Double bar. Double Timber Houses: Advantages and Disadvantages of New Construction Technologies Double Timber House

Excellent thermal insulation qualities, strength and reliability of structures, which are provided by a special construction technology, have made double-walled houses popular and in demand. High sound insulation increases the comfort of living, and natural wood makes housing environmentally friendly and safe. The "double beam" system according to Finnish technology - a warm home and comfort. What is the peculiarity of constructive solutions?

Features of construction technology

For the construction of a house, there are many materials and technologies for the construction of basic structures, which have different levels of complexity and can be used independently or only with the participation of professional workers.

Choosing the material for the construction of a residential building, the future owner pays special attention to the following aspects:

1. Terms of construction, finishing and start of operation.
2. Structural strength and durability.
3. Energy efficiency of the building.
4. Ecological cleanliness and material safety.
5. The final cost of construction.
6. The appearance of the finished building.

The double beam technology in the construction of houses consists in connecting all structural elements with a double hermetic lock system. Insulation, steam and noise insulation materials are placed in the free space formed between the outer and inner walls. The advantage of such a house is that the caulking process is not required, since the lock is quite durable, and the internal insulation eliminates drafts and condensation, and also increases the energy efficiency of the home.

More often, ecowool is used as an insulating material, for the manufacture of which natural cellulose is used. This material has the following positive qualities:

The construction of houses from double timber is popular, as their performance characteristics meet the highest requirements. For the construction of two rows of walls, dried wood, usually pine, is used. Hence the name of the technology - double timber. Projects of houses differ in the thickness of the walls, the type of insulation and the number of layers.

The technology is based on a two-tooth tongue-and-groove fastening, which ensures a reliable connection of wooden elements.

For the construction of a house, a standard timber with a cross section of 45 × 140 mm is used with a moisture content of not more than 13%. Preliminary shrinkage of the material eliminates its further cracking and deformation. The acquired properties of wood allow not to produce a fine finish of facades. If compared in terms of environmental friendliness, then such houses are superior to glued laminated timber structures due to the lack of adhesive composition.

Advantages and disadvantages

This method of building residential buildings in Russia appeared relatively recently, but it is already possible to draw some conclusions, to outline the pros and cons of houses from a double beam.

The benefits are as follows:

Among the shortcomings, one can note the impossibility to give an unambiguous answer about the behavior of the structure after a long service life. Since this construction technology is relatively new, there is no exact data yet. If we assume that as a result of different operating conditions of the outer and inner walls, the wood will behave differently over time, then we can expect a violation of the geometric characteristics of the structure.

Main stages

The technology for building houses from double timber is simple and consists of several stages. They consist of the following:

1. In accordance with the climatic features of the construction region, additions and changes are made to the existing standard project selected by the customer. Experienced engineers make the necessary calculations regarding load-bearing structures, foundations and wall thicknesses.
2. The developed project forms the basis for the production of the necessary elements in the factory, where the length and number of bars are calculated. The prepared and polished wood is numbered and, formed into pallets, sent to the construction site.
3. Before erecting walls, it is necessary to prepare a pile-screw foundation, which is suitable for any soil. The design of such a foundation consists of piles connected to each other by a grillage (single frame), screwed into the ground.
4. When building a house, a special method of fastening elements "thorn in a groove" is used, which excludes the use of bolts, self-tapping screws and adhesives. A heater is laid inside the air pocket and communications are carried out. After the walls are erected, doors, windows are installed, and the roof is mounted.

After the construction of the structure, wooden structures should be treated with antiseptic compounds.

The choice of insulation material

There are several types of insulation material that can be used as an inner layer. Among them, the following are most often used:

1. Ecowool. The most popular material for creating a uniform layer. The borax included in its composition performs the function of a fire retardant, which significantly reduces the ability of the insulation to ignite. Boric acid protects it from the attacks of rodents. The main advantages of ecowool are that the thermal insulation is seamless. The internal space of the building is reliably protected from the penetration of noise from the street. Ecowool has a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, naturalness and safety in operation.
2. Mineral wool. It has a chaotic fibrous structure. For its production, rocks and the remains of metallurgical raw materials are used, which are subjected to industrial melting. The material is non-combustible, biologically passive and resistant to environmental influences. It has low thermal conductivity.
3. Expanded polystyrene crumb has moisture resistance, resistance to temperature extremes, does not rot, does not decompose, does not emit odor, is not subject to shrinkage. It is an environmentally friendly material. It has a low cost, due to its light weight it is easy to transport.
4. Polyurethane foam provides a monolithic coating that penetrates into hard-to-reach places, gaps and crevices. It has low thermal conductivity, sound and waterproofing properties. Resistant to alkalis and acids. It is durable and can be used in conditions of very low or high air temperatures.
5. Basalt wool is resistant to moisture and acids, does not burn and is not attacked by rodents. Over time, the material does not shrink, easy to install.

