When starting to build a house on their site, many people think that it would be nice to build a house made of wood that will be warm, cozy and comfortable. Some people simply want to save on building materials, while others want to be closer to nature, constantly inhaling the aromas of the forest. Others, on the contrary, refuse such buildings, thinking about less reliability and the possibility of a fire.

Our article today will be devoted to this issue, but we will talk not only about what is good or bad about such houses. We will look at what types of wooden walls there are, how to build it correctly and how to finish it if necessary.

Wood is used as a material for walls in the construction of one- and two-story buildings. During construction, it is best to use finished factory products produced in regions rich in forests.

Nowadays, enterprises offer prefabricated structures, which, after delivery to the site, are assembled by a qualified team. Hiring builders and lifting equipment in this case is inevitable, since it will be impossible to hoist massive logs up with your own hands.

Although, if you are a physically strong person who is not afraid of hard work, then you can find yourself the same assistant and use the old way rise. Along two guides installed at an acute angle, the logs are pulled upward with looped ropes.

Carefully! It will be difficult for an unprepared person to withstand such a load. Be careful and careful. If you feel during the climb that you can’t hold on any longer, do not let go of the rope under any circumstances, otherwise your partner will be pulled down, following the heavy log. Act like this. Tell your partner that you are tired and begin a smooth return descent. Take a break and try to repeat the climb.

Types of wooden buildings: pros and cons

Wood structures can be erected in five ways.

They can be:

• Log– natural logs are used for construction cylindrical. Such buildings have greater air tightness, high strength and will be very durable. The old log buildings, which are at least 200 years old, have been preserved in excellent condition.

Among the disadvantages it should be noted: high consumption wood, due to which the price of such structures is very high; It is impossible to finish the room immediately after the construction of the box, since the shrinkage of the log houses and the drying of the wood lasts about 1.5 - 2 years.

• Paving stones– made of timber rectangular section, connected to each other by dowels or tenons that fit into sockets. They have the same properties as log buildings. Additionally, it is necessary to note the shaped processing of the beams, which is done at the material manufacturer’s plant.

• Shield– walls are erected from large wall panels, which are a stable spatial system. They are the basis for attaching fencing elements to them.

• Frame– such buildings have a load-bearing skeleton frame, which is sheathed inside and outside with planks. The internal space between the sheathing and the studs is filled with bulk or tile insulation. There is also a technology for filling this space with straw soaked in a liquid clay solution. It is compacted and hardens, forming a monolithic core of the structure.

Unlike log and cobblestone buildings, such houses do not shrink significantly and can be finished immediately after construction. It is very important that when building a house, effective insulation is used that will cope with frost in the latitude where the house is located.

• Frame-panel– combines the two previous methods. Panels made of wood or OSB panels are screwed onto the installed frame, filled with insulation from the inside and sheathed again, but on the other side.

The main advantage of frame-panel construction is the saving of material, and therefore the construction budget. Subject to compliance with all standards, requirements and technologies, as well as proper care and finishing, such a structure will last for many years.

Take Europe, where such construction has been very popular for centuries. For example, german houses in the style of "Fachwerk". It is too frame buildings, which can be not only beautiful, but also warm.

A common disadvantage of wooden buildings is the fear of fire and water. These problems can be prevented by treating the material with special protective compounds.

Materials and tools for work

Which wood is best for a monumental timber structure?

According to sanitary and hygienic standards and thermal conductivity properties, coniferous species are best suited. Moreover they have correct form trunk, the wood is easily processed, and due to the content of resins and phytoncides, it better tolerates moisture, and therefore rotting. Moreover, the cost of such wood is significantly lower than that of hardwood.

To make logs for construction, forest is better fall down in winter. Such wood is drier and will be easier to process. Branches and twigs are immediately cut off from the trunks, then they are sanded so that insects that can spoil the material do not accumulate under the bark.

To work you will need following materials and tools:

	They have combs selected at the factory for laying them on top of each other. The round grooves for collecting the crowns are made on site by a master, so an untrained person has little chance of doing such work with his own hands efficiently.
	Powerful bars will be required not only for cobblestone buildings, but also for the main frame racks in frame-panel construction. These elements take on the main load-bearing load.
	The most reliable and time-tested method of fastening wooden elements.
	They are used for laying finished floors, covering walls and creating an under-roof frame. The cross-section of the workpieces is selected based on the location where they are installed.
Chainsaw	Required for cutting massive logs and beams.
	An excellent material for a frame-panel house - it is not afraid of fire, water, is very durable and can be easily finished.
	In common parlance - “monkey”. Widely used when cutting workpieces and selecting rectangular grooves. Sometimes a jigsaw or hand saw may also be required.
	For drilling various holes on logs.
	It is used for hollowing out grooves of any configuration - from rectangular to round. The butt of the tool replaces the hammer.

We have listed only the basic materials and tools; we will mention the rest as we describe the construction process.

Working with wood

Now let's describe how these or those wooden walls that we wrote about above are assembled. The instructions will not be very detailed, but they will be quite enough to theoretically “become savvy” in this matter.

Construction of a log house

First, a little terminology so that the inexperienced reader does not get confused in the text:

• Crown - a completely laid row of logs, along the entire perimeter of the structure;
• Butt - the lower part of the log, which has a larger diameter than the other;
• Croaker - sawn side of a log on one side, not the entire length.

Walls made from chopped logs are the most labor-intensive to install. They are made in the form of a log house, consisting of separate crowns connected to each other. The logs at the intersection points at the corners are joined on notches.

For central Russia, logs with a diameter of 22 cm or more are used. The first, lowest crown, is made from logs that are 2 - 3 centimeters thicker than the main ones. This crown is called a frame crown.

