Horse houses. The technology of building a house in the style of fachwerk. Fachwerk and frame technology

half-timbered houses in the minds are firmly associated with something fabulous and European. Surprisingly, the creation of these buildings, in principle, does not involve significant efforts, and putting them on suburban area— is quite doable. To do this, of course, you need to know construction technologies and use high-quality materials. When looking at half-timbered houses, there is a desire to touch them with your hands and, if not to settle in them, then live for some time in order to appreciate this building on its merits.

History of appearance

Translated from German, "half-timbered" means "work panel". This construction technology appeared in the Middle Ages, when wealthy residents, for whom the ancient Roman construction techniques were not fully available, were forced to rework them to fit their capabilities. The Romans, as you know, made many military campaigns, during which they built frame houses in the conquered territories. For this, wooden log cabins were used, which were clogged with cement and gravel, and thus a frame was obtained. Later it was filled with brick and stone. A characteristic feature of these buildings was the bringing to the surface of the vertical racks of the frame, struts and horizontal bars. After the base and walls of the house were whitewashed with lime, the wooden components of the house stood out more and more against their background, creating a unique originality of the dwelling.

In the period from the 14th to the 16th century, German, English and other European half-timbered houses were improved, and the technologies for their creation were perfected. As a result, each part of Europe developed its own decorative patterns and the motives of these buildings. Often they were very complex.

Modern half-timbered houses (video)

Foundation construction and frame installation

The beginning of the construction of a half-timbered house begins with the preparation of the site. It is very important to examine the soil for strength. Half-timbered houses can be built on the basis of any foundation designed to create wooden house, but in terms of their weight they are quite light, having a minimal impact on the soil. Accordingly, if the soil is prone to swell and there is a lot of water inside it, then the building will be extremely unstable. To do this, the choice of foundation should be approached with all responsibility. In some cases, you can be content with columnar, slab or pile foundation, but sometimes you will need to create a tape version.

Half-timbered houses, since they have a wooden frame, largely depend on high-quality waterproofing. To do this, a layer is laid on the surface of the foundation. waterproofing material and only then the strapping crown is mounted. Its cross section must be at least 50x200 mm. All beams must be treated with antiseptics before installation to protect the wood from pests. In addition, all wooden elements covered with fireproof liquid. The strapping crown later becomes the basis of the frame, because all its lower parts are attached to it.

Invisible wooden wall elements, which will be hidden under the sheathing, create edged board(45x145 mm). They are also treated with fire prevention and pest control materials.

The rigidity and strength of the frame of a half-timbered house is achieved by the fact that hidden spikes and a dovetail are created at the joints on its elements. Outwardly, they may look somewhat doubtful, but houses built using this technology have been standing in Europe for more than 300 years, which is the best proof of the strength of such fasteners.

After mounting the frame, the house requires the creation of a hipped roof, which is carried out using a standard truss system for this method. For roofing, metal tiles are most often chosen. In general terms, a half-timbered house is created like any frame house, with the only difference being that the walls are sewn up.

dovetail connection

This is an old method of attaching wooden beams to each other. At the same time, it is still considered the most complex and time-consuming to create. It is best used at a distance between joints of 3 to 4 m. This is enough for half-timbered houses to get good rigidity. As a rule, even in the most critical places of the supporting structure, the use of a dovetail fully justifies itself and does not lead to premature repairs.

Distinctive style features

Half-timbered houses are always wooden structures. They are based on vertical racks, horizontal beams and braces (the so-called bars that fix the walls of houses in a diagonal). The step between the uprights is traditionally kept at a distance of 3 to 4 m. The fastenings between beams and beams can be visible and invisible. In the first case, a dovetail is used, and in the second, a hidden spike. To do this, a groove is created on one beam, and a spike on the adjacent beam.

Half-timbered houses (video)

wall cladding

In the old days, clay and reeds were actively used for insulation and wall cladding, but now the need for this has completely disappeared. Basalt wool is most often used to insulate a house, and cement-bonded particle boards (DSP) are used for wall cladding, which connect the load-bearing parts of the structure. In addition, you will need a special windproof and vapor barrier material.

Inside, the house is sheathed with the usual gypsum boards or glass-magnesium sheets (LGM). The latter type of cladding is quite unfamiliar in the post-Soviet expanses, but at the same time it allows you to qualitatively replace drywall, asbestos-cement boards, gypsum fiber sheets and other similar materials. Its advantages are that it does not burn at all, does not absorb moisture, and withstands shock well. That is, it is very difficult to break through a glass-magnesium sheet.

Exterior wall decoration

Finishing the house outside is carried out using ordinary putty and white paint. All floor beams must be left without processing. The half-timbered style also requires that all roof overhangs are not hemmed, and that the braces, posts and beams remain visible. The only thing that can be done is to treat them with a special tinting wood impregnation to emphasize them against the background of a white wall.

Fachwerk facade decoration will require careful selection plastic windows, which must have Brown color under the tree. To date, there are many color projects of half-timbered houses with different dimensions and plans. Designers offer their customers a variety of color options for bars from light brown to black. Accordingly, it is quite possible to create a half-timbered house with your own hands using one of them.

In our country, half-timbered houses are a relatively new trend, which is gaining more and more popularity every day. Such a structure has already gained its overwhelming popularity, and this is quite obvious. For its construction, only pure building materials are used, and the structure is convenient to use.

