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Galveston real estate info (foundations)
Learn about Galveston's foundations on homes for saleAugust 1, 2005
In an effort to better understand Galveston’s unique construction styles one must first look at the homes' foundation. Galveston was once just a flat low barrier island that could be easily flooded with an above normal high tide. So construction has rallied around a "foundation" know as “Pier and Beam.” However, the downtown area was built raised and used your normal slab construction. The seawall also made possible slab construction on homes that were raised and behind the sea wall. The development of the west end has led to new pier and beam construction where “pilings” are driven to a depth of 10-40 feet.
Let’s first look at “pier and beam.” This style of construction came into its own in the mid 1800’s in Galveston and was a staple of the home builder. Many Galveston homes featured kitchens and slave areas under the house because some homes were raised as high as 17 feet. There were different types of “piers,” including wood, brick, and stone. Each offered benefits some being cheaper than other while some where stronger than another. The “historic” homes in Galveston were all built in this style, but it was not enough because the great storm of 1900 destroyed much of Galveston. After the large hurricane, Galvestonians rallied around a great cause, the Seawall. This 16 mile wall would protect the island from the killer waves, but it was the 16ft height change that would forever alter the face of Galveston. For many years sand was pumped in and many homes had to be raised and put on top of the newly raised island. However, some just had the area around the bottom of the home “filled” and added to the top. Still other Galveston homes just lost their height and now sit a few feet off the ground.
The slab style foundation of construction has been around forever, but in Galveston real estate it had to be altered still. The Buildings downtown sit on huge slabs, that are many feet thick, in an effort to ease cart loading in the 1800’s. The horse drawn carts could back right up to the loading ramps and large items could be loaded or unloaded without any extra labor. The streets of Strand, and Postoffice for example were well below the side walk level of the buildings. This accomplished two things, the before mentioned ease of loading carts and to keep the buildings out of high tides. This all changed when all of the downtown streets were filled and raised to where they sit now, just below the sidewalks! The other slab construction on the Island is in areas that have been raised and are far enough above sea level not to flood. Some such areas include Campeche Cove and Evia. These are just like homes you would see inland.
Next, you have the unique style of the Galveston west end and canal houses. This style sets a house between 10 and 17 feet in the air on wooden poles. These pilings are driven deep into the earth and spaced evenly apart to hold the entire house up. This construction is used in beach houses, dry land houses and canal houses. Some such areas that use pilings include popular Pirates beach, the close to Houston Tiki Island, and far west development Pointe West. Other developments that use this style include Jamaica Beach, bayou Vista, Sea Isle, Bay Harbor, and Pirates Cove. This style of building accomplishes many things at the same time including keeping the home out of the rising waters, allows the house to “sway” in heavy winds, and lowers the insurance rates.
In the end, Galveston homes for sale can offer everyone something they will like. The foundations on the island may be a little unusual, but each serves a purpose. If you have any questions about this article or others please feel free to write me, Jason Keeling, at 409-750-2222. Galveston real estate
For more information, contact us now!
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