To fold the logs into a crown, round grooves with a width of 12 to 15 centimeters are cut out along their edges. The blanks are cut or sawn off the slab from the side of the log that will face the inside of the room. For logs stacked on interior walls, the croaker is sawed off on both sides.

The logs are connected as follows (only the main fastening methods are listed):

• a) Vertical ridge - used to connect logs along the length;
• b) Cutting into the bowl with the remainder - this connection is used in the corners of the building;
• c) Cutting into the paw without any residue is an alternative to the previous method. For clarity, see the diagram;
• d) Joining the logs into round grooves with the installation of additional tenons.

When assembling the crowns, the logs are placed with their butts in different sides alternately, while the joints of the crowns will be spaced apart. The crowns are laid with the grooves down to prevent further water from flowing in. Tow or moss is laid between the logs to seal the joint.

The rows of crowns are connected to each other by spikes with a cross-section of 25x50x120 mm, along the entire perimeter. They are inserted into nests, which are pre-cut in logs, at a distance of 1.5 - 2 meters. At least two spikes are installed in the walls, which are no less than 15-20 centimeters from the corner.

After all the walls are folded, the seams between the crowns are caulked with tow. After 1 - 2 years, the shrinkage of the structure will end - the house may settle by 5% of its original height. After shrinkage, the seams need to be caulked again.

Installation of a log house from beams

This type of construction is not so labor-intensive, since it eliminates the need to process parts manually. The timber is produced using an industrial method with all notches and grooves for their connection. Builders just have to assemble the house like a constructor.

It is also worth noting that wood consumption is significantly reduced, which cannot but affect the cost of construction.

Unlike log structures, such walls are assembled immediately on ready-made foundations - without preliminary laying down for 9 months.

Depending on the climatic characteristics of the region, beams with a section of 150x150 or 180x180 mm are used for construction. For internal partitions, options of 100x150 or 100x180 mm are sufficient.

The beams are stacked barely on top of each other. Resin tow is laid between them, after which the seams are additionally caulked. To prevent water from penetrating into the joints, a 20x20 mm chamfer is removed from the top edge of each beam.

The beams are connected at the corners different ways, but they are all similar - grooves, ridges, notches, etc. are cut out on the adjacent parts.

The rows of beams are connected to each other. To do this, use wooden dowels 3 centimeters thick and 6 centimeters long, or dowels made of of stainless steel, the same diameter. The length of the dowel is 60 cm, and it passes through all the rows.

Unlike a log building, although not always, a cobblestone house does not look less impressive, so the facade of such a house is usually tiled. This should be done after the structure has settled and after re-caulking.

The following materials are most often used for cladding:(see Decorating a house made of logs):

1. Board or lining - will give additional protection walls from moisture and wind. If necessary, an additional layer of heat insulation can be laid under the casing.

1. Brick will protect the walls even better and add fire resistance to them. The masonry is done in half a brick, with a distance from the wall of 5 - 7 cm to ensure sufficient ventilation gap. For the same purposes, vents are left at the bottom and top of the masonry.

Ventilation of such a facade is extremely necessary, otherwise after some time the logs will begin to rot, as they are organic material.

Frame and panel construction

We decided to combine the remaining types of structures into one chapter, since their construction is almost identical to each other.

The frame walls of a wooden house are a load-bearing frame covered with panel or molded materials (see Finishing a frame house).

The frame of such a structure consists of:

• The upper and lower frames are horizontal beams on which all the racks rest.
• Racks are the main load-bearing element of the entire structure, located vertically. The height of the rack corresponds to the height of the floor or the entire structure.
• Braces – support element structures, located at an angle, and connecting the racks together.
• Crossbar – horizontal load-bearing elements structures usually located above door and window openings.

All elements are fastened together with nails, anchors, screws, metal fasteners, and notches are made, the same as those described above.

The racks can be located at different distances - this depends on the type of wall filler and the location of the floor beams. Usually it is made equal to 40, 50 or 100 centimeters. The most common section for a rack is the 5x10 centimeter option.

For bracing, it is enough to use 2.5x10 cm boards. They cut flush into the racks - one edge rests against bottom trim, and the second - in the side stand.

The beams are placed on top of the racks top harness, which serve as the basis for supporting the rafters and attic floors. To organize door and window openings, window sills connected to crossbars are installed in the walls. More details are shown in the diagram above.

Today, two types of frames are used in the construction of such houses:

1. Frame with external posts on two floors - forms a strong monolithic structure due to the connection with the lower, upper and interfloor piping. The latter serves as a support for the floors between floors.
2. A frame with floor racks is also called a platform frame. It is inferior in strength to the first option with continuous racks, but is more convenient for mass production and installation. Therefore, it occurs much more often.

After installation, the hollow frame is filled with insulation, which can be of four types:

• Bulk – these include expanded clay, slag, antiseptic sawdust, thermolite (a mixture of sawdust, lime and building gypsum). This type of insulation has one significant drawback - it settles over time, forming voids.

• Roll and slab– various mineral wools, as well as straw, fiberboard, hardboard and shevelin insulation.

• Sprayable – this type is the most modern, and consists of spraying liquid polyurethane foam, which, when hardened, forms a monolithic windproof layer of heat insulation. It is carried out using the machine method, with the assistance of specialists.

Finishing a frame house is the easiest thing to do, since sheathing with finishing materials is done on a ready-made frame. The following materials are perfect for these purposes: lining, boards, gypsum fiber or plasterboard sheets.

Advice! Before closing the frame from the inside, take care of laying all communications.

Frequently asked questions and answers

In this chapter we will talk about questions that are often asked by our readers who are faced with woodworking for the first time.

Question. How to hide an untidy outer corner after covering the room with clapboard?