Why are half-timbered buildings so special?

We are building half-timbered house

Half-timbered houses began to be built several centuries ago, starting from the distant 12th century.

Such structures are classified as low-rise buildings and may include a maximum of four floors. And today it is very popular to build such a structure from one floor using the maximum of modern technologies.

Fachwerk is a cellular structure. Technique for building houses half-timbered style has nothing to do with the usual brick or concrete buildings. Such a structure is based on a frame made of wood from load-bearing vertical posts, horizontally installed beams and diagonal braces. The basis of the house is a wooden beam made of durable species, which is treated with special glue.

The technical features that a wooden beam should differ in are shown in the table.

During the construction of buildings, chip and cement slabs are very often used, which are produced by pressing Portland cement, wood chips and various stabilizers. This canvas has:

high density;
good heat and sound insulation features;
not afraid of the vagaries of the weather;
has an affordable price;
easy to install.

Today, thanks to technological progress, it has begun to erect half-timbered buildings from heat-saving glass panels. In this way, you can glaze up to 95% of the surfaces in the house.

As a rule, half-timbered buildings complement two or hipped roof, which is set quite low. Thanks to its location on hot days, you can hide under its shade from the scorching sun.

home distinguishing feature, which is inherent exclusively in half-timbered houses - a frame made of wood, which is not hidden under a layer of finishing material.

Advantages and disadvantages of buildings

How to build a half-timbered house with your own hands?

The building in half-timbered style cannot but amaze with its accuracy and grace. Another plus in their favor is that they can be built very quickly by collecting all necessary details together as a constructor. Despite the ease of installation, such structures have high level strength and different long term exploitation, which can be seen if you look at the houses that were built about 3 centuries ago, but retained their original beauty.

It is also worth highlighting the following advantages:

due to the fact that an axial structure is being erected in buildings, there is no need to build bearing walls inside the building;
in half-timbered buildings, the main load falls on vertical racks and wood frames, which reduces the amount of pressure on the foundation;
such buildings do not shrink, so they can be erected on any basis, which, in turn, reduces the cost of construction;
due to the fact that the house is being built from separate parts (according to the principle of the designer), it can be rebuilt in the shortest possible time, which brick or stone buildings cannot boast of.

There is nothing perfect in our life, and a half-timbered house is no exception. But, thanks modern technologies still managed to cope with many problems.

For example, earlier half-timbered buildings were very inferior to brick houses in terms of their “ability” to keep warm. But, today, thanks to modern building materials with increased heat retention, this has ceased to be a problem.

How to decorate a half-timbered house?

Do-it-yourself half-timbered houses, really?

A half-timbered building is based on a special load-bearing frame, for which glued beams made of steel or reinforced concrete are used.

Previously, it was customary to fill the spaces between the bearing parts with adobe, but today they use for this purpose:

brickwork;
a natural stone;
foam blocks;
aerated concrete.

As a rule, various heaters are added to such materials.

But, this is not the whole list of materials from which you can see the design of the half-timbered building. Also widely used:

board material

For work, such plates can be cut with a grinder or a jigsaw, then pigmented in the desired shade with a water-based or oil paint.

The plates are fastened with screws, which are screwed between the frame parts.

Also as board material gypsum-fiber sheets with a high level of moisture resistance or lining can be used.

Plaster

This type of finish is most suitable for decorating buildings made of brick or blocks.

As a mixture, it is better to choose waterproof compounds that can cover walls several centimeters thick.

If you live in a region with harsh climatic conditions, building a house with glass walls is not very cost-effective. For this, other options have been developed that allow you to make the house the most favorable for living, thereby not violating its stylistic features.

As you can see, such an imitation of a half-timbered house will be cheap, but this makes its appearance and specifications not a bit hurt.

We build buildings in the style of half-timbered houses with our own hands

half-timbered house

If half-timbered buildings made an indelible impression on you, and you decide to build such a house for yourself with your own hands, get ready that this is absolutely not easy. Although experienced builders they assure of the speed of construction of such a building, they mean the assembly of the structure from already prepared parts, for which all elements were previously carefully designed by computer programs.

Such parts are connected using "thorn-groove" systems, which provide the structure with strength. But, for high-quality work with your own hands, you must have at least some skills in carpentry.

Before you build a half-timbered building with your own hands, you need to consider the following points:

in order to properly build a building with your own hands, you need to build a lightweight foundation, because a half-timbered structure does not create a large load on the base, but distributes it between the wooden beams of the frame;
it will be necessary to lay waterproofing on the foundation, then install a strapping from a bar and fix it with metal anchors;
then install a frame of glued beams;
as a heater, you can use both basalt wool and cellulose mats;
if the house has many walls made of glass, you can install a "warm floor" near them or additional system heating;
to cover the roof, you can use ceramic or metal tiles, as well as sheet iron;
when all the work is completed, you can proceed to the external design.

To give the building completeness, color and half-timbered style, it must be plastered and painted with light colors, preferably in pastel colors.

Frame construction methods of buildings have been known for a long time. The construction of buildings using the half-timbered method was most widespread in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. The presence of a sufficient amount of natural building material - pine wood made it possible to quickly build reliable and warm buildings. In distant Japan, buildings built using half-timbered technology are also known. The buildings date back to more than 1000 years ago.