It is not difficult to build a house from a double beam and, at first glance, it is economically profitable. It remains only to observe how structures built using Finnish technology will behave after a certain number of years, when it will be possible to give an unambiguous answer about the feasibility of such construction.

Houses made of double timber compare favorably with their qualities over other wooden buildings. The construction technology meets the requirements of sound absorption and thermal insulation, which gives the building strength and comfort. The double bar is made only from the massif of coniferous trees.

A block house is a structure made of natural wood that does not contain industrial resins, glue and hazardous chemical compounds. It is an environmentally friendly building material. Two walls in the way of connection resemble a log house. Insulation is placed in the space between the walls.

Timber - hewn boards 70 mm thick. They are interconnected using the technology of inserting a ridge into a groove. This allows you to assemble walls without gaps, heat is not blown through them.

Log houses are the best option for your own home. Typical projects include:

• country cottages and one-story houses for permanent residence, equipped with all utilities;
• country houses for seasonal living;
• suburban buildings for permanent residence.

In addition to residential buildings, they construct from a bar:

• baths and saunas;
• car parking spaces;
• barbecue areas with covered gazebos;
• children's play areas and sandboxes;
• awnings;
• furniture.

The construction of houses is represented by many technologies, ranging from simple to highly complex.

Technology Benefits

The construction of houses from a double beam has its own characteristics:

• wall complexes are erected within 15 days;
• installation of a bar is carried out in 2 weeks;
• no cracks or other defects;
• adhesives, sealants are not used;
• no special equipment required;
• communication lines are laid in the wall;
• all components are treated with antiseptics; the timber does not need additional protection.

Disadvantages of a double beam

Experts also note the disadvantages of houses made of double timber:

• Uneven shrinkage of a wooden structure. This happens because of the difference in temperature inside the house and outside.
• Replacement of sections of walls damaged during operation. They are found both at the construction stage and during the operation of the dwelling.
• High build quality is achieved only by qualified specialists, and they value their work at a high price.

These are the disadvantages of construction.

Stages of building a house

Building a house using double beam technology consists of several stages:

• a project (sketch) is developed, a construction and architecture plan is selected;
• a working version of the project is created taking into account the wishes of the customer;
• preparation of parts for a beam set;
• erection of the structure.

Double timber houses do not require the use of glue or nails. Connections and knots are clearly adjusted. This ensures durability and high strength of the structure.

It is easy to build a log house with your own hands, but experience in building such buildings is necessary.

Foundation laying

They lay the foundation for a log house after a thorough study of the soil, the depth of freezing of the soil and its level of moisture. The thickness of the base depends on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe future structure.

The formwork of the foundation must also be installed correctly. Its quality depends on it. It is supposed to perform several stages:

• heat-insulating material (glassine) is evenly spread;
• fittings with a diameter of 12 mm or more are attached;
• asbestos-cement pipes are laid, which act as ventilation passages;
• the frame is strengthened with a knitting wire;
• concrete is being poured.

Leave the choice of foundation type to a specialist. One-story buildings are often erected on a strip base. It has its own advantages:

• withstands construction
  from a bar;
• saves installation costs;
• as a heater, ecowool is taken, which does not shrink;
• the boards are connected with spikes included in the grooves, which ensures the rigidity of the structure;
• insulation is laid in the gaps;
• the inside is covered with a vapor barrier film.

One-story houses made of such material compare favorably with energy efficiency. For heating, little fuel is required, because the walls perfectly retain and save heat. Their thermal conductivity is equal to the thickness of brick walls.

Final touches

Having built a log house with your own hands, it is necessary to perform surface treatment with protective equipment, remove visible damage, and proceed with grinding.

The technology of polishing timber is simple. An important condition is not to allow pressure on the grinder and not linger in one place.

The device should be held at a slight angle to the surface. Horizontal and vertical movements must be constantly alternated. In places where the material is laid unevenly, the timber house is sanded repeatedly.

