[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I'm not looking, just observation of new construction in the area. For example a "premium builder" is building a new subdivision a mile from my neighborhood (in Lake Mary) with homes built of woodframe and Tyvek in the 350K to 450K range.

So JAX is coming to the Orlando area rather than the other way around. Too bad. Robyn

[GHOSTRIDER AZ]

Being in that industry a wood house will give in a Hurricane. While a unsupported block home will blow over.

Wood has termites, but you a good home you keep up with those issues. Wood gets stronger over time.

I was working on a 1967 block home in Tampa and the wood was so hard all nail holes had to be pre drilled. Plus you can find a really good deal in Orlando or Kissimmee.

[valicky]

Wood sure will give in a hurricane. It'll give out! Google Country Walk Hurricane Andrew and check out the pictures.

[GHOSTRIDER AZ]

Originally Posted by valicky

Wood sure will give in a hurricane. It'll give out! Google Country Walk Hurricane Andrew and check out the pictures.

The Problem with Hurricane Andrew aftermath was sub- standard building standards. Shortcuts like 4 nails per shingle, no hurricane straps and list goes on. Drive by inspection from Miami Dade code enforcements contributed to that.

In combination to that, Hurricane Andrew was a Cat5 storm and even the strongest block homes were destroyed.

[Sugah Ray]

Originally Posted by GHOSTRIDER AZ

The Problem with Hurricane Andrew aftermath was sub- standard building standards. Shortcuts like 4 nails per shingle, no hurricane straps and list goes on. Drive by inspection from Miami Dade code enforcements contributed to that.

In combination to that, Hurricane Andrew was a Cat5 storm and even the strongest block homes were destroyed.

There are aerial views of hurricane Andrew taking from helicopters. There were homes right next to Country Walk that look untouched while Country Walk and a nearby trailer park looked like a bunch of rubble.

EVO Construction Andrew Pctures

Hurricanes are complicated. The first thing that usually goes is the roof, and once that's gone you are in big trouble because you will be exposed to the flying debris. you have heavy objects flying at 100-150 mph that can easily hurt you or kill you. You can have the best building codes but if the roof is old it will still get damaged during a strong hurricane. Now if you have a wood home you will have no protection at all and fire is also a concern. There was at least one home that burned to the ground in Country Walk during Andrew.

[GHOSTRIDER AZ]

Originally Posted by Sugah Ray

There are aerial views of hurricane Andrew taking from helicopters. There were homes right next to Country Walk that look untouched while Country Walk and a nearby trailer park looked like a bunch of rubble.

EVO Construction Andrew Pctures

Hurricanes are complicated. The first thing that usually goes is the roof, and once that's gone you are in big trouble because you will be exposed to the flying debris. you have heavy objects flying at 100-150 mph that can easily hurt you or kill you. You can have the best building codes but if the roof is old it will still get damaged during a strong hurricane. Now if you have a wood home you will have no protection at all and fire is also a concern. There was at least one home that burned to the ground in Country Walk during Andrew.

Yep! My National Guard FLANG picked up a few bodies. The Destruction was complete in Kendal and Homestead.

[valicky]

My block walls were all still up. I lived in the very heavily damaged West Kendall Hammocks area. I didn't see any block walls down, only roof damage and wood wall damage. Wood is just not suitable for a hurricane prone area. If you're going to have sub-standard construction, you may as well go with block.

[GHOSTRIDER AZ]

Originally Posted by valicky

My block walls were all still up. I lived in the very heavily damaged West Kendall Hammocks area. I didn't see any block walls down, only roof damage and wood wall damage. Wood is just not suitable for a hurricane prone area. If you're going to have sub-standard construction, you may as well go with block.

That is true, but make sure your block walls are reinforced with rebar and do a visual inspection to make sure the Hurricane Straps are in place at the truss.

Vinyl siding is good up to 120 mph or stucco. Stucco make its well sealed. Up graded windows are a must. The whole industry in Florida changed over night!

Hurricane Andrew was the Storm of Storms!

[houseofcharm]

IN a thread resurrection, we're looking at a Vero Beach house, 1989 all frame on raised foundation with crawlspace-a classic FL build. Supposedly, the wind passes under the house and takes pressure off the frame as well as keeping the house cooler in the heat. It's been through the 2 'canes we had in 04-05 and lost only a couple shingles. It's also about 8 miles inland on a large pond(8-10ac).

Vero is the 4th wealthiest area in FL(Fisher Is, Marco, Palm Bch and then Vero) and MOST homes here are frame though CBS has taken over. A pal has a house 3 in from the ocean, all frame on slab and only lost a few cedar roof tiles in 3 'canes.

We'll keep the thread apprised as inspections come in and if any roof strapping has been updated. The house was owned by an engineer and everything \is as mint as it was in '89 so hopefully things have been addressed.

[LeePage]

Originally Posted by houseofcharm

Vero is the 4th wealthiest area in FL(Fisher Is, Marco, Palm Bch and then Vero)

Where are you getting this info from? I would have to disagree. Maybe 4th Wealthiest in South Florida... You can still get single family res with oceanfront in Vero for less than 1mil...