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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
Roof batten systems use fewer fasteners to attach items to the roof, which better protects the roof underlayment. Direct deck roofing can use as many as 200 fasteners, while the batten roofing system has less than 50.
Hurricane clips can be added to the home to make the roof more secure. They are small steel connectors that keep the roof attached to the wall structure. Hurricane clips are an invisible but efficient way to protect the roof during a bad storm.
Concrete tiles have a Class A fire rating which is ideal for file protection.
The life expectancy of concrete tiles is 50+ years compared to asphalt shingle’s life span of 20 years.
Elevated battens prevent water pooling, rotting of battens, and allow free flow of water and air, which can prolong the life of the entire roofing system. Vented eave risers create an opening for cool outside air to flow into the air channel, which pushes hot air up and out.
Air enters through the vented eave riser, and then the hot air rises and is released through the ridge.
A bird stop is the part of a tile roof that prevents bird intrusions. It is also known as an eave closure or eave riser. A bird stop provides the proper rise for the first row of tile (eave course) and is used to close the opening below the eave course. Birds trapped under a roof can create many problems for a home and natural wildlife.
Peel-and-stick membrane underlayment is easier to install compared to non-adhesive underlayment. There is no nailing necessary which reduces labor and cost. The membrane is flexible, which makes it easier to install around ridges, valleys, and hips. Because this underlayment doesn’t wrinkle or have any nail holes, there are fewer places for water to pool and penetrate the roof barrier.
Hurricane clips can make the home more resilient to damage from high winds
Membrane wraps without adhesives are easier to install and perform better