In the process of work, the surface is leveled, the slightest differences in the crowns and partitions of the walls are eliminated. Also, by grinding the surface, the pile that appears after the walls are treated with antiseptic preparations is removed.

The heating of the building is carried out slowly, temperature drops should not be allowed, otherwise cracks will appear. When installing heating, experts take into account the characteristics of natural wood and options for its possible deformation.

The specificity of the operation of houses built from double timber requires a light rafter system and roofing so that the load on the walls does not become excessive. For roofing material, it is advisable to choose a flexible and lightweight tile.

One-story country houses made of double timber are a profitable investment. When constructing a building, building material is saved. And you can enjoy its beauty and comfort for many years.

Building wooden houses has many advantages, but it is also not without disadvantages. Houses made of wood are poorly prepared for finishing. When working with wood of natural moisture, wooden houses give significant shrinkage and cracks. To avoid these shortcomings, specialists from different countries invent new technologies. One of these innovations is the construction of a house from a double beam. The technology came to us from the Scandinavian countries. The climate there is very similar to the Russian one, so this technology has taken root in our country and is actively practiced by Russian developers. Like many other Finnish technologies, the construction of buildings based on double timber does not require special equipment or tools. Therefore, it is possible to build a house using this technology with your own hands.

In fact, the technology of building according to the "double beam" system has little in common with the construction of timber in our usual sense. Often this technology is also called mini-bar construction. This is due to the fact that the wall structure of such a house consists of two specially profiled boards with a section of 47x145 or 45x135 mm with a gap between them of at least 10 cm, which is filled with insulation.

This technology is similar to the method of frame housing construction, the only difference is that for such a house there is no need to mount a frame for erecting walls.

Advantages of double timber houses

Houses made of double timber are not without the main advantages of any wooden house: environmental friendliness of the structure, natural breathing of the walls, favorable microclimate and a presentable appearance with a beautiful wood texture.

In addition, there are many advantages that, for example, a chopped and rounded log house or a house made of profiled timber cannot boast of.

• To create a blank, only chamber-drying lumber is used, which will avoid shrinkage and cracks in the finished walls. The shrinkage of the finished house is no more than 1 cm per 1 m of the wall. Such indicators can even be neglected and proceed immediately to the installation of windows and doors and interior decoration.
• Wall kits are often delivered after antiseptic treatment. There is no need for additional protection of the walls from mold, only finishing impregnation with tinting or covering compositions is necessary.
• High energy efficiency. Such buildings do not require additional insulation, except for that laid between the walls.
• No additional sealing is required between the individual mini-beams along the height of the wall. A tight connection is provided by a special profile of the boards due to a double lock.
• The insignificant weight of the wall elements allows assembly without the involvement of special equipment. The assembly of walls from a double beam is quite within the power of even one person in 3-5 days, depending on the size of the house.
• High pace of construction.
• The cheapness of the finished house.
• The possibility of hidden installation of all communications in the thickness of the walls or under the floors.
• Good heat and sound insulation.

Undoubtedly, houses made of double timber also have some disadvantages. Like any wooden structure, they have a high fire hazard and require constant maintenance of the facade (it is necessary to use reliable impregnations to protect against precipitation and ultraviolet radiation). Each construction technology is not without flaws, so the choice is yours. One has only to say that the construction of a double beam is gaining momentum in Russia along with frame housing construction.

The technology of building a house from a double beam

If you have studied all the pros and cons, and your choice fell on a house made of double timber, then you should familiarize yourself with the construction technology in stages.

Design work and procurement of materials

Any construction must begin with the development of a detailed plan of the house and utilities. Perhaps a problem in the construction of such a house may be the purchase of the necessary material. This technology is a novelty for Russian builders, and there are not so many manufacturers of high-quality mini-timber on the market. It is likely that you will not be able to find the right company in your area. Do not dwell on this, logistics is now well developed, and you will be able to deliver the material to your site without compromising the quality of the material and construction time. Each manufacturer has a set of standard designs that you can rework as you wish at minimal cost.

Site preparation and foundation installation

Houses made of double timber are lightweight, which allows the use of columnar or pile foundations. It is much less common to arrange a shallow strip foundation (in case the height of the house exceeds 2 floors) or slab foundations (floating soils that behave unpredictably in the off-season). The construction of the foundation for a house made of double timber does not differ from the construction for a frame house. We will see more than once the analogies of the construction of frame houses and buildings based on a double beam. Both technologies came to us from Finland and have many similar features.

