Have you ever dreamed of owning your own wooden house? This type of home is not only sustainable and cozy, but it can also be built in less time and on a tighter budget than a conventional house. Today, we'll explain the definitive step-by-step guide to building this type of home.
STEP 1. Project definition and needs
The first step is to define what you are looking for so you can later move on to talking about plans and materials:
• Will it be a primary residence, a second home, or perhaps a tourist accommodation?
• What surface area do you need (m²)?
• What style do you prefer: rustic, modern, minimalist?
• Where will it be located?
This phase includes consultation with Casas de madera Bálticas, a company specializing in the sector, the selection of a house model (from our wide range of available models), the selection of land, if one is not available, and even consultation with an architect if a project is needed, as all our homes can be adapted to the Technical Building Code of the Autonomous Community where the prefabricated wooden house is to be installed. It's worth noting that all our models are modifiable, and we also offer the option of custom projects.
STEP 2. Design and preparation of materials
Once we know the desired model and the plans (including the technical project in accordance with the CTE if necessary for urban land), we move on to the preparation and distribution of materials:
Our wooden houses come palletized on 6m x 1m x 1m pallets, perfectly packaged. Once at the installation site, it's important to place each element in its place to organize the assembly, depalletizing, sorting, and arranging the pieces to facilitate subsequent assembly. This involves sorting each pallet and stacks. All parts are labeled with the assembly instructions that come with the kit. The hardware is also included.
STEP 3. Type of foundation
As we already know, there are several types of foundations, which we discussed earlier in another article on this blog (slab, piles, etc.). Once we know the foundation we're going to use (in the case of an urban project, the architect will study which is best for each case), the foundation is laid.
Later, once the base is built and leveled (very important), the floor joists will be installed, which are the foundation from which the project will begin to be erected. These joists are anchored to the ground, piercing the concrete foundation to prevent the house from moving, and are autoclave-treated.
STEP 4. Manufacturing the structure
Start by placing the wall panels and once the first row of panels is in place, you can see the structure of the house: where the doors, windows, openings, etc. are.
Now, to align each piece precisely, it can be very helpful to use a string or level.
Finally, when building a log home, you'll need to fit the planks into place. In this case, it's recommended to pay attention to the ends of each plank: it's much better to avoid breaking them when the larger pieces are hit. Watching everything fit together as you build the walls will be much easier and more satisfying. Our prefabricated log homes are built using a tongue-and-groove system.
STEP 5. Install the roof beams
The inclined roof beams are placed first, depending on the style (gable, single-pitched, or flat roof), and then the roof decking is installed.
The roof beams must be aligned edge to edge. To achieve this, you need to mark and trim them. If they don't fit properly, we recommend cutting one end and using that beam as a template for the rest. This way, the result will be consistent and all the edges will be perfectly aligned.
STEP 6: Isolation
The insulation system is an important component as it can be installed between the walls, ceiling, and floor. Focusing on double-walled or sided homes, the process for installing insulation is as follows:
The two rows of walls must be fixed, creating an air chamber between the two partitions where the insulation (mineral wool) is inserted. In the case of houses with siding, the interior wall would be built first, the insulation would be placed between the battens, and then the siding would be installed.
STEP 7. Final finishes
Once we're building the structure, everything is prepared for the installation of electricity, water, and even heating. The final finishing touches include installing windows and doors, and of course, one of the most important parts: applying the appropriate wood treatment, especially on the exterior. Maintenance is very important in this type of home, and appropriate varnishes must be applied to maintain the newly built structure's optimal aesthetic appearance. It's important to emphasize areas where moisture can accumulate, such as moldings, and so on, and to do so periodically. We recommend reading our article: "The Importance of Varnishes in Prefabricated Wooden Homes."
Conclusion
Building a prefabricated wooden house is a much more streamlined and controlled process than a traditional home. If you work with professionals, the result will be a cozy, efficient home that's 100% tailored to your lifestyle.