Have you ever encountered the topic of “correct” or “wrong” frame house popping up in discussions on forums? Often people are pointed out that the frame is wrong, but they find it difficult to really explain why it is wrong and how it should be. In this article I will try to explain what is usually hidden behind the concept of a “correct” frame, which is the basis of a frame house, just like a human skeleton. In the future, I hope we will consider other aspects.
Surely you know that the foundation is the foundation of the house. This is true, but a frame house has another foundation - no less important than the foundation. This is the frame itself.
Which frame house is “right”?
I'll start with the basics. Why is it so difficult to talk about the right frame house? Because there is no single correct frame house. What a surprise, isn't it? 🙂
You will ask why? Yes, very simple. A frame house is a large constructor with many solutions. And there are many decisions that can be called correct. There are even more decisions – “half-correct” ones, but the “wrong” ones are legion.
Nevertheless, among the variety of solutions, one can single out those that are usually meant when speaking about “correctness.” This is an American and, less commonly, Scandinavian type frame.
Why are they considered examples of “correctness”? Everything is very simple. The vast majority of private homes for permanent residence in America, and a very significant percentage in Scandinavia, are built using frame technology. This technology has been used there for decades and perhaps even a hundred years. During this time, all possible bumps were filled, all possible options were sorted out and some universal scheme was found that says: do this and with a 99.9% probability everything will be fine. Moreover, this scheme is the optimal solution for several characteristics:
- Constructive reliability of solutions.
- Optimal labor costs during construction.
- Optimal cost of materials.
- Good thermal characteristics.
Why step on your own rake if you can take advantage of the experience of people who have already stepped on this rake? Why reinvent the wheel if it has already been invented?
Remember. Whenever we talk about the “correct” frame or the “correct” components of a frame house, then, as a rule, this means standard solutions and components used in America and Scandinavia. And the frame itself satisfies all the above criteria.
What frames can be called “semi-regular”? Basically, these are those that differ from typical Scandinavian-American solutions, but, nevertheless, also satisfy at least two criteria - reliable design and good solutions in terms of heating engineering.
Well, I would classify all the rest as “wrong”. Moreover, their “wrongness” is often conditional. It is not at all a fact that the “wrong” frame will necessarily fall apart. This scenario is actually extremely rare, although it does occur. Basically, the “wrongness” lies in some controversial and not the best decisions. As a result, things get complicated where things can be done easier. More material is used where less is possible. The design is made colder or more inconvenient for subsequent work than it could be.
The main disadvantage of “wrong” frames is that they provide absolutely no benefits compared to “correct” or “semi-correct” ones - neither in reliability, nor in cost, nor in labor costs... nothing at all.
Or these advantages are far-fetched and generally doubtful. In extreme cases (and there are some), improper framing can be dangerous and will result in a major home renovation being required within just a few years.
Now let's look at the question in more detail.
Key features of the American frame
The American frame is practically a standard. It is simple, strong, functional and reliable as an iron saw. It is easy to assemble and has a large margin of safety.
Americans are tight-fisted guys, and if they manage to save a couple of thousand dollars on construction, they will definitely do it. At the same time, they will not be able to stoop to outright hackwork, since there is strict control in the construction field, insurance companies in case of problems will refuse to pay, and customers of unfortunate builders will quickly sue and rip off negligent contractors like a stick.
Therefore, the American frame can be called the standard in terms of the ratio: price, reliability, result.
The American frame is simple and reliable
Let's take a closer look at the main points that distinguish the American frame scheme:
Typical components of a frame house
Timber in racks and frames is almost never used, unless this is due to some specific conditions. Therefore, the first thing that distinguishes a “correct” frame house is the use of dry lumber and the absence of timber in the walls. By this criterion alone, you can discard 80% of Russian companies and teams working in the frame market.
Points that distinguish the American frame:
- Corners - there are several different schemes for implementing corners, but nowhere will you see timber as corner posts.
- Double or triple racks in the area of window and door openings.
- The reinforcement above the openings is a board installed on the edge. The so-called “header” (from English header).
- Double top frame made of boards, no timber.
- The overlap of the lower and upper rows of trim at key points - corners, various fragments of walls, places where internal partitions join external walls.
I didn’t specifically mention Ukosina as a distinctive point. Since in the American style, if there is cladding with OSB3 (OSB) boards on the frame, there is no need for miters. The slab can be considered as an infinite number of jibs.
Let's talk in more detail about the key features of the correct frame in the American version.
Correct corners of a frame house
In fact, on the Internet, even in the American segment, you can find a dozen schemes. But most of them are outdated and rarely used, especially in cold regions. I will highlight three main angle patterns. Although realistically, only the first two are the main ones.
Nodes of corners of a frame house
- Option 1 – the so-called “California” angle. The most common option. Why exactly “California” – I have no idea :). From the inside, another board or strip of OSB is nailed to the outer post of one of the walls. As a result, a shelf is formed on the inside of the corner, which subsequently serves as a support for the interior decoration or any internal layers of the wall.
- Option 2 – closed corner. Also one of the most popular. The essence is an additional stand in order to make a shelf on the inner corner. Among the advantages: the quality of insulation of the corner is better than in option 1. Among the disadvantages: such a corner can only be insulated from the outside, that is, this must be done before sheathing the frame with anything from the outside (slabs, membrane, etc.)
- Option 3 – “Scandinavian” warm corner. A very rare option, not used in America. I have seen it in Scandinavian frames, but not often. Why did I bring him then? Because, in my opinion, this is the warmest corner option. And I'm thinking about starting to use it at our facilities. But you need to think before using it, since it is structurally inferior to the first two and will not fit everywhere.
What is unique about all three of these options and why is timber a bad option for a corner?
