The ground is not always suitable for a conventionally constructed arbor, perhaps because it is very wet. Thanks to a stilt foundation, the garden house also becomes a modern eye-catcher in the green and is therefore very trendy. This article is dedicated to the diverse possibilities of this construction method.
Why should you build a garden house on stilts?
A garden house on stilts is ideal for wet or uneven surfaces and can serve as a modern eye-catcher. The stilt construction compensates for slopes, prevents moisture damage and enables use close to water.
Perfect for the lake property
If you are fortunate enough to be able to access a lake or river directly from your garden, a garden house on stilts offers the wonderful opportunity to relax while floating above the water. Even if the groundwater table in your area is quite high, this construction method is recommended. Moisture from the subsoil, which promotes mold and rot, cannot penetrate the arbor in the first place. The stilt foundation also solves the problem of soft surfaces in an elegant way.
Compensate gradients
If you want to build the garden house on a slope, you have two options: you can dig the base into the slope or create a flat surface with a stilt foundation. The latter is often the simpler and more cost-effective solution.
The plan is before construction
When planning, consider:
- How big and therefore heavy should the future domicile be?
- What is the surface like?
- As a result: How many anchor points are necessary?
- On lakes and in flood areas: How high does the water rise after heavy rain or when snow melts?
The substructure
The anchoring gives the garden house the necessary stability. The most common methods are:
- For solid surfaces: anchor points for post bases.
- For soft floors: cast concrete slabs.
The stilt construction
When it comes to wooden garden houses, stable wooden beams are usually used. Advantage of this material: It can be easily adjusted to the desired height, is weather-resistant and fits well into the overall look of the house.
The number required for construction depends on the floor plan and the properties of the subsoil. Make sure the beams are of good quality. In any case, these should be pressure impregnated and therefore protected from weathering.
The beams support the most stressed points of the house, these are usually the corner pillars. Depending on the size of the arbor, you will have to attach additional posts in between. In addition, it is recommended to install storm brackets for security purposes. Since strong winds are increasing in all regions of Germany, this is no longer only recommended in windy areas.
Tip
Wooden stilts pose the risk of absorbing water from the underground and passing it into the house. For this reason, in very humid regions, metal posts or cast concrete posts are the better choice.