Installation of the lower trim and floor beams

Here we can also take the stages of floor preparation from frame technology. After checking the horizontalness of the foundation, waterproofing is laid on it. Beams of the lower trim are laid on top of it, which are usually made of timber 100x200 or 100x250 mm, depending on the planned wall thickness. Installation of the floor log of the first floor can be carried out on top of the strapping or at the level of the strapping using special fasteners - beam supports. The step between the lags is calculated based on the selected insulation and the expected load.

Usually, the floors are immediately insulated and the flooring of the rough flooring or even the finish is laid. Step-by-step instructions for arranging the floors of the first floor after installing the log:

• Fastening of the cranial beam on the side surface of the lag.
• Subfloor flooring.
• Vapor barrier flooring.
• Floor insulation. Usually, mineral wool or ecowool is used for insulation.
• Rolling out another layer of vapor barrier.
• Laying a rough floor covering (OSB, chipboard, plywood) or finishing (floor board, parquet board).

If you are at least a little familiar with building a house using frame technology, then this will not be a difficult test for you. The main thing is to follow the technology and produce a dense laying of insulation without voids. The films will protect the insulation from moisture from the ground or future rooms.

Walling

In the installation of walls and are the main features of building a house from a double beam. Here you will have to rely on your own hands, because even skills in building houses from profiled timber or frame buildings will not give you any advantages.

Let's understand the stages of building walls

Installation of the first row

The first row of timber is usually represented by boards, where only the spike is milled, since the lower part of the timber is laid on the strapping. First, we mark up and pre-mount the complete contour of the first row. To control the correct gap between the outer and inner walls, temporary cuts are hammered in every 2 meters. After checking the geometry and the level of the first row, both walls are fixed to the strapping with the help of corners and wood grouses (hex head screws). After that, temporary cuts are removed and only those that are included in the technological map of the house are left. They are located on walls longer than 3 meters to maintain verticality and maintain the planned gap between the walls.

Laying the second and subsequent rows

Each subsequent row is laid on the previous one on the existing single or double spike. The mini-beam is tightly hammered with a sledgehammer through a wooden gasket. It is important to follow the rule: in the corners of the house, the chamfer of each row should be strictly in the middle of the next row of the perpendicular wall. If this rule is violated, it means that one of the rows is poorly punched or the workpiece production technology is violated. In case of insufficient penetration, the walls are finished off or a screed is made at the ends. If the technology is violated, the wall is disassembled to the defective row and they try to leave it until the last row of laying.

The screed of the walls of the house is also made in the horizontal plane. This is necessary if there are composite walls in the structure, that is, when one wall is made of two or more boards along the length. The screed is not removed from the row until the next one is laid, then the screed is moved one row higher.

Laying the last row

After the construction of the last row, the so-called plug is usually laid. Between the two mini-beams, a board or a full-fledged profiled beam is laid, which closes the insulation and serves as a platform for attaching the upper strapping of the ceiling beams.

We have already said that the technology does not require special equipment or a large number of people. However, when assembling the walls of a house from a double beam, great care and painstaking work are required.

Wall insulation

As with frame structures, this is the most important step in creating a warm home. Incorrect insulation technology can nullify all the work.

• Ecowool insulation. Ecowool is a bulk material based on the secondary processing of cellulose. It contains all the properties of wood, so the wall will have excellent vapor permeability and the necessary air exchange will be observed in the house. Ecowool is blown into the gaps between the outer and inner walls. There is no need to use a vapor barrier, because the material is not afraid of moisture. The height of the well from the walls should not exceed 3 meters, after inflating the insulation, it must be allowed to settle and the required amount is added. Initially, the double beam technology was envisaged only with the use of ecowool as a heater, but mineral wool was also used on the Russian market.
• Mineral wool. The material is afraid of moisture, therefore, a layer of a vapor-permeable membrane is laid on the side of the outer wall, and a vapor barrier is laid on the side of the inner wall. Insulation is laid into the walls during their construction. In this case, the installation is slightly delayed, and the material requires dry weather throughout the entire time of work on the walls.
• Expanded clay, sawdust, expanded polystyrene in the form of bulk material can also be used as a heater, but this is rather a deviation from the rules than an option that should be carefully considered. It is not advisable to order a high-quality wall kit from a double beam and save on insulation in the context of Finnish technology. Especially when you consider the low cost of such structures, made in compliance with the insulation technology.