Angle made of timber, the worst option
If you noticed, in all three versions of boards the corner can be insulated. Somewhere more, somewhere less. In the case of timber in a corner, we have two drawbacks: firstly, from the point of view of heating engineering, such a corner will be the coldest. Secondly, if there is a beam in the corner, then there are no “shelves” on the inside to attach the interior trim to it.
Of course, the last issue can be resolved. But remember what I said about the “wrong” frames? Why make it complicated when you can make it simpler? Why make a beam, creating a cold bridge and thinking about how to attach finishing to it later, if you can make a warm corner from boards? Despite the fact that this will not affect the quantity of material or the complexity of the work.
Openings and top trim are the most significant difference between the American frame design and the Scandinavian one, but more on that later. So, when they talk about the correct openings in a frame, they usually talk about the following scheme (window and door openings are made according to the same principle).
Correct openings in a frame house
The first thing (1) that people usually pay attention to when talking about “wrong” openings is the double and even triple racks on the sides of the opening. It is often believed that this is necessary to somehow strengthen the opening for installing a window or door. Actually this is not true. A window or door will be fine on single posts. Why then do we need cohesive boards?
Everything is elementary. Remember when I said that the American frame is as simple and reliable as an iron saw? Pay attention to Figure 2. And you will understand that solid racks are needed solely to support the elements lying on them. So that the edges of these elements do not hang on nails. Simple, reliable and versatile.
In Figure 3 there is one of the simplified versions, when the lower frame of the window cuts into a torn mullion. But at the same time, both window frames still have supports at the edges.
Therefore, we cannot formally say that if the racks are not doubled, then this is “wrong.” They can also be single, as in the Scandinavian frame. Rather, the mistake is when the racks along the edges of the openings are solid, but do not bear the load from the elements resting on them. In this case they are simply meaningless.
In this case, the horizontal elements hang on fasteners, so there is no point in doubling or tripling the racks on the sides
Now let's talk about an element that is already more critical and the absence of which can be considered as an “irregularity” of the opening. This is the “header” above the opening (header).
Window header
This is a really important element. As a rule, some kind of load will come from above onto the window or doorway - the floor joists of the second floor, the rafter system. And the wall itself is weakened by deflection in the area of the opening. Therefore, local reinforcements are made in the openings. In American it is headers. In fact, this is a board installed on edge above the opening. Here it is important that the edges of the header either rest on the posts (if the classic American scheme with solid opening posts is used), or are cut into the outer posts if they are single. Moreover, the cross-section of the header directly depends on the loads and dimensions of the opening. The larger the opening and the stronger the load on it, the more powerful the header. It can also be double, triple, extended in height, etc. – I repeat, it depends on the load. But, as a rule, for openings up to 1.5 m in width, a header made from a 45x195 board is quite sufficient.
Is the absence of a header a sign that the framework is “wrong”? Yes and no. If we act according to the American principle of “simple and reliable,” then the header should be present at every opening. Do this and be sure of the result.
But in fact, you need to dance from the load falling on the opening from above. For example, a narrow window in a one-story house and the rafters in this section of the wall are located along the edges of the opening - the load from above on the opening is minimal and you can do without a header.
Therefore, the header issue should be treated as follows. If there is one, great. If it is not there, then the builders (contractor) must clearly explain why, in their opinion, it is not needed here, and this will depend, first of all, on the load falling on the opening area from above.
Double top harness
Double top frame made of boards, also a distinctive feature of the American frame
Double top harness
The double strapping again provides reinforcement along the top of the wall for deflection from the load from above - the load from the ceiling, rafters, etc. In addition, pay attention to the overlaps of the second row of strapping.
- Overlap in the corner - we tie two perpendicular walls together.
- Overlap in the center - we tie together 2 sections of one wall.
- Overlap along the partition - we tie the partition together with the outer wall.
Thus, the double piping also fulfills the second task - ensuring the integrity of the entire wall structure.
In the domestic version you can often find the top frame made of timber. And this, again, is not the best solution. Firstly, the beam is thicker than a double frame. Yes, it may be better for deflection, but it is not a fact that it is necessary, but the cold bridge at the top of the wall will be more significant. Well, it’s more difficult to implement this overlap to ensure the integrity of the entire structure. Therefore, we return again to the question: why make it difficult if you can make it simpler and more reliable?
Correct jib in a frame house
Another cornerstone. Surely you have come across the phrase “jibs made incorrectly.” Let's talk about this. Firstly, what is a jib? This is a diagonal element in the wall, which provides spatial rigidity for shear in the lateral plane. Because thanks to the jib, a system of triangular structures appears, and the triangle is the most stable geometric figure.
So, when they talk about the correct jib, they usually talk about this option:
Correct jib
Why is this particular jib called “correct” and what should you pay attention to?
- This jib is installed with an angle of 45 to 60 degrees - this is the most stable triangle. Of course, the angle may be different, but this range is best.
- The jib cuts into the upper and lower trim, and does not just rest against the rack - this is quite an important point, in this way we tie the structure together.
- The jib cuts into every post in its path.
- For each node - adjacent to the harness or rack, there must be at least two fastening points. Since one point will give a “hinge” with a certain degree of freedom.
- The jib cuts into the edge - this way it works better in the structure and interferes less with the insulation.
And here is an example of the most “wrong” jib. But nevertheless, it occurs all the time.
This is just a board stuck into the first opening of the frame. What is so “wrong” about it, since formally it is also a triangle?
- Firstly, the angle of inclination is very small.
- Secondly, the jib board works worst in this plane.
- Thirdly, it is difficult to fix such a jib to the wall.
- Fourthly, pay attention to the fact that cavities that are extremely inconvenient for insulation are formed at the junctions with the frame. Even if the jib is carefully trimmed and there is no gap at the end, there is no escape from the sharp corner, and properly insulating such a corner is not an easy task, so most likely it will be done somehow.
Another example, also common. This is a jib cut into the posts, but not cut into the harness.
