[HarryWho?]

Originally Posted by cittic10

Don't. It gives people a false sense of security.
I've seen CBS walls crumble in cat 2 hurricanes.
And of course we all know how deadly they are in earthquakes.... Look at Haiti. Only structures left standing were wood frame that looked like they had been there for a hundred years.

Wood frame is also more comfortable IMO. The last house I owned in florida (CBS) didn't have any insulation for the exterior walls and was very uncomfortable in the "winter".

Haiti? Think the building codes are the same? Be serious.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by crazynip

Those old ranches have their plusses. But the windows suck. Most have either Jalousy windows or ****ty aluminum windows with big, tin panes of glass in sizes you just cant replace or find without really forking out money. And most places roofs in most of them are underengineered and overdue for replacement.

^^^ Kind of some generalized, inaccurate statements...

Very few homes have jalousy windows anymore and aluminum windows are actually the better choice these days in terms withstanding hurricanes, albeit a more modern version. I replaced every window in my house with aluminum frame 120mph resistant windows with Low-E glass and it cost all of $1700 for 5 of them. PGT Industries - Aluminum Windows

Lastly wind mitigation modification to the roof trusses make the old ranch style homes as hurricane resistant as the newly built homes. Retrofit - Straps

[Dr Spock]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

I know that, when you see houses framed in the Miami metro area, you see that they use concrete blocks. However, up toward Jacksonville, I get the impression that the majority of the houses are framed with wood.

What is the geography, or the "cut off," of where they typically frame housing in concrete block units or wood studs in Florida?

I don't know where the 'cut off' is, but you have to consider the humidity and hurricane season when using wood.. The sturdier, brick , block, the better

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

^^^ Kind of some generalized, inaccurate statements...

Very few homes have jalousy windows anymore and aluminum windows are actually the better choice these days in terms withstanding hurricanes, albeit a more modern version. I replaced every window in my house with aluminum frame 120mph resistant windows with Low-E glass and it cost all of $1700 for 5 of them. PGT Industries - Aluminum Windows

Lastly wind mitigation modification to the roof trusses make the old ranch style homes as hurricane resistant as the newly built homes. Retrofit - Straps

I was referring to the older aluminum windows. You may be surprised how many tens of thousands of older homes built roughly 1950-1980 still have these terrible old windows in them.

As to the roofs, sure, when replaced, they have to be brought up to code and are fine. But again, a lot of them still out there with old roofs.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by kshe95girl

Block is the preferred method of construction here in N Central FL.

What I saw in NCF was lower end homes block and higher end framed. Custom builders are using wood.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

What I saw in NCF was lower end homes block and higher end framed. Custom builders are using wood.

Um....no, they're not building frame houses.
This is what is considered high end in NCF, they build with block.
Central Florida Custom Homes Irvin Homes

Luxury Custom Homes, Custom Home Builders, Luxury Home Builders - Arthur Rutenberg Homes

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by kshe95girl

Um....no, they're not building frame houses.
This is what is considered high end in NCF, they build with block.
Central Florida Custom Homes Irvin Homes

Luxury Custom Homes, Custom Home Builders, Luxury Home Builders - Arthur Rutenberg Homes

I shopped custom homes in Gainesville and lived in one. In can give you many more that build with frame in Gainesville. They'll build block if you want it of course.

High en in Ocala and Gainesville are two different things though.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

I shopped custom homes in Gainesville and lived in one. In can give you many more that build with frame in Gainesville. They'll build block if you want it of course.

High en in Ocala and Gainesville are two different things though.

Both builders build all over Florida, including, -gasp- both Ocala and Gainesville.
Lulzing at your thought that high end in Ocala and Gainesville are 2 different things.
I've worked for dozens of interior design clients involving ground-up builds in Marion and Alachua county, all high end custom homes, all block.
Funny that the majority of high-end clients come to Ocala from Gainesville to shop for furniture and accessories.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by kshe95girl

Both builders build all over Florida, including, -gasp- both Ocala and Gainesville.
Lulzing at your thought that high end in Ocala and Gainesville are 2 different things.
I've worked for dozens of interior design clients involving ground-up builds in Marion and Alachua county, all high end custom homes, all block.
Funny that the majority of high-end clients come to Ocala from Gainesville to shop for furniture and accessories.

The debate about high end is off topic. Indint think anyone is going to debate income/education levels in the two cities as its not close so I'll leave it at that.

I can only speak from talking to Gainesville custom builders and going on what I saw at parade Of homes. I didn't look much into the standard FL stucco home as I think it lacks character.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

The debate about high end is off topic. Indint think anyone is going to debate income/education levels in the two cities as its not close so I'll leave it at that.

I can only speak from talking to Gainesville custom builders and going on what I saw at parade Of homes. I didn't look much into the standard FL stucco home as I think it lacks character.

My whole point is this is what I do for a living, and I have done it here in the area for almost 2 decades, so I know of whence I speak.
I've worked for both builders I posted, plus another one.
So, saying that builders of high-end homes in the NCF area build in wood is just a tad disingenuous.
BTW, there is PLENTY of money here in Marion County.
Thanks for the reminder about Gainesville snobbery.