Doubts about wooden houses?
Answers to frequently asked questions
IS IT POSSIBLE TO MODIFY THE PLAN OF A PREFABRICATED HOUSE ACCORDING TO MY PERSONAL NEEDS?
Of course, each manufacturer of prefabricated houses is different from the other!
Every company is as unique as the needs of comfort in life and lifestyle. Thanks to the large number of projects already studied, each manufacturer offers different solutions, from custom design to series models. Almost all producers allow you to modify the plant so that everyone can give his personal impression! Together with the business consultant and the architect, you can develop an exclusive housing concept!
DO PREFABRICATED HOUSES RETAIN THEIR VALUE OVER TIME?
From the experience of all prefabricated houses built we can respond in an absolutely positive way! Experts say that after 100 years the house will be as stable and valid as the first day. A Class A in wood and a concrete one are identical, but a Class A in wood has unique characteristics:
– earthquake proof;
–almost total absence of chemical agents in the construction materials… Not indifferent advantages in case you decide to sell your house. However it is good to choose a manufacturer who can prove all the certificates of quality.
DO PREFABRICATED HOUSES OFFER OPTIMUM SOUNDPROOFING?
Most manufacturers of prefabricated houses now offer optimal soundproofing. Ceilings and walls in combination therefore guarantee perfect soundproofing.
DO PREFABRICATED HOUSES SAVE ENERGY?
Building in an eco-sustainable way is one of the most important criteria today! For this reason, almost all manufacturers of prefabricated houses offer homes that guarantee very low energy consumption, with high insulating value and classified “Niedrigenergiehaus” (houses with very low energy consumption). Also thanks to the use of modern and highly technological heating systems you can save a lot of money. The different wall systems play an important role in the concept of energy saving: The thermo-walls are at the top of the current technological construction level and allow an excellent environmental climate and an ecological construction with low energy consumption. With wall thicknesses of about 30 cm, values are reached on average below 0.20 W/(m2k). Result: these walls offer, in addition to the excellent energy saving, also much more living space on the same surface of the project in comparison to any masonry wall that, to reach the Class A, needs more thickness of the walls.
DOES A PREFABRICATED HOUSE LAST AS LONG AS A BRICK HOUSE?
If we told you over 14 centuries would you believe it? The lifespan, and therefore the maintenance of the value of a prefabricated house, is often underestimated. The robustness and longevity of the wood can not be questioned, looking at the wooden houses of the Middle Ages, or in Norway, in Lusterfjord, you can admire the church of Urnes built entirely of wood around the year 1130, almost 900 years ago. However, there is also a study by the University of Leipzig of the year 2002 on wooden houses, and the study shows that even today wooden houses promise at least the same duration as brick houses, but with careful maintenance can last much longer. They also meet all the requirements in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation, moisture resistance, often exceeding current standards. High quality wooden houses and maintained in a state of the art therefore remain functional for several centuries.
WHAT IS THE FIXED PRICE GUARANTEE?
Almost all manufacturers of prefabricated houses today offer a fixed price guarantee. This means that the price displayed in the quote is insured for a certain amount of time, to allow the customer to proceed with the bureaucratic formalities to be completed before the actual realization of their home. The guarantee time of the fixed price varies depending on the producer, but is usually never less than three months. But there are also those who offer twelve months or more.
WHAT DO THE INDIVIDUAL FINISHING LEVELS MEAN?
Today almost all manufacturers of prefabricated houses offer different levels of finishing that help the customer to better realize their ideas, and that allow above all to save money. The maximum level is always the turnkey prefabricated house ready to be inhabited. This level really understands everything and the buyer just has to put the furniture and enjoy the new environment. Another level, on the other hand, requires the buyer to take care of the laying of the floors, the walls, etc.; This level is recommended only to buyers with great craftsmanship or who have relatives or professional friends from various sectors!
ARE THE WALLS AND CEILINGS STABLE ENOUGH TO HOLD LARGE WEIGHTS (E.G. HANGING KITCHENS, AQUARIUMS)?
There are some differences between the various manufacturers. It is now the practice of many builders not to make a difference in the stability of external load-bearing walls and internal partitions, but not all follow the same scheme. There are substantial differences, so it is important that you do the proper checks. A load tightness (up to approx. 150 kg) should always be guaranteed in order not to risk domestic accidents.
DOES ANY PARTICULAR MAINTENANCE NEED TO BE CARRIED OUT?
It is the same that requires a traditional house, indeed, houses built for over 20 years are still in perfect condition.
CAN THEY ROT OR DECAY?
Over time, wood improves its characteristics due to a permanent “seasoning”, transpires naturally and is completely protected from external agents.
CAN WOODEN HOUSES BE ATTACKED BY WOODWORMS?
No complaints have ever been received from customers for damage caused by pests. Coniferous woods (such as fir, larch, pine, etc.), being resinous, do not constitute the ideal environment for pest larvae.