The jib is not embedded in the harness
This option is already much better than the previous one, but, nevertheless, such a jib will work worse than one embedded in the harness, and the work will take 5 minutes more. And if, moreover, it is fixed to each rack with only one nail, then its effect will also be minimized.
We won’t even consider the options for all sorts of small defective “corners and braces” that do not reach from the top harness to the bottom.
Formally, even the most crooked jib makes at least some contribution. But once again: why do it your own way if a good solution already exists?
This is where we finish with the American frame and move on to the Scandinavian one.
Correct Scandinavian frame
Unlike America, where frames are practically standardized and there are very few differences, there are more variations in Scandinavia. Here you can find both the classic American frame and hybrid versions. The Scandinavian frame, in essence, is the development and modernization of the American one. However, basically, when they talk about a Scandinavian frame, we are talking about such a design.
Typical Scandinavian house kit
Scandinavian frame
Corners, jibs - everything here is like the Americans. What should you pay attention to?
- Single strapping along the top of the wall.
- Power crossbar embedded in the racks along the entire wall.
- Single posts on window and door openings.
In fact, the main difference is this very “Scandinavian” crossbar - it replaces both the American headers and the double harness, being a powerful power element.
What, in my opinion, is the advantage of the Scandinavian frame over the American one? The fact is that it places a much greater emphasis on minimizing all kinds of cold bridges, which are almost all solid boards (double strapping, racks of openings). After all, between each solid board, a gap could potentially form over time, which you may never know about. Well, it’s one thing when the cold bridge is the width of one board, and another question is when there are already two or three of them.
Of course, you shouldn’t focus on cold bridges. There’s still no escape from them, and in fact, their importance is often exaggerated. But, nevertheless, they exist and, if it is possible to minimize them relatively painlessly, why not do it?
Scandinavians in general, unlike Americans, are very concerned about energy saving. The colder, northern climate and expensive energy resources also have an impact. But in terms of climate, Scandinavia is much closer to us (I’m talking primarily about the North-West region) than most American states.
The disadvantage of the Scandinavian frame is that it is slightly more complex, at least in the fact that in all racks you need to make cuts for the crossbar. And the fact is that, unlike the American one, it does require some kind of mental effort. For example: large openings may require double racks to support horizontal elements, and additional crossbars and headers. And somewhere, for example, on the gable walls of one-story buildings, where there is no load from the joists or roof, perhaps a transom is not even needed.
In general, the Scandinavian frame has certain advantages, but requires a little more effort and intelligence than the American one. If the American frame can be assembled with the brains completely turned off, then in the Scandinavian one it is better to turn them on, at least in the minimum mode.
“Semi-regular” frames
Let me remind you that by “semi-correct” I mean precisely those that have every right to exist, but differ from the typical Scandinavian-American solutions. Therefore, calling them “semi-correct” must be done with caution.
Let me give you a few examples.
An example of how you can “overdo it”
The first example is from our own practice. This house was built by us, but according to a design provided by the customer. We even wanted to redo the project completely, but we were limited by deadlines, since we had to go to the site; In addition, the customer paid a significant amount for the project and formally there are no violations in the design, but he has come to terms with the stated shortcomings of the current solution.
Why then did I classify this frame as “semi-regular”? Please note that there are Scandinavian crossbars, American headers, and double trims not only at the top, but also at the bottom of the walls. In short, there is an American scheme, and a Scandinavian one, and another 30% of the Russian reserve is thrown on top, just in case. Well, the prefabricated stand of 6 (!!!) boards under the glued ridge beam speaks for itself. After all, in this place the only insulation is isoplate on the outside and cross-insulation on the inside. And if there was a purely American scheme, then there would simply be no insulation in this section of the wall, bare wood from the outside in.
I call this frame “semi-correct” because from the point of view of structural reliability there are no complaints about it. There is a multiple margin of safety “in case of nuclear war.” But there are an abundance of cold bridges, a huge waste of material for the frame, and high labor costs, which also affects the price.
This house could have been made with a smaller but sufficient margin of safety, but at the same time reducing the amount of lumber by 30 percent and significantly reducing the number of cold bridges, making the house warmer.
Another example is a frame using the “double volume” frame system, promoted by a Moscow company.
The main difference is that it is actually a double outer wall, with racks spaced apart relative to each other. So the frame fully satisfies the strength criteria and is very good from the point of view of thermal engineering, due to the minimization of cold bridges, but loses in manufacturability. The problem of eliminating cold bridges, which is primarily solved by such a frame, can be solved by simpler, more reliable and correct methods such as “cross-insulation”.
And, curiously, usually “semi-correct” frames somehow contain Scandinavian-American solutions. And the differences are rather in an attempt to improve the good. But it often happens that “the best is the enemy of the good.”
Such frames can be safely called “semi-correct” precisely because there are no gross violations here. There are differences from typical American-Scandinavian solutions in attempts to improve something or come up with some kind of “trick”. Whether to pay for them or not is the customer’s choice.
“Wrong” frame houses
Now let's talk about the “wrong” frames. The most typical, I would even say collective, case is presented in the photo below.
The quintessence of “directional” frame house construction
What can you immediately notice in this photo?
- Total use of natural moisture material. Moreover, it is a massive material, which dries out the most and changes its geometry during the drying process.
- The beams in the corners and on the straps and even on the racks are cold bridges and an inconvenience in further work.
- Lack of headers and opening reinforcements.
- Do not understand how the jib is made, poorly fulfilling its role and interfering with insulation.
- Assembly on corners with black self-tapping screws, the purpose of which is to fasten gypsum boards during finishing (and not for use in load-bearing structures).
The photo above shows almost the quintessence of what is commonly called an “irregular” frame or “RSK”. The abbreviation RSK appeared in 2008 at FH, at the suggestion of one builder who presented a similar product to the world, called Russian Power Frame. Over time, as people began to figure out what was what, this abbreviation began to be deciphered as Russian Strashen Karkashen. Like the apotheosis of meaninglessness with a claim to a unique solution.
