EKOBEAM : your townhouse from 1200 euros/m2 ! townhouse, timber frame house

In constructing a wooden house there are two different techniques. Firstly, there is the old and very popular method using simple pine logs. Secondly, there is the real wooden house using thick beams piled horizontally (i.e. piled beam technique). There is also the timber frame house (which is not exactly a wooden house because a part of the construction uses an insulating material which can be made of bricks). As far as we are concerned, we use the piled beam technique. Moreover, we really build a house on site, with excellent sound proofing and thermal insulation, this method is more efficient than the traditional detached houses in cinder blocks. Our interior solid wooden walls are 37 mm thick with 15 cm of insulation.

All the corners of the house are double crossed, which gives more rigidity to the building. The insulating material between the two walls is injected on site. This gives us a kind of “sandwich wooden beam wall”. The completion of a wooden house takes approximately 8 weeks for 2 carpenters.

Our houses are very well insulated with 15 to 22 cm of insulating material, so it is twice or three times more efficient than your standard house. Moreover, there are no problems with draughts, noise or thermal loss. The house is assembled on site. Joint perfection is guaranteed by the two walls and the injected insulation material.

We don’t provide the foundations. You have to discuss this with a local builder or brick layer. Our foundation system consists of concrete cubes (half metre cube) which are spaced according to the dimensions of the house. Galvanized steel girders are then bolted onto the concrete cubes, this then is our base for building.

Each module 8x5 m weighs about 3 tons. The unit can be moved on request. The wood used on standard models is pine which is of course treated. No exotic or valuable wood is used on standard models.

The life span of wooden houses is well known because they’ve been built for centuries. A well maintained house can last for 400 years. External maintenance may only require the occasional replacement of wainscot which has deteriorated over the years because of dampness. The wainscot can be painted, using either a varnish normal paint for external use or a lasure as in traditional houses.

Wooden houses go up in value just as much as your standard house. Bear in mind that it is easier to resell because it is less expensive!

A wooden house isn’t more sensitive to fires than a traditional one. Actually materials such as plastic floors, carpets and furniture burn easier. Wooden walls don’t burn fast and generate very few toxic fumes. Moreover, a smoke or fire detection system is cheap and easy to install.

Rodents love insulation and thus the eradication process is the same in all type of houses, they have to be driven like anywhere else. The treated wood can’t be attacked by insects or mushrooms.

With regard to the regulations (planners’ stipulations), you have to of course apply for planning permission. As like any other builder we can help you to fill in this document. But your project must be compatible with our building technique. So please, send us all the documentation concerning your site so that we can study them before opening a file.

The electric plan is to be defined in the articles and conditions of sale, like the precise size of windows and French windows you want. These modifications cost more but are a guarantee to your comfort.

Slight changes can be carried out to plans in order to increase or decrease certain dimensions. These modifications are cost free.

The top of the range or “tailor made” models offer a lot of possibilities and options. The study and construction of these models increases the cost of the project. In this case, please contact us.

Guarantees are set by the EU regulation. Materials transport costs are calculated from our shipments platform. The delay corresponding to the assembly is 6 to 8 weeks for two experienced carpenters. From the time the file is opened to obtaining planning permission can take 2 months to 1 year. So you can count at least 6 months from the moment the file is opened to the delivery of your house.

Please send us an e-mail defining your needs (number of rooms ; bedrooms, bathroom(s), living room, the size of each room (double living room or not…), your budget and your postal address. DON’T TO FORWARD THE SPECIFICATONS OF YOUR SITE LOCATION.

After this, we will send you examples that correspond to your needs. The next step will be to define together the specifications and plans of your house. Finally, you will be able to sign the building contract and the financial plan.