Our northern neighbors, the Scandinavians, know a lot about warm houses. And therefore, from time to time they come up with new construction technologies designed specifically for living in harsh winter conditions. And given the fact that both Finns and Swedes have some kind of increased craving for using mainly natural materials, you can expect that houses built according to new technological trends will be durable, warm, energy efficient and clean from an environmental point of view. Buildings erected using double beam technology fit perfectly into these definitions.
What is the technology of building houses from double timber?
This approach to construction began to be practiced in Russia not so long ago, but has already earned both rave reviews and very impartial criticism. Most likely, the reason for both obvious successes and outright fiascoes lies in the quality of the material used and in the qualifications of the builders. Because the technology itself is interesting, promising, and the buildings, conscientiously built by the same Finns, serve well in much more difficult conditions than in our middle zone.
Let's take a closer look at what the technology of building houses from double timber is.
Projects of houses made of double timber
Number of projects 113
- 4 rooms
- 1 bathroom
House project DKp-11
- To favorites
- 129² Total area
- 11 x 7m Construction area
from 1,741,500 rub.
Construction time individually
- 1 room
- 1 bathroom
House project DBo-9
- To favorites
- 36² Total area
- 6 x 6m Construction area
from 486,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 2 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
Project Summer house for two families “Happy together”
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- 54² Total area
- 6 x 9m Construction area
from 434,900 rub.
Construction time individually
- 5 rooms
- 3 bathrooms
House Project "Viking Cottage"
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- 380² Total area
- 20 x 11m Construction area
from 6,732,300 rub.
Construction period 30 days
- 3 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
North Albion House Project
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- 236² Total area
- 14 x 16m Construction area
from RUR 5,264,750
Construction period 60 days
- 2 rooms
- 1 bathroom
Project of the House “Free Artist”
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- 64² Total area
- 7 x 10m Building area
from RUR 1,582,850
Construction period 60 days
- 5 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
House Project KD-21
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- 128² Total area
- 8 x 8m Construction area
from 9,390,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 5 rooms
- 1 bathroom
House Project KD-18
- To favorites
- 144² Total area
- 8 x 9m Construction area
from 1,032,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 6 rooms
- 1 bathroom
House Project "The Great Gatsby"
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- 183² Total area
- 13 x 7m Construction area
from 3,366,150 rub.
Construction period 30 days
- 6 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
House Project KD-25
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- 188² Total area
- 8 x 11m Construction area
from 1,383,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 2 rooms
- 1 bathroom
Country house project “Desired”
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- 31² Total area
- 6 x 6m Construction area
from 550 350 rub.
Construction time individually
- 1 room
Project Country House “Gingerbread”
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- 45² Total area
- 5 x 5m Building area
from 575,200 rub.
Construction time 4 days
- 4 rooms
- 1 bathroom
House project DKp-16
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- 128² Total area
- 8 x 8m Construction area
from 1,728,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 5 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
House project DKp-4
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- 144² Total area
- 9 x 8m Construction area
from 1,944,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 6 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
Project of the House “Ilya Muromets”
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- 277² Total area
- 13 x 11m Construction area
from 4,300,000 rub.
Construction period 30 days
- 1 room
- 1 bathroom
Country house project "Harmony"
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- 48² Total area
- 8 x 6m Construction area
from RUB 713,450
Construction time individually
- 3 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
House Project KD-19
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- 127² Total area
- 8 x 8m Construction area
from 883,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 4 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
House project DKp-17
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- 145² Total area
- 12 x 8m Construction area
from 1,957,500 rub.
Construction time individually
- 5 rooms
- 1 bathroom
House Project KD-17
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- 112² Total area
- 7 x 8m Construction area
from 849,000 rub.
Construction time individually
- 5 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
House Project KD-10
- To favorites
- 152² Total area
- 8 x 10m Construction area
from 1,173,000 rub.
Construction time individually
View all projects
Initially, Finnish houses in Europe were called buildings made of laminated veneer lumber - high-budget designer houses with shortened construction times. The harsh climate (25% of the country's territory lies beyond the Arctic Circle) and rising energy prices year after year prompted Finnish engineers to develop a new, less costly technology.
