Whenever you build, remodel or buy a home, you have the power of choice. Use this research-based guilde to take control of your investment and enjoy a high-performance home that offers so much more than shelter and style alone.

A research-based showcase of solutions and educational programs to help you shape the future with homes that offer MORE benefits with LESS ....

We have begun and will continue to build upon this Online Training Center to assist the Louisiana and Gulf Region construction infrastructure with building science, best practices and building code-based information and continuing education.

LaHouse resumes Open House free preview days on July 15 and following Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays....

Step-by-Step instructions for property owners to use the Registry to find a licensed contractor working in their parish and to rate a contractor.

Use the Registry to find state licensed or registered service providers who wish to work in your parish and who offer the services you need.

From this page, you will be able to access information on a variety of issues related to flood recovery.

Louisiana floods - from excess rain and poor drainage; from overflow of rivers, streams and bayous; from drainage channels backing-up; from storm surge; from levee failures.

Here are brief descriptions of currently available building systems for exterior walls and roofs. Some of their major properties that relate to sustainable development are mentioned. A generalized assessment of how each building system integrates and balances the five criteria for Louisiana conditions.

Building professionals who are licensed or registered to operate in Louisiana can offer services used in building, remodeling or restoring homes.

Users must indicate acceptance of these terms prior to submitting ANY personal, company, service or project information to the Registry.

You probably think of an air conditioner as something that puts cool air in your homes, but what it really does is remove heat from your home. So an understanding of how heat gets in your home is the key to choosing the most cost-effective ways to cut summer utility bills while staying cool and comfortable.

Geographic Basics in Louisiana include Climate, Flood, Wind and Termites. Read about the climate, wind and flood hazards, and termites in Louisiana.

One of the hardest determinations you'll have to make when you decide to restore a damaged home is how much work needs to be done - and how much help you'll need.

Use multiple methods to make your home resistant to damage from termites, especially Formosan subterranean termites, and other wood-destroying insects. Since basic controls and most state approved stand-alone treatments are not fool-proof, it’s wise to invest in a second line of defense or even a totally termite-resistant structure. Click here to find out how to make your home resistant to termites.

Wind is the most common and most costly cause of damage to light frame structures in the United States. There are things you can do, however, to reduce the potential damage from high winds.

Use this checklist to explore features and components of a hazard resistant home in Louisiana.

Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a healthy home in Louisiana.

Knowing what questions to ask can save you lots of money and help you find the best contractor to build your house. The Capital Region Builder's Association has provided the attached information to help you ask the right questions.

Use this checklist to explore features and components of a convenient, practical home in Louisiana.

Breathe easy inside...

Use this checklist to explore components and features of your sustainable Louisiana house.

Use this checklist to explore features and components of a durable home in Louisiana.

Follow design guidelines to make your home functional for life...

Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of an earth friendly home in Louisiana.

Benefits of low-maintence materials...

Consider advanced wiring and designing adaptable spaces....

More is not always better...

Building systems that integrate and balance the five criteria for a sustainable, high-performance home...

Use this checklist to explore features and components of your sustainable Louisiana house.

Every source of combustion in the home vented to the outdoors...

Don't let your own home make you sick...

Over the life of a product, more durable and longer-lasting options are usually a better option...

It's a good investment to go beyond minimum code requirements...

Use this checklist to explore features and components of your sustainable Louisiana house.

Avoid flood damage with the right design.

Prevent sewerage from backing up into your home...

The materials you use and the the products you choose,can help to make your home resistant to flood damage.

Consider choosing windows and doors designed to withstand high wind and impact from flying debris.

Designed safe rooms can protect you from more than just a storm...

Proper constuction techniques help to keep your roof where it belongs in a storm.

Size matters when designing for wind load...

Build for wall strength...

Imagine turning your house upside down and shaking it....

For higher levels of protection and possibly discounted property insurance, consider these options...

Safeguard your roofs and pipes against unually cold weather.

Use multiple methods to make your home resistant to termites and other wood-destroying insects.

In hot, humid climates, walls should be built to keep moisture out.

Air infiltration is a major source of moisture migration into a home...

A great deal of moisture can move from the ground into and through a foundation and floor system...

