What are the main features of prefabricated wooden houses?

Despite timbered houses around the world have a long history, there are still many in Italy to believe that only the concrete is synonymous with strength, durability and solidity. However, in recent years the attention of individuals, technicians and entrepreneurs to the wooden buildings also prefabricated, has grown significantly. The wooden structures, especially after the earthquake of L'Aquila, are now seen as a viable alternative and not only as an extravagance.

THE SEISMIC RESISTANCE

Wood, an ancient material but always new and easy to work with, it is synonymous with lightness and flexibility, the latter feature which provides excellent seismic resistance, demonstrated among other things by the tests carried out under the "project Sofie" Buildings built entirely of wood resist earthquake simulations, in particular, a seven-story building remains standing and is perfectly fit for use after an earthquake of 7 degrees on the Richter scale.

 

BUILDING WITH WOOD

Probably these experiments, conducted by TTI CNR (Institute for the Development of Wood and tree species), have helped to convince the Prime Minister Monti finally give the go-ahead, in the Decree "Save Italy" of December 6, the construction of buildings in wood with more than four floors with the exemption of clearance. This change, made to our legal system, demonstrating once again the growing attention to the wooden buildings.

The current European context of the wooden construction is characterized mainly by lightweight structures, resulting from the model frame (Frame Balloon Platform and frame) used in the United States for the colonization of the West, where the shortage of timber in some areas was bypassed by the transport by rail of the prefabricated elements. The modern frame construction is technically defined structure to "frame and plates", in fact the traditional bracing in planking is replaced by plates of stiffening which can be origin of wood (OSB) or other (gypsum-fiber). This structure also makes it possible to be filled with insulation of different types and to modify the package according to the context constructive climate.

 

FACTORY MADE TO MEASURE

One can not speak of wooden house without speaking of prefabrication. This expression, which is often due to misunderstandings and cultural prejudices, does not automatically translate into approval of the construction in the series, but simply points out that the construction takes place in two main phases. The first in the plant, where they are manufactured in advance (pre-fabricated), the building elements (walls, ceilings, etc..). The second in the yard, where is the assembly of prefabricated elements, and the completion of the structure with equipment and finishing.

Although this is a prefabricated, wooden house is often a house made to measure, rather than a home production model catalog. Designing and building wooden offers enormous possibilities for customization. The easy processing allows to create innovative architectural solutions and adaptable to various housing needs.

A further advantage is the extremely short construction time, thanks to the phases of prefabrication and assembly, is greatly reduced compared to the traditional ones. In just 120 days of approval of the final design you can have a house already habitable.

 

WELLNESS AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Wood is a living material that has high quality. It is hygroscopic, therefore regulates the moisture absorbing and releasing it as a function of external weather conditions. Has high thermal and acoustic insulation, ensuring the comfort of the indoors. It is the best natural insulation from both heat and cold. The wooden house is a house that breathes and ensures healthy air avoiding problems related to indoor pollution.

However, if on the one hand timber construction can be highly environmentally friendly and healthy, on the other hand it is good to watch, remembering that this is far from obvious and bearing in mind some essential aspects:

- Origin of the wood - usually the environmental impacts related to the transport phase are very high compared to other phases of the life cycle;

- How to manage the forest of origin - make sure it is natural forestry, never deforestation;

- Treatments and finishes - natural or preferable ones that allow sustainable disposal of the wood at the end of life;

- Insulation - some separators are to be avoided as they give off VOC (volatile organic compounds) during installation.

In any case, the same concept of house built dry (ground) and therefore removable in almost in all its parts (usually only the foundations are reinforced concrete) is far more advanced and sustainable alternative to construction methods which we are accustomed . It makes it infinitely easier recyclability of building materials to end of life.

 

20/02/2012

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Translated via software

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Source:

Italian version of CercaGeometra.it

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