Building a house is a big decision and should be well considered. In recent years, the construction method of prefabricated wooden houses has become more and more of a trend. Many people want to have as little impact on the environment as possible, lower energy consumption, and a healthy indoor climate. All of this is fulfilled when building a wooden house. But are there any disadvantages? And very importantly, how much does such a wooden house cost compared to conventional construction methods? We have put together the most important information here:
The advantages of a wooden house
One of the great advantages of a wooden house is the lower construction costs. Wooden houses are set up very quickly and ready for occupancy immediately. This results in lower double costs for the builder, as the rent for the previous accommodation does not have to be paid on the side for as long as with brick houses. This is because the often multi-month drying phase of brick stone houses is eliminated here. Furthermore, the energy balance of prefabricated wooden houses impresses with top values. Modern wooden constructions for walls have very good insulation and no thick walls are required, as, for example, a wall made of larch wood is well insulated. This results in minimal energy requirements and cost reductions in operating costs.
In general, a healthy indoor climate is present in a wooden house, as there is natural breathability. It also adapts very well to temperatures: it is cooler in summer and warmer in winter, the room air is not as humid, and the surfaces are warmer. Due to the natural building material wood, such a house is ecologically and biologically harmless, and there is no exposure to pollutants or radiation.
A big advantage of wooden houses is that walls can be moved more easily than with stone walls.
What should be considered with a wooden house
Prefabricated wooden houses 'live' and can therefore move and change. For this reason, great caution is required when laying pipes, and they should only be laid by professionals. The movement also creates noises such as creaking or cracking, which one should be aware of.
Deadly enemies for wood are moisture and pests, against which one must protect their wooden house well in advance. Large roof overhangs, careful insulation against the ground, or generous drainage strips should be well planned. Regular painting is also necessary to protect the wood from the weather. However, there are also types of wood that are more robust than others, such as larch or cedar.
What costs can you expect?
There is a bit of a void on the internet regarding costs. It is not that easy to find prices for wooden houses. Of course, the costs of wooden houses depend very much on the type of construction and the size of the house, but usually, one initially just wants a cost framework to see how much cheaper it would be than a brick house.
I found a price of approximately €40,000 for a simple residential house for 2-3 people with 56 m² using block frame construction. Medium-sized houses with 90 – 100 m² can be planned for up to €80,000. Larger houses with a floor and balcony cost from €100,000 upwards. Here, one must look closely, because sometimes the house can be completely finished on the outside, but only ready for further expansion on the inside and therefore provided with a lower price. Usually, a distinction can be made between base price (outside finished, inside missing), ready for flooring (floor coverings missing, etc.), and turnkey.
For an approximate guideline, I have researched the following prices for wooden houses in block frame construction on the internet:
- Houses with approx. 50-60 m²: €40,000 to €50,000
- Houses with approx. 70-80 m²: €50,000 to €60,000
- Houses with approx. 90-100 m²: €70,000 to €78,000
- Houses from 100 m²: from €80,000
With the prices, it of course also depends very much on what is to be included in the house. If it is only on one level with few details, it is cheaper than if I have an extra floor and balcony. Here you should really get detailed advice and calmly obtain cost estimates so that the services can be compared and you get your dream house.
Where can I find a high-quality wooden house?
For prefabricated houses with wooden construction, we can recommend Pichler-Haus.at from Gleisdorf. Here, the prefabricated houses are built using timber frame construction with special wall constructions. Pichler-Haus builds custom-made houses and sticks to the prices of the offer. This construction company places a lot of value on quality; the houses meet the highest quality standards. For example, all ceiling, wall, and roof elements are ĂśA-certified. Furthermore, Pichler Haus only uses Austrian wood, which is processed directly in their own sawmill. Pichler Haus was the first prefabricated house company in Austria to receive PEFC certification. This ensures that sustainable management is practiced here and no overexploitation occurs.
Do you have experience with wooden houses? I look forward to testimonials or tips as a comment or email!
Also read: Tips for designing the front garden
Photo by Pichler-Haus.at