Use this checklist to explore components and features of your sustainable Louisiana house.

Use this checklist to explore components and features of your Louisiana house.

Use this checklist to explore features and components of a sustainable Louisiana house.

Use this checklist to explore components and features of your sustainable Louisiana house.

What your goals should include in this region...

Important things to remember about the gulf region...

Details count when it comes to protecting your house from moisture.

Create a continuous drianage plane to keep moisture moving away properly.

Ensure the integrity of the water quality in your home and reduce the amount of contaminents carried by storwater off your home site.

Avoid using chemicals in your home that are potentially harmful to the environment.

Reducing the amount of waste produced when building and living in homes can make a big difference in the number, longevity and cost of needed landfills.

How to cut costs and conserve our supplies of water.

Create a sustainable environments by preserving the natural state of your site.

Choose environmentally-friendly products to avoid pollution and the depletion of natural resources.

Get off the grid and use renewable energy sources to power your home.

Go beyond just building green.....

Reduce transportation energy costs and stimulate state economies...

Does your home measure up?

In the Gulf Region, this means reducing summer heat gain...

In a warm climate, reducing solar heat gain (and air leakage) through a window is even more important than a high insulating value.

Homes should create a continuous air barrier system that surrounds all conditioned space...

The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating ability...

ENERGY STAR labels are more efficient yet cost effective...

Before making building plans, be aware of the building code requirements for your location.

Today, it is possible and practical to have it all...

Seek out incentives that help you create a high performance home...

This guide serves as your comprehensive planning and analysis tool...

The goal is to integrate and balance the following criteria...

The most important messeges to take from this guide...

Look for ENERGY STAR appliances and compare Energy Guide labels...

Building systems that integrate the five criteria for Gulf Region Conditions.

When conditions change, so do building materials...

Find the water vapor balance...

Air equalizes between higher and lower pressure areas- whether you want it to or not...

Comfort is more than merely air temperature...

Heat moves three ways...

Maps developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that show where flooding may occur, and in what depths, in the New Orleans and Plaquemines areas during future hurricanes.

These video clips are intended to be a guide for people who are interested in moving back home but need to know what the situation "on the ground" is. These videos are updated periodically. The latest videos were created in June 2007.

Universal design means creating spaces that meet the needs of all people, young and old, abled and disabled. From the arrangement of the rooms to the choice of colors, many details go into the creation of accessible spaces. Some general guidelines are listed here.

When calm returns after the storm, it’s time to assess the damage and begin repairs. A number of factors should be considered, and the following information may be helpful.

LaHouse is now a Gulf Coast Region Healthy Homes Training Center -- a partnership with the National Healthy Homes Training Center that brings together public health and housing professionals to promote practical and cost-effective methods for making homes healthier.

A video promotion of the Build Safer, Stronger, Smarter concepts for Louisiana.

Find out your relative flood risk today. Simply enter your property information and FEMA will show you the relative flood risk to your property.

To illustrate the concept of load paths and highlight important connections in a wind uplift load path. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 10.

The location of water entry is often difficult to see, and the damage to substrate and structural members beyond the exterior wall cladding frequently cannot be detected by visual inspection. A successful moisture barrier system will limit water infiltration into unwanted areas and allow drainage and drying of wetted building materials. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Contruction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 9.

Experience has shown in inland areas floods damage areas of buildings not elevated above the flood level and destroy contents of those areas. In coastal areas, wave action causes even more damage. The NFIP requires participating communities to adopt a floodplain management ordinance that specifies minimum requirements for reducing flood losses. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA 499) Technical Fact Sheet 4.

The durability of a coastal home relies on the types of materials used to construct it. Materials and construction methods should be resistant to flood and wind damage, driving rain, corrosion, moisture and decay. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 8.

Many factors affect and limit a home builder's or owner's ability to site coastal residential buildings. Building failures are often the result of poor siting. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 7.

Help discover locations where the Formosan subterranean termite is not known to exist.

Considerations on integrated pest management of termites and other wood attacking organism are presented in depth.

Appliances made wet by floodwaters or by rainwater after roofs were damaged will need extreme care before reuse. This care will be important to protecting the life of the appliance and your safety.

