The designs of houses in a city or region are defined by the natural disasters that can occur. For example, the manner in which houses in California are built is different than the houses in Kansas or along the Gulf Coast. In South Louisiana, our greatest threats are rising water and hurricane-force winds. Building codes are put in place to ensure that homes are built to withstand these natural disasters, and thus protect the lives inhabitants.
We can look at local precedents for examples of how people dealt with these issues, and we can look at other areas with similar threats for new ideas. It is also important to read local codes and the new benchmarks that must be met. These codes and benchmarks help make insurance on your home affordable.
The professionals that you hire should help you to obtain this information and adhere to the codes. However, if you are doing much of the work yourself, you will need to research code requirements and order a site survey from a licensed surveyor before starting construction.
Water
Before there was blind faith in the levee systems, most houses in South Louisiana were built several feet above the ground on piers. Depending on the elevation of your land, this strategy may be enough to save your house from future flooding. Houses have been built above the ground within a range of different heights:
- 3 feet -- higher parts of New Orleans.
- 8 feet -- mid-city New Orleans.
- 12 feet or more -- Plaquemines parish and costal communities like Grand Isle and Cameron.
If you are planning to rebuild more than one story above the ground level in an area where there are many homes at street level, you should consider the relationship of your home to the street, look for ways to break down the scale of your house and create a transitional entry zone. Many homes in mid-city New Orleans offer a good example of how to handle these issues. The space under the raised homes can also be used for storage or parking.
But remember: An elevated home is more vulnerable to high winds.
It is helpful to use water resistant materials on the lower portions of your home. Roofing materials, an adequate roof pitch, proper flashing and weatherproofing, and gutters can help protect your home from water damage.
Wind
Hurricane force winds are the most powerful forces your house may have to endure. Some places in Florida, such as Miami-Dade County, have set high standards for the strapping and framing connections. Since the 2005 hurricanes, Louisiana has adopted the International Residential Code, which dictates the use of wind-resistant designs in the southern part of the state. It is also good idea to build, or rebuild, your home according to the highest wind standards in the middle part of the state -- even if doing so would exceed the local requirements. Ask your architect, engineer and contractor how they can make your home hurricane resistant.
Fire
Setback requirements are placed on lots in order to separate structures, which reduces the chance of fire jumping from house to house. In more rural settings, homes should be separated from heavily-wooded areas by fire-resistant vegetation. Also, choose roofing and siding materials that do not ignite easily.
Ice
Freezing weather is more of a problem for the northern part of the state, but all Louisiana homes can benefit from having freeze protection. Avoid locating household plumbing in exterior walls if you can.