The first houses made of double timber appeared in Finland more than 40 years ago and immediately became the object of close attention from neighbors. Everyone was interested in questions about the features of the technology, energy efficiency of buildings and minimal capital investment. Since then, the name of the houses has become a household name; they are built not only in Russia, but also in Norway, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and the UK.
Beauty, comfort and savings come from Europe Source modernplace.ru
The essence of technology
The name of the technology indicates a method of forming walls that serves as an alternative to classic wooden houses. The wall is a structure of two wooden elements (planes) with a gap filled with insulation. Features of the technology are the following components:
- Wall material
. Profiled timber that has undergone thorough drying in vacuum chambers.
- Insulation
. Non-flammable and environmentally friendly fiber is used, often mineral wool.
- Sealed connection
wall structures using the tongue-and-groove locking method, providing the necessary structural rigidity.
The technology is a successful combination of the best qualities of log, timber and frame buildings:
- Natural materials
and eco-friendly life, like in a log house;
- Geometric accuracy
parts and ease of assembly, as in timber;
- Warmth and significant savings
energy resources, as in frame.
The assembly process accurately resembles a construction set Source skalice.ru
Advantages and disadvantages of technology
Houses built using double timber technology are distinguished by high aesthetics. The details preserve the natural texture of wood, which makes this building attractive to fans of eco-style, and its walls a highlight of the interior. Professional builders note several more advantages, thanks to which such houses are in constant demand:
- Quality
. Factory-made parts made according to drawings are used, which do not require additional fasteners.
- Reliability
. The strength of the structure is ensured by a rigid connection based on the log house principle, a tongue-and-groove system.
- Economical
. Compared to other technologies, you can save up to 30% of your budget without shelling out money for finishing.
- Build speed
. Ready-made parts with precisely adjusted dimensions allow you to build a house at high speed (from the prepared material, the installation of a house with an area of up to 100 m2 takes 6-8 days).
Structural diagram of a house made of double timber Source econet.by
- All-season
. Installation can be carried out at any time of the year, since there is no “wet” work.
- Safety
. Wooden surfaces are treated with a fire retardant, which retards the spread of flame, and non-flammable materials are used for insulation.
- Thermal efficiency
. The three-layer construction of the walls saves heat well (the efficiency of a wall made of double timber with parameters 44x150x44, a wall made of laminated veneer lumber with a thickness of 250 mm and a wall made of rounded logs with a diameter of 270 mm are the same).
- Vapor permeability
. A cottage made of double timber maintains a favorable microclimate by regulating the level of humidity in the premises.
- Environmental friendliness
. Structural elements are made from natural solid wood (pine, aspen and maple, less commonly larch, oak and cedar), without the use of technical glue.
Housing made from double timber maintains a favorable microclimate Source kerchremont.com
Like any object in the real (and therefore imperfect) world, houses made from double timber also have their drawbacks:
- Risk of insulation shrinkage
. Possible with poor-quality installation using slab mineral wool. When using ecowool (bulk insulation), this possibility is minimized.
- Cracks
. They occur if unevenly or incompletely dried wood was used in the manufacture of the house kit.
- Risk of uneven shrinkage of the wooden structure
. Uneven shrinkage (with deformation of the wall surface and the appearance of cracks) is possible in a newly built house during severe frost. A preventative measure is to use quality materials.
- Difficulty of repair
. You can replace a structural part (damaged crown) using jacks, which is very problematic. Communications are laid through castle cuts and hidden under the casing. If it is necessary to replace them, only the covering materials are removed.
Ecowool - a modern way to insulate a home Source parki48.ru
On our website you can get acquainted with the most popular projects of houses made of double timber from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses “Low-Rise Country”.
Question about the need for vapor barrier
The walls of a house built using double timber technology are vapor permeable, that is, they are able to absorb excess water vapor from the air and return it back, restoring the natural humidity in the room.
The technology does not provide for the use of vapor barrier film in the walls. Placed between layers of timber, it will not extend the life of the house, but will disrupt the natural circulation of air and lead to the formation of condensation. Depending on where it is located (before or after the insulation layer), moisture will collect on the wooden surface or be absorbed by the insulation. Both will lead to damage and destruction of the wall. The only place where it is recommended to install a vapor barrier is on the floors.
