Changes to Gulf County, Florida’s building code will allow builders to substitute cheaper materials, including OSB for plywood, after commissioners voted in the recent changes.
The commissioners said the county had imposed more stringent codes than allowed under the Florida Building Code (FBC).
In 2001, Gulf County commissioners agreed to require all new homes to withstand 140mph winds. But now the commissioners want to divide the county by wind zone: 140mph in the south, 130mph in the north.
Also, under the FBC, builders can use OSB instead of plywood. Builders claim that OSB performs as well as plywood in hurricane conditions.
