Engineered Foundations

Foundations used for inland construction are generally not suitable for coastal construction because they must elevate the home above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), while withstanding flood forces, high winds, scour and erosion, and floating debris. Use of foundation walls such as those in crawlspace and other solid-wall foundations is potentially troublesome in coastal areas for two reasons: (1) they present an obstruction to breaking waves and fast-moving flood waters, and (2) they are typically constructed on shallow footings, which are vulnerable to erosion. For these reasons, their use in coastal areas should be limited to sites subject to shallow flooding, where erosion potential is low and where breaking waves do not occur during the Base Flood. The NFIP prohibits the use of foundation walls in V zones and recommends against their use in many A zones in coastal areas. Deeply embedded pile or column foundations are recommended because they present less of an obstruction to floodwaters and are less vulnerable to erosion and are the most common type found in our area. Accent Builders has the experience and knowledge necessary to successfully build coastal homes with this type of foundation.

To learn more about coastal foundations contact us today for a complimentary consultation.