Half-timbered house: the pros and cons of technology

The term half-timbered (Fachwerk) is derived from the words Fach (section or panel) and Werk (construction). It is believed that the style originated in the XV century. Initially, the house was a construction of beams connected at different angles.

The distinctive feature of the half-timbered frame - the supporting beams are not inside the walls, but “look out”

The filling of the gaps between the beams served as a mixture of straw, dung and lime, and later - brick or stone and clay. Later, aerated concrete or mineral wool began to be used as a filler. The latest trend was the glazing. One thing always remains unchanged - a rigid frame of dark-painted wood that is always in sight. By the way, it was also improved - the most often used is a frame from glued, occasionally - from a profiled bar.

Pluses of half-timbered houses

The advantages of technology are one of the first things visitors are interested in when they choose from what and how to build a house.

1. Stylish appearance . A half-timbered house is notable for its special airiness and weightlessness, and its large glass area only underlines this impression.

2. Durability . Glass is practically not subject to aging, and glued laminated wood rots less than usual, and it doesn’t quite like taste to bugs due to the presence of glue in it.

Project of a house built using the half-timbered technology

1. Possibility construction in any climate . Despite the fact that the construction technology was born in the mild climate of Germany, the half-timbered style successfully adapted to the harsh Russian conditions. Thanks to heat-saving glass packs, such houses are not afraid of either frost or heat.

2. Open to sunlight . A large glass area - up to 3/4 of the wall area, as well as skylights - allows the house to pass the maximum amount of sunshine, which is especially important in the autumn-winter-spring period.

The project of the house on the frame technology with panoramic windows

1. Short construction time . The house, depending on the size, can be erected in just 1-2 months, without taking into account the time for laying the foundation.

2. No shrinkage . Shrinkage of the house is no more than 1-2%, which allows you to start finishing it immediately after completion of construction.

3. Lack of cracks . If cracks appear, then it can be said that microscopic - no more than 1 mm.

4. Unsatisfactory to exterior and interior decoration . The timber can be simply sanded and covered with paint or mastic, and the glass does not require finishing at all.

The facade of the half-timbered house

1. The possibility of building long spans . Glued laminated timber allows you to leave spans of more than 6 meters in length, and this makes the rooms inside the house spacious.

2. Lightweight Foundation . The design of the house is relatively light, due to which you can not build a strongly deep massive and, consequently, an expensive foundation.

3. Possibility of high-rise construction . This technology allows building houses up to 4 (!) Floors.

4. No need to use heavy equipment .

5. Factory manufacturing . Remember, the manufacture of domokomplekt at the factory, for example from the construction company "EcoComplect", usually takes 2-3 weeks, so it is advisable to order it in advance.

6. Environmental friendliness . In the construction of the house is used glass and wood, and they are considered environmentally friendly building materials.

7. A feeling of closeness to nature . Thanks to the glass facade, the surrounding nature is getting closer.

Half-timbered home interior

Half-timbered technology

1. Cost . Half-timbered construction technology is more expensive. This is explained by the fact that glued laminated timber is more expensive than usual, and energy-saving glass is also.

2. Additional thermal insulation . Such houses use glass made only with energy-saving technologies, such as low-emission, heated or double-glazed windows filled with argon. And the floor is equipped with a "warm floor" system, which ensures uniform heating of the house.

3. The fragility of the house . If triplex thickness up to 6 mm is used for glazing, then it beats only from a very strong impact and does not shatter to smithereens like ordinary glass, but it remains to hang on a special polymer film. However, for increased security, you can put armored glass. The required strength of the house and gives the frame of timber.

4. Overheating in the summer heat . The use of glass with a special coating or tinting helps protect the house from overheating and excessive UV radiation.

For more information about the construction of a half-timbered house and the technology itself, see the following video:

This may be interesting! More video material on the topic of half-timbered houses, you can find on the video channel of the building company "EcoComplect" - partner of the exhibition "Low-Rise Country"

Which is better to choose

We hope that the advantages and disadvantages voiced above for the construction of half-timbered houses will help you to make the final choice. But if you suddenly have questions or are interested in finding out about other construction methods or materials, then at the “Low-Rise Country” home exhibition you can always talk with experts and literally “feel” houses made with different technologies.

Sign up for a tour where you will get answers to any interesting question related to low-rise construction.

Rate this article, we tried for you