Fachwerk house: revealing secrets

Features of technology, cost of a square, DIY construction

There are different opinions about whether it is worth undertaking such work; technologies for the construction of such a building are being discussed. But it is difficult to disagree that a house with a frame made of wood, the elements of which encircle the structure, looks really impressive.

Someone only dreams of building such a house, but someone has already decided on this step. For example, a portal user with a nickname asx_75 He himself builds half-timbered houses using the technology and in the course of work he encountered certain difficulties.

Indeed, the topic of building a half-timbered house may well be brought up for study as part of a separate course at a construction university. We want to share some tips that might help you build a half-timbered house with your own hands.

History of architectural style

The half-timbered structure is a structure based on a rigid frame made of timber. Support elements are vertical, horizontal and inclined. The gaps between them were filled with clay with the addition of straw or stone.

It is believed that this type of building structure and style originated in Germany in the 15th century, but such buildings were also erected in other European countries. For example, in the UK in the main squares of cities. The name "fachwerk" can be translated as "frame construction". However, the technology is different from modern frame houses. In the latter, the supporting elements of the structure are hidden behind the skin. In half-timbered houses, the supports remain visible.

Such houses were common in the Middle Ages throughout Europe. In the half-timbered style, houses were built for the nobility, using valuable wood species (for example, oak), as well as warehouses, small churches. These could be one- and two-story buildings.

Nowadays, the technique has been improved, and modern materials are used in construction. This made it possible to reduce heat loss and make the structure more reliable. Almost nobody builds traditional half-timbered houses today. Instead of clay panels, chipboard, glass, aerated concrete, etc. are used.

The cost

The construction price depends on many factors and can vary significantly. On average, the cost of such houses is from 33 thousand. rub. per m², and project development - from 1300 thousand. rub. Construction companies offer turnkey half-timbered buildings, the cost of which can start from 1680 thousand. rub.

DIY half-timbered construction

Some of our users assume that building a half-timbered house is quite simple. Here is what our user kolos writes:

kolos

... NBut half-timbered houses, in fact, are much cheaper and simpler, and there are very few offers.

But there are also other opinions.

Professional carpenter and specialist in half-timbered technologies N. Gerasimov argues that the complexity of the half-timbered structure is that it is necessary to build a span without load-bearing walls of great width.

Difficulties arise for a number of reasons. First, a number of accurate calculations need to be made. You cannot put racks in any order. This will lead to dire consequences in the future. Moreover, it is worth considering that the structure has beams not only outside, but also inside. This whole system is connected, evenly distributes the load of the building.

Second, in the cold domestic climate, such buildings may be impractical. Due to temperature changes, small gaps appear in the materials, especially when using adobe. Because of this, the house is blown by the wind.

Thirdly, natural wood is a fire hazardous material. It requires constant care. It is impregnated with antiseptics and fire retardants. Moreover, every 2-3 years, the procedure must be carried out again.

Calculations

The construction of any house (and half-timbered is no exception) begins with calculations. In the case of a half-timbered house, you can use a special computer program. Otherwise, there is a chance of making a mistake. It makes sense to provide for the presence of such supporting structures:

• mang and corner mang;
• half-man;
• "St. Andrew's cross";
• small man;
• Wildermann and Angular Wildermann.

It may be easier to order a ready-made kit from companies that are engaged in the construction of half-timbered houses. Experts will develop a project, manufacture all supporting elements and process them correctly. It is important that the design does not turn out to be elementary unsafe.

Here is what our user with the nickname says about this I.B.M.: "Fachwerk, modern, requires a high-precision CNC machining center on the farm, costing a dollar."

Of course, in the past, carpenters used primitive tools and built durable houses using this technology. But in those days, the requirements for energy efficiency and comfort of buildings were lower. A half-timbered house will be durable and warm for us, modern – with a construction approach that is applicable today.

The main stages of construction

If you want to independently build a house using half-timbered technology and are not afraid of possible difficulties, you can consider the main stages of construction. The structure is erected in the following sequence:

• All wooden structural elements are manufactured according to the prepared project. They are cut out and treated with fire retardants that prevent the development of fire and antiseptics against mold and insects.
• A foundation is created on which a structure of wooden elements is installed.
• The frame is filled with thermal insulation and external and internal panels are mounted.
• Windows, doors, roofing, interfloor ceilings are being installed.
• Interior and exterior wall decoration is in progress.

Many projects involve the use of panoramic windows. Previously, it was believed that it was these structural elements that did not allow the construction of half-timbered houses in cold climates. Now energy-saving double-glazed windows are used, which do not let warm air out of the room.

Foundation and bottom rail

The foundation is chosen depending on the material of the walls, roof, type of soil and other factors. If these are light frame elements, you can install a screw pile foundation. For heavy walls, such as those filled with brick, stone or traditional clay and straw, a strip foundation is required.

It is lowered below the level of soil freezing. Otherwise, during severe frosts due to heaving of the soil, the base of the building will be damaged and cracks will appear on the walls. Waterproofing must be laid on the foundation. The width of the strip foundation should not exceed 50 cm.