Ceiling and roof

Installation and insulation of the ceiling is no different from similar work in frame structures. The only exception is that often manufacturers of double timber supply house kits with assembled trusses for ease of installation of the roofing system. Materials for roofing and finishing of the ceiling are identical with the frameworks.

Communications and finishing

The double beam technology allows you to start finishing immediately after assembling the box at home, because such walls do not shrink. Most communications are also laid in the process of working with floors and erecting walls, because most of these elements are “hidden” inside walls and interfloor ceilings.

Conclusion

Starting to build a house using the “double beam” technology with your own hands is a rather risky undertaking. Construction just seems unpretentious. Violation of wall construction technology can disturb the comfort in your home or even reduce the rigidity of the structure, because there are no additional fasteners inside the walls. The whole structure keeps its shape due to the correct bowls and cuts. Insufficient attention to compaction of the timber between themselves will give gaps in the future. Violation of the level between the outer and inner row can lead to the difficulty of installing doors and windows, and sometimes breaks the sealing of the walls. It is worth assessing your carpentry skills before embarking on the construction of such a complex high-tech object. It will not be superfluous to get acquainted with the recommendations and reviews of those people who decided to take this step.

An increasing number of experienced builders in Western European countries believe that only a double timber with ecowool can ensure the durability of a built house with maximum comfort of living in it. On the other hand, advertising in the media suggests that it is possible to build an inexpensive, but very high-quality and durable house exclusively from lumber of natural moisture.

What to choose from the many offers on the market? A timber of natural humidity is indeed an excellent building material, but only on condition that the degree of its humidity meets the required standards. If this is not the case, then you will have to put up with blue walls, cracked wood, drafts and other unacceptable things.

Benefits of Finnish technology

The double beam technology was developed in Finland about 20 years ago. The inventors of this technique set themselves the goal of creating a building material that would be superior in efficiency to existing lumber and at the same time be completely devoid of their inherent shortcomings.

Double timber projects have shown benefits such as:

• low degree of thermal conductivity;
• small thickness of the erected walls;
• monolithic wall construction in assembled form;
• during the first year of operation of the house, shrinkage of the walls is not more than 3 cm;
• short construction time;
• high level of environmental safety in comparison with other lumber;
• all-weather possibility of construction;
• low price, both the building material itself and construction with its use.

Design features

The development is based on a design similar to sandwich panels. That is, the sidewalls of the timber are made of wood and mirror each other. Thermal insulation is located between the sidewalls. The thickness of the wooden sidewalls is on average 70 mm, although this figure may vary according to the climatic conditions characteristic of the region..

Currently, various heaters are used, including bulk materials, mats and slabs. The main requirement for the thermal insulation used is its natural origin and, as a result, environmental safety. One way or another, the heaters used are characterized by a degree of thermal conductivity that is lower than that demonstrated by wood.

The timber under consideration is a universal building material that can be used in the construction of buildings for various purposes. After all, at the construction stage, between the insulation and the wall, you can lay the required number of layers of mineral wool slabs and vapor barrier.

As a result, the construction of a double beam can be adapted to a particular climatic zone. After all, the thickness of the mineral wool and the width of the wall material can be changed in accordance with the needs of the customer.

For example, using Finnish technology, it is possible to build walls up to 10 meters high and up to 340 mm thick. Such parameters are suitable for a variety of objects, from premium-class residential buildings to baths.

The indicated wall thickness is not the limit, but it does not make sense to make the walls thicker, since it will be warm in the house in winter and cool in summer.

Finnish technology guarantees special advantages in the construction of saunas and baths. According to statistics, baths made of double timber are more durable than similar buildings made of solid wood. And for sure, in such a bath it will be warm, regardless of external weather conditions.

This building material is characterized by a curious feature. Assuming that one double-beam bath, on one side of the walls, becomes blue or rotted, be sure that this defect will not be reflected on the opposite side of the beams.

Manufacturing

The production of a double beam is carried out on special, fully or partially, automated equipment - a cup-cutting line.

The production process includes the following steps:

• workpiece supply;
• drilling;
• cup cutting;
• grooving for casing;
• cutting;
• removal of cut cuttings;
• applying code;
• package.

Using double-beam production equipment, we obtain a wood-based building material with a moisture content of no more than 14% and absolutely precise milling lines.

Construction technology

Construction from a double beam is characterized by:

• low labor costs;
• efficiency of implementation;
• no need for special equipment;
• a small number of builders.

