Concrete Block vs Frame Construction in Brevard County, FL: A Space Coast Buyer's Guide

Is concrete block or wood frame construction better for a home on Florida's Space Coast?

Concrete block resists high winds and termites better and often earns lower insurance premiums, which is why most older Brevard County homes are block. Frame can meet Florida code with proper hurricane detailing.

When you start touring homes on the Space Coast, you will hear two phrases over and over: block and frame. In Brevard County, the construction type of a house affects how it handles hurricanes, what you pay for insurance, and how it holds up over decades in Florida's heat and humidity. For relocation buyers coming from the Northeast or Midwest, this is a new variable that did not matter much back home.

Here is a clear, honest comparison of concrete block versus wood frame construction for Space Coast homes, so you can shop in Melbourne, Viera, Merritt Island, or anywhere in Brevard County with confidence.

What is the difference between block and frame construction?

Concrete block, often written as CBS (concrete block and stucco), uses concrete masonry units for the exterior walls, usually reinforced and filled at intervals. Wood frame uses dimensional lumber to build the wall structure, sheathed and finished on the outside. Many Florida homes are a hybrid: block on the first floor and frame on the second.

On the Space Coast, a large share of homes built from the 1960s through the 1990s are block. Newer construction in Brevard County uses both, and a well-built frame home that follows modern Florida code with hurricane straps and proper bracing is a sound choice.

Which holds up better in a hurricane?

This is the question relocation buyers care about most. Concrete block walls generally resist wind pressure and windborne debris better than wood frame. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, which tests full-scale homes against simulated storm conditions, has shown how much construction details matter to how a house survives high winds. You can read about their resilient construction research at the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

That said, modern wood frame homes built to current Florida Building Code with a continuous load path, hurricane straps, and impact-rated openings perform very well. The IBHS FORTIFIED program shows that strengthening the roof, the connections, and the openings is what makes a Space Coast home resilient, regardless of wall type. Construction quality and detailing matter as much as the material.

How does construction type affect insurance in Brevard County?

Insurers often view block homes as lower risk for wind and fire, which can translate to lower premiums. Wood frame homes can still qualify for strong rates when they have wind-resistant features. The bigger premium drivers in Brevard County are usually roof age, roof shape, and impact-rated openings, all of which can be documented in a wind mitigation inspection.

Factor	Concrete block (CBS)	Wood frame
Wind resistance	Strong	Strong when built to modern code with proper detailing
Termite risk	Lower (walls are not a food source)	Requires ongoing termite protection
Insurance perception	Often favorable	Favorable with wind-resistant features
Common on the Space Coast	Very common, especially older homes	Common in newer and two-story builds

What about termites, moisture, and the long term?

Florida's climate is tough on building materials. Concrete block does not feed termites and resists moisture and rot well, which is a real advantage in Brevard County's humidity. Wood frame can perform for decades with proper construction, sealing, and termite protection, but it does require more attention to those things over time.

For a relocation buyer who plans to stay in their Space Coast home long term, this durability difference is worth weighing. For a newer frame home in a community like Viera or West Melbourne, the construction quality and warranty often offset the concern.

Should you only buy a block home on the Space Coast?

No. Plenty of excellent homes in Brevard County are frame or hybrid construction, and ruling them out would shrink your options unnecessarily. The smarter approach is to look at the whole picture: the roof, the openings, the age, the maintenance history, and the insurance quote. A well-built frame home with a newer roof and impact windows can be a better fit than an older block home with an aging roof.

FAQ

How can I tell if a Space Coast home is block or frame?

The listing and property records often state the construction type, and the Brevard County Property Appraiser at bcpao.us lists building details for most homes. A home inspector can also confirm it during your inspection.

Is block construction more expensive to build in Florida?

Concrete block generally costs more per square foot to build than wood frame, which is one reason many new Brevard County builds use frame, especially on second stories. For a resale buyer, the build cost is already baked into the price.

Does construction type affect resale value on the Space Coast?

Construction type is one factor among many. Buyers in Brevard County tend to value durability and low insurance costs, so a solid block home with a newer roof is an easy sell, but a quality frame home with wind-resistant features competes well.

The block versus frame question has a simple answer once you look at the whole home instead of just the walls. Whatever you are touring on the Space Coast, I will help you read the construction, the roof, and the insurance picture together. My partner Nichole and I got your back. Reach out anytime at (321) 212-7676 or www.livingspacecoast.com.