Answer. For this purpose, special wooden corners are used to protect the corners of the walls. They are nailed into a hole or mounted with glue, which is not so practical. Choose rigid fixation with nails, since external corners are often subject to mechanical stress.

Question. How is mineral wool attached to a wooden wall?

Answer. Usually, when building a frame, the width of the slab or roll is determined in advance mineral wool. They are placed at the same distance from each other vertical racks. After the outer side of the frame is covered with sheathing, mineral wool is inserted into the remaining openings. If the sheets are squeezed back out, you can screw pieces of lath onto the racks for temporary fixation.

Question. How to support wooden beams on a brick wall?

Answer. The beams are laid on top, and you can pre-lay out brick recesses for support units on outer wall wooden beams. Then the connection is made with anchors directly, or with wire to an anchor hammered into the wall. If we're talking about O interfloor ceilings, then the ends of the beam are walled into the wall. More details in the diagram below.

Question. Is it necessary wood paneling walls?

Answer. It may be needed to decorate a wall or to protect it from precipitation. Also, sheathing is required if additional insulation is required.

Question. How to attach flat slate to a wooden wall?

Answer. On wooden frame The slate is fastened with self-tapping screws with special layouts. First, a hole is drilled in the slate at the attachment point. The work is reminiscent of screwing drywall.

Question. How to cover a wooden wall to prevent leaks from the cracks?

Answer. For these purposes, special sealants are sold in tubes. This coating is done not only at the joints of the logs, but also in the cracks that appear in them over time. White caulk can additionally create a beautiful contrasting seam.

Question. How to lay a wooden wall near the stove to protect it from overheating?

Answer. Question fire safety concerns all owners of wooden buildings, especially if the house has a stove or fireplace. It is better to insulate adjacent walls at the construction stage of the building, or during renovation. For these purposes, non-flammable facing materials with low thermal conductivity, for example, Nitiha panels, which are made of fiber cement, or GKLVO, lined with tiles.

To learn more about the properties of such materials, watch the video in this article.

What wooden houses might look like

At the end of the article we have selected for you a small gallery with wooden houses different designs. Surely the options shown will be of interest to many of those who are just planning to build a wooden house on the site.

A wonderful combination of natural materials in the form of wood and stone Light, bright, energy efficient frame house– an excellent solution for warm regions The combination of a massive log frame and large windows Power and straight lines A real mansion is beautiful A house made of rectangular timber A castle made of wood in the air Luxurious wooden house from the inside A hut on the edge

Yes, wooden buildings are truly beautiful and attractive. If you want to have something like this nearby, but there is no way to change your stone home, then you can always decorate the room with natural materials. Wooden wall in the interior will not only decorate it, but also fill the room with a pleasant woody aroma.

Selection of material for wood construction This is primarily a matter of taste. Today, from materials such as solid or rounded logs, as well as timber, you can build a house that will serve its owners faithfully for decades. Of course, each of the listed materials has both its pros and cons, but thanks to modern means protection, the difference between them is leveled. When building a wooden house, the first priority should be the choice of the company that will carry out the construction, and only then, what kind of material it will do it from.

However, every private developer needs to know what his house will be built from. We hope this article will help you with this.

Whole log. A solid log is a material in the production of which nature contributed more than man. Of the large trio of materials for a wooden house, the solid log is the very first one that was used by man for the construction of housing. Log houses from solid logs have been built in our country since ancient times. Moreover, only axes were used for construction. The architects of our ancestors had 16 types of axes (!!!) for building a log house.

Wood for building a house is harvested in winter. Oak, pine, cedar, spruce, larch and other species are used. Wood harvested in winter warps less during drying, since this process occurs gradually. Harvested logs must be the same diameter. A run-up of no more than 3 cm is allowed.

Now for construction wooden log house use a saw. This tool “shags” the sawn end, which is why it begins to intensively absorb moisture. Our ancestors used an ax to compact wood, closing its pores.

Many people believe that log house made of solid logs is inferior in aesthetics to a house made of “rounded logs”. This is wrong. Good masters The logs will be selected in such a way that the house will look no worse than a wooden house made from other materials.

Certainly, handmade from a true master is valued (and naturally costs) very much. After all, each log needs to have a special approach. Everything in this material plays a special role. It is not enough to select logs that are similar in diameter; you also need to arrange them according to the growth rings. As the tree grows, the annual rings on the north side become denser. It is this side that the logs need to be placed on the outer street side of the log house.

There are two ways to cut a house from a solid log: Russian style and gun carriage (Norwegian style). For the Russian style, logs of at least 24 cm in diameter are suitable. They are prepared by hand, they are hewn, processed with a plane, polished and cups are selected.

Corner joints of logs are made in a “paw” or in a “bull”. Every 1-1.5 crowns need to be connected for strength. For this purpose special spikes are used.

The Norwegian style or carriage, as the name suggests, is very popular in the Scandinavian countries. To build a log house using this technology, the logs are ground on both sides. In addition, another highlight of the style is gusset, which is called the Norwegian castle.

Recently, a style has begun to spread, which is called semi-carriage due to its similarity with the previous one. Log houses built using this technology have a hewn side only on the inside of the house.

Rounded log. Machines that process tree trunks into cylindrical shapes appeared at the end of the 19th century. Why are they only now starting to make houses from rounded logs? The thing is that today the industry produces wood protection products that, after treating them, a person can live in such a house without discomfort from the smell. Besides, the smell is just the tip of the iceberg. Previously, wood for lamp posts and sleepers was treated with compounds harmful to humans, which prevented its use for housing construction.


When rounded, the log loses its top protective layer. It is thanks to this layer that solid logs have good timing services. Modern protective equipment, will not only allow several generations of your family to use a house made of rounded logs, but will also make it fireproof.

