is a different discussion than block or stick framed. We do NOT have stucco homes in the US, they use Exterior Insulation and Finishing system. The upside to EIFS is additional insulation 1-2” over the outside of the block walls then a coating applied to the insulation. Also, with EIFS you can change colors when painting. Coming from Colorado, vinyl siding can be destroyed during a hail storm… probably not a problem here in FL. Also, siding can be applied to concrete block walls which I believe is TV building process… could be wrong.

Block is used for larger spans. Stand up poured has windows installed and those homes are preset. They have a limit on wall length. Take a ride to Fort Meyers to see the damage of a hurricane.

EIFS, haven't heard that term used in sometime. That term had a negative connotation in Georgia in the 90's because of poor installation practices. EIFS is not what is used in The Villages. The "stucco" is a concrete-like mixture that is applied directly on the concrete blocks.

Concrete block all the way, then you can make stretches and basically go crazy making it just the way you want.

Oh...wait....

Joe

Concrete block or precast only.

5 Years ago, block was 5K higher than frame in the mid priced homes. Defintely worth the extra money then. Block(CBS) is stronger and less likelihood of having termite problems and can be easily be re painted. Siding painting does require an additive to the paint and siding does fade. Pre cast is better than both(more uniform) and should be considered. Lived in Palm Beach County before moving to TV and best wind protected homes were pre cast. Pre cast can have a lifetime finish also. Need to ask if TV's pre cast walls are lifetime finished.

When we have high winds you will regret buying that plastic siding house. Additionally, no matter what anyone tells you to the contrary, plastic houses do not look executive. They look cheap.

Bullet Proof
 

I do like ur comment about vinyl homes not being bullet proof! If that's the major drawback, I'll raise a glass. Having lived in a stucco home in NM, you can have it....expe sive to paint, at least every 5-8 years and tendency to crack & blister. No Thanks!!!

Concrete homes need to be washed tool
 

And painted at a big expense with dull colors.

I always wondered if a concrete block house was COLDER than a wood frame house - due to less insulation in walls?

Had both four times, like them all. No issues except had to paint stucco. Part of the territory that goes with it.

No. Both wall systems have a total insulation R-value of about R-13 according to the building code. Ceilings have R-30.

Thank you.

I’m not an expert on construction but a few years ago I lived next door to a retired engineer I would consider as a well qualified individual in this field. I will call him George. What surprised me about George is the house he had built was a vinyl siding constructed home. My house was concrete block. They were almost exactly the same in size. One day I ask him why he decided to build a vinyl sided home. Following is the essence of what he had to say.

Well, laughing he said, if my house was concrete block it would have less square feet in it than yours. Second, I will not ever have to paint it. Third, our roofs are the same and the first thing that goes in a strong wind is the roof. I already knew it had nothing to do with money because he could, as they say, buy and sell me. He said some others things like insulation etc. but the point was he deliberately built what he wanted and that was a vinyl stick built home. Regardless, my wife liked “the looks” of our concrete block house way better than George’s and at the end of the day that is all that really matters.