[MplsPete]

Is TV going to all slab / tilt up construction? Do they still build wood frame homes? If the outside has siding, is it then a wood frame?
Are the slab home inside walls concrete, or do they put up studs / drywall? How do you mount pictures on concrete?
Which construction methods are less expensive? Which are sturdier?
Are the slab (and concrete block) homes immune to termite issues?
And why do they paint concrete? While it may look prettier, does not the paint require upkeep similar to paint on wood?

[CarlR33]

You might want to visit the villages to get your answers? Maybe visit the street of dreams and talk to a VLS agent about new and existing homes as they range (used) from modular up north to concrete more to the south. The answer to your questions will be your new (or used) home.

[ltcdfancher]

MplsPete, my wife and I are building an Osprey-C right now (C, as I understand, specifies concrete). The house next door to mine (and several along the street) are stick built.

The interior wall are conventionally framed with wood or metal studs. The interior side of the tilt up wall is furred traditionally also. Hanging pictures should not be a problem if you can find a furring strip. There’d still be a small cavity for other types of hollow wall fasteners behind the drywall and between the furring strips.

I can’t comment on which is cheaper; my Osprey C wasn’t cheap!

[jimhoward]

Is TV going to all slab / tilt up construction?

No, but tilt-up seems to have replaced block.



Do they still build wood frame homes?

Yes, I see them building them in the new sections.



If the outside has siding, is it then a wood frame?

In all the cases I have seen, yes.


Aree the slab home inside walls concrete, or do they put up studs / drywall?

drywall on studs or furring strips



How do you mount pictures on concrete?

You could, but you don't, you mount them to drywall.



Which construction methods are less expensive?

Tilt-wall houses cost more than stick built to buy. Which costs the developer more to build? probably tilt-wall, but not 100% sure.



Which are sturdier?

Tilt-wall is sturdier, until it isn't. It is very very strong, but it does depend on the roof structure and attachment to keep the four walls upright under load.



Are the slab (and concrete block) homes immune to termite issues?

No, they can attack the roof.



And why do they paint concrete?

They generally don't, they paint the stucco.



While it may look prettier, does not the paint require upkeep similar to paint on wood?

I don't think so. I think paint adheres longer to stucco.



I'm sure others will correct any errors that I have made.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

Is TV going to all slab / tilt up construction?

No, but tilt-up seems to have replaced block.
If the outside has siding, is it then a wood frame?
In all the cases I have seen, yes.

...

Which construction methods are less expensive?
Tilt-wall houses cost more than stick built to buy. Which costs the developer more to build? probably tilt-wall, but not 100% sure.

.....

Which are sturdier?
Tilt-wall is sturdier, until it isn't. It is very very strong, but it does depend on the roof structure and attachment to keep the four walls upright under load.


And why do they paint concrete?

They generally don't, they paint the stucco.

....

While it may look prettier, does not the paint require upkeep similar to paint on wood?
I don't think so. I think paint adheres longer to stucco.

I don't know, because I haven't watched it, but I've been told that TV isn't using "tilt-up" (which would generally be formed on-site), but a variation, with walls being formed off-site.

Tilt-up is generally a cheaper way to build, but you make sacrifices in flexibility. Your description that it's "stronger until it isn't", is the most perfect description I've ever heard.

There are block (CMU) homes in TV, that have "siding". I'm not sure why anyone would do this, but a number of posters on here have such homes. Some have added the siding.

You're correct in that stucco is usually painted. In my experience, paint on stucco does not last as long as paint on wood would last.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I don't know, because I haven't watched it, but I've been told that TV isn't using "tilt-up" (which would generally be formed on-site), but a variation, with walls being formed off-site.

Tilt-up is generally a cheaper way to build, but you make sacrifices in flexibility. You're description that it's "stronger until it isn't", is the most perfect description I've ever heard.

There are block (CMU) homes in TV, that have "siding". I'm not sure why anyone would do this, but a number of posters on here have such homes. Some have added the siding.

You're correct in that stucco is usually painted. In my experience, paint on stucco does not last as long as paint on wood would last.

IMO paint on wood eventually peals (looks like ______ fill in blank) while paint on stucco fades (usually evenly on sunny side) (looks like ______ fill in blank.) IMO faded paint easier to paint that cracked and pealing paint based on my experience.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

IMO paint on wood eventually peals (looks like ______ fill in blank) while paint on stucco fades (usually evenly on sunny side) (looks like ______ fill in blank.) IMO faded paint easier to paint that cracked and pealing paint based on my experience.

At least in areas of TV I'm familiar with, there's hardly any "paint on wood". Hardly anyone uses exterior "paint on wood" these days, other than perhaps "trim". I've been building homes & buildings for 35+ years and have never used paint on wood, other than for a few random trim pieces.

Every stick framed home I've seen in TV, has vinyl siding & trim ... not "painted" unless someone changed from the original color..

In my experience, paint on stucco usually has a life span of 5-7 years, which is fairly similar to the life-expectancy of a quality, exterior stain.

[RoadToad]

Have had several stuccoed houses over a 60 year period. The color was in the stucco finish coat, not painted.
For example, Google/map 4260 Rosalie St. 80918
Look all up and down the street view. No paint.

