Wooden houses, an alternative for sustainable construction

Within the new ecological approach that we are giving to our society, wooden houses have become an alternative to traditional construction when it comes to having a second residence or establishing our domicile.

If we see the classic American movie, especially those that take place in wealthy neighborhoods or on the outskirts of large cities, it is common for us to see dozens of houses made of wood. A material that, compared to traditional cement construction, has the advantage of being more ecological and cheaper. An aspect that affects both the process of creating these wooden houses and their use. And it is that wood is a top quality material when it comes to reducing the energy impact of our home and reducing costs in heating or air conditioning.

Today’s wooden houses

Today’s wooden houses bear little resemblance to those we see in buildings from a few decades ago. Today, these homes have standardized designs, quality materials and offer a wide range of advantages, both in terms of cost and the ecological impact that these homes have on the environment. A series of advantages that have led this type of residence to become a first-rate alternative to traditional brick, cement and steel construction.

Best of all, the housing offer is as wide as your needs. As proof you can consult the website of Pineca, one of the main manufacturers in the sector. On its page, you will discover from small houses and houses of about 20 square meters to large residences of 120 meters. You will also find wooden cabins, garden sheds of up to 40 square meters and even pergolas and wooden garages for your car. An extremely wide offer and with which to adequately cover your needs with a solution tailored to your needs.

Organic in origin

One of the advantages of today’s wooden houses is that the material with which they are made comes directly from sustainable sources. Something that is easy to verify by simply asking the manufacturer for the documentation regarding the origin of the wood. This assures us that it comes from properly cultivated forests and that our home does not contribute to the deforestation of the planet.

Another advantage of quality wooden houses is that the processing of the wood is carried out in an appropriate way, since it is usually delivered raw. So aggressive chemical products are not used, nor are processes that may affect the environment during the manufacture of the house, nor are aggressive or polluting products needed during the construction process.

and in destiny

Among the benefits that wood provides compared to other construction materials, is its great insulation capacity in all types of conditions. It is usual that, when we go to mountain areas, especially in ski resorts, wood is the protagonist of the surrounding constructions. However, wood not only protects from the cold, but also from the heat. This material absorbs the sun’s rays better and keeps temperatures inside at bay when summer hits.

All this translates into obvious energy savings and also an improvement in the comfort conditions of the home, reducing the need to use heating or air conditioning. An aspect that is optimized thanks to the combination of the structure with windows and exterior doors that usually use PVC or aluminum carpentry with thermal bridge breakage and adequate glazing. So the result is even better, with a reduction in electrical energy consumption in air conditioning that can reach 60% of the cost of a conventional home.

Cost savings in construction

Betting on a wooden house is good for the environment, but also for our pocket. Thanks to the approach of today’s wooden kit houses, their manufacturing process has been standardized to the point of significantly reducing the cost per square meter built, especially the larger the size of the house, which reduce the price per square meter.

This cost savings comes mainly from the construction system itself, with materials whose prices are more adjusted than conventional homes. A system that has the additional advantage of reducing the time required for said construction, which obviously implies additional cost savings, mainly in personnel. Compared to the several months that the construction of a classic house may require, a wooden house can be ready in two or three weeks, including the time necessary for the initial foundation.

Maintenance

The last advantage of wooden houses, both for your pocket and for the environment, has to do with maintenance. The only maintenance that the structure of a wooden house requires is the renewal of the exterior varnish. This process is carried out every two or three years, depending on the solar radiation that the house receives and how complex its climatic conditions are. A process similar to the paint job that we usually give the house from time to time.

Apart from this maintenance, it is not necessary to do anything else with the structure. There is no need to repair chipping, sanding and repainting walls, just as there is no need to check roofs or insulation. A quality wooden house can last for years in perfect condition and without more maintenance than that mentioned. Something that, without a doubt, is a great advantage for the environment and also for our pocket.