Insulation
Next, the walls were insulated using ecowool (finely shredded paper with the addition of boric acid and fire retardant).
Before starting work, we installed door and window frames and used the material left over from the ceiling and framing.
We calculated the insulation taking into account the required density (55-65 kg/m3). The volume of the walls is 30 m3, 30*65 = 1950 kg of wool. The mixture is sold in briquettes of 15 kg, 1950/15 = 130 briquettes.
- The price of insulation is 33 rubles/kg, 1950*33 = 64,350 rubles.
- To blow in the cotton wool, we rented a unit for 6,000 rubles and insulated the house for 3 days.
The house was insulated using a dry method, without water or glue. At the first stage, the apparatus and insulation briquettes were lifted into the attic. Next, the cotton wool was poured into the loosening tank of the installation, a long hose was lowered inside the wall to the floor level of the 1st floor, and turned on. First, the unit fluffed up the cotton wool, then, under strong pressure, fed it through a hose. All that remained was to control and direct.
Insulated floor of the 2nd floor
All walls were consistently insulated. The ecowool still remained and was used to insulate the floor of the 2nd floor.
What are the savings of using double timber technology?
The tight-fisted Finns did their best, creating a technology that allows you to save money both during the construction of a house and during its subsequent operation. You can feel its advantages by learning about some features:
- In the construction budget no expense item for insulation
.
- Due to the lightness of building structures (the weight of a 100 m2 house kit is approximately 20 tons, the weight of ordinary timber is 2 times more) you can save on the foundation
. In most cases, the strip foundation is replaced with a shallow strip or pile foundation.
Foundation organization diagram Source domeco54.ru
- No need to allocate funds for special equipment
.
- Finishing can begin without waiting for shrinkage
(it is minimal, 5-6 times less than the shrinkage of a timber house and rarely reaches 1 mm).
- No need to waste money and time on caulking walls
.
- Walls produced using high-precision equipment no need for leveling or sanding
.
- You can move into the house immediately after installation is completed.
(the timber will stand for 1 year).
- You will not overpay for heating your home;
You can limit yourself to an economical heating system. Thermal insulation of walls made of double timber with a thickness of 190-220 mm corresponds to the thermal insulation of a wall made of profiled timber with a thickness of 440 mm (made of brick or foam concrete - 1000 mm).
A house made of double timber is warm in any weather Source stroygradm.ru
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of building houses from double timber. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
Communications: well and sewerage
During the production of the wall set, we laid communications.
A drilling company was invited to construct a well. In our area, the water lies at a depth of 25 meters. After drilling the well, the pump was lowered inside. Then, using an excavator, they dug a hole around the hole in the ground to install a reinforced concrete ring. A hatch with a cover was installed on top of the resulting structure. They laid a water pipe to the house. Spent 1 day.
- The water well cost 48,000 rubles.
Specialists were also called in to install the sewer system using an excavator. The first step: we dug a trench from the point of entry into the house to the cesspool. Second step: we dug a hole 1.5×1.5×3 m to install reinforced concrete rings. Third step: installed reinforced concrete rings with a bottom on a concrete solution in the pit. Fourth step: coated all seams with bitumen mastic, installed a hatch with a cover. A HDPE sewer pipe was laid in a dug trench on a sand bed. A 20 cm layer of sand was poured over the pipe. Then everything was covered with soil remaining after digging the trench and hole (3 cubic meters).
- 23,800 rubles on sewer installation
- Communication costs RUB 71,800.
Features of construction technology
Although a double timber house is built in a week (you can watch it grow before your eyes), the overall construction cycle (with an area of up to 100 m2) takes about 2.5-3 months, which is also not bad. You need to understand that in this case some “pitfalls” may appear:
- Preparation of the material may take from 2 to 4 weeks
. This includes drying and cutting the material, and the duration of the process depends to a large extent on the initial moisture content of the wood. It is not recommended to shorten the drying time; this will increase the likelihood of wall deformation.
