There is no doubt that at one time bricks were solid, like old Chicago brick. One thing to consider he in FL is that anything solid like that, tends to wick water and transmit heat. The holes give a thermal break, much like concrete blocks do. I have recently looked at some new age concrete...
The holes in the brick serve many purposes. They help the brick cure better in the kiln, they provide a better 'grip' for the mortar and they also have an insulating factor due to the air pockets. Solid bricks are hardly, if ever used in this type of installation, maybe for a load bearing arch...
They look like full brick to me, see under the window as well as the previous picture of the bricks on a pallet. Insulation is done from the inside. The membrane is a water proof barrier and there will be slots here and there that are not mortared so that if any water penetrates that it can...
Honestly with the FL wind code requirements there is not much to worry about. Storms do the damage if the envelope of the house is compromised, ie.. roof blows off and they have never really been anything other than framed.
There are some new standards coming out, I don't know if its in his...
Fraud is absolutely running rampant. Too many people use insurance as a warranty. In all my years, I have never had a single claim filed. I take care of my home and buildings and do not defer any maintenace.
I do not disagree with you. I will give you a personal example. I have a commercial building, with a new roof (2024)and impact resistant windows (2025). It is a CBS building with new A/C even. My carrier wanted $17,567 per year with a $15,000 wind deductible. The building is worth around...
If you use the concept of capital accumulation an invest what your premiums would have been, it is very easy to self insure. You would need to calculate the value of your loss and invest that money accordingly. I help many commercial property owners do this. You need to have a liability...
The house is in unincorporated Brevard county. Yes the buyers taxes will go up based on sales price. I'm not sure if they are claiming homestead exemption or not but if so the estimated property taxes will be about $7600 yr. The insurance I don't know. I had done everything to the house that I...