Rounded logs have several advantages. The main one is the great design. Houses built from this material have a beautiful aesthetic appearance. Interior houses made of rounded logs do not need finishing.

Another plus, which is the main one for our country, is the price. Rounded logs do not require adjustment, which is why the cost of building a log house from this material is much cheaper than the price for a house made from a solid log.

Wooden (glued) beams. A tree trunk is passed through several saws, resulting in smooth material, with a cross section close to square. The timber is cheap, but not reliable material. In order to improve its quality, glued laminated timber was invented, which combines all the advantages of ordinary timber, but at the same time it does not warp, does not shrink and is ideal for building a house.

Glued laminated timber is made from lamellas. These are dried boards of a certain length. They are glued together using waterproof glue under strong pressure, laying the fibers of adjacent lamellas in opposite directions. Thanks to this, the laminated veneer lumber does not deform.


Protection of laminated veneer lumber is carried out both with outside(special impregnations) and from the inside (waterproof glue).

Houses made from professional timber can be bought ready-made (disassembled) at the factory, and then assembled as a construction set on your site. In addition, a finished house made of this material does not require interior finishing.

Unlike houses built from solid or rounded logs, a house made from timber is not ventilated. Such a home does not need to be additionally caulked with insulation.

Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. As I already wrote at the beginning of the article, the main question is not the choice of material for your wooden house, but the choice of a quality contractor for your project. And this, believe me, is quite difficult to do.

, we are launching a series of articles comparing the main materials for building a house. This series will be helpful when first considering your options. The first article is devoted to timber.

Edged timber

The simplest and cheapest type of material. It is the result of sawing solid wood (usually pine or spruce). Timber is most often offered natural humidity, square or rectangular section. The minimum size found in proposals for building houses is 100x150, the maximum is 200x200. Length is usually 6 m.

Pros:

• low cost
• availability of material and ease of ordering

Minuses:

• natural humidity guarantees the presence of shrinkage of the log house (1-2 seasons before installing the doors and starting finishing)
• the need for processing and finishing of the log house
• low-grade wood is more common

Planed timber

This is a simple edged timber with the edges machined to make them smooth to avoid further finishing. Usually, after sharpening, the timber is treated with antiseptic compounds and fire retardants to protect against damage by viruses, fungi and insects and to increase fire resistance. The dimensions of the planed timber correspond to the dimensions of a simple edged timber.

Pros:

• more aesthetic appearance compared to edged timber
• no need for processing and finishing of the log house
• the cost is lower than that of profiled and laminated timber

Minuses:

• long-term shrinkage (if the timber has natural moisture)
• the need to use a thicker inter-crown seal

Profiled timber

This is a product of deeper processing of the timber, when a profile is cut out on the joining planes for better adhesion of the timber to each other. The profile allows you to remove cold bridges, the beams fit together very tightly. When using dry timber with high-quality profiling, building a house is a simpler process compared to building from edged or planed timber.

There are several types of profile:

• with beveled chamfers and “teeth”
• "comb" with several spikes
• with two spikes
• Finnish profile (combined) lunar profile, when one or two sides of the beam have the shape of an arc - to give the appearance of a rounded log
• lunar D- and O-shaped profile

All of them have the same task: to increase the reliability of the timber connection and improve thermal insulation. At high quality and with sufficient depth of the profile, sometimes even inter-crown insulation is not used. Although its presence makes it possible to seal the joint of the timber.

It is necessary to understand that after profiling, the original size of the timber is always reduced by 5-10 mm, therefore the size of the timber in proposals is often adjusted in comparison with the non-profiled one: 90(95) mm instead of 100, 140(145) mm instead of 150, etc. Therefore, proposals for building houses from profiled timber, for example, 150x150 and 140x140 (or 145x145) should be perceived as equivalent.

Profiled timber can also have natural moisture, but is more often offered dry. It is worth dwelling on the topic of humidity in more detail, since this indicator seriously affects the cost of the timber.

Standards governing the determination of lumber dryness, incl. timber, designated in GOST 8242-88 (clause 2.2.4). According to this document, lumber is considered dry if its moisture level is:

• 12±3% - if the timber is intended for indoor use
• 15±3% - if the timber will be used for external walls

A freshly cut tree has a humidity from 45-50% (when cut in winter) to 100% (when cut in spring during active sap flow). When timber with natural moisture is offered, this moisture depends on how long ago the tree was cut down and what the storage conditions were. Typically, natural moisture timber contains 40% moisture or more.

If dry atmospheric drying wood is offered, this assumes that the timber blanks are dried under cover and with ventilation (gaps) for several months before profiling, and then profiled. The humidity of atmospheric drying profiled timber is usually in the range of 15-25%, i.e. The timber will not become completely dry during atmospheric drying, but it dries evenly throughout its entire thickness, which is an advantage of this method.

Timber that has undergone chamber drying has a lower percentage of humidity (8-12%), but also a significantly higher cost due to the use of equipment - drying chambers, where the timber is kept from several days to 4 weeks, depending on the type of drying chamber.

Returning to profiled timber, let us note its advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

• excellent joining of timber, which ensures the strength of the house kit and thermal insulation
• minimal need to use a sealant
• aesthetic appearance
• comparative ease of assembly of a house kit
• slight shrinkage when using dry timber

Minuses:

• higher cost compared to non-profiled timber (up to 80% when using dry timber)
• the presence of shrinkage when using timber with natural humidity or atmospheric drying with a high percentage of humidity (more than 20%)

Glued laminated timber

It differs from all other types of timber in that it is not solid, but consists of wooden lamellas, pre-dried and glued so that the wood fibers are multidirectional. This is the most expensive type of timber, since it has one undeniable advantage: dry composite lamellas prevent the house from shrinking after its construction. Glued laminated timber has the same types of profiles as profiled timber.

