Choosing between a wooden house in the Southwest or opting for a more traditional construction method is difficult. Both have advantages. Price, lead times, comfort... Here are 13 points of comparison between these two construction methods common in our regions.
Prize: Brick House Advantage
The price is the first argument in favor of the brick house. " For an equivalent model, the additional cost of the wooden house in the South-West is 8 to 10%. However, it remains affordable even to first-time buyers. ", informs us Cédric Léman, head of wood projects at Maisons Sic. " Prices start at around €1550/m². The Mob12 is a 90 m² model that is available from €127,000. Timber-framed houses are becoming more accessible; they are no longer elitist. ».
Construction times: the bonus of the wooden house in the Southwest
Due to the drying times of different materials, the masonry construction takes longer than wood construction. It can also be slowed down by climatic hazards such as rain and frost. During a timber frame construction, the majority of the manufacturing (walls, floors, framework, etc.) is done under cover in a workshop. On site, the house is assembled and said out of water, out of air, in just a few days. " It is possible to save two to three months on a construction site. In fifteen working days, a house is out of water out of air after drying of the slab ».
An argument to take into account to evaluate your budget. Indeed, a construction time shorter also allows you to save on a rental possibly.
See our article: Building your detached house in the South West: the steps
Insulation and winter comfort the little extra of the wooden house in the South-West
Wood is a natural material insulating. In a wooden construction, the insulation is placed between the uprights of the frame. thermal bridges are much less frequent and the insulation thicknesses are often greater. The house heats up quickly and conserves calories. An advantage that allows you to reduce your heating bill in winter. " At maisons Sic, we place two insulators. One inside the frame and the second inside the frame behind the vapor barrier ».
Summer comfort: masonry keeps cool
The inertia of the brick for a cool house in the summer in the South-West
Presenting a strong mass, the brick masonry houses have what is calledinertia. This means that they are able to absorb and store heat in order to release it slowly when the temperatures soften. This phenomenon explains why stone houses retain their freshness during the hot days ofsummer. An argument to take into account in our sunny regions of the South-West.
A wooden house will have to protect itself from the rays of the incoming sun and favor a floor and a tiled slab to maintain a little inertia.
See our article: Building a bioclimatic house in Gironde: 11 tips for a cool house in summer
Storing energy from the wood stove in the walls
In winter, inertia is also interesting if you have a wood stove which heats up very quickly. The brick house heats up more slowly than a wooden house, but the wall and masonry in general will release the calories stored during heating for a long time.
Space saving for wooden house
The insulation placed inside the framework, makes it possible to considerably reduce the size of the external walls. And this is not negligible since gaining 10% on the thickness of the walls makes it possible to gain living space. An important argument on a small plot or the buildable area is weak.
The wooden house for those who favor ecology
« Wood is a natural and renewable material that meets the requirements of the next thermal regulations which should take into account thecarbon footprint building materials. No other material can match wood, since its carbon footprint is 0 enthuses Cédric Leman. Indeed, throughout its growth, wood stores CO2, which it will only release into the atmosphere when it is destroyed. Today, these arguments are boosting the construction of wooden houses as revealed by this article from wood.com.
Strength and durability a fair match
When we think of a solid house, we immediately think of a masonry house. The resistance of this type of construction is indeed well-established. However, wooden houses are also very resistant. Wood is a very solid. Proof of this are the half-timbered constructions that have survived the centuries in the Landes or again Toulouse.
Contrary to prejudice, wood also very resistant to fire.
Moisture resistance: very slight benefit to masonry
Wood is less resistant to humidity than a brick construction. It will therefore be necessary to ensure that you maintain healthy housing that regulates water vapor well, in particular by installing a ventilation mechanical or CMV. It is also necessary to protect the structure from stagnant water and hidden leaks, in short to maintain your house.
The great advantage of brick is that it naturally regulates indoor humidity levels, allowing for the transfer of water vapor. However, this property depends on the finishes applied to it (paint, plaster) and obviously does not require efficient ventilation.
Maintenance: a little work for the wooden house with wooden cladding
A wooden house does not require any special maintenance. The structure is indeed sheltered from water and sun. If the wood siding takes on a patina over time, painted wood cladding will require a few days of work. Every 7 years, a little sanding and painting and it becomes like new again.
Equality in the use of local materials
Brick, like wood, is a traditional material in the Southwest. Made from kiln-baked clay, bricks have been used since ancient times for house construction. They are found throughout the Gironde region, particularly on the Arcachon bay, but also in the Toulouse region, where it is particularly highlighted in the local architecture.
Territory rich in forests, thanks in particular to the forest of Landes and Pyrenees, the greater Southwest, is a region where wood has always had a prominent place in local architecture.
Equality for architectural design
The two construction methods both offer great architectural freedom. At the house of Maisons Sic, the entire catalog can be made of wood. Large rooms such as large openings are possible. Moreover, these two constructive methods allow future enlargements and transformations.
The choices of interior and exterior finishes are also varied regardless of the construction method. It is thus possible to cover your wooden house with a masonry coating and your masonry house with wood cladding. In terms of exterior aesthetics and the finishing of houses, the trend is to mix a plaster finish and a wood finish. ».
Easier for DIYers?
For many, it seems easier to get your hands dirty in a timber frame construction. In dry die indeed, the tools, repairs and modifications (Adding, removing a wall, repairing, etc.) are within the reach of an occasional handyman. " Some clients want a house that is simply watertight and airtight, so they can tackle the finishing work themselves. With a wooden construction, this seems easier, but ultimately, they tend towards limited turnkey projects where they do the flooring, tiling, and painting themselves. ».
And is a little mix of the two possible?
At maisons Sic, it is possible to have a house that is partly masonry and partly timber framed. Having a part of the house in masonry brings inertia to the wooden house, which improves summer comfort. This solution is also suitable when you are on a dividing line, when it is sometimes difficult to maintain your wooden cladding ».