What is most curious is that, if desired, it can also be classified as “semi-correct”: after all, if the screws do not rot (black phosphated screws are by no means an example of corrosion resistance) and do not burst during the inevitable shrinkage of the timber, this frame is unlikely to fall apart. That is, such a design has the right to life.
What is the main disadvantage of “wrong” frames? If people know what they are doing, they will come to the Canadian-Scandinavian pattern pretty quickly. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information now. And if they don’t come, then this says one thing: they, by and large, don’t care about the result. The classic answer when trying to ask them why this is so is “we have always built it this way, no one has complained.” That is, the entire construction is based solely on intuition and ingenuity. Without trying to ask how it’s generally customary to do this.
What prevented you from making a board instead of timber? Reinforce the openings? Make normal jibs? Collect on nails? That is, do it right? After all, such a frame does not provide any advantages! One large set of not the best solutions with claims to super strength, etc. Moreover, the labor input is the same as the “correct” one, the cost is the same, and the material consumption is perhaps even greater.
Summarize
As a result: the American-Scandinavian frame scheme is usually called “correct”, due to the fact that it has already been tested many times on thousands of houses, proving its viability and the optimal ratio of “labor-input-reliability-quality”.
“Semi-regular” and “irregular” include all other types of frames. In this case, the frame may be quite reliable, but “suboptimal” in terms of the above.
As a rule, if potential contractors cannot justify the use of certain design solutions other than the “correct” American-Scandinavian ones, this indicates that they have no idea about these very “correct” solutions and are building a house solely on a whim, replacing knowledge with intuition and ingenuity. And this is a very risky path that may come back to haunt the home owner in the future.
That's why. Do you want guaranteed correct, optimal solutions? Pay attention to the classic American or Scandinavian frame house construction scheme.
about the author
Hello. My name is Alexey, you may have met me as Porcupine or Gribnick on the Internet. I am the founder of the Finnish House, a project that has grown from a personal blog into a construction company whose goal is to build a high-quality and comfortable home for you and your children.
Frame cottages are very popular in the private housing construction market, as they are built quickly and are significantly cheaper than brick ones. But if you just know what frame houses are, then their real pros and cons often remain “behind the scenes”, lost against the background of myths and prejudices. Knowing the nuances will help you accurately decide on the design of your future home and choose exactly the version of the “frame” technology that is right for you.
Frame houses are very attractive in appearance, but living in them will be comfortable if the technology was strictly followed during construction
Features of frame construction
The advantages and disadvantages of frame houses are largely determined by construction technology. The fact is that all components are initially manufactured at the factory, and at the construction site they are simply assembled into a single whole. Therefore, it is so important to choose a professional construction company that has sufficient experience not only in assembling, but also in designing houses.
Otherwise, you may encounter negative consequences even when assembling a house - if the dimensions of some parts do not at least slightly correspond to the design ones, then, at best, workers will simply spend some time on adjustments.
In addition, the pros and cons of a frame-panel house, its comfort, largely depend on how accurately the parts (beams, strapping beams, etc.) fit together. The cracks that appear due to poor fit of beams or subsidence of the structure significantly reduce its thermal insulation characteristics.
Much also depends on the quality of the materials used - since the main component is wood, it must be free of chips, cracks and other defects.
Advantages of frame houses
Quick installation. It takes 1-2 months to build a house using frame technology, depending on weather conditions, the experience of the builders and the total area.
In just a month or two the house will be ready and you can begin interior decoration.
Low cost. Compared to brick buildings, frame structures are significantly cheaper.
Good thermal conductivity. Together with the use of high-quality insulation, this allows you to reduce the cost of heating in winter and air conditioning in summer. Frame houses quickly warm up, so during the cold season only the rooms in use can be heated.
No shrinkage. When constructing frame houses, well-dried wood is used, which means that interior decoration can be carried out almost immediately after construction is completed.
Low foundation costs. Frame structures are lightweight, so houses using this technology are built on shallow or pile foundations. The use of the latter, in addition to saving money, significantly speeds up the construction process.
Environmental friendliness. The houses are built using natural materials that meet sanitary standards.
Resistance to temperature changes. The material used in construction retains its original geometry in cold and warm seasons.
When built correctly, a frame house retains heat well
On our website you can get acquainted with the most popular projects of frame houses from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses “Low-Rise Country”.
Wind and earthquake resistance. Frame houses built in compliance with all technology requirements are popular in the USA and Japan, where they have shown that they can withstand strong earthquakes and hurricane winds.
Optimal microclimate inside. Such conditions are provided by natural wood, which absorbs excess moisture from the air.
In addition, the demand for “frameworks” is also explained by installation features of such houses:
Still at the construction stage inside walls or floors You can lay electrical cables, pipes for ventilation, water supply and sewer systems.
Variability of interior decoration and organization of premises. Since a frame house has few load-bearing internal walls, house owners can make changes to the layout of the premises if necessary.
Construction can be carried out in any season. Work should only be stopped at temperatures below -15 °C.
One of the advantages of a frame house is that construction work can be carried out in the winter season
The main advantage of the technology is the price. Compared to concrete and brick structures, building a 1 m 2 frame house will cost on average 30% less.
Disadvantages of frame houses
Most of the shortcomings that are attributed to frame houses are explained by insufficient knowledge in this area of construction. Since houses of this type began to be built in Russia relatively recently, the use of labor of insufficiently qualified installers inevitably gives a negative result.
Violation of technology during construction significantly reduces the service life and reliability of a frame house
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of building frame houses. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
Therefore, when considering the disadvantages of frame technology, one must first of all take into account who was involved in the construction and what materials were used. If we are talking about a house built in compliance with all requirements, then many of the shortcomings simply do not stand up to criticism.
