Hurricane Safe Structure
When living in Florida, one of the things every homeowner must consider is whether their home will maintain its structural integrity during a wind storm such as a tornado or hurricane. Our home is built to withstand winds of at least 140 mph. That would be a Category 4 hurricane with stronger winds than those seen at landfall of Katrina, Wilma and Rita! The walls alone are rated to take 250 mph winds.
A home’s resistance to the spread of fire, wood rot and insect infestation are other areas that deserve attention. We considered these issues carefully, and that consideration is evident in all areas of the construction of our homes. From the steel reinforced solid concrete walls to the above-code hurricane truss straps and every area in between, our homes are built to last.
Affordable Florida Homes are built with solid, poured concrete walls reinforced with three times the steel of concrete block. This translates into greater security for you and your family. Our concrete home also provides greater resistance to water leakage and will not be susceptible to rot or insect infestation. Solid concrete slows the spread of fire, leaving more time for safe exit and fire fighter intervention, drastically decreasing the risk to your family and your possessions in the event of a house fire. The National Hurricane Center in Dade County uses the same construction, but with 10” walls.
Affordable Florida Homes uses the very best materials to ensure the structural integrity of your home. One of the most important factors when thinking of structural security is roof construction. We build houses using 5/8” CDX plywood roof decking that is strong, secure and resists expansion in the event that it is exposed to water. Other builders are using ½” CDX, but we don’t think that’s enough. That extra 1/8” is 25% thicker and stronger structurally.
Between the roof decking and shingles, we use a 30 lb felt barrier that provides a watertight seal, protecting the CDX plywood decking from moisture. During a wind-driven rain storm, some moisture may get under the shingles, and experienced builders know that 30 lb felt is the best protection against moisture seepage and leaks. Dry wood is always better than wet wood.
We install 30-year architectural shingles that will top your Florida home provide beauty and strength. Architectural style shingles capture the multi-dimensional look of cedar shake shingles without the large material expense, and without the risk of rotting, insect infestation and rapid spread of fire. Architectural shingles are the number one choice of roofing shingles by homeowners today, which means an increase in the curb appeal and resale value of your home. Another feature of 20 year shingles is higher resistance to high winds. Why pay more when we offer it standard?
Our homes are built above code, with hurricane truss straps 50% stronger than required by Florida building codes. These strict building codes were enacted after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992, and were strengthened even further after 2002. After the active 2004-2005 Florida hurricane seasons, insurance adjusters inspected homes that were in the path of hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, Katrina and Wilma and found that those built to the more stringent 2002 building code standards remained structurally intact. Those that were built before the strict hurricane codes were enacted were almost completely destroyed. That is why Affordable Florida Homes are built to meet the highest of hurricane safety standards, and then some!
Our homes are built with the Florida climate in mind. Aside from the highest standards for strength and safety, your home is also built with practicality in mind. For example, we use a 6/12 roof pitch that is eminently suitable for the Florida climate. With a lack of snow in this area, steeper pitch is not needed to ensure snow removal. The 6/12 pitch provides less wind exposure and a presents a more attractive appearance.
The foundation and driveway of your home are both built using 3000 psi (pounds per square inch) concrete. Standard mix is 2500 psi, but we think it’s not enough. The foundation and driveway concrete are also reinforced using both fiber mesh and 6x6 steel mesh. The concrete walls have vertical 5/8” rebar spaced every 4 feet from top to bottom, tied to rebar from the slab. Around the top perimeter we place MORE rebar. We use 2 horizontal runs all along the top of the wall section. And since we build for strength and safety, the whole rebar grid system is tied together with 6x6 steel mesh, top to bottom.
Other building features of your Florida home include 16” on center stud walls, R30 attic insulation material, special drywall installed on the ceiling that protects from sagging. We also install a 6” fascia for a more visible horizontal accent line.
Exterior Features
When deciding on the look of your Florida home’s exterior, you will be given a choice of colors. That means you can choose one high quality paint color for your exterior walls and another for your trim. AFHI chose to use a more expensive Sherwin-Williams paint for both a better finish and durability. The high quality Sherwin-Williams paint is the new Exterior Loxon XP Waterproofing System, which provides excellent durability and protection from weather damage. It also has agents that inhibit the growth of mildew on the surface of the paint. This now our standard exterior paint.
The exterior of your Florida home is enhanced with stylish, raised stucco bands and decorative eyebrow windows in front.
Some builders seed a yard and expect it to grow into a nice lawn. Affordable Florida Homes places St. Augustine sod, which is a thick, beautiful green grass that has a high tolerance to drought, disease, sun, shade, salt and high temperatures. It costs more, but it looks great and is very durable.
Another area where we don’t scrimp is irrigation. We include a four zone sprinkler system that will keep your lawn and other landscaping projects hydrated and looking beautiful year round. Additional sprinkler zones are available for $400 each.
