Have you ever seen a house that looks like it’s sitting on stilts? If you live in Vancouver, you’ve definitely passed these gutted structures resting on railway ties because they’re unavoidable. So many renovations happen in the city each year that they have become part of the landscape.
The process of propping houses on pedestals is called lifting or raising and there are several reasons why the technique may be required to complete a renovation.
For example, if a homeowner wants to add a storey, replace a foundation, or move an existing structure, raising becomes a necessary step.
New foundations and low ceilings in basements are the most common reasons for house lifting in the Vancouver area, according to JDL Homes, your local, family-run design/build firm.
Issues Arise
“For a project we’re currently working on in East Vancouver we’ve lifted the house slightly and are holding it in place so we can replace the foundation,” said Doug Langford, co-founder of JDL Homes.
He added that lifting wasn’t part of the initial plan, but JDL has performed the technique countless times in its 10-year history and knew to change the building plan to include it.
“The original idea was to underpin the existing foundation,” Langford said.
Underpinning refers to the process of laying a solid foundation below ground to support an existing structure. But the foundation of a house needs to be solid for this procedure to work.
“After further investigation the structural engineer deemed it necessary for us to replace the existing foundation because it wasn’t large enough and it was too brittle to withstand underpinning the foundation,” Langford added about the East Vancouver project.
Up with the Old
Renovations with house raising are not always necessary, but come with some major benefits.
Anyone taller than six feet can commiserate with the challenges of living in an unrenovated suite in Kitsilano. Higher ceilings are one of the main advantages to house raising.
A new, strong foundation, bigger windows, electrical and plumbing upgrades and the ability to retain a home’s unique design are all possible benefits to choosing a renovation with a lift over a complete teardown.
If you are interested in renovating and raising your Vancouver home, contact JDL for a complimentary consultation today.
The process of propping houses on pedestals is called lifting or raising and there are several reasons why the technique may be required to complete a renovation.
For example, if a homeowner wants to add a storey, replace a foundation, or move an existing structure, raising becomes a necessary step.
New foundations and low ceilings in basements are the most common reasons for house lifting in the Vancouver area, according to JDL Homes, your local, family-run design/build firm.
Issues Arise
“For a project we’re currently working on in East Vancouver we’ve lifted the house slightly and are holding it in place so we can replace the foundation,” said Doug Langford, co-founder of JDL Homes.
He added that lifting wasn’t part of the initial plan, but JDL has performed the technique countless times in its 10-year history and knew to change the building plan to include it.
“The original idea was to underpin the existing foundation,” Langford said.
Underpinning refers to the process of laying a solid foundation below ground to support an existing structure. But the foundation of a house needs to be solid for this procedure to work.
“After further investigation the structural engineer deemed it necessary for us to replace the existing foundation because it wasn’t large enough and it was too brittle to withstand underpinning the foundation,” Langford added about the East Vancouver project.
Up with the Old
Renovations with house raising are not always necessary, but come with some major benefits.
Anyone taller than six feet can commiserate with the challenges of living in an unrenovated suite in Kitsilano. Higher ceilings are one of the main advantages to house raising.
A new, strong foundation, bigger windows, electrical and plumbing upgrades and the ability to retain a home’s unique design are all possible benefits to choosing a renovation with a lift over a complete teardown.
If you are interested in renovating and raising your Vancouver home, contact JDL for a complimentary consultation today.
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