The following are distinguished: :
Short service life. On average, every 25-30 years any house requires major repairs. For the “framework” this is the replacement of the outer cladding and thermal insulation materials.
High flammability. Since frame technology is based on the use of wood, this drawback of a frame house really needs to be taken into account. But it must be taken into account that this is a common disadvantage of all wooden houses, and their market share is only increasing. Everyone draws conclusions here for themselves. Moreover, modern methods of treating wood with fireproofing agents and the use of non-flammable thermal insulation materials significantly reduce the likelihood of a wooden house catching fire.
Low noise insulation properties(compared to brick and concrete houses). It all depends on the thickness of the walls and the use of heat and sound insulation materials.
Good insulation will also provide sound insulation.
The wood rots. If you don't take care of your house, the wood can actually begin to rot. This disadvantage of frame houses is leveled out if the wood is treated with appropriate compounds during the construction stage, as well as every 3-5 years.
Rodents and insects live in the walls. In fact, this is a big and bearded myth, launched by no one knows who and when. In Russian climatic conditions, problems with insects rarely arise, and even if they do appear, they will not like the wood treated with impregnations. As for rodents, they can appear in any home, without exception, where there are suitable conditions for them. For example, they lived in brick houses even in those days when no one had ever heard of frame houses in Russia.
You can often hear talk about the low environmental friendliness of frame houses. Usually, antiseptics, impregnations and insulating materials are blamed - everything that is used to protect the structure from the negative effects of the external environment. Partially, these statements are not without truth, but here everything depends on the quality of all the listed materials. Any house, for example, can be finished with low-grade plastic siding, which will not add environmental friendliness to it.
Video description
For a clear overview of the pros and cons of frame house construction technology, watch the following video:
Problems encountered during construction
During the construction of any house, problems often arise that require close attention from the installers and the owner.
Quality of materials
Since frame technology appeared in Russia relatively recently and competition in the domestic market is still quite weak, the issue of the quality of materials is acute.
Some construction companies solve this problem by purchasing structural elements from foreign contractors, but this significantly affects the final cost. A more acceptable option is to contact a company that has a full production cycle. In this case, domestic materials are used, but the processing equipment is installed from market leaders.
Builder qualifications
Another consequence of the technology’s youth is the lack of qualifications of most installers. Many people can assemble a frame house, but not everyone can do it well.
The most profitable option is to find good installers
If the construction of a house is not carried out by professionals who give a guarantee for their work, but by private “gray” teams, then you will need knowledge of technology and constant monitoring of workers at all stages of construction. This is especially true at the stage when wall cladding is installed, under which material defects are easily hidden. In this case, it will be possible to detect a defect at least several months after the completion of construction, and you will have to correct everything yourself.
Ventilation system
This is a separate issue that must be on the agenda when building a frame house. If polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam is used to insulate the walls, then essentially the house turns into a thermos - this is very good in terms of energy efficiency, but without a good ventilation system you will have to forget about fresh air. As an option, you can use vapor-permeable materials, but good ventilation is preferable in any case.
Another important point to pay attention to is ensuring façade ventilation. If this requirement is not met, the insulation may become wet over time, which will negate its effectiveness and may negatively affect the microclimate in the house.
Video description
For a clear overview of ventilation in a frame house, watch the video:
To avoid such consequences, it is recommended to leave a gap of 3-5 cm between the insulating layer and the outer cladding. It is also necessary to make holes in the lower and upper parts of the facade through which air flows. This technology will prevent condensation from settling on the walls.
Video description
About the engineering communications of the “framework” in the following video:
Conclusion
The pros and cons of frame houses are often assessed completely incorrectly. Of course, if we take for example a house that was built with the goal of maximum economy and was made without complying with all technological requirements, the result will not stand up to criticism. If you do everything correctly, then you will get a high-quality house, made of environmentally friendly materials, and at a cost that gives a head start to many buildings built using other technologies.
In this article you will learn all the pros and cons of building frame houses, and also read reviews from people who live or have ever lived in such a house. So, let's start with the advantages and disadvantages of frame houses.
Advantages of frame houses
Frame houses have become widespread in Russia recently The most important advantage of such housing is that you can easily save on construction costs. That is, it does not require large financial expenditures. Such houses are very common in Russia lately.
Buildings made from this material are very light, so the load on the foundation is minimal. These houses can be built either according to your own plan or according to the plans of specialists, the main thing is that they are highly qualified.
If you want to build such a house yourself, it will take you about six months. Frame houses have a good thermal insulation function, unlike other types of housing built from other materials.
A very important advantage of the frame is the speed of its construction. The house can be built within nine weeks. The box is installed within two weeks. And finishing work can be done within two months, which is very convenient.
Also, along with the low cost of the material, you can save on laying the foundation. You can get by with just a column-and-strip foundation, which won’t cost you much. In addition, there is a complete absence of foundation shrinkage.
Also, with the help of special impregnations, it is possible to ensure the fire safety of housing.
Construction of a frame house is possible at any time of the year It is very important to note that frame houses retain heat remarkably and for a long time in winter. If you want to live all year round in such a house, then you should insulate it well. Frame houses can be erected at any time of the year, regardless of whether it is hot or cold outside.
Having built such a house, you can choose any type of roof, which is also very convenient. And the small thickness of the walls will help you save extra square footage.
Frame houses are highly durable, thanks to which they are able to withstand various bad weather. The frames can be externally finished in various ways: from siding to ordinary brick, which is also very convenient.
Disadvantages of frame houses
Now we can move on to listing the shortcomings. The main and main ones are the following:
- Tightness, so during construction you should definitely consider the installation of the ventilation system;
- There is a high fire risk in houses, so you may have additional costs for special fire protection products and coatings.
And most importantly, you must follow the rules for the design and operation of electrical wiring, as well as compliance with safety requirements for the installation of electrical appliances, stoves, fireplaces, and so on.
