ᐅ Which House Concept? Fundamental Questions for Building a Home
Created on: 20 Sep 2019 11:53
L
Luftpumpe
Hello everyone,
We are fortunate to own a building plot and are now facing the difficult choice of how to proceed. For several months, we have been researching, visiting model homes, and actively reading forums. When it comes to layouts and features, opinions vary greatly, and depending on budget and taste, the possibilities seem endless.
But when it comes to the fundamental question of how to build today in an affordable, efficient, and above all healthy way, there should at least be a rough consensus! From everything we have read so far, we would probably prefer to build a Thoma house (36cm (14 inches) Holz100 walls), but financially that probably won’t be possible.
When we look for alternatives, we are often told that KFW40 (KFW40 / Passive House standards) is not achievable, that breathable construction is impossible, and that a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system is absolutely necessary. Then, you keep searching and come across more “alternative” options like LowTec Bio Solar houses, which seems a bit too extreme for us.
We want to build a house free of harmful substances, and avoiding various materials is the best way to be sure that in a few years, nothing new will be found to be problematic. In this sense, a pure timber house does make some sense.
Then, the advice is that solar thermal systems are not worth it, so photovoltaic systems on the roof should be used instead. To make good use of that, a heat pump is necessary, and then air-to-air heat pumps are offered because geothermal with underfloor heating is so much more expensive. So, it’s either robbing a bank or making compromises.
And that’s exactly the kind of compromises we are looking for now. Who has chosen a particular building concept and for what reasons? Is a vapor barrier really necessary in the building envelope? Which heating and insulation technologies are still cost-effective today? And how do I create the healthiest possible indoor climate?
Thank you & best regards,
Luftpumpe
We are fortunate to own a building plot and are now facing the difficult choice of how to proceed. For several months, we have been researching, visiting model homes, and actively reading forums. When it comes to layouts and features, opinions vary greatly, and depending on budget and taste, the possibilities seem endless.
But when it comes to the fundamental question of how to build today in an affordable, efficient, and above all healthy way, there should at least be a rough consensus! From everything we have read so far, we would probably prefer to build a Thoma house (36cm (14 inches) Holz100 walls), but financially that probably won’t be possible.
When we look for alternatives, we are often told that KFW40 (KFW40 / Passive House standards) is not achievable, that breathable construction is impossible, and that a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system is absolutely necessary. Then, you keep searching and come across more “alternative” options like LowTec Bio Solar houses, which seems a bit too extreme for us.
We want to build a house free of harmful substances, and avoiding various materials is the best way to be sure that in a few years, nothing new will be found to be problematic. In this sense, a pure timber house does make some sense.
Then, the advice is that solar thermal systems are not worth it, so photovoltaic systems on the roof should be used instead. To make good use of that, a heat pump is necessary, and then air-to-air heat pumps are offered because geothermal with underfloor heating is so much more expensive. So, it’s either robbing a bank or making compromises.
And that’s exactly the kind of compromises we are looking for now. Who has chosen a particular building concept and for what reasons? Is a vapor barrier really necessary in the building envelope? Which heating and insulation technologies are still cost-effective today? And how do I create the healthiest possible indoor climate?
Thank you & best regards,
Luftpumpe
L
Luftpumpe20 Sep 2019 12:32Yes, there doesn’t really seem to be a clear right or wrong.
We only want to reach the upper budget limit if there’s no other way. Without land, somewhere around 300,000 to 400,000 euros (about 320,000 to 430,000 USD).
If you trust the current public opinion, gas or oil as the primary energy source should probably be avoided. A passive house is likely too extreme, and I wouldn’t want to build one without any heating at all.
And yes, there are now many providers building solid wood houses or massive timber houses without glue. There are various solutions, from wood screws to beech wood dowels that swell due to the residual moisture in the wood. Timber framing without vapor barriers also exists, including ecological insulation materials like wood fiber, cellulose, wool, etc., and there are even houses made from straw bales!
It’s definitely not about being as cheap as possible, but rather choosing the best overall concept at a reasonable price. I don’t mind something a bit more expensive, but twice as expensive is out of the question. And yes, we also have electrical appliances with plastic housings and sometimes wear cotton mixed with polyester. However, this is on a completely different scale, and by avoiding it here, I’m simply playing it safe. If there’s nothing else inside, nothing else can ever come out.
And even in an “eco-house,” I don’t necessarily need furniture made only from rare or reclaimed wood crafted by a cabinetmaker, nor do I plan to walk around barefoot all day in linen clothes. The world isn’t black and white.
We only want to reach the upper budget limit if there’s no other way. Without land, somewhere around 300,000 to 400,000 euros (about 320,000 to 430,000 USD).
If you trust the current public opinion, gas or oil as the primary energy source should probably be avoided. A passive house is likely too extreme, and I wouldn’t want to build one without any heating at all.
And yes, there are now many providers building solid wood houses or massive timber houses without glue. There are various solutions, from wood screws to beech wood dowels that swell due to the residual moisture in the wood. Timber framing without vapor barriers also exists, including ecological insulation materials like wood fiber, cellulose, wool, etc., and there are even houses made from straw bales!
