Introduction to prefabricated wooden houses

  • Prefabricated wooden houses are a sustainable and efficient option for building housing. This is because prefabricated timber frame houses are made from natural materials, which reduces the impact on the environment and saves money on energy bills.
  • Prefabricated houses with wood have an insulation factor of over 90% due to the constant use of cold water inside the home to cool it during the hot months. In addition, this type of construction does not require any maintenance because there is no need for painting or plastering.* CO2 emissions:
  • Air emissions from the residential, commercial and institutional sector accounted for 8.8% of the total in 2021 (Spain). The majority comes from domestic use (55%) mainly due to energy consumption associated with cooling and heating; in particular because many buildings have their windows closed for a large part of the day due to either extremely cold or hot weather.* Healthy homes:

Sustainability of prefabricated wooden houses

The use of renewable and sustainable materials is another advantage that wooden houses have over traditional ones.

Wooden houses are built with wood, which is a renewable material that can be used over and over again without loss of quality or strength. In addition, it is also possible to use recycled materials such as glass bottles or paper for the construction of these houses.

This means that there will be less impact on the environment than if you were building a traditional or brick house; you won’t need as much energy to heat your home during the winter months because it will retain heat better than other materials; you will produce less waste because there are no bricks left over after construction; plus there will be fewer emissions from burning the fossil fuels needed to make cement blocks!

Energy efficiency

The wooden house is a sustainable and efficient option. Thanks to its construction, solar energy and the heat produced by the building structure itself can be used to the maximum. In addition, this type of house has a high thermal retention capacity that allows maintaining a pleasant environment throughout the day without the need for artificial heating or cooling (although they can be incorporated if desired).

Healthy housing

The materials used in the construction of these houses are of high quality and do not contain toxic chemicals. The interiors are also designed to maximise indoor air quality, which reduces exposure to allergens.

This is a great benefit for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.

CO2 emissions from prefabricated wooden houses

Reducing waste and CO2 emissions is one of the main benefits of timber construction. With a high level of insulation, you can reduce your energy consumption by up to 40%, which means you are also reducing your carbon footprint.

The use of wood as a building material offers many advantages: it is renewable, efficient and sustainable. In addition to being an excellent insulator, wood absorbs moisture better than other materials such as concrete or steel; this makes it ideal for humid climates such as those found in Latin America where there is frequent rainfall during certain seasons (such as summer).

Advantages of prefabricated wooden houses

  • Durability: Prefabricated wooden houses are durable, as they can be built on steep slopes and soils with moisture problems.

  • Thermal insulation: Wood is a natural material that insulates the heat inside the house, thus reducing energy costs and improving indoor air quality.
  • Fire resistance: The fact that no toxic gases will be produced during the combustion process makes wooden houses fire resistant. This means that there is no danger to human health and the environment if a fire occurs in a home built with a traditional structure or modernised with advanced construction systems such as prefabricated elements (PE).
  • Sound insulation: Due to its natural composition, wood is an excellent material for reducing exterior and interior noise in the home; it is therefore ideal for noise-sensitive people or elderly people who need peace and quiet.
  • Water/moisture resistance: Due to their natural composition and waterproof properties, houses built with traditional structures or retrofitted with advanced building systems such as EP ) prefabricated elements are ideal for tropical regions where there is high humidity in the environment.
  • Protection against insects and fungal infestation: The constant presence of water in any type of construction (wood) favours bacterial and viral infestation.

Lightweight timber framing

Tips for choosing a prefabricated wooden house

  • Choose the right type of wood.
  • Hire a good builder.
  • Verify the quality of the wood and its durability over time, so that it does not deteriorate with the passage of time or with the climatic conditions of the place where the house is built (sun, wind, humidity).
  • Ensure that the design is energy efficient, as it is important to minimise energy and economic maintenance costs. This can be achieved through good design and suitable materials such as solar shingles or photovoltaic panels to generate solar electricity at home without having to rely on the conventional (and expensive) electricity system.

Countries where prefabricated wooden houses are most commonly built

  • Finland: This Nordic country is known for its tradition of timber construction and it is estimated that around 80% of new houses are built in timber.
  • Canada: The use of wood in construction is very common in Canada, especially in rural areas and forest regions.
  • United States: In the United States, wooden houses are very popular in the northeastern and northwestern regions, as well as in rural and suburban areas.
  • Japan: Timber construction is a traditional practice in Japan and is still very common today.
  • Sweden: As in Finland, timber construction is very popular in Sweden and it is estimated that around 60% of new houses are built in timber.

Conclusions on prefabricated wooden houses

  • Wooden houses are a sustainable and efficient option for housing construction that offers a healthy option for the inhabitants.
  • Reducing CO2 emissions into the environment
  • Moreover, wooden houses can be built anywhere in the world, as they do not require a specific climate or particular conditions.