Before addressing the cost of building a wooden house, we feel it’s necessary to provide a preliminary overview of wood and the different types of structures.
Wood: a material with multiple properties
Since humanity’s existence, wood has been among the most widely used materials to meet basic human needs: ease of procurement, versatility, good thermal insulation, speed of processing, and excellent mechanical properties have ensured that wood has always been appreciated and considered the building material par excellence.
In recent years, increasing attention to environmental factors has led to an increase in the demand for wooden-frame houses; today, the most commonly used structures are those made of CLT and load-bearing frames.
The oldest technique, or at least the first to be implemented by man, is the Blockbau structure, which uses circular tree elements to build solid walls by overlapping the elements and joining them at angles, achieved through notched joints. For the sake of completeness, this technique has been mentioned, but the article will address the two previously mentioned, currently popular, techniques in more detail.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildings
CLT structures have enjoyed considerable success and interest in recent decades, and are now the most widely used timber construction technique in Europe thanks to their remarkable flexibility, speed, and cost-effectiveness. CLT panels are made by gluing together an odd number of layers (generally 3, 5, or 7) of relatively thin wooden boards (generally 14 to 40 mm) using various methods. The custom prefabrication of CLT panels and their modularity make them a construction technique with considerable architectural flexibility—in fact, the same panels can be used to build floors, perimeter walls, and interior walls—and guarantee precise on-site construction schedules.
Solid elements, such as floors, roofs, and walls, can be manufactured according to project specifications and connected with simple, standardized connection systems; this eliminates the need for time-consuming finishing and assembly on site. Furthermore, insulation and facade cladding can be easily attached to the plywood elements.
The foundations are constructed using traditional methods, with a reinforced concrete foundation slab and a reinforced concrete beam, to which wooden stringers are then attached, upon which the CLT walls are then mounted. Each panel, with finite dimensions, is secured with screws or nails to the adjacent panel, using strips of plywood panel that act as a bridge.
Any doors and windows are created within the wall panels, while the lintels are made of panels with horizontal grain direction to withstand the stresses and strains to which the walls may be subjected (the weight of the wall itself, vertical loads, wind, etc.).
The horizontal elements are also made of CLT panels and are supported and secured to the walls with special right-angled brackets, based on the static and structural requirements of the building in question.
Generally, the CLT structural part is clad internally with a false wall made of plasterboard or wood panels, with an insulated cavity; externally, it is covered with an external insulation system and a protective finish with minimally thick panels.
Intermediate floors and partition walls are also treated similarly.
Load-bearing frame buildings
The considerable floor plan dimensions, made possible by the development of glued laminated timber, open up ample space for interior design and use, thanks to the increased spacing of beams and columns. Therefore, columns and beams are spaced widely apart to accommodate façades and partition walls designed as desired. Secondary load-bearing elements are inserted above or between the main load-bearing structure. These can be beams and struts or wooden floor elements. Façades and partition walls generally do not absorb any vertical forces in load-bearing frame buildings, but can be used for stiffening.
Infill walls can be constructed using various construction systems, such as framed elements, plywood panels, glass constructions, and even masonry.
The characteristics of the load-bearing frame construction system are:
Interchangeable wall layout and easily movable walls;
Freedom of organization based on variable grids and modules;
Load-bearing frame and independent non-load-bearing walls;
Load-bearing structure, mostly immediately recognizable;
Load-bearing construction elements, mostly made of glued laminated wood;
Use of steel fasteners;
High degree of prefabrication.
The Cost of a Wooden House
Ultimately, what influences an individual’s choices is also, and above all, the expense they will have to bear. So, how much does a wooden house cost? Is a wooden house more expensive than a concrete one? The first, more technical and tedious, part was necessary precisely to answer these questions.
Reading above, it became clear that wooden houses do not require less work and leave no room for less attention; on the contrary…; therefore, those who choose to build a wooden house do not do so for immediate savings on construction costs; it is more correct to say that they do so with a view to future savings. Wooden houses are safe, eco-friendly, and the chosen construction type offers a good degree of freedom in design and future modifications. Last but not least, wood offers extremely high levels of energy efficiency. Therefore, we can say that, for the same energy efficiency, wooden houses are slightly lower in price than masonry ones.
Another interesting aspect is that the estimate for a wooden house, once signed, is no longer subject to price fluctuations, which are possible and common with masonry constructions. This is because prefabrication requires in-depth preliminary study, which prevents excessive changes during construction.
Variables that Affect the Price of a Log Home
Of course, it’s impossible to define an exact figure that the buyer can rely on, but the variables that certainly influence the final price can be defined.
Let’s try to compile a list of points that a potential buyer should consider when formulating a possible estimate:
Log home prices are calculated per square meter, and this price can vary from builder to builder, so it’s important to understand the price the builder you’re contacting works at.
Once you’ve determined the price per square meter, you can multiply this figure by the building’s floor area to obtain a rough estimate. Keep in mind that the floor area includes walls, porches, balconies, and all other accessories that have a minor impact on the home, so generally, 30% is subtracted from the total to obtain a fairly accurate estimate.
The price of the land on which the house will be built cannot be overlooked, and obviously, all related expenses, including: geological and acoustic analysis, urbanization fees, utilities, and any external improvements (connecting roads, landscaping, fencing, etc.).
Another variable is whether the interested party chooses to purchase a turnkey or unfinished wooden house. In the first case, the price will obviously be higher, as the house is potentially ready to move into; in the second case, the price will be lower, but with the understanding that further investments will be necessary to make the house habitable.
Last but not least, there are customization options: the types of cladding chosen will have a greater or lesser impact on the total price.
Article written by the staff of Inside Project, architects in Verona and throughout Italy.