CBS vs. Frame, the debate has gone on for a long time. Especially after we had the hurricanes of 2004 & 2005. These hurricanes were really a freak of nature but they fueled the safety industrial complex to heights never seen before.
Generators to provide electricity became the norm. Some of the wealthier residents installed massive, commercial level generators that are designed to come on automatically so your lights barely even flicker. Gas stations and grocery stores installed massive units to preserve the food and allow gas to be pumped. And at the local Home Depot, generators were the first thing that greeted you when you walked in the door.
Naturally, homeowners insurance became a hot topic so the debate over CBS or wooden frame houses heated up. Some insurance companies came up with arbitrary boundaries like "east of I-95" to determine risk. The problem is that I-95 runs on an angle, so the further north you go, the further from the coast you are.
Then, the question of frame or CBS was raised. Here are the facts:
The Good: All homes are built to the same building code. Period. There is not a sub-standard code for wood and a more stringent one for CBS. Most of the hurricane damage was done to roofs not walls. Insurance companies used this as a reason to raise rates. Period. In fact, most 2 story homes in this area have CBS ground floors and wooden 2nd stories. How do you explain this?
The Bad: Wooden siding requires lots of maintenance. The siding typically used is called T-111 and although sturdy, requires periodic replacement. Replacing siding is tough and/or expensive.
The Truth: You can survive a hurricane just fine in a wooden frame house, but you will pay more in homeowners insurance to live there. Unless you pay cash. Then you can do whatever you want.
You can see all homes for sale in Jupiter by visiting me at Coastal Florida Real Estate.
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