[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Will.S

Will be new to Florida so when shopping for our first home in The Villages next spring, I have questions. What is the general AND preferred construction of homes in The Villages. I would think that poured and block would be the better options for strength & insulation...

Yes, these are things that keep me up at night ...
Thanks for your inputs, Will

1. Poured
2. Block
3. Frame

Poured, block less probability for termites, paint lasts longer and, more wind resistant. Also look for a hip roof as you will get a lower insurance premium

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

The construction standards are the same.

If it was obvious that block homes withstood winds better than stick built, it's an anomaly or perhaps the homes weren't built to standards? I don't know when the hurricane was, but Florida's building standards for withstanding hurricanes, has been around for a long time.

Can not find ant new stick built/frame homes on the coast(hurricane prone) areas. #1 reason for this fact is hurricanes

[MrChip72]

I think it might barely make my top 5 on choosing one house over another. More important is location, price, home layout, and noise but I would consider location and price to be 90% of the factors in making a decision on a new build.

[BigDawgInLakeDenham]

Originally Posted by Randall55

I an a contractor. I'm saying, the story of the three little pigs does not hold true in real life. If a major tornado or hurricane comes through, it will cause major damage to ALL STRUCTURES, large or small. I would hate to see anyone trying to ride out a storm because they believe the "Big Bad Wolf" cannot do any harm to their concrete structure. We are adults, put down you fantasy books and live in reality.

Oh... you're saying you are a contractor that can't build a structure that could meet any accepted codes or standards that are set for hurricane sustainability and dont see how anyone could, so you have no faith in any structure built in TV and are fearful that the weather will harm anyone chosing to buy a house in TV, but choose to live like a pig in one? Most adults moving to Florida are aware of the weather. They are also aware of the risks to life from where they are moving from. Your big bad wolf ain't that big or bad in the real world of possibilities

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by BigDawgInLakeDenham

Oh... you're saying you are a contractor that can't build a structure that could meet any accepted codes or standards that are set for hurricane sustainability and dont see how anyone could, so you have no faith in any structure built in TV and are fearful that the weather will harm anyone chosing to buy a house in TV, but choose to live like a pig in one? Most adults moving to Florida are aware of the weather. They are also aware of the risks to life from where they are moving from. Your big bad wolf ain't that big or bad in the real world of possibilities

You are putting words into my mouth. All I'm saying is :

1.The most vulnerable part of a home or building is the roof.

2. Windows and doors are also vulnerable.

If you are searching for a home with natural disaster damage in mind, pay attention to these areas. The walls will fail if the roof is lost. Major damage can occur if windows and doors are blown out. WALLS, either concrete or frame, can both be equally damaged.

I send this message because some believe they are safe in concrete homes or buildings when the opposite is true. I remember reading several people ran into a General Dollar store during a tornado. They believed they would be safe. The building crumbled and all of them died. How many attempted rescues have you seen of people trapped in schools, hospitals, and the like? If one person understands what I am saying, I may have saved that life.

For those who still believe in the story of the three pigs, please let me know when you find the goose that lays golden eggs. Now that, I would be interested in!

If I sound extreme, I do so with reason. NO ONE is safe when a major tornado or hurricane strikes. Mother Nature is a fierce opponent who frequently has her way. Keep your guard up and have an educated emergency evacuation plan.

The OP question is which is better precast, concrete, or frame? My answer is NONE. If a major storm hits, each is equally prone to fail. Instead, listen to the posters who are advising to prioritize location, price, layout, age of roof, insurance rates, flood zones, and required maintenance. Perhaps look into hurricane proof windows and doors - especially, garage and sliding glass doors. Stay away from homes with huge trees that can easily be toppled? If a major storm hits, not much more ANY can do to avoid damage.

As a side note: please do not believe natural disasters never occur in or near the Villages. In October, a tornado struck in Ocala. There have been more in surrounding areas. In 2007, the second largest tornado in Florida history struck the Villages. When a tornado warning is given, take it seriously. No need to panic. Simply keep your guard up and have an educated plan.

[msilagy]

For curb appeal - Block stucco is a clear winner!

[Will.S]

"winter the temp inside ranged from 68 to 70 with no heating or AC"
THAT sounds great to me...