Pros:

• no shrinkage of the house, allowing you to immediately begin finishing
• greater variety of timber sizes (wall thickness)
• low thermal conductivity
• aesthetic appearance
• the highest grade of wood without knots is used in the production of lamellas

Minuses:

• high price
• usage adhesive compositions allows opponents of this material to talk about its non-environmental friendliness

Each of us dreams of a reliable, durable and beautiful wooden country house. When the project is ready, it is necessary to select a building material, because... the quality of the future structure depends on it. Previously, when choosing a material, we referred to the reviews and recommendations of our friends. Today, thanks to a large number Professional developers can get all the information and decide what kind of wood to build a house from. In this article we will look in detail at what is best to build from. wooden houses based on reviews from professionals and building owners.

Advantages of wooden houses

The main advantage in the construction of wooden houses, according to their owners, is the environmental friendliness of the material. Having studied all the reviews about such buildings, we can highlight their main advantages:

• The house has an original appearance, a fabulous harmonious atmosphere filled with the pleasant smell of wood.
• The house has high performance sound and thermal insulation.
• All materials used are environmentally friendly and not harmful to human health.
• Short construction period, the whole process takes from 2 to 6 months.
• Carrying out finishing work does not require much difficulty or expense.
• If the operating rules are followed, the timber can last more than 50 years.
• Minimum costs for building a foundation.

Disadvantages of wooden structures

Among the owners of wooden houses, there are also negative reviews. Their negative experience is reflected only in incorrectly and poorly selected material. Quite often there is material with defects and lack of treatment with an antiseptic. Also, when buying wood on the market, there is a possibility of getting damp wood with elements of mold or mildew. It is strictly not recommended to build a wooden house from such material; you must wait until the wood dries, so the owners get upset and have a negative experience.

Material selection

There are many materials that are used in the construction of houses. When the house design is ready, the question arises: what is the best material to build from? Having studied the reviews of the owners wooden cottages, we have selected the most widely used materials and will analyze them in detail below.

House made of timber with natural humidity

House made of timber with natural humidity perfect option for the dacha. The types of wood used are spruce, cedar or pine. The constructed structure requires careful insulation with clapboard or blocking. As a result of insulation, a house made of timber with natural humidity loses its ability to “naturally breathe”, i.e. after its processing, the ecological level of such a structure decreases. As a result, air will only be able to enter through window or door openings, causing the wood to suffocate, which will trigger the formation of fungus or mold. Quite a lot important point such a construction is complicated by the process of shrinkage of the house and the absence of horizontal shifts, so the walls should be assembled using wooden dowels. To ensure quality work on shrinking this timber, it is best to use the services of specialists. Thus, a house made of timber with natural moisture has a beautiful appearance, but from the point of view of the environmental friendliness of the material, it loses.

Structures made of laminated veneer lumber

This design cannot be classified as a building made from environmentally friendly material. In the production of the material, glue is used, with which all wood is impregnated. As a result, the tree loses its useful qualities and properties, and begins to release substances hazardous to health. IN technological process When processing wood, resins are released that close the pores of the wood, causing it to simply stop breathing. When chamber drying, the wood is completely dried at the moment the timber is glued and placed into construction; the material absorbs moisture, which entails the formation of cracks. It is this indicator that reduces the popularity and demand for the construction of houses made of laminated veneer lumber. Based on all the information, we can conclude that this treatment entails the loss of all the natural qualities of the tree, therefore it is not advisable to build buildings from this material.

From discussions on the forum: “My personal experience has shown that a house made of laminated veneer lumber is not the best option. The structure is constantly damp with the presence of fungus on the walls. I regret that I did not immediately consult about this material.”

Using rounded logs

Houses made of rounded logs are gaining great popularity in the construction of country houses. Due to the use of modern processing equipment, log products are smooth and uniform. These characteristics allow the logs to line up well without leaving gaps and cracks. Another advantage of this material is that it can be molded into any shape without any problems. This allows you to build a house from logs of any complexity architectural project. Despite all the positive aspects, there are nuances in working with this product. In the process of processing a rounded log, its protective layer is lost, but during manual felling it is preserved. If you want to increase the service life of a wooden house, we recommend treating it with high-quality antiseptics. The procedure for treating the structure must be repeated annually, this will increase the service life of the structure and give it a well-groomed appearance.

Hand-built structure

The expression “My home is my castle” is best description home from manual cutting, and that's why. Having studied the reviews of owners of hand-cut houses, it became clear that the construction of such structures is excellent value for money. Hand-cut logs are an ecological and natural material that is not subjected to any processing and does not carry any harmful substances. To obtain a log house, a tree of the required diameter is selected, which is sanded and sharpened; this procedure allows you to protect the material from external irritants. Of course, choosing the right logs is not an easy task, but it is real. This matter should be approached responsibly, because... The quality of the logs will determine the shrinkage of the house, the strength of the load-bearing partitions, the service life and the appearance of the structure. At the construction stage, an important point is the laying of the first crown, as well as the presence of the correct cuts. This will allow the tree to maintain the integrity of the side walls of the log and protect the structure from negative impact external environment. And at the end of construction, the entire structure is treated with tinting impregnation; it will allow the house to breathe and prevent the formation of fungus and the appearance of insects. Such a project has high environmental friendliness characteristics, and most importantly, its appearance can delight you for many years.

Based on all the obtained characteristics of wooden materials, it is best to build a house from a hand-made log house. This material is successfully used in the West, because the wood is made without impurities or chemical treatments.

