SawTrade - FAQs

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about timber prefab houses

1. How long does the assembly take and how much is it going to cost?

This construction method allows for short execution terms independent of climate conditions, because the technology is based completely on dry construction processes. For Bulgaria the real terms are about 2 months for production (during this time you can build the foundation and the infrastructure) and 1 to 3 weeks for assembly which depends on the size of the house and its complexity. The volume of finishing works is determined by the customer.

Prices depend on the type of the building, the materials used and the level of completion.

2. Can you build a custom house according to my idea?

Yes, of course – as you can see from our photos of completed timber prefab houses, houses and buildings with different architecture, floor plans and functions can be built using this technology.
The limitations are that usually such house can have up to two floors (or at most two floors with attic).

3. Are there any requirements for the terrain?

No, there are no limitations here – a house with this construction type can be built everywhere, where building is not prohibited, because the structure of a timber prefab house is 7 to 9 times lighter than a traditional house.

4. What are the heat insulation and sound insulation of these houses?

Timber prefab homes have excellent heat insulation abilities. This construction method is mainly used for building of the popular low-energy and passive houses in Western European countries.

Low-energy building is a building, which according to the different climate conditions in Europe needs from 30 to 70 kWh/m2 energy for heating and/or cooling per year. This is equal to 3 to 7 liters liquid fuel or 3 to 7 m3 natural gas. Timber prefab houses easily meet this standard.

The next category of low-energy buildings are the so called 3-liter houses. This is a building that needs 3 liters liquid fuel or 3 m3 natural gas or this is less than 30 kWh for 1 sq. m. floor area for a year-round heating and cooling. These houses are frequently built with timber frame elements manufactured in advance. There are high requirements for the windows of such houses which should be from timber or plastic and have triple glazing.

The highest category low-energy building is the so called passive house. The energy needed for maintaining the micro climate in such house is less than 10-15 кWh/sq.m. floor area per year.

5. Are they fire resistant?

1. Researches in many countries show that fires never start from the house's structure, but always inside them (electrical appliances, clothes, books, furniture, chemicals, etc)

2. The drywall and mineral wool used are incombustible and fire protecting materials.

3. If the fire is so strong that it reaches the construction (usually in normal buildings this time is after 30 to 60 minutes) it's time for timber unique capabilities:
• Timber doesn't change its loading capacity when exposed to high temperature (while metals do).
• In the burning process a coal layer is created on the outside of the timber, that slows down the burning process in depth.

4. This information is well known by experts, that's why these buildings are used not only for residential buildings, but also for public buildings, nursery, old people homes, administrations, hotels and others.

5. At last you can have in mind that for buildings with special requirements there are chemicals that make timber incombustible.

6. Are they flood resistant?

In case of a flood the water that pours over these houses doesn't suck in them, because the water absorption ability of the materials used in construction is a few percents for 24 h stay in water. Having in mind the small amount of water these materials will absorb is normal for it to evaporate quickly after that.

For changing air humidity these buildings perform great thanks to the specific abilities of timber and gypsum, which easily absorb and give back air moisture without it condensing on them.

7. Are they stable during earthquakes?

Timber frame houses are recommended for earthquakes areas because of the following reasons:
1. Timber as a structural material is extremely elastic and strong. It can bear great one-time loads and after that it gets back its original position.
2. In these buildings there are no static ties. All jointing can carry a certain degree of shifting without being demolished.
3. The significantly lighter construction weight contribute to smaller inertia forces as well as less victims and easier rescue activities in case of eventual collapse.

8. Why they are considered environment friendly?

Timber prefab houses are environment friendly in two directions:

1. Energy efficiency - significantly less energy is used when compared to traditional building for production and processing of materials as well as for the building process itself. As we noted above the constructions are several times lighter and the energy needed is less than traditional construction. When the houses are used they require significantly less energy because of their exceptional insulation. And energy efficiency is the best measure for environment saving.

2. Ecologically clean to live in:
• All materials used are natural with minimal or no chemical treatment or additions.
• Timber and gypsum boards are a natural regulator of humidity in rooms.
• The micro climate inside the building is very quick and cheap to manage. This is because this buildings' construction is neutral to heat (it doesn't accumulate it). If you want to change the temperature in a room, you should just cool or heat the air volume inside it, without worrying that you heat or cool the walls, floor and ceiling as well. This effect is monitored especially well in buildings, which are not inhabited constantly.

9. What's the durability of such house?

The durability of a building, no matter the construction type, is determined by three conditions:
1. If the materials used in the construction lose their qualities with aging. It's proven that if timber as a main structural material is not exposed to outside wreckers, it doesn't change its abilities in time.
2. Professional fulfillment of production and assembly.
3. Normal usage and maintenance of the building.
The practice shows that timber frame houses have been used successfully more than 100 years. You can find additional information in our article about life expectancy and durability of timber prefab houses.