Stilt house: Know definition, types and advantages

What is a stilt house?

Stilts are posts, shafts or support points that permit a design or individual to remain at a specific level of height over the level of the ground. 

Stilt houses are raised platforms on which a house is built. They are frequently found in tropical countries, but they may be built in a variety of locations. Stilt houses are usually built over water, but they may also be constructed over sand or dry land. The homes are usually made of wood, stone cement or bamboo and are supported by these pilings for stability during floods. The raised level that is over the degree of ground permits the water to stream beneath without harming the structure of the house.

Why are stilt houses built above the ground level?

Stilt houses in India are most commonly built in places that are prone to flooding, stilt houses are raised on stilts and are higher than a regular house. Regular homes are built on land but stilt houses use strong stilts, to avoid the risks of flooding or even pests and vermin. Stilt houses are found in Assam and these are also called as sang ghar in Assam.

Not just flooding, different regions and the people therein, construct stilt homes for various reasons. For example, while in Assam water villas (i.e., stilt homes) are common, in the Arctic such homes protect the inhabitants from the permafrost’s impact. Using stilts is one of the most effective ways to keep the permafrost stable. Note that permafrost in the Arctic is 70%-80% of water. Thus, if the homes were built at the ground level, the heat radiating out of the house would cause the frost to melt, causing the property to sink.

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What is the duration of time required for building a stilt house ?

The typical time that is expected for building a stilt house is around 4-5 months. Here and there the development can require as long as eight months too relying upon the climate of the locale and furthermore the stockpile of the work and development materials.

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What are the significant elements of stilt houses?

The stilt houses are raised on heaps over the level of the ground. The significant reason for utilizing stilts is to safeguard the houses from water-logging and flooding.

Stilt house: How does it look?

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Why are houses in Assam built on stilts?

Bamboo stilt houses are a necessity in places like Assam where flooding from the river Brahmaputra is common. In traditional times, locals used their knowledge to build homes that were at risk of being affected by the annual floods. Blending their local and traditional knowledge, people have managed to make bamboo stilt houses that are more robust and suitable for living in these regions. In present day times, with the advancement of technology, and the state’s massive development in infrastructure as a result of its recent industrialization, the construction industry has been able to produce more effective stilt houses that are stronger and more resistant to environmental troubles like floods.

Stilt houses around the world

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What are the materials used in building a stilt house?

The materials used for the construction of stilt houses include cement, wood, stone, bamboo or sometimes even mud, depending on the region. In many places, stilt houses are found in the countryside but commercial and modern-day variations of these houses are also popular. For example, the Queenslander, a typical residential architecture in Queensland was a stilt home evolved from a high-set single detached house made of timber and corrugated iron roof, located on a separate block of land. The verandah extended around the house to a varying extent but never really surrounded it. Many years later, home owners renovated their Queenslanders and the verandahs were absorbed, to construct more bedrooms.

Similarly, the traditional form of stilt houses across regions evolved, retaining certain architectural characteristics from the past, while other aspects were renovated, to suit modern-day lifestyles.

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What are bamboo stilt houses?

Assam witnessed one of its most devastating floods in 2017. The community, with local help, got together to revive the place. Erecting bamboo stilt houses, were one of the first things they did. Most suited for flood-prone areas, stilt bamboo houses are most commonly seen in Golaghat in Assam, India. Given the availability of high-quality bamboo, locals learnt to craft things out of bamboo, including sturdy housing shelters. Such homes almost became a necessity, given that the area was flooded almost thrice a year. In modern times, technology has been integrated with local knowledge, to come up with bamboo stilt houses suited to this region.

 What are the advantages of stilt houses?

• Stilt house in India can be built on the hills and it is one of the types of houses built in flood-prone areas. Stilt house materials used include bamboo, cement, wood and stone.
• In a stilt house, ventilation is very good because of increased airflow below the floorboard and elevation that creates a cool surrounding.
• The stilt houses give a very grand view to the residents owing to the elevation.
• As it is built in an elevation, stilt house offers privacy and also protects from animals.
• Stilt house in India can avail of flood insurance. Stilt houses in states like Assam should necessarily opt for flood insurance.

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