In principle, each material for building a house has its own undeniable advantages and disadvantages. The abundance of choice complicates the question of what kind of house to build for permanent residence. One thing is for sure: for heavy and light materials, the main thing is skillful hands of the developer. An error in calculations will come back to haunt you in any case and will pop up the next day or 10 years later, when it will be very difficult to correct.

What material to choose, what is better and cheaper to build a house from? Let's carry out short review, as well as materials for their construction.

What are heavy and light materials?

Heavy materials for construction include, as the name suggests, stones, various blocks, bricks, slabs. Houses made of heavy materials also require an appropriate foundation. Most often, a strip type is used, but if the ground is not the best, it can be combined with a pile-screw type.

When it comes to lightweight materials, it means wood, frames. Of course, these are just conventional names for such houses, which does not mean that the house will be really light in the end. For houses made of wood, it is better to choose the best possible one. stand for several hundred years and the foundation should not fail.

For frames you can save a little, simply choosing the pile option. The shelf life of frame wood is up to 100 years, so if the soil allows you to save money, this is quite realistic.

Brick is expensive, but lasts forever

As they say, a brick can handle anything: hurricanes, frosts, unbearable heat - the natural mood is changeable.

However, this material can withstand even more.

According to statistics, the “shelf life” of a brick house reaches 200 years.

Due to the fact that the material has been in use by builders for a very long time, usually there are no problems with hiring craftsmen.

The range of types of bricks also suits every taste:

1. Ceramic brick is made from clay by molding it and calcining it in special ovens. Possesses high level of strength, refers to environmentally friendly materials for construction. Of course, if it is made with high quality and production standards are met. It can be solid or hollow (up to 50% voids inside). For construction, the second subtype is a priority, since the more voids in the body of the material, the higher its heat-retaining property.
2. Sand-lime brick is made from lime and sand. It is white and looks great, especially the solid variety. Lightweight sand-lime brick– looks very sloppy, but has higher thermal insulation properties.
3. Ordinary and front subtypes of bricks will also find application in construction capital house. Ordinary - in the interior masonry, front - will decorate the house outside.

Be sure to pay attention to the labeling before ordering a batch of material. It is done in order to know whether masonry made of a particular brick will withstand the weight of the structure and natural phenomena. Usually the material is marked with the letter “M” with two or three numbers. The minimum strength value per square centimeter is 75, the maximum is 200.

Important: When constructing a plinth, the minimum strength is 150; during construction two-story house you should purchase batches with strength from M125. The more floors, the heavier the attic, the higher the coefficient should be; accordingly, the brick will be heavier, and the cost per cubic meter of material will be higher.

For construction in Russia, especially in the outback, it is very important to take into account the fact that frosts in winter can become severe. Frost resistance is marked “F”, and the indicator varies from 15 to 100.

For cladding a house in a temperate climate, the F50 marking is used; F25 masonry can be done inside. The higher the marking indicator, the greater the number of times the brick will survive freezing without damage to the structure.

Brief summary and characteristics of the material:

• you will get an expensive house frame and foundation;
• very expensive, presentable appearance of the final work;
• phenomenal durability;
• precipitation, temperature changes don’t matter;
• excellent fire resistance;
• difficult to display the box;
• quite “dirty” construction, you need a lot extra space around.

Conclusion: brick construction is a costly and labor-intensive process.

However, all costs, including financial ones, will be more than compensated for in the long life of the building. Properly selected bricks and competent builders extend the life of a house to 100-200 years without changing the original characteristics.

Concrete blocks

Second most popular display material load-bearing walls, in comparison with brick. Sturdy material, more profitable financially and much easier to build. In summer the house stays cool, in winter it stays warm and cozy, precipitation and other natural phenomena are not dangerous quality concrete block.

Advantages of building with concrete blocks:

1. The first thing I would like to note is the fire resistance of the material. Concrete does not burn, so, unlike building with wood, the house is safe from external fires and will withstand direct fire for several hours.
2. The material tolerates frost well.
3. For those who value good sound insulation in their home, construction from concrete blocks is suitable. Thanks to the structure of the concrete itself, no extraneous noise will be heard in the house.
4. At proper construction, the thermal insulation is quite good. In combination with an external, well-built heating circuit, you can achieve good savings on heating your home.
5. A building made from blocks, like brick, can be used for a long time. On average, without overhaul the house will delight you for 80-120 years.
6. Concrete blocks do not rot, do not become covered with mold and mildew.
7. The versatility of the material allows you to build residential buildings, garages, and multi-story buildings any type.

The disadvantages include unpresentable appearance of the house without finishing. Therefore, when calculating the construction budget, the external “marathon” should also be taken into account. In addition, construction should only be done in dry weather and takes a fair amount of time, partly due to the changeable weather. Because of high level groundwater in some areas of the country, waterproofing may be necessary.

What you need to know about concrete blocks?

Concrete blocks come in several types and differ from each other:

• brand (from 50 to 100) - this is an indicator of the strength of the product;
• frost resistance – from 15 to 200.

Strength markings must comply total mass the buildings. That is, for a basement - the highest value, for a house with 2 floors - approximately M75 (depending on the size of the attic). Frost resistance, as already discussed, depends on the location of the future building.

Very important for quality construction explore the soil under the house site. To do this, it is better to play it safe and hire specialists, which will also be very expensive. But, if you choose the wrong type of foundation and the building begins to slide, the costs will be even greater. For “turbulent” lands, a monolithic type of foundation is suitable (if the house is not large), as well as pile and strip.

Conclusion: concrete blocks they are only slightly inferior to brick in terms of their qualities.

However price and ease of construction are more attractive, if you choose between these two materials. Additional costs may be required for waterproofing, as well as external insulation and finishing.

Construction from natural stones

People have been using natural stones for a very long time. Many old-timers remember the times when construction from this material cost a penny, since the stone was not very valued and was simply mined. Natural stone was especially available in areas close to the mining site.

