Wooden houses - what advantages do they have and what construction options can you choose

The number of people who want wooden houses is growing every year. I'm not saying it, those who build and sell houses are saying it. That's because people are slowly rediscovering wood, its beauty and its qualities. Growing demand has led to the development of this segment of the construction industry, and companies specializing in building and fitting wooden houses have sprung up all over the country. A wooden house may be a dream for many of us, but it's good to do your homework before you make it a reality. There are always less pleasant aspects that can turn dreams into nightmares. Here's what you need to know when you decide to buy or build a wooden house.

Why wooden houses? What are the advantages of wooden houses?

Wood is one of the oldest building materials and has been used in house construction since ancient times. It's a versatile material that you can use to build a log cabin in the mountains or a modern town house. You can build a tree house or a Spacious house with living room, kitchen, two bedrooms on the ground floor and three in the attic. Wood is also perfect for little houses on wheels or a traditional house in the countryside. Wood gives builders, but especially architects, the chance to showcase their creativity, creating wooden houses that blend perfectly into the landscape.

But this is just one of the advantages of using wood to build houses. There are others, such as:

• Shorter construction time. A wooden house is built faster than a brick or concrete one. Some types of wooden houses can be erected in 2-3 days if the foundation is ready.
• Wooden houses are lighter. For this reason they need a simpler foundation, which saves on materials. Also, using industrialized wood elements such as lamellar beams, much larger open spaces can be built compared to other building materials.
• Wooden houses provide a better thermal insulation. Wood is a good thermal insulator, and you can see that inside a wooden house: it is cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Of course, the quality of insulation is very important, because this advantage can be lost if the walls of a prefabricated panel house are not well insulated or the house is not built properly.
• Wood is a flexible material and transfers this property to houses. This is why a wooden house is said to be much more resistant to earthquakes. There are also opinions that say it's not so. Wood is flexible, but joints are not. That's why the effects of an earthquake will be felt in a wooden house. However, when you consider the oldest wooden construction is in Japan, a country where earthquakes are very common, I'm inclined to believe those who believe in the earthquake resistance of wooden houses.
• Wooden constructions allow for easy compartmentalization, resulting in more living space than cement or brick houses. This is possible because wooden house structures have thinner walls, which does not affect the strength of the structure.
• Building wooden houses costs less. They say that a wooden house, without furniture and other interior fittings, can be as much as 30-35% cheaper than a brick or concrete house. However, if you want a well-made wooden house that has all the other qualities listed above, it's best not to go for cheap. You may find some of the price difference later in the form of disadvantages.

However, there are disadvantages that you should know about from the start

Beyond the many benefits they offer, wooden houses also have drawbacks. That doesn't mean that whichever house you choose you will have to face problems. Not so. Simply avoid these disadvantages by choosing the right options. Let's take a look at the disadvantages and how you can "cheat" them:

• Unlike other building materials, wood is vulnerable to insect attack (cariTo protect it, it must be treated with suitable substances. Treating can also be done when putting up the house, but it is best if treated wood is used to make the house elements. This does increase the cost of the house, but it is a small cost that you pay up front, rather than a large one when the insects make their appearance.
• Wooden houses are more susceptible to fire than other buildings. This is why wood should be flame retardant before, and the wiring must be done responsibly and well insulated.
• Wood is sensitive to moisture. That's why all water pipes should be well jointed and if possible with as few joints as possible. In the event of major water leaks the wood must be allowed to dry out thoroughly, otherwise mold can develop.
• Wooden houses cannot be built more than two storeys because of the danger of loss of stability. But there are materials - such as glulam (lamellar beams) - which can be used to build taller (but not much taller) buildings.
• Wooden houses have a low sound insulation, which can be an inconvenience for many homeowners. If there are 2 floors, the insulation between them must be very well done.
• Maintenance costs are higher. In addition to fireproofing and anti-wood decay treatment, the wood must be protected with varnishes or natural materials (wax, oilThey require regular maintenance. In addition, the house itself should be checked every 6-7 years.
• The lifespan of a wooden construction is shorter than that of a cement or brick house. But durability also depends on the quality of workmanship. And there are 200 years old wooden houses-300 years old which, restored, are still in very good shape and the wood is perfectly sound.

Main types of wooden houses

For those who dream of living in a wooden house, it's important to note that there are several types to choose from. Here are 3 of them:

Houses in bșteni. These are the most impressive houses, especially those made of large round logs. Such houses are typical of Canada or the United States, but they are manufacturers who make them here. The logs of these houses are very large and not very protected. They are peeled, but not all of them are brought to the same size (there are small differences between them). Most of our companies make houses out of round or profiled logs, machined to the same size and joined in swallowtail or nut and stink (lamb's and uluc). They are assembled on the site where the house is to be built by placing the logs on top of each other on the foundation. There is also the option of factory-made panels of small-diameter logs or half logs. The panels are actually the walls of the house which are then assembled on site.

Log houses retain heat better than those made of other building materials, have lower humidity and are therefore more comfortable. Log houses are said to last longer (over 400 years). Saranis Pension in Beliș is built from logs.

Houses in lamellar beams. A great advantage of these houses is that they offer countless joining possibilities. Glulam beams, as they are also called, are very strong and elastic. They are made by gluing several layers of wood along the grain. The wood used to make the beams is free from defects. Before it is glued, all defects are removed and joined together to form long, even very long elements. The principle is similar to wooden panels.

Glulam houses are highly resistant to rot and fire. Taller and more resilient houses can be made with this material, but the cost of a glulam house is higher. Even so, glulam structures are cheaper than steel ones. Glulam structures also have higher load-bearing capacity. With their help, large open spaces can be achieved without problems of structural strength.

Prefabricated panel houses. These are wooden houses that are almost entirely factory-built. The elements of the house are in the form of walls that include insulation and sometimes even interior and exterior finishes. Houses made of prefabricated structures Wooden houses are easy to put up and are cheap compared to brick houses. These are the houses that I was saying can be assembled in 2-3 days. Basically, the dismantled wooden house is loaded into a truck and transported to its destination. There, on the prepared foundation, it is assembled like a Lego set.

Houses in CLT. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), is considered one of the most modern, high-performance and curate industrially manufactured building materials. CLT is a panel made by cross-laminating timber. CLT is also being used in construction and interest in the material is growing all the time. Advantages of building with CLT, disadvantages, manufacturers, useful links in next article.

What you need to know if you've decided to build a wooden house

If you're thinking about a wooden house, consider the following:

• Before contacting any manufacturer, do a project. Ask an architect to design your project according to the area where you want to build it and all your requirements. That way you will know what to ask and the manufacturer will appreciate it. Plus, you'll see where problems can arise and avoid them.
• If you have found a supplier look at the portfolio. We have many very good manufacturers in Romania who have built and installed wooden houses all over Europe and beyond. Look for those with good results and satisfied customers.
• Don't look primarily for cheap houses. They can lead to many problems and later expenses that you could avoid in the first place.
• Don't skimp on finishing and protective materials. They're an insurance policy. It's better to pay the policy than to end up repairing the damage.

Speaking of house projects, I recently saw a commendable initiative on Massive Oak. The Weekly presents a project of a traditional wooden house, provided by specialized architectural firms. If you're thinking of building a wooden house in the country, it's a good idea to call on the services of such projects. It would be preferable to choose a house specific to the area and not, for example, to build a house in the middle of the Bărăgan in the Maramure region. No matter how beautiful it is, it will not look good. Choose one specific to the area. There are traditional wooden houses in all parts of the country and they are very beautiful.

I hope you found the information useful. If you have any questions, leave them below in the comments area. I will certainly reply.