- Many companies do not sell double beam house kits without installation
. Self-assembly is, without a doubt, a fascinating and valuable experience, but, as you know, it is also “the son of difficult mistakes.” Qualified workers will save you from making your own mistakes, save money and, what’s nice, spend the minimum possible time on it.
The critical stage is the preparation of the house kit Source stroyartel-kazan.ru
- There are different insulation options
. They use ecowool (processed natural material), mineral wool (artificial insulation containing glue) and synthetic polymers - polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam chips. In any case, it is important to calculate the required amount of insulation; its deficiency will make the walls cold. Experts do not recommend using sawdust because of its high hygroscopicity and attractiveness to mice.
- The tree needs additional processing
antiseptic and fire retardant. Some manufacturers do it themselves, during the preparation of the house kit, others supply a clean board with a natural texture. In the latter case, you will have to take care of protecting the walls yourself.
Types of insulation
Mineral wool. The material has good air exchange, which in turn is ideal for “breathable” wooden buildings. This type of wool is fire resistant, has a long service life, and is resistant to chemicals. Disadvantages include the need for waterproofing, or the use of special compounds with hydrophobic properties. The environmental friendliness of such cotton wool is also still a matter of debate.
Styrofoam. An environmentally friendly material, which also has almost no shelf life. At the same time, it is lightweight, extremely cheap and has excellent insulating properties. However, it does not allow air to pass through, which is a disadvantage. The susceptibility to rodent attacks can also be considered a minus.
Expanded polystyrene. Some call this material foam, but in reality it is not. Expanded polystyrene is stronger, has more weight, but at the same time allows water, air and sounds to pass through better due to the larger number of voids. At the same time, it retains heat several times better than polystyrene foam.
Ecowool. Produced from pulp industry waste. The composition does not contain poisonous or toxic substances. However, the ideal fire retardant in its composition is borax, but the same boric acid is less preferable due to its not very pleasant odor and the decline in fire-fighting properties over time. In addition, special equipment is required to spray this cotton wool.
Important! Various types of insulation are very susceptible to high humidity, losing their properties under its influence. In this regard, laying insulation should be done only in dry and warm weather.
Video description
About the review of a house made of double timber in the following video:
Final touches: finishing a house made of double timber
Another advantage of the double timber technology is that it is not necessarily finished. The wooden surface is attractive in itself and will fit into any interior. In any case, when deciding on finishing there are two ways:
- Do not use finishing materials at all
(especially if the scrap parts were processed by the manufacturer).
- If desired, you can change the shade of the wood
according to the standard recipe: the surface is primed, painted or just tinted, and then covered with a protective varnish. In this case, it is recommended to choose natural, close to natural, shades of the color palette.
Wall tinting completed Source ecostroymsk.ru
This might be interesting!
In the article at the following link, read about houses made of double timber.
If you decide to use decorative impregnations, choose formulations from trusted companies. The famous environmental friendliness of a house made of double timber can easily be negated if you use uncertified products from unscrupulous manufacturers. Such varnishes and dyes are often toxic and cause allergies.
Finishing
- The ceiling on the first floor was covered with clapboard 13,000 rubles, 1 day.
Double timber does not require finishing as such; it is necessary to lightly sand the surface and cover it with oil or paint. We chose a 2 in 1 impregnation – antiseptic and transparent strengthening paint.
- Impregnation 15,000 rubles, 2 days.
- The floor of the 1st floor was covered with linoleum, 20,000 rubles, 1 day.
Minimum cost of turnkey double timber housing
It is impossible to answer unequivocally how much a double timber project costs, because there is no single, standard form of house kit on the market. The price per 1 m2 depends on the set of elements offered by the construction company. You can choose from several assembly options:
- Kit for partially self-assembly
(if there is a foundation on the site). It has a minimal cost and includes ready-made numbered elements manufactured according to assembly drawings. They will build load-bearing walls, internal partitions and ceilings, and install a rafter system; and for further work we will have to find other performers. The house can be inexpensive if there are communications on the site. The price starts from 8-9.5 thousand rubles/m2.