Another very important disadvantage is that such a house is best built as a one-story house. Since, if you build a two-story house, this will cause you a lot of costs and you will lose such a main advantage of a frame house as savings on construction.
A very big drawback is low sound insulation, so it is better to lay soundproofing material in advance during the construction process.
I would also like to note the fact that frame houses are characterized by fragility.
Another disadvantage is the rotting of wooden structures. To prevent this, they must be treated with special antiseptic agents.
The big disadvantage is that frame houses can harbor mice, cockroaches and termites. Therefore, a special anti-them agent should be placed between the floors.
Remember that rodents are very fond of mineral wool and glass wool, so it is best not to use these waterproofing materials.
A very important problem in the construction of all frame houses (including frame-panel houses) is the increased requirement for the qualifications of specialists. If mistakes are made in the construction of the foundation, then this will cause large economic costs during the construction of the building.
If you want to drive a nail and hang a heavy picture, then to do this you will have to additionally strengthen the wall or drive it into the place where the beam is located.
Reviews from residents about frame houses
After you have learned about the main pros and cons of building a frame house, read reviews from residents of frame houses.
Andrey, Samara, 35 years old
Review: my house is very warm and cozy both in summer and winter.
Minus: since I did not install thermal and noise insulation material, you can hear everything at home.
Mikhail, Moscow, 45 years old
Review: speed in construction. I built my house in 8 months.
Disadvantage: the house does not “breathe”, so a good ventilation system is needed.
Timur, Tolyatti, 50 years old
Review: warm
Minus: not yet, as I moved in only recently.
Alexander, Koshki, 47 years old
Review: the house is very warm.
Disadvantage: it is very hot in summer, so during construction, immediately take care of the ventilation system.
Scheme of forced ventilation in a frame house Vladimir, Samara, 32 years old
Review: very cozy.
Minus: poor sound insulation.
Pavel, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, 33 years old
I have been living in a frame house since 2014. I built it on the advice of a neighbor and I don’t regret it, since it cost me minimal expenses. I also lost a little time building housing. I would like to note that the house is very warm in winter. I insulated the house with waterproofing film. Of course, this option is not the most expensive, but over the entire time my family lived in this house, it justified itself. They decided to cover the walls of the house with tiles. It looks very aesthetically pleasing and quite beautiful. The only thing that doesn't suit me is the poor sound insulation. I have 4 rooms in my house, and the audibility between them is very good. In the future, we plan to purchase soundproofing material and eliminate this drawback.
Dmitry, Samara region, 52 years old
Hi all! I would like to leave my feedback on the advantages of building frame houses. I have also heard that you can save a lot on the construction of frame houses. The son is building a frame house. In two months, he erected it almost entirely and did not spend much money. I will write later about what living conditions will be in such a house, after my son moves in.
Good insulation will create the effect of a thermos in the house Maxim, Pskov region, 29 years old
I would like to advise all those who are building their own frames about thermal insulation of the house. Choose expensive and good insulation, then you can achieve the effect of a thermos in your home. It will heat up quickly, but cool down slowly, which is very good in winter when it is cold and cold.
Gleb, Sverdlovsk region, 25 years old
I can’t stay away from comments about the choice in building a house. It is best to opt for a frame building. If you want to build a small structure, then you can save not only on money, but also on your efforts. Because you can get by with the whole family working and not hiring specialists.
Alexander, Voronezh, 36 years old
In terms of redevelopment, such houses are very convenient. I personally decided to change the locations of the sockets and did it without any difficulty, I didn’t have to break anything, I just used screwdrivers, which I used to remove the panel and do everything that was needed. So keep that in mind! The only thing that doesn't suit me is that the floor is a little springy. And also the fact that you can’t place particularly heavy shelves on the walls.
Vladimir, Sergievsk, 47 years old
I completely agree with the previous statements. Such a house will serve you for a very long time. The only drawback is the envy of your neighbors that you built before them.
It is necessary to choose a good soundproofing material Konstantin, Ulyanovsk region, 48 years old
I have 3 children, I would like to say something about sound insulation. It is very bad, the audibility in all rooms is simply excellent, it is impossible to rest. At one time I chose a simple soundproofing material, which I now really regret. Don’t make my mistakes, don’t spare money on soundproofing.
Lyudmila, Kamensk-Uralsky, 42 years old
Ruslan, Voronezh, 29 years old
I chose a frame house because I heard from friends that it was built quickly, and I really made the right decision. My house was ready by the 9th month of construction. In turn, the neighbors' houses are not yet finished. In addition, the house is very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing in appearance. The frame of such a house is assembled in advance. Make the right choice!
Alexey, Vladivostok, 31 years old
I have only positive reviews about the frame house; I can’t say anything bad. I've been living in this house for 5 years now and I don't regret anything.
Tamara, Voronezh, 30 years old
When building a house, we thought for a long time about which material was best to choose, but we finally found a consensus with my husband and chose a frame house. Our choice justified itself, since we had minimal costs. Now our house perfectly protects us from cold and noise.
Gregory, Ekaterinburg, 43 years old
When building the house, I used a strip foundation, since frame houses are quite light and there will be no load on the foundation as such. The walls were lined with OSB boards on the outside. Also, I used a special plaster, which I applied to a special fiberglass mesh so that it would last longer and not come off. I painted it peach color, so now my house is very clearly visible from afar. Inside, the walls are lined with plasterboard, which helps keep the house warm in winter. I don't regret becoming the owner of a frame house.
We hope that you learned a lot from this article. We wish you good luck in choosing the material for building your home! Comfort for you and your family, as well as warmth!
Video
Watch a video about the advantages and disadvantages of frame houses.
