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LaHouse is a display of high-performance building practices to create more sustainable, resilient and healthy homes in the gulf region. The research-based facility is located on LSU's Baton Rouge campus and displays home-building techniques and solutions for Louisiana's unique climate. LaHouse is open weekdays from 10 am to 4:30 p.m. for self-guided tours or can be toured completely virtually.
Experience the Lahouse via virtual tour
Building a home on a pier and beam foundation elevates the home to prevent flooding. It also provides more access to things like plumbing and electrical lines in the crawlspace beneath the home, which can make repairs much easier.
Pier and beam foundations are easier to repair if a crack occurs, and a home could be relocated if necessary or given further elevation.
The open space can become a home to pests, but there are easy mitigation techniques to prevent this problem.
Borate is a wood treatment that permanently protects lumber from termites, decay, and fungi.
Hurricane ties are hardware pieces that connect the joist to cantilevered beams to reduce uplift forces caused by high winds.
Hurricane connectors create a continuous load path. A continuous load path connects every piece of your home’s structure together like a chain.
Foil provides exceptional heat, moisture, and air control. When correctly installed, foil faced foam board insulation can eliminate all major thermal bridges that cause heat loss.
Because raised homes tend to have many problems with pests beneath the house, a metal cloth can help prevent critters from causing problems.
Properly constructed pier and beam foundation
