Found 5 blog entries tagged as pilings.

Water Tables, Fill, and Foundations on Ono Island: How Coastal New Construction Gets Elevation Right

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed In Alabama and Florida

Ono Island Home Building

If you’ve ever stood on a vacant lot on Ono Island and heard a builder say, “We need to look at the water table and the elevations before we talk foundation,” you were hearing coastal construction wisdom in plain language. On barrier and bay-adjacent terrain, the most expensive surprises often start below grade.

“In coastal construction, elevation is not a detail. It’s the beginning of every smart decision.”

Meredith Folger Amon is an expert real estate advisor on Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama, and I spend a lot of time translating builder and engineer…

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Orange Beach Winter Fishing Guide 2025–2026: Boats, Bites, and Boater-Friendly Homes


Orange Beach Alabama Fishing and Boater-Friendly Homes

On a crisp winter morning in Orange Beach, the water takes on a different energy. The summer boat traffic is gone, the air feels cleaner, and you can hear the sound of a single drag peeling across the bay. Winter 2025–2026 is shaping up to be an excellent season for anglers along the Alabama Gulf Coast, and I am already hearing from neighbors, friends, and local captains who are quietly enjoying some of the best inshore and surf fishing of the year.

In this guide, I am sharing how I think about winter fishing across our coastline: which fish to target, where I like to focus time, the types of boats that perform best in shallow winter water, and how…

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Building on Concrete: A Strong Foundation for Waterfront Homes on Ono Island

Ono Island Concrete Pylons Construction


By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

On Ono Island, homes are built on different types of foundations depending on the lot and elevation. Interior homes are often built on slabs or stem walls, while many waterfront residences are elevated on pilings  to help protect against storm surge and fluctuating water levels. Traditionally, these supports have been treated wood. But many savvy homeowners and builders today are opting for concrete pilings for their waterfront builds.

I recently had the chance to watch this process in action, and it was impressive to see…

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New Construction in Orange Beach: Understanding Pile-ons and Foundation Choices on the Coast


By Meredith Amon, Licensed In Alabama and Florida
"Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon."

Orange Beach Alabama Pylons New Home Building Construction

When building a new construction home in Orange Beach, Alabama, understanding the foundation system is one of the most important steps in creating a structurally sound, long-lasting home that will endure coastal conditions. As a Gulf Coast real estate advisor and longtime homeowner, I’ve walked many lots and collaborated with skilled builders who know exactly what it takes to start from the ground up—literally.

What Are Pilings?

Pilings or foundation piles, are long vertical structural members driven deep into…

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Building or Buying a Home on Pilings: A Coastal Perspective

Orange Beach Gulf Shores Alabama Homes Pilings Stilts

When it comes to coastal living, one of the most significant decisions in the construction or purchase of a home is whether to build on pilings. Building on pilings is a common practice in areas like Baldwin County, Alabama, Ono Island, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores due to the region’s vulnerability to flooding, storm surges, and high-water events. As an expert real estate advisor on the Gulf Coast, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits and challenges of this construction method. Here’s what you need to know before deciding to build or buy a home on pilings in these coastal communities.


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Advantages of Building or Buying a…

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