Originally Posted by BigDawgInLakeDenham

I wouldn't think that the block proponents are living in precast solid concrete with rebar reinforcement. I've laid enough block in my day to know that every mortar joint is a potential crack, leak, weakness. I've seen low speed cars on a parking lot bust holes in block. In TV Block is now a luxury item for those willing to build their dream home of a bigger size, but I find it hard to say it's necessary because a pre-built home isn't good enough. It's only necessary if you think you can't make it through without that bigger room you need to warehouse your junk until you die.

My precast home is plenty big for retired people and I call it a vault because all winter the temp inside ranged from 68 to 70 with no heating or AC. That said....stick built is not an option unless that's your only option.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Will.S

"winter the temp inside ranged from 68 to 70 with no heating or AC"
THAT sounds great to me...

As others have stated, Stick built homes are thoroughly wrapped with insulation before the siding is is placed. They are more energy efficient than concrete.None of this matters much. Hot or cold air enters or escapes through windows and doors. The HVAC cost difference will be slight no matter which type of construction you select.

[Wayne Mudge]

Originally Posted by Will.S

Will be new to Florida so when shopping for our first home in The Villages next spring, I have questions. What is the general AND preferred construction of homes in The Villages. I would think that poured and block would be the better options for strength & insulation...

Yes, these are things that keep me up at night ...
Thanks for your inputs, Will

Keep this fact in mind TERMITES are a huge problem here.

[Desiderata]

Originally Posted by BigDawgInLakeDenham

So you’re saying we're all screwed and just don't move to Florida....problem solved by the insurance agent. Or are you saying don't move here because I need my Tee Time? The guy seems to want to be part of TV but you offer doom and gloom? Why?

Interesting that you interpreted his comment as gloom and doom. He made a valid and informative point that I had not previously considered.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Wayne Mudge

Keep this fact in mind TERMITES are a huge problem here.

And all roofs are made of wood. Your point is?

[Normal]

Block 1
Poured 2
Stick 3

Block is the clear winner. If you have a hip roof even better. Block has an advantage over poured because it has air pockets within the blocks themselves. Better insulation and it is slightly more soundproof. I like precast, but I have seen progressive collapse issues. We don’t live in an earthquake zone, but it would be the last type I would care to be in if one hit. I prefer the continuity check offered by block construction.

[huge-pigeons]

I’d take precast or block over stick built any day of the week. Precast would have the best insulating qualities whereas stick built would be the least efficient. As for looks, IMO, vinyl looks cheap, like a mobile home.
If TV would allow you to use hardi plank siding, or stucco/scratch coat on a stick built home, and if they used 2x6 construction with closed cell insulation, then I would consider a stick built home here. I’ve never understood why TV builds vinyl homes and disperses them amongst the block built homes. Vinyl tends to be the smaller homes, smaller garages.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Will.S

Will be new to Florida so when shopping for our first home in The Villages next spring, I have questions. What is the general AND preferred construction of homes in The Villages. I would think that poured and block would be the better options for strength & insulation...

Yes, these are things that keep me up at night ...
Thanks for your inputs, Will

They are all good and will withstand a hurricane so long as the roof trusses are properly attached and the roof sheathing is properly nailed down and the shingles are properly attached. However, what is often being used now in new construction here is the Superior Wall System prefab concrete walls, erected in a couple hours with a crane. These are the best of all. They are made in factories from two inches of high strength concrete reinforced with fiber and 2x6 concrete studs reinforced with rebar, separated by an inch of styrofoam blue board. There are formed holes in the studs for running electrical wires, and the spaces between the studs are filled with 6” of fiberglass. This is much better insulation than you get in block or poured concrete, it uses much stronger concrete but much less of it, and it’s fast. The wall panels are erected on the sand or footing, then the concrete slab is poured. It keys in with the wall system, preventing wall uplift. The fiber reinforcement in the walls prevents cracking. Stucco applied to these walls is stronger than what is applied to steel lattice over studs, and if the stucco does crack, there is no way water will leak inside. If you have these walls, outside noises like a freeway stay outside.

So, that’s the ideal, found in houses built over the past couple years.
Custom Precast Concrete Foundations | Superior Walls

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

As others have stated, Stick built homes are thoroughly wrapped with insulation before the siding is is placed. They are more energy efficient than concrete.None of this matters much. Hot or cold air enters or escapes through windows and doors. The HVAC cost difference will be slight no matter which type of construction you select.

Not sure I agree about slight cost of hvac between stick and block. We had 3 house for one year in TV. No TECO only Seco. All set at same temp designer 3 years older.

PV 1185sf,
cottage 1575sf,
designer block 2039sf.

Average Monthly with no humans designer block was $46 to 52.23 less per month