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
Has it really become that expensive?
We didn’t specifically build with Wohn Gesund standards – as I said, I’m a bit skeptical about that. When I look at the list on the website, there are items included that we don’t have and never discussed, like lime-based swamp paint and a lime plaster system.
That really still costs quite a bit. I wouldn’t have paid for that.
We only included the "points" required for passive house standards, like avoiding the use of expansive foam insulation. I think that’s good and a nice extra feature.
We didn’t specifically build with Wohn Gesund standards – as I said, I’m a bit skeptical about that. When I look at the list on the website, there are items included that we don’t have and never discussed, like lime-based swamp paint and a lime plaster system.
That really still costs quite a bit. I wouldn’t have paid for that.
We only included the "points" required for passive house standards, like avoiding the use of expansive foam insulation. I think that’s good and a nice extra feature.
May I ask something? Out of genuine interest. I've never really dealt with this before... what could be unhealthy in a standard house like ours? The construction method is a concrete foundation, concrete screed, floor insulation with EPS (expanded polystyrene) boards, aerated concrete walls, monolithically plastered twice with a base coat plaster filled with polystyrene, followed by a smooth plaster coat in white, which was then painted with silicone resin paint. PVC windows and doors with triple glazing, installed with foam sealant. Gas underfloor heating, gypsum plaster inside except in bathrooms, where lime-cement plaster is used. Floors are partly tiled, partly vinyl. Ceiling is wood with drywall (gypsum board) and mineral wool insulation from Knaus. Concrete roof tiles on a wooden rafter roof structure. Interior paints are conventional from Sto. Karsten
Nordlys, I’m not sure if I can answer that properly. It’s not really my area of expertise.
I wouldn’t pay 400 euros per square meter (about 37 USD per square foot) more for it. And after five years, you might find that a replacement fabric is even worse. People with allergies might notice the difference, or my little one, who is just more sensitive.
Adhesives, for example in doors under the veneer, adhesives for floor coverings, etc., can contain substances that are allowed but still considered questionable, and others where those substances are either absent or significantly reduced—such as formaldehyde.
It’s like cream with or without paraffins. Paraffins are considered carcinogenic but are not banned.
I wouldn’t pay 400 euros per square meter (about 37 USD per square foot) more for it. And after five years, you might find that a replacement fabric is even worse. People with allergies might notice the difference, or my little one, who is just more sensitive.
Adhesives, for example in doors under the veneer, adhesives for floor coverings, etc., can contain substances that are allowed but still considered questionable, and others where those substances are either absent or significantly reduced—such as formaldehyde.
It’s like cream with or without paraffins. Paraffins are considered carcinogenic but are not banned.
Hello Nordlys!
There are huge differences, especially regarding the "health" aspects of insulation materials. I find a good resource is the free PDF from NABU:
GUIDE TO ECOLOGICAL INSULATION MATERIALS
Thermal insulation for healthy living and energy saving
Technical editing: Dipl.-Ing. Rolf-Günter Weiß, Dipl.-Ing. Olaf Paproth
There are huge differences, especially regarding the "health" aspects of insulation materials. I find a good resource is the free PDF from NABU:
GUIDE TO ECOLOGICAL INSULATION MATERIALS
Thermal insulation for healthy living and energy saving
Technical editing: Dipl.-Ing. Rolf-Günter Weiß, Dipl.-Ing. Olaf Paproth
May I make a critical comment on this without immediately receiving backlash?
Sheep wool – animal welfare
Cotton – child labor
Hemp and similar fibers – there is not enough farmland worldwide to supply the population with food
Wood as a building and insulation material – where is all of this supposed to come from?
Disposal is also an issue here. This material must not be applied to fields as fertilizer.
Sheep wool – animal welfare
Cotton – child labor
Hemp and similar fibers – there is not enough farmland worldwide to supply the population with food
Wood as a building and insulation material – where is all of this supposed to come from?
Disposal is also an issue here. This material must not be applied to fields as fertilizer.
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