This fact sheet summarizes National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulatory requirements concerning coastal construction and provides recommendations for exceeding those requirements. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA 499): Technical Fact Sheet 2.

There is no single V-zone certificate used on a nationwide basis. Local communities and/or states have developed their own certification procedures and documents. This fact sheet contains information that explains the certification requirements for structural design and construction in V zones. SOURCE: FEMA 499 Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series Technical Fact Sheet 5.

A variety of costs -- not just the construction cost -- should be considered when planning a coastal home. Owners should be aware of these costs and consider how siting and design decisions will affect these costs. This information is part of FEMA's Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA 499).

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has requirements for repairs, remodeling and additions. This fact sheet provides recommendations for exceeding those minimum requirements and it lists opportunities for retrofitting in coastal flood hazard areas. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction FEMA 499: Technical Fact Sheet 30.

Flood Insurance Rate Maps, or FIRMs, are used to determine flood insurance rates and premiums. This fact sheet explains the use of FIRMs. SOURCE: FEMA 499: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series Technical Fact Sheet 3.

One important key for successful management of a pest is to identify it. This publication can help you differentiate between ants and the dry-wood and subterranean termites that are pests in Louisiana. It also contains specific information on Formosan subterranean termites.

Things to consider when constructing or renovating a home to protect your house from termites.

Suggestions for preventing the spread of Formosan subterranean termites.

A great deal of moisture can move from the ground into and through a foundation and floor system, which can lead to decay, mold under flooring and high indoor humidity. To prevent these problems, keep rainwater away from the foundation with a 5% slope (6 inches/10 feet) of the grade around the house, prevent materials from absorbing water, drain groundwater with underground drainage before it gets to the foundation and allow the moisture in a foundation to escape.

Everett and Carol Brugier’s house in Pirates Cove in Slidell suffered only minor damage after Hurricane Katrina Struck, thanks to several special hurricane-resistant features built into it.

Homes in coastal areas must be designed and built to withstand higher loads and more extreme conditions. Homes in coastal areas will require more maintenance and more upkeep. Homes in coastal areas will cost more to design, construct, maintain, repair and insure. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA 499) Technical Fact Sheet 1.

Residents between Lake Borgne and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet are aware of the potentially disastrous weather they face during the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year. St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack Stephens built his home to withstand the flooding and high winds of the fiercest hurricane he could imagine.

An image gallery of Louisiana Vernacular House Styles

Real estate agents facilitate the buying and selling of property, such as land and buildings. These agents serve as representatives/negotiators for buyers and sellers. Real estate agents can serve as a “buyer’s agent” or as a “seller’s agent.”

Precautions to take to avoid dehydration while cleaning up after a disaster.

Learn how to inspect and treat your home for Formosan termites as well as common problem areas to look for.

An architect is a design professional who designs environments in which people live, work and play. The architect is a person who can provide a broad array of services to fit particular needs, but who also must be knowledgeable in aesthetic design, building structure, building function, finance, life safety issues, project management, construction, building materials, as well as the bidding and permitting processes.

Faculty and students from two LSU System campuses combined their talents and expertise to produce a state-of-the-art weather station that could be rolled into the path of a hurricane if one comes our way.

Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana.

If your home was flooded, it must be disinfected and dried thoroughly to prevent mildew and future damage by wood rot.

A Katrina Cottage is a small, yet permanent house to be built for about the same price as a FEMA trailer. Katrina Cottages may be “stick built” on-site or constructed from panels manufactured elsewhere. They must meet the tough standards of Louisiana’s new residential building code (based on the International Residential Code), including meeting the minimum elevation for flood protection. (Source: Louisiana Speaks)

Answers to common questions about hurricane-related property damage. (Source: Louisiana Department of Insurance)

Even when the disaster has passed, major health and safety hazards remain. Serious injury can result for anyone dealing with the aftermath of a major storm, so it's wise to be overly cautious.

The Parish Recovery Planning Tool (RPT), created by the Louisiana Long-Term Community Recovery (LTCR) planning team, is an exciting and unique Tool for long-term community planning. Each parish plan outlines an overall vision for recovery, recovery goals, and well-defined projects for meeting those goals.