Google Maps

[eeroger]

Originally Posted by MplsPete

Is TV going to all slab / tilt up construction? Do they still build wood frame homes? If the outside has siding, is it then a wood frame?
Are the slab home inside walls concrete, or do they put up studs / drywall? How do you mount pictures on concrete?
Which construction methods are less expensive? Which are sturdier?
Are the slab (and concrete block) homes immune to termite issues?
And why do they paint concrete? While it may look prettier, does not the paint require upkeep similar to paint on wood?

You can get concrete wall picture hooks from Amazon. They have 3-4 small prongs. We used these when living over seas. Small prong holes are very easy to fix, in case you want to move a picture.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by MplsPete

Is TV going to all slab / tilt up construction? Do they still build wood frame homes? If the outside has siding, is it then a wood frame?
Are the slab home inside walls concrete, or do they put up studs / drywall? How do you mount pictures on concrete?
Which construction methods are less expensive? Which are sturdier?
Are the slab (and concrete block) homes immune to termite issues?
And why do they paint concrete? While it may look prettier, does not the paint require upkeep similar to paint on wood?

If by “tilt-up” you mean the Superior Wall System, it is state of the art, and it is installed by a crane. The outside is 2” of high strength concrete—much stronger than the usual poured concrete walls here. It is fiber reinforced to protect against cracks. Inside that is an inch of Styrofoam blue board. Then 2x8” rebar reinforced concrete studs. On those are 3/4” x 2” wood furring strips for attaching the sheet rock. You can nail or screw into that wood for hanging things, so long as the screws are the right length. Between those studs goes 6” or 8” of fiberglass insulation. So these walls are strong and much better insulated than the usual poured concrete or block walls here. That will save you money.

While the outside of the walls is concrete and could be left as is, it’s grey, it’s not a floated finish like a slab, and it has little bits of reinforcing fiber sticking out. It is ideal for a long-lasting stucco finish. (Stucco is smeared-on concrete.) In California, where there are millions of homes covered with stucco, the stucco is tinted while it is mixed and seldom painted afterward. A tinted stucco finish, properly cared for, can last a century. In The Villages, people seem to have stucco painted. Stucco is an attractive finish, but from experience, I’ll say that you wouldn’t really like painted Superior Walls as a finish. It looks just a bit too raw.

Custom Precast Concrete Foundations | Superior Walls

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

If by “tilt-up” you mean the Superior Wall System, it is state of the art, and it is installed by a crane. The outside is 2” of high strength concrete—much stronger than the usual poured concrete walls here. It is fiber reinforced to protect against cracks. Inside that is an inch of Styrofoam blue board. Then 2x8” rebar reinforced concrete studs. On those are 3/4” x 2” wood furring strips for attaching the sheet rock. You can nail or screw into that wood for hanging things, so long as the screws are the right length. Between those studs goes 6” or 8” of fiberglass insulation. So these walls are strong and much better insulated than the usual poured concrete or block walls here. That will save you money.

While the outside of the walls is concrete and could be left as is, it’s grey, it’s not a floated finish like a slab, and it has little bits of reinforcing fiber sticking out. It is ideal for a long-lasting stucco finish. (Stucco is smeared-on concrete.) In California, where there are millions of homes covered with stucco, the stucco is tinted while it is mixed and seldom painted afterward. A tinted stucco finish, properly cared for, can last a century. In The Villages, people seem to have stucco painted. Stucco is an attractive finish, but from experience, I’ll say that you wouldn’t really like painted Superior Walls as a finish. It looks just a bit too raw.

Custom Precast Concrete Foundations | Superior Walls

One of, if not THE, best post I've seen on this topic. Do you think The Villages uses xi, xi-plus, or the ag wall product?

[onfire]

DZ Precast — DZ Corporation

DZ has put out a few YouTube videos in the past showing the manufacturing and assembly processes. It certainly looks like a quality product and a more controlled process for curing compared to tilt-wall (site poured), and look at that rebar matrix.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

If by “tilt-up” you mean the Superior Wall System, it is state of the art, and it is installed by a crane.

Superior Wall System is not "Tilt Up" construction, it is a Pre-Cast Concrete Panel system.


Tilt-Up Construction vs. Precast: What is the Difference? - Tilt Wall Ontario Inc.

[jimhoward]

The concrete houses being built in the villages now use concrete panels that are cast off site with windows already installed. They are brought on site and placed with a crane. I am sure everyone who has wandered down to the new sections has seen it.

A lot of people call those houses tilt-up. Experts here have pointed out that is a misnomer and that process is has a different technical name because the panels are precast and placed rather than tilted up from horizontal. If so it is a common misnomer.

[BrianL99]

At least once a week, the discussion of home construction materials, raises its ugly head.

In home construction, no one technique or material, is inherently "better" than any other, except perhaps, steel.

All materials and techniques, have advantages and disadvantages. All homes are essentially constructed to the exact same structural standards of the International Building Code. Concrete, be it pre-cast, CMU, tilt-up or poured in place, does not meet a higher construction standard than a traditional wood frame home.

The determination of what materials to use, is sometimes based on localized conditions and/or availability. In almost all cases, large commercial home builders base their means, methods and material decisions, on financial considerations.

Anyone who believes The Villages' Developer is searching for a way to build "better homes" for their customers, is smoking the really good stuff. The Developer, like every other large home builder, is searching for ways to build faster, cheaper and more efficiently.

Faster, cheaper and more efficiently, is almost always at the expense of flexibility, customization, ease of maintenance and often, aesthetics, durability.and long-term practicality.

If "sturdier homes" was the goal, we'd all be living in steel framed, geodesic bungalows.