ᐅ Log Cabin Construction: Solid Timber vs. Frame Building – Experiences?
Created on: 4 Feb 2019 21:58
L
Lucrezia
A year ago, it was clear: log house, nothing else (we had an experienced company, but unfortunately no general contractor). Since we got in touch with a general contractor specializing in timber frame construction who convinced us, I have been going around in circles. Since I have already received many helpful ideas and tips in this forum, I would like to invite you to share your thoughts on this. I’ll start with the advantages and disadvantages we have noticed:
Log house:
+ Only untreated wood, so "minimalist" and with very low chemical exposure
+ Short waiting and construction time
- Trades must be contracted separately (we would not take on any work ourselves, except possibly flooring)
- Prices can fluctuate more significantly
- Warranty is "only" 15 years on structural components (5 years on the rest)
Timber frame construction:
+ General contractor, so "worry-free"
+ Accurate price quote (fixed price)
+ 30-year warranty on structural components – waiting and construction time somewhat longer
-/+ Wood only in the “frame”; (eco-friendly) materials can be freely chosen
Log house:
+ Only untreated wood, so "minimalist" and with very low chemical exposure
+ Short waiting and construction time
- Trades must be contracted separately (we would not take on any work ourselves, except possibly flooring)
- Prices can fluctuate more significantly
- Warranty is "only" 15 years on structural components (5 years on the rest)
Timber frame construction:
+ General contractor, so "worry-free"
+ Accurate price quote (fixed price)
+ 30-year warranty on structural components – waiting and construction time somewhat longer
-/+ Wood only in the “frame”; (eco-friendly) materials can be freely chosen
Lumpi_LE schrieb:
Setting aside the appearance, which might feel cozy during a vacation but would be unbearable for me in the long term, the U-values of a log house are so poor that I wouldn’t consider it. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. The wall must meet a certain U-value to obtain a building permit / planning permission. There are certainly multi-layered wall constructions with excellent U-values, even suitable for passive houses. Likewise, you can cover the interior walls; they don’t all have to have a wood finish.
For me, log houses are made from tree trunks—without any additional materials—like the old alpine huts or, if you prefer, square-cut logs. In any case, they are solid and made from a single piece.
Cross-laminated or screwed solid wood panels have a multi-layered structure and can be used up to the passive house standard, sometimes without any visible wood. I have a passive house like that myself.
Cross-laminated or screwed solid wood panels have a multi-layered structure and can be used up to the passive house standard, sometimes without any visible wood. I have a passive house like that myself.
World-e schrieb:
And there are definitely multi-layer wall assemblies with very good U-values, suitable even for passive house standards.Yes, that is certainly possible, but in my opinion, it’s like putting the cart before the horse (essentially a timber frame house wrapped in insulation). A pure log house rarely achieves a U-value better than 0.5.
W
wurmwichtel13 Feb 2019 11:54Mottenhausen schrieb:
... Yes, there are types of wood that can delay the problem by 10 or 15 years, but a 200-year-old alpine hut didn’t last that long because of special wood, but simply because the climate there is suitable. Wood requires some maintenance. This also applies to regular facades, and the key term is "constructive wood protection".
Our neighbor had a log house built with a 1m (3.3 ft) roof overhang all around. On the south side, it is even 1.5m (5 ft) to reduce sunlight in summer.
He can look outside while we have to keep the roller shutters down.
Lumpi_LE schrieb:
Apart from the look, which might feel cozy on vacation but unbearable for me in the long run, the U-values of a log house are so horribly low that I wouldn’t consider it. The U-value alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
You’re probably thinking, "low U-value = less heating = saving money." But it’s not that simple.
You have to like wooden buildings – I’m not a fan myself – but why question someone else’s taste?!?
Our neighbor covered several interior walls to be able to wallpaper them and reduce the amount of visible wood. It’s his choice – he wants to live with it, not anyone else!
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