Have you heard of a floating house? Floating homes are constructed just like regular homes on land, but are built on a floating concrete barge on top of water. They’re the new trend in sustainable construction, and are suitable for year-round living. Floating homes can be quaint one-storey homes or grand million dollar mansions. If you’re considering make the move to a floating house, here are the things you need to know!
The Differences Between a Floating Home and A Houseboat
Although they both sit atop water, floating homes and houseboats are not the same thing. Floating homes are permanently connected to sewer, water and electrical, and are permanently moored. They’re built and moved into place just once and have no means of self-propulsion.
Houseboats, on the other hand, have features that you can disconnect. You can unscrew the electricity, and untie and easily move away. They are not built to be permanently moored. They are a self-propelled power vessel that can maneuver on their own, and are free to travel the waterway.
Benefits of Floating Homes
There are plenty of advantages to living in a floating home. First and foremost, you get an amazing water view from your home and nobody can block anything that will ruin it. You’ll have gorgeous sunrise and sunset water views right from your property and can take a dip in the water anytime you feel like it. You won’t need to garden or shovel snow when you live on the water, so home maintenance is greatly minimized too!
Most floating homes are designed beautifully, with large windows, gorgeous docks and stunning features like skylights and rooftop decks. Floating house neighbourhoods also offer an enjoyable experience as you get to know your neighbours well and there’s a strong feeling of community.
Drawbacks of Floating Homes
While floating homes offer a number of benefits, they’re not for everyone. One of the biggest floating home drawbacks is space. Floating house communities are great if you love the idea of being in a tight-knit community, but keep in mind there’s typically about 10 feet between you and your neighbour, so if space is important to you, a floating home may not be ideal.
Most moorages don’t have garages, and carports and storage units often have rent waitlists. On top of that, you’re not going to be parking your car near your home and it can become tiresome to haul groceries down a ramp.
Other things to consider about living in a floating home are sea sickness, motion sickness, and extreme weather that can lead to damage of your floating home. And since there are less floating home neighbourhoods, there is often less real estate and communities to choose from when buying a floating house.
Floating homes are a growing trend in the housing market. If this way of living intrigues you, weigh the benefits and drawbacks and decide if floating home living is right for you!