Holiday homes with wooden structure

This text is part of an extended series of articles on Holiday homes - why and from what to build your holiday home and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the construction systems commonly used in the construction of such buildings.

Timber-framed houses are the choice of many people who want to build a holiday home for a number of reasons which we will discuss here. At the same time, wooden structures also have their disadvantages that you need to be aware of from the start.

Wooden structures

The wooden structure is a light structure, used "since time immemorial", which has multiple ways of solving and implementing. By using traditional techniques for timber frame construction, you can get away completely from the use of concrete in construction.

Holiday homes are usually smaller in size which means that the structures currently commonly used for houses (brick load-bearing walls with concrete columns, beams and floor) can easily be replaced with timber structure.

Advantages of wooden houses

1. A major advantage of timber frame houses is that they can be built on any site, in any shape and in any location, unlike modular and container houses which require easy access with large machinery.

2. The end walls of timber-framed houses are much thinner because the thermal insulation is laid mainly between the timber studs - this results in a smaller footprint, while room sizes are up to 15 cm larger.

3. Reduced construction costs compared to the brick load-bearing walls and reinforced concrete frame construction system. Given their low use, investments are intended to be as low as possible.

4. Timber-framed houses with light closures are an environmentally friendly option, especially as wood is a renewable natural resource.

Disadvantages of wooden houses

1. Sensitivity to pests such as termites, wood decay is a major disadvantage. However, there are now remedies through various treatments applied regularly to the wood.

2.Sensitivity to environmental factors such as sun, fire or water can lead to discrediting wooden structures in the eyes of the public. And for these there are treatments that need to be applied regularly to protect the wood.

3. The specific sounds of wooden houses can become a disadvantage, depending on one's opinion.

4. Thermal insulation and especially soundproofing are important for wooden houses, so the most suitable systems should be considered from the outset.

Log houses - a special category of wooden houses

We couldn't do an article on timber frame houses without talking about the most interesting types, namely log houses. In this context, log houses are mainly a choice of taste and not only. This type of construction is the most impressive and picturesque of the range of wooden houses. Specific to the American continent, there are also producers of such houses in Romania, especially in the Transylvanian area, with certain specific solutions.

The advantage of log houses is that the wood undergoes minimal processing, the logs being peeled, possibly processed to the same shape and size and joined together over the already built foundation. They are very strong houses, storing heat inside the home and have lower humidity. Last but not least, the main advantage is the impressive aesthetics of the logs laid on top of each other.

This type of houses are especially suitable in mountainous areas, as there is a certain aesthetic to them that offers a lot of comfort and moments of relaxation, characteristics much desired for holiday homes.

If you have any other ideas feel free to leave them in the comments.