These five duplexes we are building on Indian Rocks Beach consist of a foundation and first floor made of concrete and masonry, with the second and third stories constructed with wood framing. This is common building practice in Florida.
In most parts of the country, structures are built primarily with wood framing from the foundation to the roof. In Florida, however, it is very common to see homes built with concrete block. It is done minimally on the first floor, but sometimes the entire structure is built out of concrete masonry units (CMU). We are asked often why it is done that way down here. Is it required by law? Do Florida contractors just like to go the extra mile? Is there simply an over-abundance of masons?
The answer is, none of the above. Building code allows for both concrete block and engineered wood framing down here in Florida, as long as they comply with hurricane codes. However, there are many reasons why concrete block is the more popular building choice. We’ll discuss a few of the main ones here.
Termites don’t eat concrete. If you’ve ever opened up an old house in Florida and felt the wood crumble beneath your fingers, you know what termites can do to wood. They eat it for breakfast – literally. And while it is required to treat the soil with pesticides before building, this is not fool-proof – and that’s why it is so common to see homes being tented for termites down here. By building with concrete block, your house can maintain its structural integrity for 100 years or more.
Concrete is more energy efficient. According to a study by the Portland Cement Association, concrete provides five to nine times the energy efficiency of wood framing. A home built with concrete block and given proper insulation will provide more even climate control and save you money on your air conditioning bill. It will also create a better sound barrier.
This custom home we are building on Clearwater Beach is made of solid concrete from the foundation to the roof.
It’s healthier. Concrete emits low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) into the home. It is also harder for allergens to penetrate a block wall than a wood one. Additionally, concrete block is much more mold resistant – and mold can be devastatingly toxic, sometimes causing fatal health conditions.
Concrete doesn’t dry rot. If you were to throw a piece of lumber and a cinder block into a pool and leave it for a few months, the wood would come out dry-rotted and unusable, whereas the concrete would come out exactly the same as it was when it went in. In a part of the country where hurricanes and tropical storms are the norm, I’m sure you can imagine which would be the superior building material.
While Nelson Construction and Renovations does build primarily with concrete block, we also take the extra mile when it comes to wood framing elements in our homes. Watch our video Things You Need to Know When Renovating in Florida for more information on construction in this part of the country.
Nelson Construction and Renovations, a family business founded in 2006, is a design-build company that specializes in high-end remodels, home additions, and custom homes. With our headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, we serve homeowners all over Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. We are an award-winning member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
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