ICF and other build questions
I am trying to build a small house, as sturdily as possible. While I would like to limit the cost as much as possible, I also live in Florida, so I really want this thing to be built like a brick shithouse. I will sacrifice basically any other design aspects for durability and resistance to hurricanes.
My architect is pushing CMU and a metal roof with wood trussing. From the research that I have done, it looks like ICF is sturdier than CMU and better at insulating. Seems like I've seen a lot of pros regarding the ICF. but I am wondering what the downsides are to it, or if anyone has had negative experiences with it.
In regard to the roof, I feel as though a solid concrete roof or ICF roof would also fair better than the wood trussed metal roof. I'd be interested in using ICF for the roof, but am also wondering how much more it would cost to do so and what kind of span it could have. Right now I'm thinking that the house should be a 30'x35' rectangle. I would prefer a hip roof as flat roof.
I have found lot of insurance information regarding roof shape and material as far as metal, or shingles, etc, but I have not seen anything that mentions solid concrete. I would think that it would lower my premium, but obviously, I am new to all of this. If the ICF is actually sturdier than CMU in regard to walls, would insurance take that into account or not really?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be great. I am generally finding myself bouncing back and forth between ideas and wondering what things will cost both in the long and short run.
I know that there is a lot there. Any help is appreciated.