Turnkey frame houses are offered by many construction organizations, but what is a prefabricated structure? The future owner of a low-rise building would like to know in more detail the pros and cons of a frame house. We will try to determine the effectiveness of the construction step by step and identify shortcomings. Let's understand the thermal insulation materials used and construction technology.
In recent years, a residential building called “ frame house", is becoming more and more popular. Installation organizations have in their arsenal standard designs of frame houses, and also offer individual construction. Currently, there is no perfect construction technology that would be superior to others and would not itself have obvious disadvantages.
However, according to statistics, frame houses are most often built. In the domestic (and not only) construction market, obvious advantages have ensured that frame houses are in demand, even despite some minor drawbacks.
Quickly built houses are attractive because they can be built on a ready-made basis in record time. Just two people, having a frame house project in their arsenal, are able to independently build a frame house in about a month. Taking into account the fact that it will be built by inexperienced builders.
DIY frame house without lifting mechanisms
And all thanks to step-by-step assembly - repetition of simple steps. Only one thing is important - to know how to correctly assemble each of the nodes. If you have instructions and understand the principle of construction, anyone can assemble a house from a frame.
Construction frame house It also attracts with its low cost. The specific amount depends on the size of the house and the building materials used (type of wood and finishing). One way or another, this option is rightfully considered one of the affordable and budget-friendly ones.
What are frame houses?
Frame houses are a special type of structure in which all load-bearing parts are closely interconnected. This type of construction of low-rise buildings has gained great popularity in America, Germany and Eastern countries.
It is noteworthy that in German cities, frame buildings began to be built nine centuries ago. To date, some details have undergone many changes, but the basic principle of operation remains the same as centuries ago.
At the very beginning, the main structure is built from timber, which is gradually filled with thermal insulation materials and sheathed with protective elements.
Technology and construction of frame houses
The basic principle of the technology for constructing frame buildings is a stable frame and fillers with low price and thermal conductivity. Basically, such a structure is made of wood or metal.
Accordingly, beams, boards or zinc-coated steel are used for this. And to sheathe the walls, they usually take oriented or
Thermal insulation components used:
- Wood fiber wool;
- Polyurethane foam;
- Cellulose ecowool.
Typical, multi-layer insulation scheme for frame houses The most common option among builders of private houses in the Russian Federation is basalt. It has many advantages, including:
- Long service life;
- Non-flammability;
- Excellent sound insulation;
- Moisture repellent.
He honestly deserved the “Silver Medal”. It is used for the production of sandwich panels and for the construction of frame-panel houses using Western technology. Eco-friendly cellulose wool rounds out the top three.
There are only three methods for constructing low-rise buildings:
- . The plant produces shields of the same type, consisting of a pair of sheets of oriented strand boards and a layer of expanded polystyrene between these shields. The panels are cut out at the site of the proposed construction. Houses made of sip panels often become an alternative, displacing frame-panel houses.
- . OSB is cut into panels of the required size while still in production. Already at the construction site, they are sewn onto the frame and insulation is carried out.
- German. Frame-panel houses are made up of factory-prepared panels. They are delivered to the construction site with glazed window frames and ready-made door panels.
The first couple of options can be completely done without unnecessary equipment - several people can handle them. As for assembling the building from huge panels, you will have to use a crane for the work.
Panel house on a screw foundation Insulation of a frame house
As for the internal arrangement of the walls, frame houses can be panel or frame. The first type is a kind of construction kit, made from parts assembled in production, which just need to be assembled into a single whole. Frame frame houses involve the installation of a skeleton made of metal or wooden profiles, as well as cladding and thermal insulation.
Frame houses are subject to mandatory insulation Using the latest technology allows you to fully control the quality of materials and the entire assembly process. Each of the stages. In contrast, the construction of panel houses takes much less time. The only thing you should carefully monitor is the quality of the purchased shields.
The walls of typical private houses consist of many layers, including:
- OSB or DSP boards on both sides;
- A special lattice that forms;
The frame with internal insulation can be single or paired. In areas with a mild climate or for a dacha that is not intended for permanent residence, the first option is quite suitable.
The thickness of such walls is up to ten centimeters. In areas with cold winters, it will be better to have thick walls - fifteen centimeters or thicker.
SIPs are filled with expanded polystyrene, and the ends are filled with beams. Their presence will allow you to get by with a less powerful foundation during the construction process. Partial load is taken by SIP panels.
The main advantages and disadvantages of frame low-rise buildings
Currently, frame buildings are extremely popular, and all thanks to the short construction period, reliable design and relatively low costs for building materials. Nevertheless, frame houses include pros and cons, which are described in the reviews of the owners.
frame house on stilts - photos of staged construction If you have a strong desire and the necessary skills, you can even build such a house yourself. Of course, all these undeniable advantages inspire many enthusiasts to lean towards this particular option for a private home.
But we must not forget that frame buildings, for all their quality, also have some disadvantages that should not be ignored. Let us consider the advantages and disadvantages of this building in more detail.
Frame houses advantages:
1. An excellent prospect to hide and lay electrical and plumbing communications directly in the walls;
2. High pace of construction;
3. Low level of thermal conductivity - frame houses are very warm and are inferior, perhaps, to a log house;
4. Finishing can begin immediately after roofing work;
5. Low weight of the structure, n the point does not shrink;
6. Cheap construction work. Panel cladding of the frame will cost several times less than brick walls.
7. Lack of seasonality. Frame houses can be built all year round.
8. Improved wall insulation. The cavity between the wood studs provides ample space for insulation.
9. Speed and cost-effectiveness of construction. Wooden frame walls are built much faster and, in the case of complex buildings and window configurations, they will cost much less. Among other things, it is much easier to lay utilities through the wall.
The basic advantage of this design is the overall lightness of the entire house. This, in turn, allows, in most cases, to carry out construction work without the presence of special equipment.
a frame house is indistinguishable from ordinary buildings and is suitable for year-round living Frame houses do not require a massive foundation; there is no need to lay it as deep as under a brick house. In this ratio, only aerated concrete blocks compete with frame houses covered with insulated wooden panels.
