Frame houses- Differences and Advantages of Wooden Frame Houses
Construction of Residential Buildings: Differences and Advantages of Wooden Frame Houses
For many years, I have been involved in building not only wooden frame houses and log homes but also houses made of aerated concrete, brick veneer, and solid brick. Undoubtedly, these types of structures are reliable and durable (with an average lifespan of about 100 years). However, in today’s context of rational spending, such construction is not widespread, and it cannot solve the housing problem on a global scale. A house made of brick veneer or a solid brick house (let’s call it a “stone house”) is, by definition, an expensive building. Everything starts with an expensive foundation and ends with complex interior finishing work. The wall thickness of a stone house, according to regulations, is several times thicker than that of a frame structure – and this is with relatively equal thermal resistance! Yes, as a result, we get a solid, durable, and, by human standards, “eternal” house: but it is expensive and quite “slow” to build.
Moreover, today we see increasingly evident migration trends, and now few people need a house for eternity. Our parents have already moved from their native regions, then we moved somewhere else, and it is highly likely that our children will move to other cities or regions. It turns out that the generation changes, and the “eternal” house, into which a huge amount of money has been invested, becomes unnecessary. It is generally impossible to sell a lived-in “stone” house for the same money that was invested in its construction: people usually prefer to build a new house for that kind of money, considering their own preferences.
Today, with extensive experience in construction, I have come to the conclusion that wooden, and especially frame houses, are the most rational choice. It is important to make a note here: quality frame houses – meaning those built according to engineering projects and in compliance with existing building regulations. Unfortunately, much of what is called a “frame house” today leaves much to be desired and does not meet any standards. A proper frame house is warm, affordable, and designed to last a human lifetime. All of this makes it extremely practical.
It is gratifying that many people solve their housing issues with us: this confirms the correctness of the choice we made.
Frame construction is not a new technology. Affordable wooden houses have been built for centuries, especially in Europe, and the Scandinavians have perfected the technology of building warm and durable frame houses in harsh climates. In Bulgaria, frame houses are less popular, primarily due to distrust caused by poor-quality construction and cost-cutting. The lack of information about the technology and the abundance of various companies in the construction market, many of which focus on low prices by using substandard materials and violating building technologies, have damaged the reputation of frame houses. Serious damage was also done by the construction of frame houses without proper projects, leading to numerous issues.
The goal of this article is to dispel some myths and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of frame houses. The name of the technology itself comes from the word “frame,” which is actually the basis of the entire house. It usually consists of a wooden structure (it is important not to build the frame “turnkey” from raw wood). The frame can be clad both inside and outside with cement-bonded particleboards, various panels, or smooth dry wood. Inside, the frame house must be properly vapor-insulated (this includes sealing the seams of the film), and we always install Isoplaat wind protection boards under the external cladding. The resulting space is filled with insulation, such as basalt wool of a certain density. Outside, the house can be clad with painted wood, siding, or even facade plaster.