Fachwerk technology features

Fachwerk construction is very popular among modern lovers of country life. is an elegant and harmonious composition combining wood, glass and stone. The appearance of such a building is always original and recognizable. The house is characterized by high performance, durable, quickly erected. These facts are fundamental for many customers when choosing materials and construction methods. country house or private cottage.

Building a house using the half-timbered method begins in the same way as any other house with laying the foundation. The basis of the future building is a poured reinforced monoblock foundation. Depth and other dimensions are calculated by designers, taking into account the quality of soils, design features building.

To build a half-timbered house, beams from pine trees are needed. The creation of the supporting frame is carried out strictly in accordance with the design documentation, in which the bearing capacity of the building and possible slopes are calculated. The walls with this technology are not load-bearing, but only divide the space into rooms. The material from which the walls are made can be light and inexpensive.

Special conditions, which are assigned to the foundation during construction using fachwerk technology, are not as rigid as when using other technologies. Due to the fact that the frame of the building is quite light and stable, it is allowed to use a shallow foundation. The half-timbered house has light and rigid walls, which are interconnected with spikes, metal brackets and plates. The lower part of the frame of the house is attached to the foundation with anchor bolts, reliable waterproofing is carried out, and the lower part of the building is covered with polystyrene foam to insulate and prevent dampness. As a result, the building is distinguished by lightness and elegance of construction.

Fachwerk technology construction allows the use different material to fill the cells of a half-timbered structure. The internal walls are filled with special thermal insulation and vapor barrier boards using a thin layer of aluminum. This is done to prevent moisture from entering the room. All walls are puttied, sanded and decorated according to any known method at the customer's choice. For the development of the interior, it is possible to use any known style applicable in residential construction.

The erection of the frame of a half-timbered building

Construction begins with, in which the quantity is calculated in detail consumable, technological stages works, foundation construction. The pouring of the foundation precedes the start of construction of any house. installed on a reinforced concrete foundation, the depth of which is calculated in each case. This fact is influenced by the peculiarity of the soil and the depth of groundwater. How long the foundation is laid depends on how long the house itself will stand.

It gives the customer the opportunity to receive an original and unique house in its design. The technology allows using axial structures when planning space, architectural projects half-timbered houses in each case can be as unusual as the customer wishes.

For the construction of the frame structure of the house, a pine tree beam is used. Often this is a specially made timber, prepared and protected from moisture and decay by various impregnations that protect the tree from atmospheric influences. For the construction of the frame, glued or polished wooden beams are suitable, which are subsequently coated with a special varnish. Wood is a sufficiently malleable material to be affected by weather fluctuations, and to maintain a residential atmosphere in a building, it is necessary to use special heat insulating materials.

The frame of a half-timbered house is a rigid and lightweight structure made of beams, stable and reliable. Frame-frame construction will allow solving several engineering problems at the same time:

cut construction time,
create a stable and durable structure.
ensure the reliability and durability of the building under construction.
minimize the use of wood in the construction process.
construct a building at the most economical cost.

The frame of the building, including walls, roof, terraces, are connected securely in invisible places using wooden spikes and metal brackets. This ensures the safety and stability of the building. Years of experience construction of half-timbered houses in the conditions of the north allows you to create structures that are resistant to hurricane winds, low temperatures, high humidity.

Fachwerk house decoration

When the frame frame of the half-timbered house is ready, they begin to fill in the cells of the structure. Facing the frame is possible with a variety of materials, which makes it possible to give an interesting and original appearance to the building. The inner cells are filled with special materials, which are sewn up with antiseptic plywood boards from above. The use of heat-insulating and waterproof fillers will make your stay comfortable and cozy. The soundproofing provided in the technology will increase the comfort of the house.

Exterior decoration of the walls of the house is carried out after the installation of windows and doors. The possibilities for decorating sections of the outer walls are very diverse. The installation of wooden panels is suitable here, stone is often used for exterior decoration. In combination with a large number of double-glazed windows, such a house looks solid and beautiful. Fachwerk technology provides for a large number of windows, which makes the building light, airy and elegant. Windows can be both opening for ventilation, and deaf, showcase. This will fill the interior with light, keep warm. The hermetic silicone seal is complemented by platbands with soft felt insulation.

Laying engineering networks and communications is most often done inside the floor. It is hot and cold water supply for kitchen and bathroom, outdoor and indoor electric cable for lighting and household needs. For heating, water heated floors are more suitable. Internal water and sewer pipes made of polypropylene are durable, lightweight and economical. Electrical wiring to sockets and switches is laid inside the walls.

Roof for half-timbered house

The roof decorates any house, the use of various options in the construction of fachwerk technology makes it possible to create various architectural options. The most commonly installed gable roof structure roof without attic space. Wide overhangs protect the house from direct sunlight and atmospheric precipitation. Terraces that border on the level of the roof overhang create a natural extension of the interiors of the house.

It is advisable to mount the ceilings of the interior of the house using wooden structures or gypsum boards. Variety of decorative materials for interior decoration will create a unique look of the house.

Modernity at home

Houses built using half-timbered technology are distinguished by originality, originality of the internal and external appearance. Such a house can be built with a fairly small financial investment. The accessibility of the building allows many city dwellers to realize the dream of living in their own country cottage. Simplicity and convenience of a design will provide comfort of residing. The manufacturability of modern cottage settlements provides all the necessary amenities for its residents, despite the remoteness of living from big cities.

