Houses On The Water A New Trend In Architecture

In the United States, water is increasingly being used as a valuable resource for house construction and particularly in floating houses which are also referred to as houses on the water. Houses built on water these are gradually becoming an innovative and popular housing option in the country and especially in the West Coast. This article aims to give detailed information about floating homes on matters to do with reasons for their popularity, their nature, construction, benefits and so forth.


houses on the water

Why floating buildings are a new trend.

Floating Bungalows will help you simplify life on the water! According to some experts, floating structures are becoming more likable due to their sustainability and safety in several cases as compared to the land-based houses. Additionally, these houses are generally more affordable and a little cheaper than usual houses and are therefore a preferable option especially for people who may have financial constraints.

Another reason for their popularity is that as the migration trend towards urban areas continues, land and property is becoming scarcer necessitating the use of water bodies near the densely populated areas. And with the abundance of unused locks, docks and wharf’s that only require redevelopment, what a better way to develop them than building a house on the water.

floating buildings

Living on the water is not for everybody. Do yourself a favor, before building or buying one, take a floating lake house vacation.

Have a look at Norris Lake floating house rentals in Tennessee.

#

Houseboats for rent Florida at Holly Bluff Marina in DeLand, FL.

#

Check out the houseboat rentals Shasta Lake in California at Jones Valley Resort.

#

Similarly, a float house is becoming more popular in an effort to withstand the dramatic changes in sea level especially resulting from the common natural disasters and floods. An example is the Super-storm Sandy floods in 2012 in New York.

And last but not least, the fact that these “houseboats” can be constructed to look just as comfortable as the modern usual houses together with the reasons discussed above has increased their popularity even further.

The pros and cons of a floating building:    

Pros.:

  • in some parts of the US, a house on the water isn´t considered a real property, so you won´t pay property taxes on them.
  • when living on water, a snow shovel, gardener or even yard maintenance aren´t necessary.
  • you´re guaranteed an uninterrupted water view for nobody can block it by building some structure.
  • for lovers of fishing, living on water makes it is much easier and convenient.-water usually provides a quiet and peaceful atmosphere
  • the homes built over water are usually grouped into communities which can provide a sense of togetherness, security and the connection necessary while living on a lake or river.

Cons.:



  • though you might escape the yearly property tax with your real estate on the water, you´ll pay some other associated fees including mooring fees which can be significant depending on where you live.
  • homeowners insurance is usually more expensive for floating houses and the interest rates higher.
  • floating homes don´t appreciate much in their values.
  • there is no yard, garage (sometimes) etc. and the parking lot may be too far away causing possible inconveniences.
  • there´s always a risk of falling into the water and drowning for those who can´t swim like children.

Floating home design plans.

A house floating on water is available with different sizes and with varying shapes according to their designers. Even then, most will look similar to usual houses but with varying components such as decks, boat slips, docks and few others. Otherwise, the common aspects found in usual houses like corridors, balconies, stairs and even assortments of potted plants/flowers.

How their plans differ from usual houses? Apparently, the major difference between floating and a house built on water has to do with mechanisms or devices to enable the former float on water. One of these concerns lies underneath the house or the floor. The floors on a floating house can be built on huge logs or concrete floors to ensure its buoyancy. This is different to usual houses which have a more stable and permanent foundation. Other differences are just minor.

Watch this amazing tiny house on the water:

Where to get find floating home manufacturers?

If you´re interested in buying, renting or even building a floating home, there are numerous options and avenues to consider. A good avenue is using referrals to get houses and their builders that are reliable. Additionally, you can search online for companies who you can work with. Below are some helpful links for some websites you can visit.

http://www.zillow.com/blog/floating-homes-for-every-budget-157588/

http://www.floatingstructures.com/product/floating-homes/

http://www.nauticexpo.com/boat-manufacturer/floating-house-19595.html

About the Building and Moorage costs.

Just like usual houses, building costs would vary from one company and house type to another. You can build a small one for around $ 100,000, but there are no limits. Have a look at a good very detailed example of a green floating building right here:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/437433

Moorage costs for a floating home would also vary just like the building costs depending on the moorage type, a state´s regulations etc. To get a rough picture of these too, moorages for example in the Portland, Oregon area are about $500 to $750 per month.

For example at Port of Poulsbo in Poulsbo, WA 98370 the Permanent Moorage Rates are:

  • $0.53 per Sq Ft Moorage-, Capitol Improvement Surcharge, Utility-Charge, and Leasehold Tax
  • $0.75 per month charge ‘Environmental Fee’
  • $0.95 per kwh Electricity Charge

There might be additional home owners association fees and special Guest Moorage Rates for houses on the water.