9 Things You Didn't Know About Frame Houses

Why have frame houses long enjoyed popularity in Scandinavian countries, Finland, and Germany, as well as in the USA and Canada? We explore this with our expert Timur Dasaev.

Timur Dasaev
EXPERT
General Director of the construction company "Garden Season".
1. May Need Solid Reinforcement

A frame house is built on the basis of lightweight and strong structures that serve as floor slabs. If you plan to use rigid interior elements, create a solid foundation for them.

I recommend making a reinforced screed on the floor (at least 7–10 cm thick). For wall cladding and partition installation, use gypsum fiber board (GVL) instead of plasterboard.

2. But Can Also Be Flexible

You can take a different approach: use finishing materials that do not require a rigid base. For example: laminate, carpeting, cork, PVC, MDF, flocked wallpapers.

This applies not only to floors and walls but also to ceilings: use both suspended and stretch ceilings. I also recommend using vinyl or polyurethane ceiling trim.

3. Lightweight

A frame house is approximately three times lighter than a brick house of similar size. I think this is more of an advantage: there's almost no settling, which means you can save time – after construction, you can start finishing work immediately.

4. Hides Communications from View

All engineering communications are installed inside the walls, so you don't need any design tricks to hide pipes and wires.

5. Safer Than You Think

There's a stereotype that wooden houses "fear fire," but if you choose non-combustible materials or use fire-resistant treatments, frame houses will be even safer than stone ones, as they effectively prevent internal finishing from catching fire.

Also make sure that both the house and its finishing are made of non-toxic materials. It’s not worth cutting corners here; it's better to work with serious companies that have been operating on the market for years and are ready to provide all quality certificates.

6. Temperature Comfortable

A small tip: breathable materials (OSB, MDF, particle board) and insulation (mineral wool, eco-wool, fiber-based insulation, pressed straw, etc.) in the cladding help create a comfortable microclimate.

7. Ready for Experiments

Frame houses give you the opportunity to experiment with layouts. Create a wide internal space or, conversely, several small rooms, an additional bathroom, or a wardrobe. I also recommend adding an attic or garage.

8. Easily Modifiable

The facade of frame houses is changeable; you can choose new cladding every month. In other words, your house will never look "aged".

9. Eco-Oriented

I'm convinced: in frame houses made from natural materials, the eco style fits very well. Moreover, due to natural materials, they are much cozier and more comfortable than regular homes.

Also read:

• 8 Myths About Frame Houses
  
• Project: How to Decorate a Frame House
  
• What to Build an Eco-House From