Increasingly popular among customers are houses built using beam technology, using wooden building materials such as glued beams. Big windows on the entire wall allow not only to admire the landscape, but also to become part of a beautiful natural landscape. Half-timbered houses perfectly cope with various atmospheric loads, such as strong winds, rains and snowfalls. Frame technology allows you to create elegant buildings with high strength. The rigid frame of the building from racks, beams and braces bears the main load transmitted to the foundation. Walls are enclosing and dividing structures. , built using fachwerk technology, have been standing in Europe for more than three hundred years. For those who were not familiar with such constructions, visiting a house built using half-timbered technology makes an indelible impression with its beauty and solidity. The possibilities that this technology opens up for design are very large and varied. The wooden frame of the house is treated with weather-resistant varnishes, complemented modern materials retains an indescribable feeling of unity with nature. A house that has all the modern advantages for a comfortable life can give unlimited joy to the family living in it.

Half-timbered construction projects

Fachwerk technology came to us from Europe. In the construction of buildings in order to save wood building materials, the Nordic countries used crushed stone, stone, and other building materials to fill the openings of the building frame. At the same time, the houses came out very durable, had a long service life, which is hundreds of years old. Skilled carpenters were able to use an ax to create such masterpieces of medieval architecture that stood for 300 to 500 years.

Modern projects for the construction of half-timbered buildings only remotely resemble buildings built in past centuries. Today, builders offer a variety of bricks, polished wood. The cost of construction depends on the material of construction, and the area of the house that you want to build. Designers will present finished project, equipped with communications and engineering networks and facilities. The use of half-timbered construction technology is possible in the construction of both residential buildings, cottages and summer cottages, and for the construction of public buildings - hotels, mini-hotels, non-standard office buildings. Construction by this method has a number of serious advantages, such as durability and reliability of the building. The structure is relatively light in weight. To create a foundation, there is no need to drive piles, creating a particularly strong foundation.

Fachwerk facade decoration

The cost-effectiveness of construction distinguishes the construction of fachwerk technology from other methods. Facade decoration does not require the use of expensive materials. If the customer wants to finish the facade with an imitation in the half-timbered style, then it is quite acceptable to use polyurethane substitutes instead of expensive wooden beams. Externally, the building looks great, has an aesthetic appeal. Durability and resistance to external weathering will allow you to serve for many years without worrying about deterioration in performance and appearance. Fachwerk elements are attached to the outer columns using mounting ladders. Filling voids with thermal insulation with subsequent use finishing materials will allow you to create an imitation of style without violating the uniqueness of the building.

Today, construction and decoration in the half-timbered style is fashion trend among those customers who although to build a durable, strong and beautiful house at economical cost. The construction time for such a house is shorter than when building a cottage made of bricks or other traditional building materials. rebirth vintage technology emphasizes the practicality and reliability of this method. The use of heat-insulating materials makes it possible to save energy for heating the cottage. You can order a project according to the available design documents for a house of various sizes. For particularly demanding customers, architects are ready to finalize projects in accordance with individual requirements. Having started building a house in the spring, by the fall you can get it ready, warm house for the whole family. The building is environmentally friendly, an attractive aesthetic appearance will always delight both the residents of the house and the guests who come to visit.

How to build a half-timbered house

For those who, having studied all the ways of building a cottage for themselves, settled on the fachwerk technology method, it is worth contacting professionals to order work for the design and execution of work. The choice of land for a half-timbered house is very diverse, there are practically no restrictions. It is necessary to choose a place for the future home with your own preferences. The architectural possibilities when choosing a cottage style are very wide, the project can be done in an unpretentious peasant style and a rich, quirky option for those customers who want to have big house for a multi-generational family. The house is suitable for year-round living, as during the development of project documentation, a supply of all engineering communications necessary for a modern comfortable life is being developed.

Thermal conductivity and the absence of moisture and dampness inside a half-timbered house is achieved through the use of natural building materials and modern heat-insulating and water-absorbing materials that are used in the construction of a cottage. The area of the house, as well as the number of floors, is selected depending on the wishes of the customer, taking into account the number of permanent residents in the house and the purpose of the building. It is possible to build a cottage on a suburban area according to interesting, ready-made standard projects. In order to verify the reliability of the building, it is possible to go to the site, inspect the finished building in which people live. The reliability and stability of the building is ensured by the frame-axial structure. The axles create space between the uprights, thus allowing for design choices.

Stages of building a half-timbered house

When starting the construction of a half-timbered house, it is worth remembering the main features of this construction method. Fachwerk exterior decoration is different from any other and is the main architectural feature, emphasizing the external expressiveness of the building. The frame elements dissect the white walls, the building looks smart and simple at the same time. The whole complex of works on the construction of the facility can be divided into the following stages:

Development of project documentation and estimates construction works.
Construction of the foundation for the future building.
Construction of the frame of the house.
Installation OSB boards and filling the openings of the frame with heat-insulating materials.
Wall painting - putty, sanding, painting.
Installation of ceilings, floors, engineering networks.
Interior design work.
Exterior work on finishing the facade of the building.
breakdown adjoining territory in accordance with the design project.

