When it comes to new construction in Southwest Florida, it’s well known that homes need to be constructed to stand up to Mother Nature. While Florida may live up to its moniker, “The Sunshine State” most days of the year, there’s always the occasional threat of bad weather. Hurricanes, and even tropical storms, are something to pay attention to, especially in current times when we’ve seen back-to-back hurricanes form and make landfall in Florida
Luckily, there are ways to construct new and stronger homes that better stand up to the potential for high winds and even flooding. While some of them are virtually brand-new construction methods, there are other alternatives to traditional home builds that rely on tried-and-true methods that have been around for generations, especially along coastal landscapes, which we see so much of in Florida.
The basics of stilt home construction
So, you’re probably asking yourself, what exactly is this type of construction? Well, it’s called stilt house building or building with pilings. You’ve probably already seen several examples of these types of homes standing in Florida. They’re just what they sound like; homes that are built up on a platform up in the air and supported by stilts.
Florida isn’t the only place these types of homes have been built. In fact, if you’ve traveled to other parts of the world, you may have seen other examples. It’s thought that even thousands of years ago, people understood the need for stilt home construction.
The threat of flooding, especially in coastal areas, has always been there. Many people, even today, choose stilt home construction because it helps protect your home from flooding. Even if a home isn’t built right next to the water, as we’ve seen in the past, flooding does sometimes happen inland, too.
5 great reasons to choose a stilt home
As we’ve mentioned, there are plenty of advantages when it comes to a stilt home, and the potential for flooding is probably at, or close to, the top.
1. Flooding
When a home sits above the landscape, you can worry less about the threat of flooding damaging your home. With a storm surge and rising water levels, you gain some assurance that your home is less likely to come in contact with flood waters when it sits far up in the air, above the threat of flood waters below.
2. Stability
There’s also the stability factor. We all want a well-built, sturdy home, and you may have some concerns about the sturdiness of a home built up on stilts. The good news with a stilt home is that it is better able to adapt to an unstable landscape below. A traditional home foundation won’t always work with this type of environment. A stilt home can not only be built above sand, but also sometimes above water.
3. Better views
Of course, it certainly doesn’t hurt that a home up above the ground oftentimes provides some pretty good views, too. Much like a high-rise building, the higher you go, the better the views. When you choose a stilt home, you’re in for some slightly elevated views over those provided by more traditional homes. This can be an advantage if you want to be able to better take in those nearby water views.
4. Extra privacy
When your home is up in the air, you not only gain better views, but also more privacy. For example, people walking along a nearby beach aren’t as likely to be able to see directly into a home when it’s not at eye level.
5. Lower bills
You may even gain the advantage of lower utility bills, because a home built on stilts has air circulating beneath it. This moving air could help keep things a bit cooler, especially during the long hot days of a Florida summer.
Where can I build a stilt home?
Now that you know some of the key benefits, you’re probably wondering where you can build a stilt home. Luckily, there are several options.
Over water
In some cases, a stilt home can be constructed over water. This could result in the ultimate Florida home, when you expand your existing home over the water and truly take advantage of a waterfront lot. There are so many lots like this in Florida, and with a stilt home, you can design a home to not only have some fantastic views, but possibly end up with a home that’s truly unique and one that fits in with your own personal needs and expectations.
Over uneven ground
Another problem that sometimes crops up for homeowners is finding a lot that’s uneven. While some may shy away from this type of lot, a stilt home sometimes solves the problem of uneven ground.
Over unstable land
Of course, the beaches in Florida are beautiful, but sand isn’t the most stable ground for building. While a more traditional foundation won’t always work, the pilings used for a home such as this are oftentimes driven into the ground deep enough that they help anchor a home, giving it better stability in an unstable environment.
Are stilt homes secure?
So, how worried should you be about a home built on stilts? Is it really secure and safe enough? The good news is, with a well-built home constructed by a homebuilder knowledgeable about stilt construction, the home end up being not only safer, but it’s also reinforced for stability. Again, the stilts or pilings are not only rigid, but they go deep into the ground. Sometimes, they’re secured with hurricane ties, which can further help with hurricane force winds.
What are my options?
Stilt foundation
One of the most common options is a stilt foundation that results in a home that sits anywhere from two feet to 10 feet above the ground. The piers and beams are strong enough to support the home, even with the underneath space left open.
Pile foundation
A pile foundation uses columns and strong cylinders dug into the ground, which transfers the weight of the home to strong rocks, strata, and soil below. It’s a good choice when the upper soil is unstable.
Screw pile foundation
Commonly used for piers, bridges, and lighthouses in the past, a screw pile foundation also goes way underneath the topsoil. These types of homes are easy and versatile but can sometimes drive up the price.
Stem wall foundation
A stem wall foundation isn’t very tall, but oftentimes uses cinder blocks to distribute the weight of a home. This type of raised foundation can help mitigate the threat of potential flooding and hurricanes.
Stilt homes: safe & beneficial for Florida
With so many advantages and options to choose from, it’s easy to see why stilt homes are a clear winner when it comes to Florida. Not only can they help better protect your home and family in the event of flooding, but they are also a clear choice when building on a landscape that’s a bit unstable, especially in terms of some of the coastal areas of Florida. Finding the right builder for a stilt home can help turn your home dream on a dream lot into reality.
