[GuyWin]

We are trying to decide between two versions of the same Designer Home model. One is wood and the other is CBS. The wood constuction has about a foot more in each bedroom and about a half foot in other areas thoughout the house and the price is about $11,000 less than the same house in CBS.

What are the advantages of CBS over wood to make up for the lost space and hgher price? What would you do? Why?

Hope you can help.

[Allen]

Having had both block & stucco and sticks & siding, we are planning to go with the block. It's just a personal preference, but I hate having siding on my house. No offense intended to anyone that has it, but it just seems "insubstantial" to me, and I know from experience that it will not hold up as well in a storm. Not only is block much better in extreme weather situations, siding gets blown off the house even in the relatively moderate storms that we have in the North. And, no matter what anyone tells you, siding is not maintenance free. I have high quality siding on my house (now but, never again) and I can tell you that it separates from time to time due to the wind, starts to fade, needs power washed often to keep it looking fresh (and avoid mold and mildew on the north side), and... can become brittle and crack in the cold. All this occurs in Pennsylvania... I can't image what the sun will do it in Florida. I also don't like the idea of much of the structural support of my house (the studs) being thought of as lunch by termites. When we built in Florida about 20 years ago, siding was nowhere to be found so we had stucco over block and liked it very much. You will need to paint the stucco from time to time, but compare that to the above list of issues with siding. Finally the siding will eventually need to be replaced (again unless some miracle has occurred in the formulation of the product... and I'll believe that when I see it... buyer beware).

Next time I'll tell you what I really think of siding. Did I mention that I don't like it?

[elevatorman]

My neighbor has siding and in addition to the other problems noted above he has to preasure wash it every 6 months. It seems to get mold or mildew on it.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Allen

I hate having siding on my house. No offense intended to anyone that has it, but it just seems "insubstantial" to me... Next time I'll tell you what I really think of siding. Did I mention that I don't like it?

Originally Posted by elevatorman

My neighbor has siding and in addition to the other problems noted above he has to preasure wash it every 6 months. It seems to get mold or mildew on it.

Stucco's prettier. It costs $11,000, plus leg room. But... your neighbors won't dislike it. They won't feel sorry for you for having to pressure wash it or for maybe having to file an insurance claim some day when maybe they won't have to.


Poor me. I'm the sad, sorry neighbor with siding.

[zcaveman]

I am a happy guy with siding. No problem with having it washed twice a year for $50 a shot.

I also like electric carts and playing golf. I like Publix and Walgreen's. I like reading novels and doing nothing.

What does this have to do with wood vs CBS? Nothing!! You pick what you like and enjoy the rest of your life.

If a hurricane hits you can be crushed under the CBS or left alive when the wood blows away. Or it could skip you.

Such is life.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Stucco's prettier. It costs $11,000, plus leg room. But... your neighbors won't dislike it. They won't feel sorry for you for having to pressure wash it or for maybe having to file an insurance claim some day when maybe they won't have to.


Poor me. I'm the sad, sorry neighbor with siding.

Ptuner (and/or anyone else who may have taken offense),

I am very sorry if I offended you in any way... If so please accept my apology. I was referring to the preference for my own home. What other people have is their choice and I applaude it. I think that siding can look very nice especially the new patterns that they have. It's also nice to have variety in the neighborhood.

I have just not been pleased with it on my current home, and perhaps I was venting somewhat for having chosen it. The question in the orginal post was which I would choose and why... but, I guess I got carried away a bit and the last line was a poor attempt at humor.

Your points about cost and room are valid as well.

Sincerely,

Allen

[smsgtdaves]

One thing I don't think anybody mentioned block sometimes will crack along the mortar joint. I'm not in the Villages yet but do plan to move there in the near future. My wife and I were back and forth about the block or siding until I talked to a friend that lived there. He was the same way before he moved and he decided to go with the siding which I think I will too. He has had no problems and the $11,000 as he said is better in his pocket, and I agree. When we move we will be on a fixed income. If anything does happen to the house due to a storm that's what insurance is for. My friend was there though a storm and when it happened the neighbors house had his roof blow off. Everybody there pitched in along with the builder to help out. The builder came out cleaned up the mess and helped to cover the house until it could be fixed. Oh what a great place to live. So that's my two cents. Hope it helps.

