Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
1) I have toured several homes in that area and it seems everybody builds the usual houses.
2)For those that live in Florida in and around that area, what don't you see in new homes that you would like to see.
Quality aside..... ( I like bigger houses but for a top end house I think I will keep them just at or under 3000 sq ft
of true living space.
3) I do see the Florida basements meaning attic space but
that doesn't thrill me much especially in the heat of summer.
4) I do see many builders putting in 14 SEER heat pumps and I understand that the highly rated SEER units are usually a bit troublesome but 14-15 SEER in Florida seems like a huge economy move that can't be very efficient.
5) Those that live in Florida and have wells. What depth are you seeing as the norm? That is the one thing I need
to study up on. Here I have springs in my yard and plenty of water but we are having to go 500-600 feet. In the old days
it was 60-80 feet...... Of course I know Florida is right on the water
thanks!
1) Hip roof design is hurricane/windstorm resistant. The typical FL home is now a hip roof, CBS (concrete block construction) with much rebar tied into the massive slab/footer running to the "tie-beam" at the top. Also poured-solid concrete+rebar vertical columns at every 3 foot mark and corner. My point is that the "look" is the design that has been proven to be tough enough for category 4 storms. My home withstood 3 different, solid cat 3 storms without damage. The same cannot be said for my neighbors.
2) I built my 3br FL home. It has a "bonus" room above the 3 car garage. I did this by lowering the garage floor 2 feet. That way my roofline is even. I have a heavy duty staircase in the garage. I'd also like to see the massive attic utilized. Note: I have a white roof and 2 heavy duty solar attic fans. My attic is no hotter than outside.
3) Don't even think of a basement in many areas of Florida. The house will float!
4) 14 SEER AC is now a requirement in many areas. And, truly it's necessary. Mine is a 16 SEER American Standard, it's 15 years old, not a hint of trouble. Same goes for the 19 SEER Trane units. They are ultra reliable. Off brands don't hold up here. Amer Std and Trane are the ones to choose.
5) My well is 33 feet deep. I also have 6 additional 35 foot wells for my fire pump. I drilled those myself and hooked them together in a H pattern. On my property, there is a layer of shell-rock about 35 feet down. It's not easy to drill though. The water above the shell rock is clearly rain based shallow stuff. The water below the 60 foot thick layer of shell-rock is "sulfur water". I chose the shallow well, with the intention of eventually drilling a 150 foot well for emergencies. As it is, I've used my fire pump a number of times to supply my house. (when the well pump quits)
Salt water intrusion is a problem in Florida and sometimes deeper is not better.
1) I have toured several homes in that area and it seems everybody builds the usual houses.
2)For those that live in Florida in and around that area, what don't you see in new homes that you would like to see.
Quality aside..... ( I like bigger houses but for a top end house I think I will keep them just at or under 3000 sq ft
of true living space.
3) I do see the Florida basements meaning attic space but
that doesn't thrill me much especially in the heat of summer.
4) I do see many builders putting in 14 SEER heat pumps and I understand that the highly rated SEER units are usually a bit troublesome but 14-15 SEER in Florida seems like a huge economy move that can't be very efficient.
5) Those that live in Florida and have wells. What depth are you seeing as the norm? That is the one thing I need
to study up on. Here I have springs in my yard and plenty of water but we are having to go 500-600 feet. In the old days
it was 60-80 feet...... Of course I know Florida is right on the water
thanks!
1) Hip roof design is hurricane/windstorm resistant. The typical FL home is now a hip roof, CBS (concrete block construction) with much rebar tied into the massive slab/footer running to the "tie-beam" at the top. Also poured-solid concrete+rebar vertical columns at every 3 foot mark and corner. My point is that the "look" is the design that has been proven to be tough enough for category 4 storms. My home withstood 3 different, solid cat 3 storms without damage. The same cannot be said for my neighbors.
2) I built my 3br FL home. It has a "bonus" room above the 3 car garage. I did this by lowering the garage floor 2 feet. That way my roofline is even. I have a heavy duty staircase in the garage. I'd also like to see the massive attic utilized. Note: I have a white roof and 2 heavy duty solar attic fans. My attic is no hotter than outside.
3) Don't even think of a basement in many areas of Florida. The house will float!
4) 14 SEER AC is now a requirement in many areas. And, truly it's necessary. Mine is a 16 SEER American Standard, it's 15 years old, not a hint of trouble. Same goes for the 19 SEER Trane units. They are ultra reliable. Off brands don't hold up here. Amer Std and Trane are the ones to choose.
5) My well is 33 feet deep. I also have 6 additional 35 foot wells for my fire pump. I drilled those myself and hooked them together in a H pattern. On my property, there is a layer of shell-rock about 35 feet down. It's not easy to drill though. The water above the shell rock is clearly rain based shallow stuff. The water below the 60 foot thick layer of shell-rock is "sulfur water". I chose the shallow well, with the intention of eventually drilling a 150 foot well for emergencies. As it is, I've used my fire pump a number of times to supply my house. (when the well pump quits)
Salt water intrusion is a problem in Florida and sometimes deeper is not better.
