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
| Region | Known as | Reasons for construction |
| Southern China | Diaojiaolou (Traditional) | To protect from stench emanating from water, poisonous vegetation and venomous snakes |
| Germany | Heliotrope houses | Used to harness solar energy for heat and warmth |
| The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore | Kelong (Traditional) | To facilitate fishing |
| The Philippines | Bahay Kubo (Traditional) | To help endure the climate and environment |
| Chile | Palafito | Serves to protect against hostile neighbourhoods and predators |
| Hong Kong | Pang uk | Developed from boat houses and popular among fisherfolk |
| Papua New Guinea | Stilt house | To protect against devastation caused by the sea |
| Australia | Queenslander | Protection of the main structure from termite and other pest attacks and also to prevent disasters caused due to flooding |
| Assam | Sang Ghar | Built in flood-prone areas |
| Vietnam | Vietnamese stilt house | To withstand flooding, especially in the countryside |
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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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FAQs
Are bamboo houses safe?
Can stilt homes protect from floods?
Yes, stilt homes are common in areas that are flood-prone, like parts of Assam. The elevated structures allow water to flow, without damaging the structure.
What is stilt level?
A stilt floor refers to the ground level portion of a building, consisting of the structural columns that support the super structure. A stilt floor is not the same as a stilt house.
Are stilt houses made of bamboo protected?
Bamboo is much more grounded when contrasted with wood. Hence, bamboo stilt houses are being implicit to those regions that are inclined to normal catastrophes like seismic tremors and flooding. Bamboo is adaptable, lightweight and is likewise a truly reasonable material that is being utilized for making a brace house. Consequently, a stilt house made of bamboo is totally protected.
Are the brace houses ready to shield one from water-logging and flooding?
Absolutely, stilt houses are pretty standard in the areas like Assam, India and are inclined to flooding. The raised level that is over the degree of ground permits water to stream underneath without harming the house's framework.
What is the expense of a brace house in India?
The purchase price of a stilt house in India is estimated to be approximately 10 lakhs.
With 16+ years of experience in various sectors, of which more than ten years in real estate, Anuradha Ramamirtham excels in tracking property trends and simplifying housing-related topics such as Rera, housing lottery, etc. Her diverse background includes roles at Times Property, Tech Target India, Indiantelevision.com and ITNation. Anuradha holds a PG Diploma degree in Journalism from KC College and has done BSc (IT) from SIES. In her leisure time, she enjoys singing and travelling.
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