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how long will it take to build my eco house?
Our wood frame construction process, beginning with in-factory fabrication of the panels, makes for clean, dry and efficient building sites. Thus, the assembly process is not affected by complications and delays such as the drying of cement and plaster.
We have developed a way to build quickly, without affecting the quality of the work in any way. The standard timeline of a wood frame project is as follows: - production (approx. 6 weeks) : upon acceptance of the building permit and signature of the contract, production is launched and the laying of the foundation begins; - delivery and assembly (7 to 10 days) : the panels and elements are transported to the building site and assembled. At this point, that is to say at 8- to 10-weeks after the signing of the contract, the house is "hors-eau hors-air" - assembly is complete and secondary works may begin. - 1 to 2 months later, depending on the degree of interior finishing requested, the house is equipped and ready for moving day. is a wooden house more expensive than a traditional (masonry) house?
Good news: not anymore
Generally speaking, the wood house in France has long been considered between 15% and 20% more costly than a traditional masonry house. eco house has made it possible to provide high-quality wood houses at a comparable or even an inferior price to that of the same so-called traditional house... but it doesn't stop there. Not only will your house be economical, energy-efficient and extremely well insulated, it will be a healthy, eco-friendly indoor environment in which it just feels good to live. does a wooden construction burn more easily?
Surprising as it may sound, wood offers excellent fire protection. Its weak thermal conductivity makes for good insulation : wood transmits head 10 times less quickly than does concrete, and 250 times less quickly than does steel!
Timber structures demonstrate effective fire resistance. When exposed to fire, a wood surface becomes charred. The charring rate for timber is about 0.5-0.6 mm/min. Formed layers of char serve as a good heat insulator, protecting inner layers of wood from high temperatures and preventing them from penetration of oxygen. In the event of fire, a wood structure conserves its load-bearing capacities longer than its equivalent in both concrete and steel. When wood burns, it is consumed slowly, while keeping its mechanical qualities for several hours and without emitting toxic gases. en house require more maintenance and upkeep?
Wood, as recognized and demonstrated by qualified professionals, does not imply more frequent upkeep than do other building materials. Indoors, wood remains pristine with only regular house-cleaning. Outdoors, its protection is just as easy.
Wood left natural (without treatment) is tinted by the sun; its shade varying from silver to dark grey, depending on the climat, altitude and the wood species used. This discolouration changes in no way the health of the material. Maintenance of painted wood cladding takes no longer than 2-3 days every 5-7 years. A natural wood facade does not require any upkeep; when painted with light-coloured paint, a wood exterior can require a touch-up only once per decade. Bridges, marinas, piers, naval constructions... are just a few examples demonstrating the resistance of wood in so-called "hostile" environments. Provided that the rules of assembly and upkeep are respected, wood can resist anything. Today, there are treatment techniques that enable not only an efficient and definitive preservation of wood, but also an environmentally conscious way of ensuring that your wood house remains just as beautiful as the first day. are wooden homes truly healthy and comfortable?
Comfort in one's home is an invaluable part of one's well-being. During summer, heat must remain outside, while in winter, it must be kept inside. The thermal insulation of wooden constructions is largely superior to the norm. Walls consisting of organic materials contribute to a comfortable living climat, due to their capacity to absorb and restore the humidity in the surrounding air. Thus, the power of heating equipment can be lower, reducing the energy consumption required for an equal comfort level. Acoustic characteristics also play an important role in one's indoor comfort level. The multi-layered walls used in wood frame construction consists of materials calculated to meet required (or desired) acoustic insulation levels.
about the risk of termites?
All wood used in the structure of our houses is treated against termites through a kiln-drying process.
does building with wood mean killing our forests?
In Europe, as in France, the forests continue to grow by twice the amount of wood that is consumed, Young trees consume far more CO2 than do their elders; a well-managed and renewed forest is an excellent way of fighting the greenhouse effect!
In order to ensure that the environment is always respected, eco house uses only wood issued from FSC (Forest Stewardship Counctil) certified forests. do wooden houses protect from cold and humidity?
Wood houses are exceptionaly high-performing in these environments. In Scandinavian countries, Canada, the United States, as well as in mountainous regions, wood is the primary construction material.
is it possible to build a wooden house everywhere in France ?
It is possible to build a wood frame houses anywhere in France, as the acceptance of a building permit depends only on the exterior aspect of a project, and not on the construction method.
As the exterior finishing of our wood frame houses is largely customizable (stucco, stone, brick, wood...), we are able to adapt to and respect the local urban planning regulations. |
