If attendance at a new continuing education course for builders is any indication, interest in learning about raised floor construction is high among South Louisiana builders. The LSU AgCenter launched a four-hour training program called "Raised Floor Construction for Homebuilders and Remodelers" last month. The first session, held for the Home Builders of Greater New Orleans, drew 59 builders; the second, for the St. Tammany/Washington Parishes Home Builders Association, attracted 50 builders; and the third, held earlier this week for the Tangipahoa Home Builders Association, logged 41 attendees. Presenters included Richard Kleiner, SFPA's director of treated markets.
Builders heard a history of raised floor construction in Louisiana; an explanation of how raised floors easily meet or exceed National Flood Insurance Program elevation requirements; information about how raised floors and treated wood can help overcome problems with soils, termites and other issues; available foundation options and a comparison between using columns, piers, posts and piles; how to correctly use anchoring and strapping and create a continuous load path; materials available for sills, joists and subflooring; options for insulation, ventilation and moisture management; making raised floor structures accessible for those with disabilities; and the advantages of raised floors with a look at some local raised floor projects.
Of special interest was a presentation by LSU's Beth Tomlinson, who explained why raised floor construction was once the obvious choice for hot, humid coastal areas and why builders and homeowners later moved to slab construction. (Click here to read a written account of the raised floor history.)
"The AgCenter did a good job of addressing all aspects of raised floors from the history to accessibility," said Cathy Kaake, SFPA's director of engineered and framing markets. "They also addressed important issues for homeowners and builders like insulation, soils and floodplain management. We are so excited that LSU took a lead in this and that we were able to partner with them."
In addition to Beth and Richard, presenters included Andre Oleagus, Pat Skinner and Gene Baker, all with the LSU AgCenter; Bill Coulbourne of Coulbourne Consulting; Alexandria Etheridge of APA; and Carrie Beth Lasley of the University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment Response and Technology.
Visit SFPA's Raised Floor Living website at: www.raisedfloorliving.com
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