[Nords]

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Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny The framing was 100% steel with a stucco overlay. Drywall was attached to the steel in the interior. All that having been said, a steel frame takes longer, costs more, but is very resistant to wind and settlement, along with being bug and rot proof.

You would think that steel & stucco would catch on here like wildfire (so to speak) but it's regarded as more expensive than wood frames & Masonite. I've seen some multi-story homes with steel on the bottom and wood frames on top, but then they mess it up with Masonite & wood trim on both stories.

However other options include "termite mesh" (steel screen under/in the foundation intended to keep the termites from getting above the concrete through cracks), foundation termite treatments (PVC piping with holes set under the foundation, for Termidor to be flushed through every 3-5 years) and even concrete-block bunkers.

People are not willing to pay 5-10% more up front for a home that's more termite resistant and, with insulation/stucco, a lot cooler to boot. But they'll happily pay for decades of air conditioning bills, Sentricon contracts, and higher hurricane insurance premiums. These are the same people who won't pay $5000 for solar water heaters even if they get back $3500 in tax credits and lifetime free hot water.

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Originally Posted by REWahoo Next thing you know honobob will tell us HI real estate prices are declining...

Eh, thanks for stirring up the troll again.

I thought long & hard before putting another post about Hawaii real estate on this board. Guess I won't make that mistake any more.

Moderators, next time you wonder whether people are reluctant to post, please consider this exhibit "A". And once again feel free to delete the messages that are sure to show up in my profile...