The instructions for building a house from this largely unique material are simple and effective. The fact is that structurally, a double beam is similar to a glued or profiled counterpart, but much lighter in weight. Therefore, building becomes more convenient and easier.

Building a house from a double beam is a step-by-step process during which the foundation is prepared with one's own hands, waterproofing is laid, and then the walls are raised.

Important: in no case should the construction of walls be carried out during precipitation.
If the structure is assembled by a quarter or up to half and it started to rain, cover the structure with plastic wrap.
When assembled, the wall is highly hydrophobic, but a separate beam will absorb moisture into the layer.
Therefore, storage of building materials in open areas is allowed in packaging and under a specially equipped canopy.

Foundation

Considering that the weight of the construction object is somewhat less than the mass of a solid wood house, the foundation is used shallow. The optimal solution would be a strip foundation laid around the perimeter of the entire house to a depth of 60-80 cm.

Such a foundation will not only withstand the weight of the structure, but will also save expensive building materials. Before assembling the walls, the tape base is covered with a layer of waterproofing. These can be specialized permeable breathable coatings or bituminous mastic.

Laying timber

Double timber walls are assembled in much the same way as with other profiled lumber. Laths are laid directly on the foundation, the surface of which is in the same horizontal plane.

The first row of dry thick profiled boards is laid on the slats, which, during assembly, form a strong connection with a cruciform shape.

After the first row has taken its place, the gap between the foundation and the boards on both sides is blown with mounting foam. As the foam dries, ecowool (biologically stable and fireproof filler made from recycled waste paper) is placed in the empty space between the boards.

The connection of the boards during the installation of the hollow system is carried out by means of a spike, which enters the grooves and provides the required strength. As a result, not the slightest gaps are formed between the individual beams.

The most important point is . In order to ensure its density and reliability, building materials arrive at the site with pre-prepared profiling.

The strength of the connection is practically unparalleled. After all, the difference between the connecting elements of two adjacent bars is no more than 1 mm. As a result, the installation is carried out with an effort, literally in an interference fit, which other construction lumber cannot boast of.

As the walls are assembled, insulating material is gradually added. To ensure long-term operation of the assembled walls, the inner side of the beam is necessarily covered with a membrane (vapor barrier film).

Important: a house with walls built using this technology is characterized by increased energy efficiency.
High thermal properties can significantly reduce the costs associated with heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.
The degree of thermal conductivity of walls with a thickness of 200 mm, with mineral wool as a heater, complies with the norms of SNiP II-3-79 "Heat engineering in the construction of individual residential facilities."
The thermal conductivity of such structures is similar to the parameters of walls with a thickness of 1.5 meters from solid bricks!

External processing

After the new wooden is assembled, it must be protected from the outside from the negative effects of environmental factors. To do this, you should apply tinting and varnishing, or simply paint the surface of the wall with enamel. Regardless of the method of surface treatment of the timber, the result will be neat and aesthetically pleasing.

Conclusion

So, let's try to sum up and decide how justified the construction of houses using this technology:

• By choosing this type of extension, you get a warm, cozy home, which allows you to reduce the costs associated with heating.
• A wooden house built according to Finnish technology can be put into operation in a short time due to minimal shrinkage (no more than 1.5%). Thanks to this, you will be able to move in as soon as the house is assembled.
• Such buildings are quickly assembled, without the need for the use of special lifting equipment.
• There is no need for a massive expensive foundation, since the entire building is lightweight (no more than half a ton per cubic meter of wall material).
• The ability to place all engineering communications inside the wall.

Note!
Use a double beam and the dew point and mold will not bother you.
After all, the design is treated with antiseptics, and besides, it is well ventilated.
Again, there is no need for finishing work (tinting or enameling is enough).

In the presented video in this article you will find additional information on this topic. This will help you decide on the right choice of building material.

Gone are the days when houses were built only from logs. Wood was the only available material that no one thought about processing. The rotten bathhouse was easy to reassemble, since there were enough trees around.

Today, not every budget can handle a house made of logs or timber, and not everyone wants to wait for the final shrinkage, which can stretch for 2 years. But thanks to modern technology, natural materials are used sparingly, and housing is built quickly and has improved characteristics. One of such technological methods is the construction of houses from a double beam.

House built using double timber technology

Double beam construction: the competitiveness of Finnish technology

The technology of construction from a double beam was invented by the Finns and was originally intended for use in regions with severe winter conditions. This method is suitable not only for building a house, it is applicable for a bathhouse or a veranda.

