The expert spoke about the advantages and disadvantages of a frame house

One of the advantages of frame houses is the low weight of the structure. However, the wooden frame is susceptible to biological threats, Fyodor Vasiliev, a construction expert, founder and CEO of Glavsnab, told Izvestia on April 29.

"A frame house, despite the abundance of advertising and promises, requires a sober assessment. Before deciding on construction, it is worth understanding what it consists of and what it obliges to," he stressed.

As the expert explained, the basis of the house is a wooden frame, between the posts of which insulation is laid, closed on both sides with slab materials. Cladding is added from the outside, and trim is installed inside. This simple scheme allows you to build such houses quickly and without using heavy machinery. A small house can be assembled in a month, especially if you use a pre-prepared kit.

"One of the main arguments in favor of wireframe systems is their lightness. Due to the low weight of the structure, the simplest foundation can be dispensed with: screw piles or a lightweight plate are sufficient. This is especially true on difficult soils, where pouring a heavy foundation would cost a large sum. There is also no need to wait for shrinkage, as in the case of log cabins or bricks: finishing can be done immediately," said Vasiliev.

At the same time, thermal insulation is laid immediately into the walls, which makes the house suitable for winter living. With proper insulation of 200 mm of basalt wool, the house retains heat no worse than a brick wall one and a half to two meters thick.

"Internal communications can be laid during the assembly of the frame — this saves effort on building and makes maintenance easier. The house does not make noise in the rain if soft tiles are used in the roof, and walls made of drywall or gypsum board allow for comfortable acoustics inside," the specialist added.

At the same time, the structure itself is resistant to earthquakes and ground movements: the frame works as a single unit and dampens vibrations.

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However, frame houses have features that cannot be ignored. The main thing is the need for good ventilation.

"The house is built on the principle of a thermos flask: tightness provides heat, but without hoods and an influx, moisture quickly accumulates inside. This leads to dampness and can damage the insulation. The latter, by the way, also requires attention: over time, it subsides, and if it gets wet, it completely loses its properties. In some cases, the insulation has to be changed after 15 years," said Vasiliev.

In addition, the wooden frame is susceptible to biological threats: fungus, mold, insects. Antiseptic treatment solves the problem only for a certain period of time.

"Fire safety is another point that needs to be taken seriously: even when using fire—resistant materials, wood remains wood. A fist will not break through the walls, but an assembly knife will cope with the task — therefore, there is no need to talk about the strength of the structure in the context of protection against vandalism," said Vasiliev.

However, long-term service at home is possible only if technology is followed. An assembly error, an under—dried board, poorly glued membranes - and in a few years the house will require major intervention.

"A frame house is not a quick hack, but an accurate engineering assembly, where every detail is important. It can become a cozy and warm home, but only if beautiful promises are not forgotten about physics, chemistry and common sense," the expert concluded.

Earlier, on April 19, Vasiliev told Izvestia that the construction of a turnkey private house in 2025 would cost Russians 40-55 thousand rubles per 1 sq. m. This is an average indicator, since the price depends, among other things, on the region, the materials used, and the workload of construction crews.