Now the situation has changed radically and we can afford Construction from sandstones, shell rock, granite, basalt is sometimes more expensive than we would like. Things are more or less good with natural stone construction near the mountains, that is, near the mining site.

Advantages using natural stone for building a house:

• for non-remote areas this material will be inexpensive; the further away from the mining sites, the more expensive high-quality material will cost;
• the material is the cleanest in environmental terms of all heavy building materials;
• the blocks are quite large, so construction will not take longer;
• depending on the deposit, the porosity of the shell rock is different, which means the thermal conductivity changes;
• good sound insulation;
• It survives all weather changes well, does not rot, and does not become covered with bacteria if built correctly.

Like any other material, natural stones have their own flaws:

• heavy: you need a good, expensive foundation and additional expenses during the construction of the box;
• the different shapes of each block create additional difficulties during joining; more cement will be required;
• very serious waterproofing is required: the material absorbs moisture;
• façade walls made of shell rock are finished according to reinforced mesh, otherwise everything will fly around quickly.

Conclusion: minor difficulties associated with construction more than pay off, due to the fact that the material is environmentally friendly, the house will last a long time.

By choosing the right stone in terms of density (all natural stones are also marked), it is possible to equip both the basement and the upper floors with it. And the cost per cube will depend on the customer’s area of ​​residence.

Construction from thermal panels

Thermal panels or panels from are a relatively new product for construction. If the material for construction is selected based on savings, first of all, then you can take a closer look at this option. Frame thermal panels declare themselves as the most heat-saving material. In addition, building a house from new material is quite fast.

The panel consists of clinker tiles and thermal insulation in the form of polystyrene foam. The main disadvantage of frame thermal panels is that they 100% synthetic material . That is, for connoisseurs of environmentally friendly buildings, the panels will not be suitable under any circumstances. The material does not absorb moisture, is not subject to destruction, withstands compression very well, pressure from all sides, does not burn, and perfectly withstands any natural changes.

Other dignity panels:

• excellent appearance;
• in tandem with thermal panels outside, heat loss is immediately reduced by 30-35%;
• very tight joining of panels, thanks to their precise cutting.

TO shortcomings It has already been said that they are not environmentally friendly. In addition, you can supplement this list with the fact that additional panels of corner shapes are needed to decorate the shape of the house. These building materials have passed all known tests and meet modern requirements.

Conclusion: the use of frame thermal panels is an economical option that provides a very solid appearance to the finished building.

The outside of the house without exterior finishing will be similar to brickwork. The clinker board is connected to polystyrene foam with a special high-quality construction adhesive under high pressure, which ensures high strength of the final work.

Which house is better?

Wooden houses

Most environmentally friendly clean look the buildings. Forest has long been used for construction. The best trees for building a house - pine, cedar and larch. Coniferous trees are less susceptible to fungal attack, have good performance resistance to weather conditions. Larch material does not rot or rot. Natural resin has bactericidal properties.

Since time immemorial, humanity has built its houses from clean, breathable natural material - wood. A huge number of surviving architectural monuments are built of wood. The durability of such buildings amounts to hundreds of years and is amazing.

Wooden houses made of larch

It’s not for nothing that this wood is called “iron”; those who have dealt with this material know that this wood very dense and heavy. It has an amazing quality for wood - increased fire resistance. Over time, larch only becomes denser; it is the only tree that doesn't rot at all.

In addition, for people with respiratory problems, doctors strongly recommend visiting the larch forest. It turns out that living in a house made of this material is three times better for your health. Great house for living with family, children.

Cedar houses

One of the most expensive materials for construction is oak. It is close in density to larch trees and can withstand phenomenal loads. A house built from this material can withstand an earthquake of up to magnitude 7. In addition, cedar has thermal insulation properties, more than other trees.

House made of pine timber

Most popular material in construction, due to the lower cost per cubic meter of material. This material has good thermal insulation, allows you to build a house on 2-3 floors. Right prefabricated house will last at least 150 years with timely care and replacement of the lower crowns.

Log house

This construction technology has been developed over centuries and has reached us in its most refined form. The trunk is cleared of bark and dried for a long time under natural conditions.

Professional builders know that material that is dried under a roof or a canopy on the street retains its properties much longer than those dried in the dryers of timber processing enterprises.

Log houses are unique; each house can be completely different from the others. A well-built wooden house retains heat perfectly.

In room there will always be a healthy microclimate, clean air. The disadvantages include the cost of construction and its duration.

First, timber is purchased and dried under the flooring for at least 3-4 months, then the box is assembled. The work of the craftsmen also costs a pretty penny. Then the log house (read:) must stand for a year or two, otherwise it will move and cracks will appear. After shrinking, you can do finishing, install water, connect to electricity, install windows, and the like. All this takes a lot of money and time.

How log houses are made:

1. The largest, resinous and thick logs are placed in the first rows - the crown of the log house. Waterproofing must be provided before installation. You can use roofing felt, waterproofing material, etc.
2. In each subsequent log, a longitudinal notch is made for closer contact between the rows of logs. In this way all rows are assembled.
3. After the initial shrinkage (about 3 months), the logs are marked, disassembled and reassembled, laying all longitudinal grooves with moss, tow or modern materials.
4. After complete shrinkage (1.5 years), the logs are caulked using insulation. Caulking is done only after the roof and windows are ready.
5. Sometimes after 5-7 years, when complete shrinkage occurs, you have to caulk again, as new gaps appear and the heat blows out.

Of course, these steps are described only in general outline, but this will allow us to better visualize the stages of construction of a log house.

Conclusion: building a log house is a way to show your imagination to the fullest. The design of such a house can be absolutely anything. The thickness of the walls and the lower crown make the building not only warm, but also the most durable from all other wooden buildings.

