I am a retired contractor. There is so much misinformation on this thread that I do not know where to start. My advice: Look at the pictures provided. A picture is worth a 1000 words. Call an insurance agent and ask for quotes on a frame, block, and tilt-wall construction home. Not just to save money. Their quotes are based on claims they had to pay out for a natural disaster. Compare the quotes. If one seems extremely high, then do not purchase that type of home. Chances are that type of home does not withstand as well as the others. If the quotes are all reasonably comparable, it does not matter which type of home you buy. Home construction, natural disasters, and claims are COMPLETELY different issues. Insurance companies gather information regarding each of these issues then price protection accordingly. You would be doing yourself a favor if you talk to them before buying. Guessing based on the story of the big bad wolf is probably not the best of thinking.

Note: Even as a contractor I will not tell you which type of home is best to buy. Too many variables. I would recommend having the home inspected before purchasing.

Our windows have UV film on them which the previous owner had installed. Not only does the film reduce glare in our home, it keeps it cooler and protects all our "stuff". mainly the furniture from UV rays. Our windows are the original double pane windows that were installed during the build.

We rented a frame courtyard villa before purchasing a block/stucco CYV. We definitely heard more outside noise in the frame villa than in the block one we bought. Was it because the frame one was older, had different windows or maybe was closer together? Not sure, but there is a difference.

Let's see...
Both have windows. Both have doors. Both have garage doors. Both have wood frame roofs.
Where do you see the "better" hurricane protection?

Where are the facts to support this? Both buildings have the same roof structures, windows, doors and garage doors. Sound trough walls - minimal.

The noise I hear in block home come down from attic vents through fans and a/C ducting.

2002 South Florida
 

We lived in south Florida in 2002 during hurricane Andrew. South of Miami ALL of the wood
frame homes disappeared. All that was left was a concrete slab. Many of the block homes were gone as well, but their survival rate was much better. This was an extreme test, but I would NOT live in a wood framed house in Florida after seeing that. It was an unbelievable sight!

I have to say, I am very pleased with Pike's Electric and their sponsorship and contributions here. Most "sponsored" posters generally just pop on to hawk their own specialty, but Casandra contributes and posts like a regular user, but often lends their knowledge when appropriate - but not always. It doesn't feel like they are here just for their business, but actually participate regardless. I appreciate that. It helps to form some rapport and appreciation between the business and other posters (well - at least for me).

All that being said, I'm going to ask an "electrical" related question about this topic: How easy/difficult is it to run, adjust, add, modify, etc. electrical in one of the Developer's tilt/precast structures? I mean, if I wanted to add an outlet, or change a duplex to a quadplex, or anything else, would it have to be run via exposed conduit, like a modern contemporary loft or something?

This has been my biggest concern with what would otherwise be a strong and advantageous building structure. It would make me lean more to block or frame construction instead.

Thanks.

Windows ARE important. I think that it is so humorous that all the homes around me have FAKE ornamental shutters. Real shutters would be nice during a hurricane or tornado. Even clear plexiglass shutters could help. If I had unlimited money and time, I would put up some plexiglass shutters.