ali@alissawestmoreland.com / Premiere Property Group, LLC Broker Licensed in the State of Oregon
Floating Homes Basics
All you need to know about life in a floating home in Oregon

Floating house construction
Floating homes are constructed similarly to a conventional home, with a lot of consideration being put into the design, planning, and execution by architects and builders, One of the main differences is that, instead of a foundation, they sit on top of a float.
A Float - is essentially the foundation of a floating home and there are various ways to construct it, including:
-
Logs and Stringers: Logs running vertically with wood or steel stringers running horizontally.
-
Cement: Hollow or specially constructed cement that can float.
-
Older Methods: Steel boxes or tires cobbled together with another part of the float encapsulated in styrofoam which provides the flotation. These are then inserted into the grid of logs and stringers to balance and elevate the house.
Float Longevity - A float can last indefinitely if you maintain it properly. A new float is usually given a 50-year lifespan, but you can extend it by maintaining the logs, regularly cleaning around the home, periodically replacing the stringers, adding more flotation, preventing vegetation from growing on the wood, and ensuring that river animals don’t live under it. Apart from keeping it in top shape, you should also conduct proper inspections by professionals so your floating home remains safe and secure for many years.
What is a Floating Home?
A floating home is a unique type of house built on a floating platform on water bodies, allowing it to rise and fall with the water levels. You can typically find them in marinas, aka ‘moorages’, on rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
In Portland, floating homes are very popular along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. The main purpose of a floating home is to serve as a residence so at moorages where you find them, the houses are connected to sewer, water, electricity, and other utilities.


This is a Floating Home
This is a Houseboat


This is a Boathouse
Combination Home with a Boathouse