The SmartCode is a planning tool that promotes a sustainable urban pattern while protecting the ecologically and culturally valuable Louisiana landscape. Created with the input of Delcambre citizens, it is a set of standards that determines where development will occur and how it will be implemented. (Source: Louisiana Speaks)

The Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan is a living document. It establishes a dynamic, flexible framework that can accommodate contingency and change while remaining true to a unifying vision.

To help local communities rebuild and improve their neighborhoods, a series of local neighborhood workshops, called "charrettes," were held in Lake Charles, St. Bernard Parish and Vermilion Parish. People from each of the areas helped develop detailed plans for rebuilding their neighborhoods. These plans will become building blocks for the regional vision, demonstrating how big ideas can be implemented at the local level, one neighborhood at a time. SOURCE: www.louisianaspeaks.org

The SmartCode is a planning tool that promotes a sustainable urban pattern while protecting the ecologically and culturally valuable Louisiana landscape. Created with the input of Erath citizens, it is a set of standards that determines where development will occur and how it will be implemented. SOURCE: Louisiana Speaks louisianaspeaks.org

The SmartCode is a planning tool that promotes a sustainable urban pattern while protecting the ecologically and culturally valuable Louisiana landscape. Created with the input of St. Bernard Parish citizens, it is a set of standards that determines where development will occur and how it will be implemented. SOURCE: Louisiana Speaks -- louisianaspeaks.org

The SmartCode is a planning tool that promotes a sustainable urban pattern while protecting the ecologically and culturally valuable Louisiana landscape. Created with the input of Abbeville citizens, it is a set of standards that determine where development will occur and how it will be implemented. SOURCE: Louisiana Speaks: Planning Tool Kit

In simplest terms, a residential contractor constructs or renovates a building, or supervises the construction or renovation of a building. The contractor provides labor for the job, as well as schedules each phase of the job and the professionals involved.

Floodwater may be contaminated. Includes information on health and safety concerns, using caution with floodwater and other safety tips.

Installation of any of these back-flow valves below in an existing sewer line is dirty work, but not technically challenging. View a photographic sequence of installing a simple flap valve.

Louisiana law requires all real estate agents working in the state to have a license. Information on who has a license, how one can get a license, as well as information on filing a complaint can be found at the Louisiana Real Estate Commission's Web site.

Provides information and tips for using a generator for emergency power.

A checklist of recommendations from the Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors to use when hiring a contractor.

Statistics show that at least 70% of all construction work permits issued in the state of Louisiana by local building officials for residential construction activities are being issued to homeowners who then hire illegal or unlawful contractors to perform the work on their personal property.

As a result of The Road Home program a new job classification has been created in Louisiana called "Homeowner Construction Representative". Home Construction Representatives (HCRs) must pass the state contractor licensing exam, but are not required to carry contractor insurance.

Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage provides up to $30,000 toward the cost of elevating, relocating or demolishing a building that is being required to come into compliance with the community’s flood damage prevention ordinances because it has been substantially damaged by a flood.

The Victorian house style was a national style that achieved widespread popularity in the United States between 1860–1900. Named for the last decades of the reign of Queen Victoria in England, the style was readily accessible to many home builders as a result of pattern books that provided drawings of these early house designs, making it easier for the builders of both country estates and modest dwellings to adopt the style.

Pictures of Victorian Porches - reproduced from the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book, with permission.

Photos of Victorian-style houses in Louisiana.

The Classical Revival style is inspired by the work of such notable architects as Robert Mills and Benjamin Latrobe. Although the Louisiana Classical style includes influences from the earlier Greek Revival style, it is primarily based on Classical and Colonial Revival style houses from the early 20th century.

This checklist provides a list of items to look for when you inspect a new or existing house before you purchase the home.

Lenders usually require a termite inspection and mechanical equipment inspection. A more complete inspection is a good idea. Getting a thorough inspection before you buy a home can save you thousands of dollars.

Information on different methods and techniques for dealing with and preventing termites. The goal of termite Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to prevent or stop injury caused by termites. There are several options for treating an existing structure for termites.

