The wooden house sector has grown considerably in the last decade, and its competitive prices and shorter construction time make many people seriously reconsider this type of housing compared to traditional concrete or brick ones.
To be more exact, the wood houses They can be around a 25% or 30% cheaper than a concrete house, and its construction usually takes no more than 5 to 6 months. These characteristics are very attractive for those who want a second home in a natural environment or even a main residence.
However, before making a decision, it is essential to analyze not only the price and design, but also the construction, regulatory and maintenance aspects that these buildings require.
Ways to acquire a wooden house
Today, there are three main modalities to acquire a wooden house, offering versatility depending on the level of customization and the needs of the buyer:
- DIY Kit (Do It Yourself): A package that includes all the parts necessary for the owner to assemble the structure of the house on his own. This option is ideal for people with DIY skills and who are looking to save on labor costs.
- Assembled kit: The kit is delivered already assembled, which saves time and effort. This option involves additional labour costs, but is still cheaper than a fully built house.
- Turnkey : The most convenient option, as it allows you to purchase a fully built, ready-to-live-in house. Although it is the most expensive of the three alternatives, it is still attractive given that the delivery time is usually shorter than that of conventional constructions.
Legal and regulatory aspects
En Spain, as in other countries, to build a wooden house it is essential to comply with certain regulations. The first thing is to obtain a building permit from the city council, as well as a project signed by an architectThis ensures that the construction complies with the Technical Building Code (CTE), which is essential to ensure both the habitability and safety of the building.
On the other hand, it must be taken into account that the wood houses are anchored to the ground are considered real property and must comply with planning regulations. However, mobile homes, provided they are not permanently fixed, are considered personal property and have less stringent requirements.
Types of wooden houses
There are different types of wooden constructions, each with specific characteristics that differentiate them in terms of aesthetics, insulation and durability. The main ones are detailed below:
Log houses
This type of construction uses whole trunks, which fit together without the need for major treatments. They provide a excellent natural insulator due to the thickness of the wood, which allows to keep interiors warm in winter and cool in summer. However, one of the negative points is the imperfection in the joints between logs, which can create slight air leaks. Using square logs can mitigate this problem.
Light frame houses
This is the most common system in countries such as the United States and Canada. It is based on the use of standardized panels and parts, facilitating both the assembly and the modulation of the structure. Light frame houses are Flexible in their design and offer a good balance between cost and durability. In addition, their structure allows for excellent thermal insulation, which translates into considerable energy savings.
Heavy frame houses
In this type of construction, it is used Solid wood for the beams, which gives them greater stability and resistance. They are especially useful for buildings with more than one floor, since they maintain better stability at heights than light framing. In addition, this system avoids the use of metal joints, which reduces the appearance of thermal bridges.
Mobile homes
Typically assembled in a factory and then transported to the installation site, these homes They can be made of wood or other materialsThey are very popular in northern European countries due to their quick assembly. In Spain, although less common, they are growing in popularity and many builders are betting on these homes.
Where the wood is obtained
The origin of the wood is an important aspect to consider. Depending on the country of origin, the quality of the wood can vary, which in turn influences the price and durability of the construction.
- High quality wood: It is mainly obtained from Finland, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway. These countries have a long tradition of controlled exploitation of their forests.
- Medium quality wood: It comes from countries such as Latvia, Poland or Spain. They are usually fast-growing pines or firs.
- Standard quality wood: Although its durability is lower, it is still a good option for tight budgets. This wood comes from Romania, Chile or Brazil.
An important detail is that in Spain, although medium-quality wood is produced, standard-range wood from countries such as Romania is often used, due to its low price. This can be a good alternative if the objective is to reduce costs in the short term, but the possible implications in the medium and long term must be taken into account.
How to choose the perfect log home
When choosing a wooden house, it is crucial to take into account certain key elements that will ensure both the comfort and durability of the construction.
Modular
The structure is the basis of any building, and a wooden house is no exception. In this sense, the light lattice It stands out for its lightness and versatility, which allows for efficient design of interior and exterior spaces. In addition, this system helps the house to breathe and maintain a stable temperature throughout the year.
Isolation
El thermal isolation is key in a wooden house. A good exterior wall must have layers of protection such as water and steam, as well as having materials such as OSB, which prevent the entry of moisture. In this way, you will achieve an energy-efficient home.
Interior and exterior finishes
One of the biggest attractions of wooden houses is the possibility of personalizing them. From using materials such as OSB boards o wooden tongue and groove to natural stones on the exteriors, the options are multiple and can be adapted to any architectural style.
Advantages and disadvantages
The wooden houses have important advantages which make them an excellent option in many situations, but they also present some drawbacks that should be considered before making a final decision.
Advantages
- Durability: With the right treatments, a wooden house can last more than 70 years.
- Sustainability: If the wood comes from responsibly managed forests, the house is considerably more environmentally friendly than conventional constructions.
- Energy efficiency: Being an excellent natural insulator, wood is ideal for keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer, which reduces energy costs.
- Design Versatility: The structure of a wooden house can be easily modified.
Drawbacks
- Maintenance: Wooden houses need continuous maintenance, especially to avoid humidity problems and pests such as termites.
- Fires: Even if fireproof treatments are applied, the risk of fire is still greater than in a brick or cement house.
- Social perceptionIn some places, wooden houses still do not enjoy the same prestige as a concrete or brick home.
Wooden houses are a fascinating option for those looking for a more sustainable, aesthetic and energy-efficient construction. Although they require particular maintenance and certain additional care, the benefits they offer in terms of energy savings and comfort make them an option worth considering.
Wooden house vs traditional brick and cement house
Wood is one of the elements most loved by both professionals in the sector and by customers and homeowners. In fact, this material is probably the only truly renewable one, thanks to its production cycle, and it also has interesting physical properties, unknown to most building materials. For what reason? Let's find out together.
Wooden houses are light but very resistant.
As we know, wood is a very light material and, consequently, easy to transport. However, this does not mean that a wooden house is not stable, on the contrary! The load-bearing structures are extremely strong and, among other things, allow optimal fixing on the walls for sanitary ware, wall units, shelves and many other decoration elements. Furthermore, from a seismic point of view, wooden constructions have a much higher degree of safety than brick constructions, as they have extremely low stiffness. This means that a wooden house is capable of optimally absorbing the energy released by the earthquake, that is, a wooden house is an anti-seismic house.
Wooden houses have high fire resistance.
Contrary to popular belief, wood burns slowly and, in the event of a fire, prefabricated wooden houses are much stronger than traditional buildings. In fact, wood is charred only on the surface, leaving its internal structure almost unchanged. By carbonizing, this layer manages to slow down the propagation speed of the flames, acting as a real insulator and thus preserving the static properties of the structure, which is not compromised at all. Cement and steel, on the other hand, are materials that experience a rapid decline in mechanical characteristics. For this reason, in case of fire, a wooden house is much safer than its homologation, for example, made of concrete.
Wood is a perfect thermo-acoustic insulator.
One of the probably most appreciated characteristics of wooden houses is the insulating property that this material possesses. In fact, wood guarantees incredible acoustic and thermal insulation. For this last reason, the Nordic countries choose wood to create the external and internal structures of their homes. In Italy, however, this material is used only for the construction of ceilings, floors and finishes. If you have decided to build your wooden house, you should know that you will live in a house with an idyllic climate, warm in winter and cool in summer. The wood used for the construction of prefabricated houses, in fact, has a precise humidity rate that, thanks to a particular drying process, also protects it from the danger of mold.