Concrete Block Construction vs. Wood Frame

[hmp2z]

Hi! I have another construction question. We are in the process of working with a designer, to design a home for our lot in Clermont, FL. We told her that we wanted Hardiplank siding, which would mean a wood frame, and that we wanted tubes in the walls & tubes in the slab for termite protection.

The designer (who, by the way, after cashing our check in November STILL hasn't even given us the first draft of our blueprints) insists that in Florida, the termites are so bad that they only do concrete block construction & stucco. That would mean that we couldn't have the Hardiplank siding, b/c it has to be attached to a wood frame. I asked my father about this, b/c he's in construction, and he's from Louisiana. He said that, with concrete block construction, we will eventually get cracks in our walls.

Does anyone live in FL, who could help me with this question? Are all the houses there concrete block construction? If so, how long have you lived in your home, and have there been cracks? Does anyone in FL have a wood frame home, with siding? We really prefer the siding look, and would like to go this route, if possible. My relatives in Louisiana all have wood frame and have no problem with termites, b/c of regular sprayings & inspections, but maybe FL is different?
Thank you!
Heather W

 

[safetymom]

I think if you had a wood frame house in hurricane country your insurance premiums would be quite high. I would worry about the siding blowing off in a hurricane.

My house is built with concrete blocks and I have no cracks.

 

[doxdogy]

I have a wood siding house here in Florida and have had no problem with termites (knock wood). I would much rather have a house built with concrete block. Much sturdier in construction (in my opinion). The house I grew up in was built of concrete block and I never saw any cracks in the block.

 

[TayBai2]

We have a center block house that is about 31 years old. We have no cracks. I feel safe in it during bad weather!

 

[RitaZ.]

Yes, all the homes around here are CBS, they withstand hurricanes much much better and cost more to build. I'm in S. FL (Broward) and the homes here have to meet stringent Miami-Dade building codes. Termites are probably not the only thing that you have to worry about, but also Wood Rot.

Our home doesn't have any cracks on the exterior nor interior walls. It was built in the 70's and we've lived in it for 10 years, we have had no problems with foundation cracks or anything like that. It did happen to one of my neighbors though, she had to get it repaired before she sold her home. Cracks can occur after homes settle over the years.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

you can install cement siding over poured or block concrete walls, but it's not cheap. you have to tapcon wood lathe first and then nail the siding. it's easier to repair a concrete crack then it is to rebuild anything stick-built here. JMO.

 

[pjshaff]

After living in both concrete block (in S Fla.) and wood frame houses (here in Ga.), I would much rather live in the concrete home. The difference is huge. The house in Fla was quieter, sturdier, and we never had a problem with it settling (it was built in the late 50's).

If I had my choice up here, and could afford it AND find a good builder to do it, I would have a concrete block house here.

 

[hmp2z]

OK; thank you - that makes me feel a lot better. I've never known anyone before who lived in a concrete block house; in Louisiana, we always make them with wood frame, and then either brick, vinyl, or Hardiplank siding (which we liked, b/c it was fiber/cement, so more durable).
We just really liked the Key West, beachy look that the siding gave, but we may have to give that up, if it's going to be a problem in hurricane country.
Thanks for the input!
Heather W