Some unscrupulous lenders are using misinformation and high-pressure tactics to prey on vulnerable homeowners. There is no clear-cut definition of a predatory loan, but most experts agree this type of loan is the result of a lender misleading, tricking and sometimes coercing someone into taking out a home loan at excessive costs and without regard to the homeowner’s ability to repay.

In the wake of a natural disaster, homeowners, who may have also lost income, often face the daunting challenge of making monthly mortgage payments on badly damaged, perhaps destroyed residences. Lenders want to keep people in their homes and to help those who have lost them to purchase new homes or to rebuild their homes and communities. However, many disaster victims will need assistance for extended periods of time.

Be cautious when giving to charities collecting for the recent disaster. Verify that the charity is legitimate before making a donation. Any charitable organization that solicits money from the public must be registered.

Much of the architecture from the Modern movement represents a break with the threads of tradition. This page illustrates how architects are applying the modern styles.

The Louisiana Arts & Crafts style is characterized by broad, open porches, roofs with deep overhangs and exposed rafter tails, asymmetric compositions, grouped windows with a variety of upper muntin patterns,expressive trim and ornamental brackets.

Knowing what to ask before construction and/or renovations begin on your home could save you a lot of money.

Predatory lending is the practice of making loans to consumers who have little ability to repay the loan. It involves the use of deceptive and/or high-cost consumer loans and equity-stripping mortgages. A common element of all predatory loans is exploiting a consumer’s ability to repay.

Predatory lenders promise loans that are "too good to be true" and pressure borrowers to take them on the spot. Here are a few tips from the Center for Responsible Lending to help you or your family and friends spot and avoid predatory loans.

Architectural details should shed rainwater away from the foundations, doors, windows and walls of your home. This article contains important information regarding moisture control on roof leak reduction and leads to information on hot-humid and mixed-humid climate wall assemblies, water-managed foundations, air & humidity control, plumbing, long-lasting materials & equipment, and product warranties.

Mobile homes have been steadily growing in popularity as a temporary and permanent primary residence for many Louisiana residents. Mobile homes can provide years of comfortable and convenient living, while giving you the most for the dollar you spend on electricity. Using the following energy conservation tips will help you to make the least of your electric bill.

Steps to rid your refrigerator and freezer of noxious odors after a power outage.

Living in a mobile homes is one option you can consider when planning for your future housing needs. In the past, mobile homes typically were considered starter homes. But today, many people are choosing to make mobile homes their permanent dwelling.

This page defines some terms used in home construction, repair and maintenance. It is not a comprehensive list but will provide a quick reference for homeowners who are unfamiliar with building terminology. Based on the Housing and Urban Development's 1996 Glossary, but expanded to include terms related to flood and wind resistance, energy, new technologies and architectural terms.

"Factory-Built Home” is a generic term that refers to any home that has been predominately designed and constructed in a controlled factory or plant environment. Factory processes are extremely efficient with materials and, thus, are considered more environmentally friendly. In addition, the factory environment can provide a much greater degree of quality control, compared to on-site construction.

Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana. Refer to the Reference Guide for more information about items on the checklist. Use the checklist again to evaluate the construction plans for your Louisiana house.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf and the shape of the coastline, in the landfall region. Note that all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.

Treatment of drinking water and wastewater is increasingly expensive, even in high rainfall regions. Conserving water not only cuts your monthly water and sewer bill, it also reduces the public cost for water treatment capacity, and slows the depletion of ground water supplies. More than half of household water consumption is for outside purposes. Avoiding the use of treated drinking water for watering plants and washing the car is first priority.

Reducing the amount of waste produced when building and living in homes can make a big difference in the number, longevity and cost of needed landfills. One way to reduce construction waste is to design modules that have dimentions in increments of two feet, since many building materials come in sizes that are multiples of two feet.

Houses typically have three lines. Understanding what these lines are and how they work is important in understanding how the plumbing works in your house.

Properly identifying the ant species is the first step in determining whether and how to control them. In this publication there are options for managing various kinds of imported fire ant problems.

Manufactured Homes are the buildings we have, in the past, referred to as mobile homes or trailers. While other factory-built homes are built to the codes of the area where they will be installed, manufactured homes are built to a special HUD-code and installed in accordance with HUD guidelines. Thus they are sometimes referred to as HUD-Code homes.