All these works are carried out strictly in accordance with project documentation where each section is listed. Engineering and geodetic parameters are calculated for the correct and reliable laying of the foundation. The building, which was erected by a professional team of workers under the guidance of competent engineers and designers, can stand for hundreds of years. The fachwerk construction method is designed for long-term operation of the house. At proper care for wooden structures, house support, regular repair work the cottage will serve more than one generation of the family, giving joy and pleasure. Given the speed of construction and the cost-effectiveness of the method, we can confidently say that such a building is most suitable for climatic characteristics and operating conditions on the territory of Russia.

Frame-panel buildings and structures belong to the second group of capitalization of housing. First of all, half-timbered houses belong to it.

As an independent style of building houses, half-timbered houses originated in Germany in the 15th century. The word "half-timbered" is translated from German as a panel (shield) structure (Fach - panel, Werk - structure). Half-timbered structures were used for construction in a wide variety of areas. Houses, warehouses, hospitals, town halls and even small churches were built on a wooden frame. Wooden structures perform both frame and decorative functions. Today, half-timbered houses in the West are returning to modern life due to the large area of glazing.

Half-timbered houses in the center of Europe gave the medieval city its originality, but were quite severe in terms of domestic comfort. Due to the fact that the enclosing structures of these structures had a high thermal conductivity (in most cases their thickness did not exceed 14-16 cm), a device in the vast unheated attics of living quarters for servants - reduced heat loss through the coating. With numerous design flaws, considered cold even for the mild winters of Holland, these houses, nevertheless, have become an integral element of the local color. In addition, a frame dwelling made it possible to solve the most acute housing problem in a short time with minimal investment. However, even the well-preserved buildings of the historical zone of Western European cities have numerous destructions and cracks along the southern facades, since it is here that the consequences of uneven overheating are primarily manifested.

The reconstruction of old half-timbered buildings abroad is accompanied by the restoration of reprint publications of the early 18th and 19th centuries on the construction of half-timbered houses, starting with the study of the most important nodes from the point of view of reconstruction. The richest material, even in terms of local lore, was collected in Leipzig and other cities that suffered during the war.

Solutions for eaves knots still cause many difficulties. In spring, in our cities, wet walls can be observed everywhere in the under-eaves part with numerous cracks from the corners of the building. Classic cornice solutions always remain relevant.

The enclosing structures of a half-timbered house are a double system of intersecting wooden beams, the space between them was filled with roughly burnt clay blocks, many of which were poorly preserved by the time of reconstruction. If local materials were available, sandstone, etc., was used instead of clay fragments. materials that do not have sufficient durability. Fragments wooden crate in many places rotted, collapsed and required replacement.

The half-timbered construction consists of a wooden frame and a filler - clay or bricks, which fill the gaps between the beams. Structural elements it simultaneously performs a decorative function. wooden bars, visible from the outside, give the viewer a clear idea of the structure of the building, so there is no need for such standard elements of classical architecture as cornices, friezes or pilasters.

But wooden half-timbered buildings had a serious drawback: vulnerability to fire (although oak wood is relatively resistant to high temperatures). In addition, the wood in contact with the filler was subjected to increased decay and biological damage.

City authorities often took fire-fighting measures by banning thatch roofs or erecting thick stone firewalls (as, for example, in Osnabrück).

Cities encouraged replacement wooden facades stone, as in Nuremberg. This process apparently began earlier than many researchers suggest. For example, house 12 along Ober Kremergasse in Nuremberg acquired a stone facade no later than 1398. However, on appearance buildings, this was almost not reflected, with the exception of the configuration of the windows.

Initially, they were grouped in threes, with the middle window in each triple located slightly higher than the side ones (this window arrangement was common throughout Upper Germany and Switzerland). The neighboring buildings with a wooden frame on stone plinths (houses 16 and 18 along Unter Kremergasse) date back to a later period, 1452-1560.

The materials used for the construction of the building were not always determined by the prosperity of the city dweller-customer. The quality of some half-timbered buildings, commissioned by powerful guilds or wealthy patricians, was exceptionally high. A typical guild building of the period around 1480 - the Brotherhood of Michael Guild - stands on the market square of the "wooden" city of Fritzlar. It is clearly distinguished from neighboring residential buildings by a hall located on the ground floor, into which two arcades with lancet arches lead, and a bay window covering three floors - from the second to the fourth. At roof level, this bay window transforms into an octagonal tower with a spire. Such a narrow building is the result of legal restrictions related to the layout of the city: small plots were allocated for houses with street-facing facades. The design of this guild building comes from the Franconian tradition of wooden architecture, common in Central and Western Germany.

In Ehingen (Swabia) the new building of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, built in the characteristic Alemannic half-timbered tradition that dominated all southwestern German lands, has survived to this day. Its distinguishing features, in particular, are the small windows squeezed into the narrow spaces between the lintels and the large distances between the frame posts. These racks, together with struts, form various geometric figures who were given anthropomorphic names. On the first floor of this hospital there was an almshouse, on the second and third - the rooms of the so-called "scientists" and servants. The kitchen was also originally located on the third floor.

The house on Knochenhauerstraße in Braunschweig may be an example of the half-timbered construction typical of Lower Saxony (although this type of timber construction is also found throughout Northern Germany). True, only fragments of the old building have survived, but they clearly demonstrate the characteristic features of this type: all the beams are located at right angles to each other, the upper floors protrude far forward, the frame posts are separated by narrow intervals, and, finally, rows of closely spaced other windows form the so-called "lantern". The window sills, decorated with carvings, helical frieze, inscriptions and typical late Gothic ornaments, anticipate the rich decorative carvings of the 16th century.