It’s definitely not about being as cheap as possible, but rather choosing the best overall concept at a reasonable price. I don’t mind something a bit more expensive, but twice as expensive is out of the question. And yes, we also have electrical appliances with plastic housings and sometimes wear cotton mixed with polyester. However, this is on a completely different scale, and by avoiding it here, I’m simply playing it safe. If there’s nothing else inside, nothing else can ever come out.
And even in an “eco-house,” I don’t necessarily need furniture made only from rare or reclaimed wood crafted by a cabinetmaker, nor do I plan to walk around barefoot all day in linen clothes. The world isn’t black and white.
L
Luftpumpe20 Sep 2019 12:36@Lenschke:
May I ask which provider was chosen and what other advantages you expect or were promised? So, the walls are vapor-permeable without mechanical ventilation and with underfloor heating? Air-to-water heat pump? Basement? KfW level? How much more expensive than "regular" construction would you estimate?
May I ask which provider was chosen and what other advantages you expect or were promised? So, the walls are vapor-permeable without mechanical ventilation and with underfloor heating? Air-to-water heat pump? Basement? KfW level? How much more expensive than "regular" construction would you estimate?
@Luftpumpe sure, you can ask. We are going to build an Isowood house from the Sauerland region. Whether it actually lives up to all the promises, I can’t say yet – construction will only start next year. The homeowners we have spoken to so far seemed satisfied.
They advertise it as vapor-permeable, which many do. Among them are Isowood and Holz & Raum. We actually found the indoor climate in the existing houses to be more comfortable. However, if you cover the walls with the wrong paint, that advantage will probably be lost. Instead of a vapor barrier (plastic sheet), they use an OSB board as a vapor retarder. There is room for debate about how pollutant-free that is. It’s better to see for yourself. One advantage: you don’t need anchors for hanging furniture.
More expensive: hard to say. We had a rather affordable solid construction builder locally. Their fittings were also much simpler. Since it didn’t fit our needs, we didn’t pursue it further or select materials. Another prefabricated house supplier (also medium-sized, similar concept) was significantly more expensive. I estimate a solid builder of similar quality is priced similarly.
PS: By the way, they are also featured in some model home parks.
They advertise it as vapor-permeable, which many do. Among them are Isowood and Holz & Raum. We actually found the indoor climate in the existing houses to be more comfortable. However, if you cover the walls with the wrong paint, that advantage will probably be lost. Instead of a vapor barrier (plastic sheet), they use an OSB board as a vapor retarder. There is room for debate about how pollutant-free that is. It’s better to see for yourself. One advantage: you don’t need anchors for hanging furniture.
More expensive: hard to say. We had a rather affordable solid construction builder locally. Their fittings were also much simpler. Since it didn’t fit our needs, we didn’t pursue it further or select materials. Another prefabricated house supplier (also medium-sized, similar concept) was significantly more expensive. I estimate a solid builder of similar quality is priced similarly.
PS: By the way, they are also featured in some model home parks.
L
Luftpumpe20 Sep 2019 13:15OK, thanks! We have a consultation appointment with Isowood this weekend, so I’ll try to get a clearer picture then. Are you allowed to share documents or offers? I’d appreciate a private message (I’m not allowed yet)!
Basically, I also prefer to build solidly, whether with stone or wood. We’ve already visited some solid wood constructions, but somehow the overall concept was often missing. They do build a solid shell, but when specific questions about the KfW standard come up, things get tricky. Prefabricated house providers definitely have an advantage there.
Currently, we are looking at a 2.5-story house with about 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft). Since the area is the main cost driver, this is probably where we would make cutbacks if needed. The focus is on the three children’s rooms and an office, and we don’t place much value on large bathrooms since we spend little time there. We also want to have some budget left for the exterior landscaping.
Basically, I also prefer to build solidly, whether with stone or wood. We’ve already visited some solid wood constructions, but somehow the overall concept was often missing. They do build a solid shell, but when specific questions about the KfW standard come up, things get tricky. Prefabricated house providers definitely have an advantage there.
Currently, we are looking at a 2.5-story house with about 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft). Since the area is the main cost driver, this is probably where we would make cutbacks if needed. The focus is on the three children’s rooms and an office, and we don’t place much value on large bathrooms since we spend little time there. We also want to have some budget left for the exterior landscaping.
Lenschke schrieb:
Since we are building with wood stud framing without a vapor barrier, I have to disagree. By the way, we are also building without a mechanical ventilation system, but that is a matter of preference. Our company mostly builds without ventilation systems, and this works well. However, I work from home and can ventilate a lot when needed, so everyone should decide this for themselves.
Basically: at Wohngesund everyone has their own opinion. Together with the aspect of climate protection, we chose wood. The insulation material is also made from compressed wood. But the masonry camp (at least monolithic) also has good arguments, and you just have to choose your own path.
It should be clear to you: if these points are important to you, it tends to be somewhat more expensive. Then I take that back. I have never come across wood stud framing without a vapor barrier.
Much of it is marketing. You must not forget, every salesperson claims to offer the best and only wants your best (money).
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