Frame houses cons
Now about the disadvantages of frame houses. Although there are relatively few of them, they are still worth mentioning:
- The project proposal must come from organizations with extensive experience. Otherwise, you may not even think about the durability and strength of the frame, which is the “skeleton” of your home;
- If the house does not have forced ventilation, be prepared for the room to be quite stuffy;
- Expanded polystyrene, like polyurethane foam, are not environmentally friendly materials;
- Lumber is flammable and this is also worth taking into account;
- Frame buildings are much less resistant to storms and strong winds compared to concrete. Timber frames, like concrete buildings, must be tested to meet the same sustainability building code standards. And yet, buildings made of wood are lighter.
- You will often have to deal with attacks from termites and ants, because their wood content is much higher. Prevention in the form of special traps, baits and antiseptics will help protect your building from pests.
- A frame house is not as resistant to water penetration. The outer layer of a wooden frame building is covered with a moisture-resistant shield that carefully hides all openings. But if water penetrates a wooden wall, it will cause much more damage to it than a wall made of concrete or brickwork.
Video review - the pros and cons of a frame house:
If we talk about the fire safety of wood, this can only apply to untreated frames. If the wood is impregnated with a special substance, it will be too tough for fire.
In most cases, all the disadvantages of frame buildings are attributed mainly to gross mistakes by the builders. Or due to inexperience in the details of construction technology. Among such disadvantages there are even far-fetched ones.
The main problem that residents of frame houses face every now and then is stuffy rooms. The walls of such a house, indeed, almost do not allow air to pass through. On the one hand, this means significant savings on heating costs. On the other hand, there is a need to install forced ventilation.
The main threat to frame construction is called:
- Wood rot;
- Termites;
- Hurricanes.
In the last few decades, fires have also been added to them. Including cases where the fire occurred in the forest, near residential buildings.
Modern technology in the construction of frame buildings
The technique of constructing frame buildings allows you to build a house in the shortest possible time, with a relatively small budget. If you build the same house from concrete, beams or brickwork, the same building will end up being much more expensive. But you can live in such a private house for up to a hundred years!
frame panel houses construction technology On the other hand, a lot can depend on the details, including the quality of the material and the climatic conditions in the area of construction.
It is worth remembering that the main danger for a frame house is water. No matter how hard you try to protect the wood from water, you won’t be able to do it 100%.
photo of frame houses using Canadian technology from sip panels Advanced frame houses are always the optimal engineering design. They fully comply with the intended task of reducing the amount of lumber used and generate the least amount of waste during construction.
wooden frame house Modern construction methods that use frame homes improve energy efficiency by replacing lumber with insulating material while maintaining the structural integrity of the home.
Insulation of a frame house, performed using technology, improves the value of thermal conductivity by reducing the thermal bridge through the framing and maximizing the insulated wall area.
A good alternative in housing construction, we will consider all the pros and cons of the frame type of construction.
This technology is beloved and we must admit that there are good reasons for this. The list of all the advantages is much wider than the list of disadvantages.
Why not take advantage of the many years of experience of our foreign neighbors and delight yourself with the benefits of building a frame house.
It’s just worth knowing about some of the nuances that contractors of prefabricated houses may hide.
Origin story
Building a house has always been difficult. The headache begins long before work begins.
Therefore, the most popular, after all, is the wooden frame.
The width of the board is selected depending on the thickness of the insulation layer.
The outer surface is sheathed with oriented strand boards, moisture-resistant plywood or cement-bonded particle board. And they are insulated with polystyrene foam or any mineral wool insulation.
Comparison of advantages and disadvantages
Alternative buildings
Consider alternative buildings.
Brick house
Strong, reliable, durable, can be made in any architecture, frost-resistant, environmentally friendly.
But in terms of cost it will be expensive, in terms of time it will also take more than one year, and besides, when designing, you should take into account all the nuances of the soil on the ground.
House made of timber
Eco-friendly, with good thermal insulation parameters, special design.
However, after construction it requires waiting for shrinkage and may give.
House made of aerated concrete
Good construction speed, ease of construction, good characteristics. But there is a possibility of cracks and dampness.
Building a frame house: pros and cons
Benefits - all for
Disadvantages - Cons
Having listed all the advantages and disadvantages, it is clear that there are still more advantages.
In addition, all shortcomings can be eliminated or the likelihood of their occurrence can be brought closer to zero.
Types of technologies
There are two technologies for constructing frame houses:
- Canadian and
In Finnish
A wooden frame is assembled, an insulation layer of 100 mm is laid, and the entire structure is sewn up on both sides with timber approximately 70 mm thick.
Canadian technology
Comes in two versions:
- timber frame house and
- prefabricated panelboard.
Inside, insulation is placed on the outside, with a wind- and moisture-proof membrane placed on it, and a film on the opposite side.
After which the frame is covered from the outside with oriented strand boards, cement-bonded particle boards, and a wooden board on the outside. And inside - most often, . The façade is made using any other material for exterior finishing.
Prefabricated panel version
The only difference is that the manufacturer produces the panels on its territory, and at the construction site only the house is assembled from finished parts.
Interesting! In terms of environmental friendliness, the Finnish option wins, but it will be more expensive. Canadian technology is more affordable in price, and its components can also be replaced with more natural ones if desired.
When looking through the offers of frame house manufacturers, be aware that most often the advertisement indicates the price for the house, most likely without the cost of assembling the structure and delivery of materials, or it only involves the construction of the building frame, without finishing.
All this is done to attract customers with a pleasant budget. The contract will offer you a completely different amount. But it will still be approximately 1.5 times less than the cost of building the cheapest house.
1 meter of frame construction rarely costs more than $600. To be confident in choosing a contractor, you can discuss it on a specialized forum.