In 1480, the Junker Hansen tower was erected in Neustadt near Marburg - a round fortified building of mixed construction, in which stone was combined with a wooden frame. This tower served to protect the castle and a small village. In architectural terms, it is a cross between a keep of a castle and a bastion of a fortress wall.

In Germany, for more than ten years, there have been special excursions - "Fachwerk Street".

Half-timbered houses are also found in France, Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Holland, the Scandinavian countries, but Germany is especially known for them.

In modern Germany, there are about two million half-timbered buildings. But, of course, the excursion route does not cover them all. The first part of the German "half-timbered street" was laid from the Weserbergland to Vogelsberg back in 1990. And now "Fachwerk Street" covers more than 2.6 thousand kilometers and passes through more than 100 cities in different federal states.

Today, there are nine routes along roads and towns, which are monuments of seven hundred and even thousand years of the country's history (construction using this technology began a long time ago, but the peak came in the 16th century). The oldest half-timbered houses still standing are in Esslingen, for example. The buildings of this city are about 750 years old. The oldest houses in Limburg an der Lahn were built in 1289 (however, older buildings of this type also exist in Germany).

A “half-timbered house” is a house built according to a certain model: a rigid supporting frame made of racks (vertical elements), beams (horizontal elements) and braces (diagonal elements), on which the roof rested. The beams were most often made of durable and strong oak. The upper floors were sometimes built of pine or spruce. It's amazing, but even today, after several centuries, you can sometimes see Roman numerals on the beams - with them, even on the ground, before the frame was assembled, the builders marked the place of each beam in the overall structure.

In order to save money, only plinths were built from stone. More prosperous people allowed themselves to build the entire first floor of stone in two or three-story houses.

The builders filled the space between the elements of the frame with reeds, branches, wood chips, straw and various construction waste mixed with clay (and in England, sheep's wool was also added for warmth). Thus, wood was saved during construction,
and besides, the filled "crevices" allowed the house to breathe - it was neither particularly hot in summer, nor cold in winter. Later, the space began to be filled with brick, and often it was also laid out with a beautiful ornament.

The resulting panels were plastered, and the frame itself was usually left in plain sight. Half-timbered houses are striking even today with their clearly separated dark and white elements. Wealthy citizens filled the inter-frame space with wooden carved panels. Especially these architectural delights became popular at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century.

Half-timbered buildings have their own terminology used for centuries. Basically, it indicates the peculiarities of the location of beams in buildings. So, the form of crossing, similar to the Latin letter "x", is called "St. Andrew's Cross" (after the name of the Apostle Andrew, crucified on such a cross). On the basis of the St. Andrew's Cross, a richer ornamental motif appeared, similar to the Russian letter "zh". He became a symbol of fire and at the same time protection from fire. Another form is called "Man", or "Wild Man". In it, the lateral oblique sections of the beams intersect by a third or in the middle of the height of the supporting vertical beam. The design in which the oblique beam segments do not intersect is called the "Swabian Woman".

On the corner beams of the walls, you can often see ornamental curls similar to the letter S. They served as amulets against lightning. Terrifying masks at the corners of houses are also "guards". Rosettes were symbols of the sun and were believed to bring fertility and abundance.

Half-timbered houses in Europe are distinguished both by style and by national characteristics. For example, British and French half-timbered houses have a pronounced vertical striped look, while German ones have several variants, but with one common trend towards the original ornament on the facade.

Half-timbered buildings were influenced by fashionable architectural trends: Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance. The facades of half-timbered buildings built in the Renaissance period are decorated with decorative elements typical of that style: rosettes, shells, acanthus leaves, wreaths, garlands, flower vases, mascarons, etc.

From Baroque, half-timbered houses have allegorical figures and high pediments with powerful curls along the edges. Often on the corner of the building or on the console supporting the bay window, there were figures of burghers or characters from the Sacred History.

Dates, coats of arms and whole boards with inscriptions located on the facades became a special part of the decor. They indicated to whom the house belonged, to which craft workshop the homeowner belongs, or what he professionally does. And sometimes they wrote something additionally on the facade: wishes for well-being, various moralizing sayings. Actually, this is a prototype of our today's numbering of houses.

Half-timbered houses began to go out of fashion in the middle of the 18th century. Wealthier citizens wanted to use modern engineering Communication, but they did not fit well with the half-timbered construction. And only in the 20th century, nostalgia for antiquity forced engineers to come up with ways to combine modern and ancient construction: this is how reconstructed half-timbered houses appeared in many towns, and even in large Frankfurt. They left in them external walls, and the "stuffing" was completely replaced with a modern one.

The construction of frame houses today is the main direction in construction. Foundation frame structure most often done according to the column-tape type. A wooden frame is installed on the foundation, which is assembled according to the honeycomb principle in increments of 5-6 centimeters. The frame is made from a bar made from softwood dried to 15% moisture.

Previously, the tree is treated with impregnations from insect damage, decay, fire, as well as antiseptics. After installing the supporting structure from the outside, it is sheathed with a moisture-resistant slab, and inside the wall is filled with various fire-resistant heaters. To prevent wind and moisture from destroying your frame, it is sheathed on both sides with a vapor-permeable membrane, i.e. frame house - "breathing" house.

