tech info

Comparing insulation materials

Comparing insulation materials

There are many different kinds of insulation materials to insulate your house. Polyurethane, glass wool, rock wool, old newspapers, wood fiber, sheep wool and the list goes on and on. In this video we compare three common types: polyurethane glass wool wood fiber. One remark about cost. In the video we say that wood fiber is “almost cheap”, i.e. it is slightly more expensive than the other materials. But this video is from 2015 and since 2020 woodprices have gone through the roof, also prices for wood fiber.
Concrete pole foundations

Concrete pole foundations

Translations: NL
As for any other type of house, our wooden houses need a foundation. And foundations are a very local thing, in that the actual construction is very much dependant on the local conditions. In the Alps and the Pyrenees you need to drill away rocks until you have a flat surface. In The Netherlands everything is already flat, but usually soggy so that your house will sink and disappear in the mud.
Logs, logs and logs

Logs, logs and logs

Translations: NL
Log houses: round logs, laminated, corners, … A log house is a log house is a log house. Except, it is not. Log houses come in many variations. Here we discuss some of the main properties of log houses. Laminated of massive wood One characteristic of a log is the wood lamination. Laminating is the process where we cut a log in long four centimeter strips, dry the strips, then glue them together.
Foundations for a wooden house

Foundations for a wooden house

Translations: NL
What are the requirements for a foundation for a wooden house? They are nothing specials, i.e., not very different from the requirements for a traditional brick & mortar house foundation. A wooden house is lighter, but we don’t think that makes a lot of difference for the foundation itself. For us, as wooden house builders, there are three requirements: the foundation should be flat, it should let us anchor the house firmly, and the pipes and guides for water and electricity should be at the exact right spot.
Life expectancy of a wooden house

Life expectancy of a wooden house

Translations: NL
Contrary to popular belief, wooden houses have a very high life expectancy. Of course wood should be protected from humidity, but if the owner takes care of his house it will last very long. When designing a wooden house we make sure that water can always escape from the house and that walls are ventilated. What would then be life expectancy of a wooden house? We have several examples of old wooden houses in Europe.
Damp-open, what is that?

Damp-open, what is that?

Translations: NL
Damp-open is one of the current hot topics in the construction industry, and you as a consumer will likely hear about it. But what is it exactly? What does it mean for your house and your energy bill. Not always very clear, so we will try to explain. Disclaimer: we prefer damp-open, so now you know already where we stand in this discussion. larix afwerking aan de buitenkant
New rules on energy consumption in France

New rules on energy consumption in France

Translations: NL
Understanding the new rules in France on house construction As of January 2013 all house builders are facing a new challenge: the RT 2012. There is a lot of confusion about the new rules with everybody having his own interpretation of the law. But most of the basics are not that complicated. This article tries to explain the basics. About the law According to our Minister of “l’Ecologie, de l’Energie, du Développement durable et de la Mer” (Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Sea), the role of the state is to set objectives.