Stilt, Piling & Pier Houses
& Hurricane Home Plans
Custom-designed, high quality prefab elevated homes engineered for hurricane winds, storm surge, flood zones and demanding coastal sites. Topsider’s post & beam building system provides exceptional strength and design flexibility.
Engineering Elevated Foundations for Hurricane
& Flood Zone Building Sites
In hurricane- and flood-prone areas, building authorities, including FEMA, specify how high houses must be above flood levels. Topsider engineers to those requirements and site conditions. Hurricane winds, storm surge and harsh coastal exposure are among the criteria considered.
Post & Beam Structural Integrity
The heavy-duty post & beam structure provides maximum strength and security.
Engineered for Coastal Conditions
Each home is individually designed and engineered to meet stringent building codes.
Hurricane & Storm Surge Protection
Each home combines the proper foundation, elevation, engineering and design.
Since 1968, Topsider Experience Counts
An enviable record with 1,000s of homes surviving major storms here and abroad.
Topsider custom designs each home and takes the technical lead for permitting and approvals. Our construction services department recruits builders, receives their bids and remains involved for technical assistance throughout.
One-Story Stilt, Piling & Pier Home Plans
From small and narrow beachfront designs to larger primary homes, our one-story plans can be elevated to meet code requirements and deliver outstanding coastal living.
Two-Story Stilt, Piling & Pier Home Plans
Larger luxury homes or smaller homes, our two-story stilt and piling designs offer expanded living space and incredible views from both levels.
Coastal Stilt, Piling & Pier Foundations Designed
& Engineered for Your Site Requirements
Foundations, pilings and stilt heights can range from a few feet to 10–20+ feet, with some Topsider homes built on steel pilings over 25 feet tall. Stilts and pilings may be wood, concrete, steel or composite, and can be driven, augered or jetted depending on site conditions.
See Plan >
Parking & Storage
Below
Elevated foundations can provide parking and storage below. Depending on local codes, enclosures may allow concrete block or “breakaway walls” with flood vents.
Piling Materials &
Installation
Stilts and pilings can be wood, concrete, steel or composite, depending on site conditions. Common installation methods include driven, augered or jetted pilings.
See Plan >
Tall Stilt & Piling
Foundations
Some coastal area homes must be elevated more than 20-feet. Wood pilings can be somewhat limited in height, so often the tallest are steel or reinforced concrete.
See Plan >
Florida Keys Example
This piling/stilt home built in the Florida Keys was engineered for hurricane force winds in excess of 185 mph, elevated for tidal surge and flooding and specified for low-maintenance in the salt-air climate.
See Assembly Video >
Tropical Island Example
This elevated hurricane-resistant stilt/piling home was built on a remote island site in the Bahamas. Its prefabricated building components and materials were container shipped to the island for local assembly.
Reinforced Block Foundation with Below- and Above-Grade Built-In Piers
Below-ground piers are capped at grade, with built-in concrete or block piers supporting the structure above. Where permitted, the above-grade portion includes flood vents.
Explore Foundation Options for Elevating Your Home
Many great designs can be found in our Patio, Two-Story and other online collections. Nearly all of these plans can be adapted for stilts, pilings, piers, crawl spaces and raised slabs.
Stilt, Piling & Pier House Plans & Design Ideas
a new home?