Inside, after installing the membrane, the frame is sheathed with drywall. After that, the wiring of networks and communications is carried out, which are also covered with drywall. The result is a wall 20 cm thick, while all communications are hidden in the walls.

The advantage of a frame house is that the finishing of a dwelling can be done immediately after construction work. That is, from the idea of creating a house to settling in, it will take no more than 3-4 months.

It is believed that these houses are very economical due to the thinner walls compared to houses made of logs or timber. If, in accordance with the climatic features of Russia, the outer walls log house should be at least 20 cm, then 15 cm is quite enough for a frame house. However, it should be remembered that the durability of a wooden house is 50 years, and a frame-panel house is 30.

Thanks to the effective combination of wood, insulation and insulating materials, it is possible to build a frame house suitable for almost any climate zone. It is the versatility of this technology, the possibility of developing a project for each individual order that made the construction of frame houses so attractive today.

Due to the low durability, half-timbered houses are still being reconstructed today. But now they are approaching it more boldly, which allows a huge amount of accumulated experience.

The old coating covered with polyethylene is being rebuilt for an additional floor, and it is being built on top of it attic floor, exactly following the contours old roof. And, although there is practically no structural scaffolding left in Europe, all work is carried out using wooden load-bearing structures, since their low weight does not load the existing foundation.

In Western Europe, when the external appearance of the structure is completely preserved during the reconstruction of historical half-timbered buildings, the supporting structures and the thermal rehabilitation of the structure are carried out only from the inside of the building, by reducing the internal usable area.

After the rehabilitation of the wooden structures of the half-timbered house, a wall with a thickness of 24 cm most often from porous hollow bricks in such a way that a gap arises between it and the half-timbered wall 12 cm: 8 cm- for styling thermal insulation material, A 4 cm- for ventilation of a half-timbered wall.

As a result of the measures taken, the thickness of the outer walls, as a rule, grows to 56 cm which reduces living space. In this case, the question arises about the settlement of attics. To do this, it is necessary to replace those not designed for the increased constant load wooden beams ceilings, which by that time in many structures have fully developed their service life. In addition, during the reconstruction of half-timbered houses, modern bathrooms are being installed, including those in the attic floors.

When solving the problems that arose, European builders took the most difficult path for themselves, completing projects and carrying out all the work in the most gentle mode for ancient buildings. The inner wall is half-timbered, with strict adherence to the ligation system that the outer walls had, so replacing the floor beams does not cause difficulties, since the new beams are based on the half-timbered inner wall, which had a higher bearing capacity.

The need to preserve the ancient appearance complicates and exterior finish. Outside, the houses are plastered in three layers, and each layer had to dry completely before the lining of the next. The amount of cement binder is reduced from the inner layer to the outer. Mineral facade paint is applied on top. The seams of the renovated wooden fachwerk are not only carefully preserved, but also deepened, and the preserved details of the outer clay walls remain in their original form.

Since the main heat loss in the building occurs through windows, window openings there were few such structures, they were made small, since they were inscribed between the half-timbered beams.

Therefore, the interiors were not sufficiently insolated. When installing new window openings during the reconstruction, they tried not to touch the existing half-timbered system. To the attic, the half-timbered step at the ends of the structure was even more reduced, the arrangement of windows could completely change the architectural appearance of the structure. At the end of the 40s of the XX century, the first models of inclined roof windows of Swedish production appeared. During the reconstruction of historical buildings, they were given preference, first of all, because they practically did not change the existing appearance of the building merging with pitched roof. And only during the period of operation, it was found out that skylights let in 40% more light than ordinary ones.

Reconstruction of half-timbered houses of 49 and the end of the 80s of the outgoing century. The first skylights were deaf, without the possibility of opening

After the reconstruction and renovation of the housing stock of historical buildings, the attitude towards attics has changed. With plumbing, elevator, electrical wiring attics have acquired the status of elite housing. Modern communications have not only equated the attic floor to any other, but even made it more preferable in terms of comfort.

The construction of houses using this technology consists in the construction of a monolithic foundation, with a pre-calculated depth, depending on the existing climatic conditions.

Next, walls are built, for example, from glued wood beams, which should be coated with antiseptic agents, and then, after the construction of the frame itself, with a varnish that protects from the effects of the external environment.

Mainly used as a building material conifers. Half-timbered houses have a supporting rigid frame of vertically placed racks, beams laid horizontally and diagonally arranged braces, which are the peculiarity of the whole structure.

The empty space between the walls of such houses must be filled with various building materials, and the building will receive rigidity thanks to the same braces. The fastening of structural parts will affect the increase in the strength level of the frame.

For building a house fachwerk technology any piece of land can be selected. When building a half-timbered building, it becomes possible to translate absolutely any architectural ideas and fantasies into reality.

Probably, many travel lovers in Western Europe paid attention to charming fairy-tale houses. They are a highlight in their own right. Today, such houses are being built in Russia, America, and Australia. And yet the most familiar place for them is Germany. Of course, many of our readers have already guessed that we are talking about half-timbered houses. What it is? Let's figure it out.