Construction from rounded logs

Construction from rounded logs is the use of even logs of equal size and diameter, which manufactured industrially. Of course, you can use your golden hands to prepare the material, but, as practice shows, this is a long and labor-intensive task.

After the purchase, according to the construction plan, the customer receives a ready-made log impregnated with special compounds, which only needs to be assembled into a log house. The larger the house is planned, the larger the diameter of the log should be. Thanks to high-quality processing, the logs fit together well and each crown “sits” well on the previous one.

The method of building from rounded logs is similar to the chopped method. The advantages of this type of construction can be considered environmental friendliness and beautiful appearance, even without exterior decoration. By the way, it is not at all mandatory for most regions of the country.

Conclusion: ordering and purchasing a rounded log will cost more than purchasing unprocessed wood and stripping the bark, processing and grinding the log yourself. But, in any case, houses are made of such material they look very nice and respectable. The house will be warm, breathable, environmentally friendly.

Frame houses

Another subtype of construction, which is considered very new and tempting for its speed of construction.

A rigid frame is assembled from timber, and the main material is installed between the load-bearing beams.

Less commonly, a frame is made from metal beams; they will be discussed below.

1. Frame-panel. A frame is built from beams, sheathed on the inside and outside with slabs made of large chips or others, and insulation is laid between the slab material. The main advantage is the speed of construction. Among the shortcomings - the need to use special equipment.
2. SIP panels. These panels consist of insulation (expanded polystyrene) covered on both sides with OSB boards. Walls, ceilings, and floors are built from this material. These panels are smaller than in the case of frame-panel house, so there is no need for a crane and you can build a building with your own hands. Of all the frames, this method is the easiest for novice builders.
3. Frame houses. Compared to others, such a building will cost the least. The frame is assembled from thick boards and placed on a foundation box. You can use laminated veneer lumber rather than boards (half-timbered frame-frame construction method). The finished frame is filled with brick, stones, double-glazed windows, and wood.
4. Metal frame houses. The construction principle is similar to the previous ones, with the exception of the frame material. Are used metal bases , in combination with insulated slabs. Such houses are considered lightweight, with a service life of about 80 years (according to the warranty from the manufacturers of such frames, which is not possible to verify). Despite the thermal profile used, heating such a house will definitely cost more money than its wooden “brother.”

Conclusion: construction using the frame method is clean and inexpensive.

In addition, little space is needed; construction can be carried out “from the body”, without unloading panels and material, if the space on the site does not allow or is occupied by plantings. To increase the lifespan of a frame house, it is important to correctly calculate and design the frame itself, take the foundation seriously.

What is the cheapest material to build a permanent house from?

As already noted, a house that will stand for centuries is a priori expensive for its owner at the time of construction. However, for budget construction there is innovation last decades – framers.

The lighter the walls, the cheaper it will cost. If you use inexpensive SIP panels, the price will become even lower. However, many are distrustful of the walls of the house, which can be pierced with a large knife using a lot of force.

From heavy materials construction will cost the least from cellular concrete or thermal panels. Construction will be expensive made of bricks and ceramic blocks. For these buildings, the cost of work will be higher, since the blocks themselves are not easy to lift.

The same conditions will apply to the foundation: the more durable, stronger, the more expensive it will be both in terms of materials and labor costs. Optimal installation for a small house pile foundation, if you have an idea to add a second floor or a good attic, it’s better to be safe.

What to build a house from on a small plot?

To organize construction from heavy materials, you need a wide area. The site will need to be divided into zones for the foundation, for placing a warehouse with material (minimum - a shed), for mixing concrete. It is also worth thinking about the pile of garbage that will certainly accumulate.

Debris, packaging, empty boxes, defective material and similar work issues. Workers need a place to at least have lunch or take a “smoke break”.

It is worth paying attention to the construction from frame thermal panels. Despite the fact that this material is more heavy, you can build with it directly from the car. In terms of timing, finances and local costs, this is a profitable material.

As for lightweight materials, the work will require a much smaller area. Most of all - for working with timber, log, will take the least frame, especially from SIP panels. If the plot is extremely small, there are already plantings or there is only room for a house, it is better to give preference to wood and frames.

What is the final cost of construction?

When evaluating and comparing materials, the question involuntarily arises: what else, besides the main raw materials, will the money be spent on?

Not every site owner can immediately put on the table in front of the builders the amount that will be required for turnkey construction.

Usually, especially for young families, it is customary to divide the work into parts and build it in stages.

So, the total amount will be the sum of:

• complexity of the shape of the house, its number of storeys (complicating the work of the team);
• internal layout;
• insulation;
• external finishing;
• roofing costs;
• building materials;
• foundation – almost 40% of all costs;
• interior decoration;
• heaviness of the base material;
• additional accessories;
• conducting communications;
• waterproofing;
• installation of a heating system;
• other minor expenses.

The list is quite impressive. Depending on the choice of material, it can either increase or decrease. However, building your own home is a real possibility. way to create really cozy home dreams, which everyone has fantasized about in one way or another.

The abundance of building materials in our time is growing every year. The search for the ideal material will probably continue for hundreds of years. However, in order to build a good-quality house in which it will not be cold, scary or expensive to live in, it is worth turning to materials that have been proven over centuries.

There will always be no competition brick and wood. These are the most reliable, long-lived houses that are inexpensive to operate and are good in terms of environmental friendliness. If the issue is financial, it’s better to choose modern methods: frame houses, thermal panels.

Average houses by money investment – from sand blocks, sand cement blocks, concrete blocks etc. Block buildings retain heat well in winter, as they cool down for quite a long time, and in summer the room remains pleasantly cool.