Raised Floor Systems

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J. Enjoy the porch and deck.

^) t). Easy home improvement. Installation, maintenance and modification of utilities such as water. sewage and electrical are comparatively simple with a raised floor. Remodeling? Plumbing fixture modifications are easy with a raised floor. (If relocating a toilet or bathtub on a slab foundation is necessary, get the jackhammer!) Routing and rerouting of electrical wiring is relatively easy and less expensive. If the home is raised high enough off the ground, air conditioning ducts can be installed below where floor registers can direct air closer to the actual living area; ceilings remain uncluttered.

If it is not raised, a porch is not really a porch. Porches and decks are natural amenities for a raised floor system, adding usable living area to your home outdoors. Consider the charm and hospitality of a front porch, the pest-free privacy and comfort of a screened back porch. or a spacious deck for outdoor cooking, entertainment and relaxation. On slab, a "front porch" is just a front patio. The special ambiance you come to expect when gathering on a porch or deck can only be experienced with the raised floor system.

4. I nr"ti-e foundation.

The raised floor system has withstood the test of time. Southern pine is the strongest of all North American softwoods, so you can expect a lifetime of strength, stability and durability when framing with southern pine lumber. And today, modern pressure treatment adds long-term resistance to decay and termite attack.

5. .l simple foundation.

All foundations will settle, but use of piers with a raised floor system makes leveling or repairs simple. Repairing or leveling a damaged concrete slab can be very expensive. The raised floor is also less susceptible to disruption from tree roots.

7. Nrt...al insulator.

Why live on the cold, damp ground? Wood is a natural insulator. A properly constructed and insulated raised floor isolates a home from moisture problems and provides a warm, comfortable walking surface.

High and dry.

Flooding is a potential risk for many homeowners. A raised floor system could be the solution to raising your home's foundation above base flood elevation required by the National Flood Insurance Program. Considering other options-slab atop dirt fill, slab on backfilled perimeter wall, or ring levee-the raised floor may be the most practical and costeffective way to protect your property and meet local building ordinances in flood-prone areas.

9. Pest Control.

Most pests are ground dwellers. With proper barriers to control termites and other pests, your raised floor home will welcome fewer unwanted guests. For optimum protection against termites, pressure treated and kiln-dried after treatment southern pine lumber is available.

L0. ntexinte landscaping.

Landscaping looks best around the foundation of the home. It helps "ground" the structure to the site. However, the installation of built-up flowerbeds and other landscaping against a slab foundation can invite termite infestation and decay. With a raised floor, landscaping can be located near the foundation without inviting this risk.

Furthermore, root-severing slab construction often demands the removal of existing trees in close proximity to the structure. Near a raised floor, beautiful and energy-saving shade trees can be preserved; only the footings of a raised pier-and-beam structure penetrate the root system, allowing trees to thrive.

C onstruction advantages

Homebuilders also benefit. Once the plans are finalized, the flexibility of the raised floor offers several advantages in the construction phase:

Easy scheduling - Construction of a raised floor may help accommodate the scheduling of trades, saving time. For example, concrete and masonry work does not have to wait on plumbing installation and inspection, which is the case with slab-on-grade. This can help expedite construction.

Poor soils, no problem - A raised floor can be a cost-effective solution to construction in poor soil conditions, where movement of expansive clays or the subsidence of orsanic soils is a concern.

Reduce cut and fill - For sloped lots, a raised floor on piers can be more economical and practical than building a "cut and fill" slab foundation. Less soil is disturbed, reducing erosion. The piers eliminate the need for reinforced retaining walls and other extraordinary measures to provide proper site drainage, and plumbing connections to city services may be simplified.

Value-added advantages

The raised floor system gives the homeowner and builder opportunities to explore ideas that can expand the livability and appeal of the home. For the lumber dealer, that can often translate into sales of additional materials.

fttundation system. Complete with detailed illustrations, photographs, and cost compurisons, "Raised Floor Systems: Design & Construction Guide" oJfers an in-depth look at the system's design and many advantag,es, while addressing basic constrLrction elements. The 48-page publication covers a wide range of related topics such as moisture control, soils and site preparation, foundation types, termiteresistant framing, design loads, span tables, and floor framing. Four case studies demonstrnte the versatility of raised floor construction.fbr both residential and nonre side nt ial buildin ps.

For a./ree single cop-t, request publication #41 I from SPC, Box 641700, Kenner, kt. 70064; (504) 443-4464; Fax 504-44366 I 2 : www.st.tuthernoine.com.

"The raised floor takes full advantage of amenities such as porches or a deck because they are natural extensions of the structure's elevated platform," said Richard Kleiner, director of treated lumber markets for the Southern Forest Products Association. "Inside the home, southern pine flooring is a great upgrade to offer the client. Another option the dealer and builder may suggest is termite-resistant framing of pressure treated lumber, kiln dried after treatment. Use of pressure treated lumber can be limited to the floor system alone or framing for the entire structure. Whole-house treated framing is becoming a popular option, especially in coastal areas."

Evironmental advantages

Finally, the raised floor is the right choice for the environment-it is a sustainable construction system. First and foremost, wood is a renewable resource that takes far less energy to produce than concrete or steel.

Second, construction of a pier-andbeam foundation in association with the raised floor system is far less disruptive to the natural surroundings than a slab-on-grade system. With a pier-and-beam foundation, less damage the root systems of neighboring vegetation occurs.

Furthermore. future structural modifications, additions or repairs can be more easily accomplished. Builders can complete these tasks with less risk of additional environmental damage, consuming less energy and avoiding expensive technologies.

- Southern Pine Cr.tuncil has produced a new guide for building a raised floor