Pier & Beam vs Slab Foundations — Explained Simply

(What South Louisiana Homeowners Should Know Before Remodeling)

If you’re planning a remodel in South Louisiana, your foundation type matters more than most people realize.

Homeowners often hear terms like:

• “pier and beam”

• “raised home”

• “crawl space”

• “slab”

…and it can get confusing fast.

So let’s break it down in plain language:

✅ what each foundation type is✅ what problems are common in South Louisiana✅ what it means for remodeling costs and surprises

What Is a Pier & Beam Foundation?

A pier and beam foundation is a raised foundation where the home sits on:

• piers (supports/posts)

• beams (horizontal structure)

• floor framing (joists + subfloor)

• open air underneath (crawl space)

Many homeowners call it:

• “a raised home”

• “a crawl space house”

• “a house on blocks”

✅ You can usually crawl underneath it.

What Is a Slab Foundation?

A slab foundation is a home built directly on a concrete slab.

There is typically:

• no crawl space

• no access underneath

• plumbing often runs under or through the slab

✅ The floor is the concrete slab.

Most newer homes in Louisiana are slab homes.

Which One Is Better in South Louisiana?

Truthfully?

✅ Neither is “always better.”Each has advantages and disadvantages in our climate.

The real difference is:

• how the home handles moisture

• how repairs are accessed

• what remodel surprises show up

Pier & Beam: Pros for Remodeling

✅ Easier access to plumbing, electrical, and ductwork

Since you can get underneath the house, a lot of upgrades can be easier.

✅ Often easier to repair framing issues

If you discover floor problems, you can access and reinforce joists and subfloor.

✅ Great for older homes with character

Many historic homes and older neighborhoods are pier and beam.

✅ Can handle certain soil movement differently

Raised homes can sometimes be adjusted/leveled as they shift.

Pier & Beam: Common Problems in Louisiana

⚠️ Crawl space moisture

This is the big one.

Moisture under the home can cause:

• musty smells

• higher indoor humidity

• mold returning

• soft or bouncy floors

• wood rot over time

⚠️ Seasonal movement

Raised homes often show more seasonal movement:

• doors sticking

• trim seams opening

• cracks appearing and disappearing

⚠️ Termite exposure

More access + more wood framing = more termite risk if neglected.

Slab: Pros for Remodeling

✅ No crawl space moisture issues

You don’t have open wet air under the house, so you usually avoid that category of problems.

✅ Floors often feel solid

Slab floors don’t bounce, so homeowners love the “solid” feel.

✅ Fewer pest entry points underneath

Less access for insects below the home.

Slab: Common Problems in Louisiana

⚠️ Plumbing repairs can be more disruptive

If plumbing is under the slab and something fails, repairs can involve:

• breaking concrete

• jackhammering

• more labor

• longer downtime

⚠️ Moisture can still come up through the slab

Depending on the home’s age and construction, slab moisture can affect:

• flooring

• adhesives

• baseboards

• indoor comfort

⚠️ Foundation movement can show differently

Some slab movement can cause:

• cracks in brick or concrete

• drywall cracking

• tile cracking

• door and window alignment issues

Not always a major problem — but something to watch.

How Foundation Type Affects Your Remodel

Here’s where it really matters.

🛁 Bathroom Remodel

Pier & beam:

• easier to move drains/supply lines sometimes

• but moisture under the home can affect floor systems

Slab:

• plumbing changes can get expensive

• but floors are solid and stable

🍽️ Kitchen Remodel

Pier & beam:

• easier to access plumbing and some wiring

• subfloor may need leveling or reinforcement

Slab:

• cabinet installs are stable

• plumbing re-routes can be harder

🪵 Flooring Replacement

Pier & beam:

• may require subfloor repairs first

• bouncy floors must be corrected for tile or high-end finishes

Slab:

• usually straightforward

• but slab moisture must be checked before certain flooring installs

🚪 Doors, Trim, and Finish Carpentry

Pier & beam:

• more seasonal movement can cause finish seams to open

• needs higher craftsmanship and planning

Slab:

• usually more stable for finishes

• but movement still happens in Louisiana

Which One Is More Expensive to Remodel?

It depends on what you’re doing.

But generally:

✅ Pier & beam remodel costs may increase with:

• subfloor repairs

• framing reinforcement

• crawl space moisture control

✅ Slab remodel costs may increase with:

• plumbing changes under slab

• major layout changes involving drains

The best remodel planning starts with:

• understanding foundation type

• inspecting likely “hidden issues”

• budgeting with reality in mind

Signs You Might Have Pier & Beam Issues

• soft spots in flooring

• musty smell

• humidity issues inside

• doors sticking seasonally

• visible moisture under the house

Signs You Might Have Slab Issues

• tile cracking

• doors suddenly misaligning

• cracks forming in brick

• flooring adhesive problems

• moisture near baseboards

Bottom Line

A great remodel in South Louisiana is possible on either foundation type.

The key is:✅ understanding how the house behaves✅ planning upgrades with moisture and movement in mind✅ choosing materials and details that hold up here

Planning a Remodel and Not Sure What Your Foundation Means?

At Cajun Conservation, we remodel homes across South Louisiana and we’re used to both:

• raised pier & beam homes

• modern slab homes

• older homes with mixed additions and modifications

Question for you:Is your home raised with a crawl space, or is it a slab-on-grade home with concrete floors?