Environment
Sustainable and ecological construction is becoming increasingly important. Building with wood is an excellent example of this. Compared to traditional construction with bricks, building with wood has a significantly lower environmental impact.
Cradle to Cradle represents a new perspective on sustainable building, focusing on the reuse of materials. This circular approach is essential for ensuring we can continue to produce and consume in the future while minimizing environmental impact.
All the wood we use comes from forests renowned for their sustainable forestry practices. For every tree harvested, new trees are planted. Additionally, the natural insulating properties of log walls enhance the energy efficiency of your home. Heating a wooden home requires up to 30% less energy than heating a traditional brick house.
We are also happy to explore options with you, such as incorporating solar panels, geothermal energy, and other environmentally conscious technologies, to create a truly sustainable and modern living space.
Isolation
In an average household, about 75% of energy consumption is used for heating. Therefore, applying the best possible insulation is essential for efficiency, potentially saving you hundreds of euros annually.
Wood expands when heated, and its pores absorb moisture from the air until saturation is reached, at which point excess moisture is released into the indoor or outdoor air. This natural process ensures optimal humidity regulation.
Wooden homes exude a sense of warmth. The ambient temperature in a wooden home is typically about two degrees lower than in a brick home, yet the warmth feels the same. This significantly reduces heating costs.
Wood also has exceptional thermal insulation properties—up to six times better than traditional brick construction. When heating a brick house in winter, the walls first absorb much of the warmth before the space feels heated. In a wooden home, the indoor air warms up immediately because wood has much less mass than brick. Combined with proper insulation, this results in a cozy home during winter and a noticeably lower energy bill.
In the summer, the same properties that retain warmth in winter help wooden homes stay cool, providing comfort year-round.
Health
Health is one of the most important aspects of our lives, and it’s something we should approach with great care. Living in a log home isn’t just beautiful and sustainable—it’s also much healthier than living in a traditional brick house.
One key factor is the moisture-regulating properties of a log home. Wood naturally regulates humidity by absorbing excess moisture and releasing it when the air becomes too dry, maintaining a balanced and consistent level of humidity indoors.
Wood also has a purifying effect on the air around us. Studies show that living in a wooden home can benefit people with allergies, asthma, and even rheumatism. A dry indoor atmosphere can cause health issues such as headaches, colds, sore throats, and even bronchitis. Conversely, excessive moisture can lead to problems like muscle pain and rheumatism.
In addition, wood contains plant-based compounds with disinfectant properties, offering natural protection against germs. Research from Austria has shown that people who live in log homes experience significantly lower stress levels compared to those in brick homes.
Surrounded by the natural and calming environment of a log home, you’re not just living in a house—you’re embracing a lifestyle that promotes well-being and tranquility.
Sustainability
Wood is an incredibly durable material, often lasting several centuries. Consider the wooden foundations of Venice and Amsterdam, the wooden beams of historic cathedrals that have remained intact for hundreds of years, or the wooden ships that have stood the test of time.
When building a log home, proper treatment of the wood is essential to ensure its longevity. We are happy to explore the various options with you for treating and protecting your wooden home. Additionally, we consider the location of your home and the local weather conditions.
Key design aspects, such as the size of roof overhangs and the height of the home above ground level, play a significant role in durability. Large overhangs, for instance, protect the walls from exposure to rain. Similarly, raising the house at least 30 cm (about a foot) above ground level minimizes the effects of splashing water on the base of the home.
By incorporating these factors into the design, we ensure that your log home is built to withstand the elements and remain a sustainable, long-lasting living space for generations to come.
Have we piqued your interest?
Hopefully, you’ve seen how important it is to us that you receive high-quality work at a very good price. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact us.