Comparison of prices for materials used in different technologies (compared to double timber):

Double timber with insulation (thickness 150 mm) - 5500 rubles / m².

Profiled timber (thickness 150 mm) - 3500 rubles / m².

Rounded timber - from 5 thousand rubles / m².

Frame-panel technology - from 3.5 thousand rubles / m².

The comparison shows that the technology of a double beam is more expensive than the others, but the price of a heater is already included in it. Insulation of the remaining options will equalize prices.

Reasons for the insufficient distribution of houses from double timber in Russia

The above comparison clearly shows one of the reasons - the customer allocates a certain budget for construction, which he is not ready to exceed.

The project of a house from a double beam can have a complex layout and an original facade. The manufacture of some parts (joints, profiles) is possible only on high-precision computer-controlled woodworking machines. Without specialized equipment, the company will not undertake the work.

Four-sided locking groove (wind lock) provides high structural rigidity

About the Finnish technology for the production of double timber

A double beam according to the Finnish technology "warm house" should be distinguished from a profiled counterpart. If the profiled beam is made from single-layer solid wood, then the double one is a structure of two wall elements (boards) connected into a spike due to a special profile. The technological gap formed between them is filled with a heater with heat, steam and sound insulation properties. This layering prevents condensation from forming and retains heat.

For the manufacture of boards, spruce and pine wood is used, as it is light, inexpensive and easy to process. Before use, the blanks are dried in convection chambers. This procedure increases the strength of wood and protects it from decay. Lumber has high consumer characteristics: it becomes lighter and stronger, does not undergo cracking and deformation.

Prepared boards are processed on machines, acquiring the shape and profile specified by the project, as well as a smooth surface. Spikes and grooves are cut on the products, fastening the beam according to the tenon-groove system. In such a system, interventional insulation, which is necessary for log cabins or timber buildings, is not needed. For a house kit, corner joints (bowls) are also made from a double beam, excluding freezing of corners and through blowing.

Corner of a house made of double timber (wind castle) with ecowool filling

insulation

As a warming material, ecowool (bulk option) or mineral wool is used, the former being preferable for a number of reasons:

Appearance. Lightweight material with a greyish tint, fibrous structure and good insulating properties (heat retention).

Compound. The basis (about 80%) is cellulose (waste paper). Additional components - boric acid and borax, which give antiseptic and non-combustible properties to cotton wool.

Properties. Allows air to circulate without retaining moisture (the house does not need a vapor barrier, which cannot be said with mineral wool). Protects wood from decay. Sound insulation is 1.5-2 times higher than that of mineral wool.

Thermal insulation characteristics are similar for walls:

from a double beam, 190–200 mm thick;

log, 400 mm;

foam concrete, 880 mm;

brick, 900-1000 mm.

For the installation of walls, only qualified builders who have undergone special training are involved.

On our website you can get acquainted with the most popular projects of houses from double timber from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Advantages and disadvantages of double beam technology

The advantage of choosing a house from a double beam is determined by the advantages of the technology:

Factory quality. Modern equipment provides high accuracy of parts, which is unattainable in artisanal conditions.

Timing. Wall sets are made 2 weeks. The assembly of walls, depending on the type of project, takes 10-15 days.

Savings in construction and operation. The construction of houses from double timber will cost 30% less than similar housing from glued profiled timber (thickness 200 mm). Energy saving is 2 times more efficient.

Construction. It is run all year round. For the construction of the frame, special equipment is not needed.

Fundamental savings. Due to the ease of construction, a pile-screw foundation can be used, which is cheaper than a tape analog or a monolithic slab.

wall properties. High heat, steam and sound protection characteristics. The front surface does not require finishing; it is treated with impregnation and, if desired, painted in a vending color.

Internal work. Engineering communications are located in the wall. Tight seams (lock joints) do not require additional caulking. The sanded surface of the walls is ready for varnishing or painting.

Aesthetics of natural wood; interior work coming to an end

Shrinkage. Due to the use of chamber drying material, shrinkage does not exceed 2-3%. You can move in without spending a year waiting for shrinkage (for example, compared to a log house).

Environmentally friendly and stylish. Natural wood is used, without adhesives and impregnations.

The construction technology "double beam" has its drawbacks:

material quality requirements. For the manufacture of wall elements requires special equipment and skills of personnel. Poorly dried material can cause uneven shrinkage, cracking and noticeable skew of the walls.

