If you’re looking into how to take care of your Louisiana home, or you’re interested in building a new home from scratch, it’s time for you to start thinking seriously about the structure and health of your foundation.
The Backbone of Your Home
While you might think of your kitchen or living room as the heart of your home, a place for family and friends to gather and socialize, your home cannot stand without your foundation. Your foundation keeps your home standing straight and sturdy, protects it from the base level, and acts as your home’s core supporting structure.
Different Types of Foundations
Not all foundations are the same! While in some areas, you might frequently see concrete foundations with deep basements, in Louisiana, another type of foundation has achieved popularity. These “pier and beam foundations” offer unique benefits specific to the Louisiana climate and soil conditions.
What Are Pier and Beam Foundations?
Pier and beam foundations use hefty beams to anchor your home to the bedrock, penetrating deep through the soil to a reliable anchor of stone, rather than simply layering your foundation on the surface of existing soil. This makes pier and beam foundations sturdier in areas where the soil may shift around or be frequently exposed to water.
Pier and beam foundations also elevate your home so it doesn’t sit directly on the ground. While this makes it ineffective in cooler areas of the country, where homes can benefit from the insulating soil, pier and beam foundations can protect your home from water damage in areas prone to frequent flooding. This makes pier and beam foundations an excellent fit for many locations in Louisiana.