Among prefabricated buildings, frame houses stand out for their ease of assembly, optimal price, and readily available materials. Construction techniques require only a couple of hands. There's no need to build a complex, massive foundation. A well-chosen design and adherence to basic construction principles at every stage will guarantee an excellent result.
Cost-effective projects
Frame structures are reliable and durable, but only if carefully designed. The final load on the supports and foundation is important. One cost-effective design is a single-story house with standard windows.
A small, single-story house design, say 6x6 meters, offers minimal budgets for water supply and heating. If this is a summer option, sliding panoramic doors opening onto the garden or terrace can be installed. For a residential home, this solution would require significant insulation of the entire structure but would ensure adequate lighting.
Two-story frame buildings with a spacious attic stand out among the designs. This type of space on the second floor allows for savings during construction, reduces the load on the lower floors, and reduces the overall weight of the entire building, thereby extending its lifespan. At the same time, with careful space planning, the attic can be divided into two living rooms or even converted into a full-fledged bathroom or office.
Frame house designs with so-called "second-height" windows and spacious terraces are popular. They are inexpensive to build. Tall windows increase light levels, which is important in northern regions with short daylight hours, and the open terrace can be used as a summer dining area or play area. To save money, it's best to avoid bay windows, which place additional stress on the foundation and can create problems with insulation.
Construction nuances
You can do all the work yourself. A simple option is to order a ready-made project and purchase the corresponding house kit. All that's left to do is assemble it according to the drawings. You can also calculate the required materials yourself using a standard construction plan. A two-story, 6x6 meter house typically requires:
- timber for beams, rafters, posts;
- waterproofing;
- vapor barrier;
- thermal insulation;
- plasterboard or similar for cladding;
- floor boards.
Assembly is carried out using the most basic tools. It's important to follow the order of the steps. For a small house with an attic, the sequence is as follows:
- construction of the foundation;
- laying of main communications;
- installation of the first harness;
- base insulation;
- installation of subfloor;
- assembly of the first floor frame;
- installation of the ceiling and second frame;
- assembly of the second floor frame;
- installation of walls and partitions;
- roof and roofing assembly;
- installation of windows and doors;
- insulation, installation of insulation.
A strip foundation is sufficient if the soil is stable and not marshy. Columnar and pile structures are also acceptable. The finished foundation can be protected from water damage with ordinary roofing felt, but further construction should not begin until a week after stabilization and proofing. The bottom frame is made of timber measuring at least 100 x 100 mm, preferably 200 x 200 mm. The same material will serve as the base for the floor: timber joists are attached directly to the frame, after which the subfloor is installed.
It's best to assemble exterior and interior walls using the block method. Each individual span is installed using nails on the floor, then lifted into place and secured to the subfloor. Next, the upper frame is assembled from the same material as the lower frame, and the ceiling joists and main beams are attached to it.
Building a frame house yourself is easy: the construction techniques are largely similar to those of familiar construction kits. Heavy and bulky insulating materials can now be replaced with thinner, yet equally effective, membranes. When choosing from the numerous ready-made designs, it's worth paying special attention to miniature 6x6 meter houses without bay windows but with a spacious attic.