[l2ridehd]

I own one of each in TV. And both have there pro's and con's. Siding needs to be washed once a year, not twice. And I also had to pressure wash the stucco home once but probably not as often. Maybe twice near construction where there is a lot more dust and dirt flying around. Stucco needs to be painted every 5 to 7 years and that is expensive. You get extra space with siding. Stucco cracks and some of those cracks have to be repaired (expensive) Stucco will supposedly stand a hurricane better but not sure this far inland that is an issue. Stucco looks better. A siding home is better insulated so lower heating and cooling cost and I got the history to prove that. Stucco seems to be better sound proofed, although maybe it is just a quieter neighborhood. Fire seems to destroy a siding home faster then block.

Buy for the best location not for type of construction. I own both and that would not be the decision basis. Location, what I back up to, facing lanai direction, size of garage and lot, are a lot more important.

[GuyWin]

Thank you everyone for your great insights. Your information is very helpful.

12ridehd, just when the others had me convinced to go with the CBS your post put me back on the fence.

Our location is already settled. We put a downpayment on a golf view lot (I agree: location, location, location) in Pennecamp. We are comparing two Designer Homes, the Camellia (wood) and the Gardenia (CBS). They are the same floor plan.

We own a CBS home in Boca and we prefer CBS but when both of the small extra bedrooms go from 11 x 11 to 11 x 12 with the wood and it's $11,000 cheaper...

Since you own one of each (wood and CBS), which would you choose?

[l2ridehd]

The one that will not get hit by golf balls.

Even though the lots may both be on the golf course, they may even be side by side, they are not the same location. I live on the Huron golf course in Sunset Pointe. My neighbor gets hit all the time and I never have. Has to do with how the homes are set on the lot. His home and a tree block mine from getting hit. Mostly his home. So even though the homes are next door to each other, and the same home, they are not at all the same location. And that extra $11,000 will buy a great golf cart. But I would pick the home that has what you decide ois the best location. And I would not let block or frame be the deciding factor.

[GuyWin]

12,

There is only one lot. It's a golf course lot in Pennecamp. We are trying to decide whether to build a wood or CBS home on it.

Now you have brought up another good question: If the home does get hit by golf balls will that damage the siding on the wood home?

Again, if the lot is the same, which would you pick, wood or CBS?

[tpop1]

Originally Posted by GuyWin

12ridehd, just when the others had me convinced to go with the CBS your post put me back on the fence.

Since you own one of each (wood and CBS), which would you choose?

Sold a CBS home in Sarasota bought a frame home here in TV.

Looked at both here, pluses and minus's on each side but went with frame due to the painting issue and due to the fact that the model we liked had no corresponding CBS model.

Had to repaint in Sarasota in 7 years and it was costly.

By the way, I'm a Waterbury kid...and a Madison / Clinton CT adult!

Good luck and whatever you buy; I'm sure it will be good for you!

[GuyWin]

tpop1,

I had a boat docked in Clinton Harbor Marina the last few years before I sold my computer business in Milford and moved to Boca almost 24 years ago. Clinton is a great area. Lots of great restaurants to get lobster.

[Shimpy]

Will move to TV as soon as my home sells here in S. Fla. Believe me, when not if a hurricane hits, especially a catagory 3 or more you will want to be in a CBS (cement, block, stucco) home. TV hasn't seen this for I don't know how many years, but I believe is overdue. Don't think as was mentioned in another post that being this far in land will protect you. I live in Boynton Beach on the east coast, and hurricane Wilma came ashore on the west coast of Fla. and traveled about 160 miles to the east coast while getting stronger till it hit us. Hurricanes get their energy over warm waters and their size can cover the width of Fla. and still be over water. There is no place in Fla that is more than 60 miles form the ocean. The Villages is in the most narrow part of Fla. That said, I'm actually looking at a wood home and if the big one comes, plan to head to the mountians and have the insurance take care of the damage.