We study fachwerk

This is special building construction a certain type. In other words, this is a rigid frame made of timber, which is formed by a system of horizontal, diagonal, vertical elements - racks, beams, braces. The gaps are filled with insulating material. At first, clay, stone, and adobe were used. Today, half-timbered houses are built using modern insulation, sandwich panels. The choice of such materials today is huge, so it depends on the preferences of the customer and his financial capabilities. Now you understand what fachwerk is. Let's see where and how it is used.

The facade of a half-timbered house in the old days was different - it was left in its original form, then they began to brick the building and plaster it. The most prosperous owners sheathed it with wooden panels.

Today, the facade of a half-timbered house can be decorated in a more diverse way. Often the walls are sheathed and only then finished in accordance with the wishes of the owners - they are sheathed with bricks or natural stone, clapboard or a variety of panels. There is only one invariable feature: fachwerk is a structure in which the frame is visible from the outside. When the house is plastered and painted, the frame remains intact. The whole point of this style lies in the fact that racks, beams, crossbars and braces divide the walls of the building in an original way, thereby giving it a special appeal.

As a rule, a half-timbered house has a gable, less often. Today, many designers claim that half-timbered houses are an architectural style. But initially the meaning of this term is translated from German as follows: Fach - section, Werk - structure. Therefore, a fachwerk is a construction of sections. Got it sorted out.

Fachwerks: what is this design

According to some reports, this technology has been around for more than five hundred years, according to others, it has already celebrated its 1000th anniversary. But despite this, construction methods have not changed much. Just like several centuries ago, the building is built on a rigid wooden frame. True, if earlier they used ordinary timber, today glued timber is used as the most durable. It does not have cracks and knots, and therefore looks much more aesthetically pleasing. For such a structure, this is important, since the frame is also a decoration of the house.

The construction of half-timbered houses these days is no more difficult than the quick erection of buildings from light metal structures. Many people thinking about building own house, are interested in half-timbered houses. What kind of construction is this, how much more profitable is it than modern buildings built from new materials using modern technologies? Let's try to answer these questions.

Style Features

A half-timbered house, the photo of which you see in this article, does not accept the use of metal - screeds that can ruin the interior. The elements are still connected by wood - spikes, cuts, dowels. I must say that such compounds were used in houses that are already 400-500 years old. Agree, this is a good advertisement for this technology.

The half-timbered frame is light, which allows you to build houses on a shallow, inexpensive foundation. in the fachwerk style opens up great opportunities for glazing. You can create entire walls of glass. Blind wall openings are usually insulated with glass wool or lightweight aerated concrete. Inside, they are sheathed with a gypsum-fiber sheet, which significantly improves sound insulation, and in addition, serves additional protection by cold.

Where to start building

Of course, from design. A quality home project is half the battle. This means that with the proper quality of construction work, the house will serve the owner for decades. It is better to order an individual project, which will suit the customer even in small things.

Construction duration

Today you can buy ready-made frames made at the factory, allowing you to build half-timbered houses. There is no doubt that this will significantly speed up the process. It takes from two to six weeks to manufacture it at the enterprise. At this time, the foundation is being prepared at the construction site. The frame is installed, filled with insulation, the roof is erected, the exterior and internal walls. This takes another two or three months. It is necessary to create a heating system. It can also be different - furnace, steam, water, etc. Laying communications will also take some time. At the same time, we can say that the fachwerk is built quite quickly, like any other frame structure.

Fachwerk in Russia

This technology is applicable only for the construction of houses for permanent residence only in a warm climate. This was considered until recently. However, technologies are constantly being updated, and today architects building half-timbered houses in Russia use the “warm floor” technology, use high-quality double-glazed windows, fill the frame with sandwich insulation, and additionally sheathe the outer walls with bricks. As a result of such operations, good old half-timbered houses become reliable, comfortable, withstanding very low temperatures. There is no doubt that this is a house suitable for permanent residence.

Fachwerk interior

This issue should be approached creatively. existing system beams can not be hidden anywhere, and whether it is necessary to do so. They carry the spirit of antiquity. They just need to be original. To do this, you can use any style - from minimalism to German country.

Beams can be artificially aged if desired, more can be used in the interior natural wood, lay a board or tile "antique" on the floor. In this case, use solid massive furniture. Purchase coarse textiles, self-woven rugs. Modern technology is better to hide behind the facades of cabinets.

If minimalism is closer to you, consider glazing large areas in advance. Rooms will be spacious and filled with light. Paint the frame and beams in White color, and lay bleached parquet on the floor. The walls must certainly be soft light colors. Install a concise and compact fireplace, minimal amount furniture, and from a fairy tale it will turn into a strict and light house of a modern person.

It should be noted that there is no specific style in which half-timbered houses are decorated. What kind of style it will be, it is up to the landlord to decide. From time immemorial, such houses were united only by the presence of a hearth and a frame.

Half-timbered interior

This is a very arbitrary name. In fact, such a house can be decorated in different ways. Emphasize the frame by painting it in a contrasting color. Floors can be any - (tiles are used for this). Like the outside of the house, internal partitions frame should be visible. The walls in a half-timbered house should be light. For this, textured plaster is most suitable. Beams can be used to organize lighting, in addition, they can be used as shelves or brackets for storing various utensils. In the interior of the half-timbered house, it is permissible to use forging. It can be a horseshoe or even a cartwheel.

Today you learned a little about pretty half-timbered houses, found out what their design is, how long it takes to build and how they can be arranged. We hope that this information will be useful to you, and you will someday use it in practice.