Glued laminated timber is used for all supporting structures. It practically does not change its size with fluctuations in temperature and humidity. It is permissible to use ordinary dry timber. The cross-section of the support elements is 150x150 mm. This material is chosen asx_75 for your half-timbered house:

asx_75

FORUMHOUSE member

It is from observations that the frame in such buildings is massive. The 200th bar is difficult to turn alone, the 100th is thin. I decided to stay on a 150x150 mm timber - moderately massive.

During the construction of the original half-timbered houses, the pillars were dug into the ground or placed on stones. But it is more practical to attach a strapping bar to the foundation. The vertical supports of the structure will be fixed to it. The harness is fixed to the base with anchor bolts. The floor logs are immediately laid, insulation is done. Mineral wool or other suitable insulation is sewn up with moisture-resistant plywood.

Assembling the frame

The basis of the frame is made up of vertical pillars. They are placed at a distance of about 60 cm from each other. Horizontal beams are installed at the level of windows, doors, floors. The connection of the beams is done in half a tree or in a thorn. Fixation is performed using wooden dowels. It is possible to qualitatively fasten horizontal and vertical beams with a dovetail joint, also using pins.

аsx_75 used to connect the anchor.

asx_75

FORUMHOUSE member

Here, as you understand, one more defect surfaced – it would be easier to insert the threaded pins. But what's done is done. A hole was drilled in the post, the anchors were driven in and the nuts were tightened. I confess that in one place the anchor went crooked and came out outward, but as the year that has passed since that moment shows, no (perhaps so far) negative consequences watching.

Bracing (inclined structural elements) increase the rigidity of the frame, giving the building that special look of an old European home. Therefore, they need to be distributed so that a spectacular pattern is obtained. The braces are inscribed in the cells formed by vertical and horizontal beams. Attachment is also carried out by a hidden thorn or "dovetail". They use pins and metal corners to increase the reliability of the structure. Finding the brace corners can be difficult, so using them for angled elements is desirable but not required. All wooden elements are treated with a fire retardant and antiseptic before assembly.

Walls

Half-timbered walls must meet the following requirements:

• should be slightly thinner than a bar;
• be durable, resistant to adverse weather effects;
• have low thermal conductivity.

Therefore, you need to think about what material the openings will be filled with. Using wood concrete or adobe, you need to install a lattice in wooden beams. It is made from branches, slats or steel mesh (cells 50x50 mm). The mesh is fixed with self-tapping screws to the timber. Then it is coated with the selected material.

To install plywood, wood concrete sheets or OSB, folds (quarter) are cut out in the timber along the edges of the inner side. It is advisable to work with an electric saw, in which the cutting depth is regulated. To calculate the groove depth, add 1 cm to the sheet thickness. Its width is 2 cm.

If sheets of plywood or other similar material are used for interior and exterior decoration, grooves are made on the inside and outside of the timber. After assembling the frame, the panels are inserted into the places prepared for them from the inside and outside. Insulation is placed between the panels. To increase the fire safety of the house, use mineral wool with a vapor barrier.

Adobe and wood concrete make it possible to create a traditional half-timbered house, but their thermal conductivity is higher than when using sandwich technology. Therefore, such materials are used today very rarely and only in a relatively warm climatic zone. After the walls of adobe and wood concrete have dried, they must be caulked like a regular log house.

Walls today are built of bricks, aerated concrete, panoramic glazing. The choice depends on the preferences of the home owners, climatic conditions and the construction budget.

аsx_75 made the walls of bricks: “This is how the openings are filled with bricks. Agree, it is easier to fit it than a larger foam block, which is not used in the classics. "

Windows and doors

You can install metal-plastic structures, but you need to fix them on a window. Otherwise, due to the resizing of the wooden frame elements, large gaps will appear or the structure will jam. It is important to consider high-quality ventilation in the room.

аsx_75 I installed the door like this: “Yes, I set the jamb (frame), of course, according to the level, drilled holes and pulled it to the timber with self-tapping screws 3 × 120 mm (yellow, nothing like). Later I will fill in the space between the frame and the timber. "

Slabs, roof

Overlapping in such houses is built in the same way as in frame and wooden houses. The second floor logs are the ceiling on the first floor. Therefore, insulation is used only for the floor of the first floor. The roof is also mounted using the same technology as in a wooden or frame house.

Finishing

From the outside, the facade is carefully caulked. The walls are painted in light colors, and the timber is treated with dark varnish or paint. For this, vapor-permeable compositions are used. The panels can be coated with any type of paint.

Any decoration is applied inside the house. Most often, drywall or wooden lining is used. You can plaster the walls or keep the original look of finishing materials. They are coated with water-based varnish.

In the discussion on the forum you can get acquainted with all the details of the construction at home user asx_75.

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You can learn more about this ancient, but still relevant technology to this day from the material "Modern half-timbered house: tradition and innovation". And a subspecies of half-timbered timber is such an original frame as Post and Beam. In the video - about half-timbered timber from a profiled bar.

Do you think it makes sense to build a classic half-timbered house or is it easier to simulate with high quality?