APA Media Center News Release
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Kevin Hayes
Email: Kevin.hayes@apawood.org
Phone: 253-620-7413
Date: May 5, 2008
Number: 2008-06
Rebuilding the Gulf on Raised Wood Floors
(TACOMA) – APA, the Southern Pine Council (SPC) and their many manufacturing and industry partners are delivering construction strategies, product support and educational outreach to help rebuild flood- and wind-ravaged communities of the Gulf Coast.
The SPC is heading up a raised wood floor consumer education program and has launched www.raisedfloorliving.com in support. On the design/build front, APA will conduct an all-day seminar in Houston on May 20, 2008. APA technical experts will provide information on raised wood floors, designing for high winds, avoiding callbacks and taking advantage of market trends in wood-framed construction. For seminar information visit APA’s www.apawood.org, or contact Anne Balart at (504) 309-8965.
Raised wood floors offer several advantages over slab foundations. The system provides an extended living space with a porch out front and a deck off the back, easy home improvements when modifying utilities, natural isolation from moisture and insect sources at ground level, reduced risk of flood damage and greater joint comfort for an aging population worried about knee, ankle and back pain.
Michael Strong, owner of GreenHaus Builders in Houston has embraced raised wood floor construction. “The expansive soils in Houston are notoriously rough on slab foundations,” said Strong. “We are using a pier and beam foundation with the wood floors on top. This foundation type is less susceptible to movement and cracking,” he added. “The use of piers makes leveling and repairs very simple.”
Widely known for innovative building practices – he built Houston’s first LEED Gold Home – Strong is building a 3,000 square foot traditional style wood-framed house that will feature raised wood floors. The house will serve as a demonstration over the course of the build.
Strong will open the house at various stages throughout the summer to showcase construction applications, product choices and discuss green building guidelines. Houston’s CBS affiliate, KHOU, will follow construction progress through a series of segments on its morning show, Great Day Houston. In addition, APA has created a website to track the progress of this and other Gulf Coast projects. Visit www.e3house.org for more information.
Founded in 1933 and based in Tacoma, Wash., APA represents approximately 160 plywood, oriented strand board, glulam timber, wood I-joist, Rim Board and laminated veneer lumber mills throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its primary functions are quality auditing and testing, applied research, and market support and development.