Elevated Homes: 101

Waterfront homes come with some of the most beautiful views in the country. From coastal to lakeside, we at Schumacher Homes build custom elevated homes fit for this unique environment.

Elevated homes, also known as pier and beam homes, are built on a piling or block foundation. Unlike flat slab foundations, an elevated home’s floor structure (lowest floor level of the home) is supported on individual columns, similar to what you might see in a deck. These columns, also known as stilts, are strong and specially designed to securely hold a home above the ground.

We love elevated homes in states nationwide, but we see them most often in low-lying, high-risk flood zones, as they provide protection against natural disasters. These areas have what’s called a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), which determines the safe height a home’s first floor should be constructed. If you live in one of these areas, you will want to have a clear understanding of what that means for your building requirements, as the BFE will impact insurance rates and floodplain management. Keep in mind, elevated homes aren’t solely for waterfront areas. Even if you are landlocked, you can still get the desirable, multi-level look on your lot. In fact, even homesites with low, gently rolling hills suit elevated homes well.

There are many reasons why individuals choose to build an elevated home, but these benefits are high on our list for giving a home a lift:

• As we mentioned above, this housing solution is a must-have for coastal and floodplain homes. Elevated homes help protect against potential water damage from natural disasters and seasonal flooding.  Custom home builders work with the specific property and its BFE to design the best height and support for the elevated home.
• Elevated homes help you get the most out of a waterfront property. The view from a lifted vantage point provides a fresh perspective of the local neighborhood with luxurious privacy.
• Not only will this design increase a home’s safety, it will add ample storage space for everything from cars to lawn care equipment underneath the house itself.

Of course, there are still some drawbacks to elevated homes. Keep these three things in mind when considering building an elevated home:

• In order to get inside this kind of home, homeowners and house guests alike will need to climb multiple stairs. If accessibility is a concern, the added cost of things like installing an elevator must be accounted for before construction begins.
• Speaking of additional costs, elevated homes tend to be more expensive to construct compared to their flat-land counterparts because roofing, siding, and some other items cost a little more since they need taller equipment and additional safety precautions for the contractors.

To build an elevated home with a wood piling structure, either a round or square treated wooden pole is driven into the ground to a specified depth and bearing capacity as determined by an engineer. The engineer will design the system in accordance with the loads or weight of the structure of the building and in accordance with local codes. A piling driving machine will stand the pole vertically and then hammer them into the ground to the predetermined depth for deep support. Once every stilt is installed, carpenters build the first-floor structure on top of the pilings.

It might seem counterintuitive, but stilts can actually improve a home’s foundational stability, especially in naturally unstable areas like steeply sloped or sand-filled yards. They are typically wooden but can also be made with concrete block piers. No matter the material, stilts can help a home reach new heights, ranging from just a few feet off the ground for an aesthetically pleasing look to a full twenty feet off grade in hurricane zones.

You deserve to set your sights on more than just standard designs that fall flat. If you think an elevated home might be for you, contact us today. We are here to help you through every step of the custom home building process, from finding the right homesite and adhering to local building codes to selecting the best materials for your deck and managing your budget.

About Schumacher Homes

Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 32 markets in 12 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends.  Stop in today, be inspired and receive your no obligation price quote.