The entrance to your Florida home will reflect your own personal style with either a side light front door, or double front door.
Your Florida home will also have an automatic garage door opener with two remotes for added convenience. Plus, we include a pull-down attic stair system for easy access and storage.
Interior Building Features, Style and Environmental Efficiency
The interior of your Florida home continues to reflect your home builder’s attention to detail and use of high quality of materials. Various extras and upgrades contribute to the overall feeling of elegance and luxury that you expect in your Florida home.
The standard ceiling height in your Florida home is 9 feet; the industry standard is 8 feet. Some floor plans are expansive with ceiling heights of up to 14 feet!
The ceilings in Affordable Florida Homes are covered with a knock-down paint finish rather than outdated popcorn covering. Knock-down is now the preferred look for contemporary, luxury homes, and adds to the overall appeal and resale value of your home. On the walls we use an orange peel effect rather than a sand finish.
Worried about high energy costs? Don’t be! Affordable Florida Homes are built with maximum energy efficiency in mind, starting with solid concrete walls that help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. AFHI continues the commitment to energy efficiency with R30 attic insulation material. R30 insulation resists heat transfer and contributes energy savings by reducing the demand on heating and cooling systems.
Double-insulated glass windows provide additional energy savings, and tilt out for easy cleaning. High style combines with energy efficiency not only in quality insulated windows, but in beautiful marble window sills.
Your Florida home is built using round corner beads on drywall corners. This gives your finished walls a smooth, rounded look. 5 ½ inch upgraded baseboards provide a perfect style accent.
When deciding on paint color for your walls, you will have the added advantage of our two-tone paint upgrade package. Affordable Florida Homes feels you deserve a choice. We don’t just paint the walls and trim the same color. Choose from a variety of high-quality, Sherwin-Williams interior latex paint colors.
Your Florida home includes at least two built-in plant shelves with a switched outlet for decorative lighting accents.
Ceiling fans lower your energy usage and are wonderful at cooling your home, not to mention some of the unique decorative styles that are available. Our homes come pre-wired for ceiling fans in all the bedrooms and great room.
Your Florida home builder is committed to saving you time and money by anticipating your future needs. Your Florida home is pre-wired for under cabinet lighting, as well as television and phone outlets in all bedrooms and the family/great room. This saves you the time, hassle and money of paying for an electrician, cable or phone installer to add these features later.
Affordable Florida Homes includes an upgraded lighting allowance of $1000 rather than the standard $150-$400 offered by most builders. Choose the lighting scheme and fixtures that reflect your personal style at Cates Lighting here in Palm Coast.
Kitchen Features
When it comes to general appeal and resale value, one of the most important rooms in any home is the kitchen. The kitchen in your Florida home is designed with this in mind.
Beautiful Thermafoil raised-panel cabinets set the tone of elegance and style of your kitchen. Thermafoil cabinets are durable, resistant to stains and discoloration, and are easy to clean and maintain. Choose from a wide array of colors, including wood grain.
In addition to upgraded cabinetry, your Florida home includes standard granite countertops in the kitchen, with a choice of colors to suit your personal tastes. Granite is a very durable, natural material that is durable and easier to maintain than marble, yet it provides the same luxurious look as marble. Granite will withstand extreme heat and cold, is resistant to scratching, will not crack under ordinary use, is 95% stain resistant and is very easy to repair in the event of damage.
All kitchen appliances in your Florida home are high quality, Kenmore appliances. Your appliance package includes a smooth top range, garbage disposal and built in microwave. Kohler fixtures add to the elegance and top of the line appearance of your kitchen.
Flooring can make or break any look. Your Florida home builder continues to allow you to express your personal style by giving you a choice of dozens of colors and styles of ceramic tile from Master Tile. Tile flooring is included in the kitchen, nook, foyer, bathrooms, and laundry areas.
Bathroom Features
The elegance and luxury of your Florida home is continued in the bathroom features. Each bathroom includes wall mounted vanities, Kohler fixtures, and ceramic tile in a variety of styles and colors. Ceramic tile is included in bath and shower areas as well as flooring. The master bath includes a sliding glass shower door.
Heating and Cooling Appliances
Energy efficiency, durability and reliability are the top considerations when selecting the major heating and cooling appliances for your Florida home. AFHI installs a 13+ SEER heat-pump to provide central heat and air for your home. We even install cold air returns in the bedrooms to reduce hot spots. AFHI homes are comfortable.
Affordable Florida Homes installs a State Select hot water heating unit with 50 gallon capacity! No more need to worry about running out of hot water mid-shower!
Exceeding Industry Standards in Quality
All Affordable Florida Homes home meets or exceeds industry standards in all areas. Luxury, high quality, style and efficiency; all of this is included in your Florida home. Your home builder is so confident in the quality and structural integrity of your Florida home that they have included a 15 year structural warranty.