Possible shrinkage of the insulation. It can happen when technology is violated or poor-quality insulation is used.

The complexity of the repair. If it becomes necessary to replace one of the boards, it will be almost impossible to do this without the involvement of specialists.

Video description

How a house is built in Finland on video:

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of designing houses from double timber. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Double timber house: from design to implementation

No matter how simple the “double beam” technology may seem, it is logical to entrust the projects of houses and their installation to an organization that has completed projects in its assets (which will be confirmed by the portfolio). The customer can count on:

Typical project. This option will reduce construction costs, as it is usually adapted to local conditions; It is permissible to make minor changes to it.

Project by order (individual). It costs an order of magnitude higher, as it may include engineering and geological surveys, complex technical solutions and elements (for example, a roof of complex shape or a veranda).

Individual project with a veranda

In addition to the development of the project, the package of services of a construction company includes the preparation of a sketch, documents and estimates, the manufacture of a set of parts, assembly of the structure. The installation of the house takes place according to the standard scheme for assembling a wooden house:

The foundation is being built and waterproofed.

Mounted and aligned with the level of the mortgage crown (lower layer in contact with the foundation).

The walls are built, then the roof.

Engineering communications are being installed.

The final (interior) finishing is being carried out.

All work is guaranteed.

The strength of the structure is ensured by the method of laying wall beams and floor beams (they are cut into the walls). Another secret is absolutely dry lumber, which retains 11-15% moisture content after drying.

Video description

About the features of the double beam technology on the video:

There is a kind of material - a double mini-beam, giving thinner walls. With the construction of a house from a double beam, a construction team with relevant work experience will competently cope. Independent, without skills, installation will inevitably lead to a series of errors. Their correction by specialists will require unplanned expenses, which is always unpleasant.

Small house according to a standard project

Prices for turnkey double-timber houses

The advantages of a turnkey double timber house are visible to the naked eye. After the approval of the project and the signing of the contract, the customer can only enjoy the process without bothering to purchase materials, search for builders and monitor their work. Experts will take care of everything.

Companies offer double timber houses, designs and prices of which can be changed. You can reduce upcoming expenses by choosing cheaper mineral wool instead of ecowool. The thickness of the walls is also chosen by the customers.

On the market there are houses made of double timber of various sizes and for any budget. For comparison, it is convenient to divide them into categories depending on the area (Moscow region):

Area up to 100 m². The price of a house kit starts from 335-500 thousand rubles.

From 100 to 200 m². From 680-900 thousand rubles.

From 200 m². Starting from 1.2-1.8 million rubles.

Garden decoration - a gazebo built according to Finnish technology

What can be built from a double beam

Using the technology of a double beam, not only houses are built. In this way, you can decorate a personal plot by building:

gazebo and canopy;

garden, guest and children's house;

utility room (house for tools).

Since the wall elements have a high-quality finished front surface, they do not need additional finishing and give the buildings an impeccable eco-friendly style.

Video description

Experience shows that there are moments in the construction of a house where it is absolutely not worth saving, but there are nuances where you can not only save, but rationally spend the budget (which is a kind of reasonable savings).

A little about the bath: a look from different angles

The construction of a bath is not the cheapest pleasure, since a durable result requires quality materials and special construction methods. Double beam technology can speed up the process with the desired result.

Bath walls are constantly exposed to high temperature and humidity and inevitably absorb moisture. In an effort to protect the structure, some owners insist on the use of a windproof membrane in the pier, between the insulation and the inner element of the double beam. The task of such a vapor barrier is to prevent steam from the interior from entering the insulation. If protection is not installed, wet insulation prevents air from circulating, stops saving heat and starts the destruction of wood.

Sauna from a double bar on the shore of the lake

Construction companies, on the other hand, insist that the design provides sufficient vapor exchange, and the additional layer violates the “breathing” properties of the tree. When using a waterproofing layer, steam will condense on it; the insulation will remain dry, and the log will begin to rot. According to technology, it is enough to use the film in ceilings.

Conclusion

The double beam technology, developed and tested by Finnish builders, is steadily gaining popularity among Russian customers. Most are attracted by the possibility of rapid construction without loss of quality, which is so valuable in the conditions of a short summer season and frosty winter. Improper installation can destroy the most resistant wood. So that a house made of double timber does not become a disappointment, and you do not have to pay for improvements, ordering a turnkey house may be the best solution.