A practical option for a small area Source uteplovdome.ru
- Basic kit
. The company carries out some construction and installation work: the zero cycle with the installation of a screw foundation, the construction of load-bearing walls and internal partitions, the installation of plastic windows, the assembly of the roof with the selected roofing material. A house made of double timber, the price of which starts from 15.5-16.5 thousand rubles/m2, is an attractive option for a significant part of buyers.
- Turnkey kit
. The basic kit is complemented by external and internal finishing work, and the installation of communications (usually the installation of electrical wiring and heating systems, as well as water supply/sewage systems). The project will cost 16-19 thousand rubles/m2.
House with double light Source uk.aviarydecor.com
- Individual project
. It will cost more than any standard one, but it will fully correspond to the customer’s ideas about a wonderful home of his own. Such projects are interesting in their details - a terrace, panoramic glazing, a spacious living room with a fireplace, a steam room, a second entrance. A popular solution is a house with double light, when the space between the first and second floors is combined. This solution expands the interior space, filling it with light and freedom unavailable in an ordinary room. Prices start from 25-30 thousand rubles/m2; if materials are ordered in Finland - 3-4 times more expensive.
Heating and plumbing
For heating, we purchased a 9 kW electric boiler (3 heating elements of 3 kW each, can be used separately), a pump, metal-plastic pipes, bimetallic radiators, fastenings, and fittings.
We stretched the pipes along the 1st floor, attached radiators to the walls, and connected them to the boiler.
We installed a pressure maintenance station and a water heater, laid pipes for cold and hot water.
- Heating 50,000 rub., 1 day.
- Water supply RUB 25,000, 1 day.
How to choose the right project
Extreme opinions about the prices of double-timber house designs are equally erroneous. It is wrong to think that such houses are cheaper than apartments; Those who think that nothing worthwhile cannot be built for less than 4-5 million are completely wrong. A country house can be comfortable and profitable in any segment, from economy to premium; The main thing is that the project is well thought out and the materials are of high quality. The choice may be equally influenced by the following factors:
- Financial opportunities
. It is assumed that, before entering the office of a construction company, the customer has decided on the budget he is willing to allocate for construction. Specialists in the field can be of great help. Having many years of experience, they will help you navigate the technological intricacies and make the best choice.
- Features of the land plot
. They can affect the final cost of the project. The architect will definitely take an interest in the location and topography of the site, the presence of access roads and the possibility of connecting to a centralized gas and water supply.
Classic building with a mini-terrace at the entrance Source skatr.ru
- Customer requirements
. Whatever they are, the architect can help correct them and thereby avoid strategic mistakes. Thus, a one-story house with a spacious terrace or veranda on a small plot will narrow the possibilities for landscaping the territory; It is better to choose a two-story project. It is also important to decide on the style of the future cottage. Despite some limited possibilities, wooden house projects are carried out in a variety of architectural styles. Only a few people like eco-style, chalets or rustic. Much more often, customers pay attention to projects made in a modern style with Scandinavian or minimalist elements.
- Cottage functionality
. It is necessary to determine not only the area necessary for comfortable living of the family, but also additional parameters. The customer must understand whether he needs a garage, a large hall, storage rooms and a study; how many bedrooms and bathrooms will be needed. For a large house, it may be necessary to allocate space for a kitchen-dining room, home theater, gym, sauna and relaxation room. In luxury buildings, at the request of the customer, there is a spa complex with a swimming pool and sauna, a wine library, a spacious terrace with panoramic glazing, and a billiard room.
Modern project with a large glass area Source pinterest.com
Projects and prices of houses made of double timber
A wooden country house made of double timber, built in compliance with technology, will be reliable and comfortable regardless of the price category. Construction organizations that care about their reputation approach any project equally responsibly. Customers are offered standard lines of houses with a thoughtful layout, which are customized individually.
Double timber houses, with designs and prices spread over a wide range, are increasingly looking like a smart investment. In the Moscow region, prices for such projects are presented as follows:
- Houses with area up to 100 m2:
900 - 1,300 thousand rubles.
- Area from 100 to 200 m2:
1,300 - 2,200 thousand rubles.
- From 200 to 300 m2:
2,400 - 3,500 thousand rubles.
House with a large circular terrace Source yandex.ee
