A-frame houses, more suitable for holiday homes than permanent residences

In the tenders of builders, especially those of houses on wooden structure, we also find A-frame houses, also called type A houses. Due to the appearance of holiday home, they arouse the interest of those who want such a house for personal use or for rent. Even if they seem to us to be the latest fashion, A-frame houses are not new to other areas. Those looking to rent holiday homes in other countries frequently find A-frame houses on offer in mountain areas, ski resorts or on the coast. They're perfect for couples and families with small numbers, but not as convenient when the group is larger.

Even if they don't seem very suitable as permanent housing, there is demand for such use. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an A-frame house and when is it a good choice, find out below.

What are A-frame houses

First of all it should be clarified what A-frame house means. As the name suggests, it is an A-frame house. Basically, the shape of the letter A comes from the two roof waters that extend to the foundation level or a little higher. The only exterior walls are at the front and back of the house and are heavily glazed, these windows being the sources of light. Inside, depending on size, the house can be arranged on one or two levels, with living room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor and bedroom/bedrooms upstairs. This is the classic type A house.

Type A houses are not an invention of the contemporary world. There are traditional houses with similar layouts all over the world, and they are a simple and efficient way to build. In the modern era, experts believe that The first Type A house was built in 1934 in California by architect R.M. Schindler.

The development following the Second World War led to an increase in investment in holiday homes. Architects took up the 1934 model, which was cheap and easy to build. Between the 1950s and 1970s, Type A houses were common at the seaside or in the mountains, both in Europe and the US. High demand led to a search for quicker construction methods, and so kits were created that allowed you to build your own house, sold in DIY or building supply stores.

For some time now, the fashion for building simple houses in the shape of the letter A has been making a comeback. Architectural inspiration has led to more elaborate designs, with windows or roof dormers and other adaptations that add extra space. Depending on the building materials, interior fittings and fixtures, the price of the house can vary greatly, so they can still be considered cheap houses only if they are classic, unpretentious designs.

When choosing a house A frame

If you think of it as a permanent residence, you should know that space is limited. That's why it's suitable for singles or young couples who aren't very fussy and don't need a lot of storage space.

It is a very good choice as a holiday home. The special design makes it very attractive and suitable for mountain areas with lots of greenery. The large windows make it possible to admire the landscape from the inside, giving the feeling that you are in the middle of nature. However, it is not very pleasant if it is placed next to other residences because the large windows do not leave much privacy.

If you want an affordable wooden house, the A-frame house is an option. But if you're using more special insulation materials, likenatural wood fibre insulation, the price may increase. If you have land in a nice area, it can be a good investment. The house builds quickly and can then be rented out as a source of income.

Advantages of this type of house

Each type of construction has its pluses and minuses. To be a good choice, the pluses have to hang heavier in the balance compared to the minuses. In the case of A-frame houses, the following aspects can be listed as pluses:

• simple, clean design with wide open spaces and plenty of light
• very good insulation possibilities and can therefore be placed in cold mountain areas as well as on the coast
• the high, open space allows air to circulate and so mould does not occur
• large glazed areas in conjunction with the site layout help to maximise the use of sunlight, reducing energy consumption
• the steeply pitched roof does not allow snow to accumulate and cause problems
• projects are very easy to find so the house can be built on your own at low cost
• find built on wooden structure working time is not very long
• structural and interior wood is a natural, ecological and very pleasant material.

There are also disadvantages

There are also a number of disadvantages to consider before building or buying an A-frame home:

• small space, suitable for a small number of people
• wide open spaces reduce the privacy of the inhabitants and large, large windows increase this inconvenience
• not much storage space
• poorly made insulation can lead to heat loss in winter and heating in summer, as with the roof
• there may be wasted space due to the slope of attic walls
• sloping walls are difficult to decorate (paintings cannot be hung, for example)
• high costs of reroofing (when it will be needed).

If A-frame houses are new to you, I hope the above information will be helpful. And if you've lived in one on holiday or own one, let us know what it's like living in an A-frame house. We'd love to be able to supplement the article with your personal experiences.