Are Wooden Houses Unsafe in Earthquakes?
After earthquakes, lighter modular houses are typically constructed because they are more stable than heavier ones. Essentially, more floor slabs are used because they are cheaper and completely earthquake-safe.
Is it True that a Wooden House Deteriorates Faster than a Brick One (Rot)?
There are examples of poor practices with both wooden and brick houses. The problem arises when things are not done well, such as if water stagnates and does not drain properly. That’s when wood can rot. If a wooden house is built properly, it will last. We have examples of medieval towns where wooden houses are still standing. The quality of construction is what really impacts this.
What About Wooden Pests?
Exposed wood needs to be properly treated. We have encountered these issues, but we don’t have any problems with the actual buildings. Walls covered with fibricated materials are not ideal for pests, so it’s no more of a problem than with brick houses, provided the house is built properly.
Fire and Wood
The myth that wooden houses catch fire easily is just that—a myth. While wood does burn, it is actually true that wooden houses achieve higher fire safety levels in terms of structure compared to brick houses. Why? Wood takes longer to burn to a degree where it would make the structure unsafe. In a brick house, the iron may bend, making the structure unstable.
Is Maintaining a Wooden House More Expensive?
I don’t think so; I believe it’s cheaper. If we are talking about exterior wooden cladding, then yes, it can be more expensive. Maintaining wood to keep its original look can be more expensive. However, if you let the wood develop its natural patina and let it evolve as it is, there is no maintenance required. The construction must ensure that water drains away and that the wood can dry properly.
Do You Recommend Painting Wooden Facades/Exteriors?
Painting wood is used less and less. Those who prefer a natural look might oil the wood, but others choose different, modern materials for facades and cladding that replace wood. There are other systems as well, each suitable for a particular architectural solution.
What About Visible Wood on the Inside?
Our construction method allows us to expose the entire structure inside if anyone wants to see it. Certain walls can remain transparent, closed off with glass. The most commonly used material is cross-laminated timber, which is installed on the inside. There can be a lot of visible wood, or none at all.
Wooden Houses Need More Heating Due to Lower Heat Retention?
If that were true, then wooden houses wouldn’t be the most energy-efficient on the market. Passive or low energy consumption for living in a house is most easily achieved with a wooden structure. Wood cannot be either underheated or overheated. This means that even if the temperature outside is -10°C, the wood cannot have a negative temperature but will maintain a positive one. It’s true, however, that massive houses are more thermally stable in situations where there is no constant temperature. It is recommended that houses be kept at a constant temperature throughout the year, and in such cases, the need for heating (or cooling) is minimal.
Because of Expansion and Contraction, Wooden Houses Crack?
It happens, but much less when the structure is made entirely of wood. When combined with other materials (steel, concrete), stresses can develop at the joints, which may wear down over time.
Wooden Houses Have Low Relative Humidity Inside?
This phenomenon is known in houses that are diffusion-tight, meaning they use vapor barriers to prevent moisture from passing through the wall—common in brick-sealed or modular houses. Those built without vapor barriers allow moisture to pass through the wall, and if the air inside gets too dry, this moisture is absorbed from the outside. In our houses, humidity never drops below 40% without any intervention.
Because Wood is a Sensitive Material, Does a Wooden House “Breathe”?
Yes, to a minimal extent, for sure. This is most noticeable in renovations, where installing plastic windows causes more issues than when installing wooden ones. Wood itself offers a pleasant atmosphere—its scent and touch are appealing. Customers feel entirely differently when living in a wooden house.
Is a Wooden House Sustainable?
Definitely. Wood is a durable and renewable material, easy to process and produce. A house built to last for centuries is surely durable because it doesn’t burden the environment in terms of construction processes and uses less energy. Recycling such a building is also possible to a much greater extent.
Is the Living Environment in a Wooden House Beneficial?
It definitely is. Just like how we feel better when wearing natural materials rather than synthetic ones, the same applies to the house. A house that you enjoy touching and smelling is definitely more beneficial. It’s nice to live in a country with so much wood, where we can afford such buildings.
