In recent years, the construction of residential cottages using technology known in the mountain alpine regions is gaining popularity. These are combined houses made of stone and wood. Projects with a garage and utility rooms, foundation options and a variety of modern materials make it possible to build a full-fledged two-story house.
The benefits of vintage building technology
Initially, combined houses of stone and wood (projects and incarnations) appeared in the Alpine mountains. Firstly, for practical purposes only, the lower, ground floor was laid out from cobblestone, which is always abundant in mountainous areas. Secondly, only walls made of stone in contact with winter snows do not face excessive moisture and destruction. Traditionally, the first floor was reserved for household needs, and residential premises were located on the second. The upper tier was built of wood, which retains heat well. There were bedrooms, guest rooms and other living quarters.
Similar methods of construction, projects of houses combined of stone and wood were widely used by merchants in the cities of pre-revolutionary Russia. The warehouse with goods and the store were located in the lower, and the family lived on the upper, more convenient floor. This ensured not only comfortable living, but also the preservation of valuable property in case of fire.
How to make a new, spacious and modern from an old house
It is possible to reconstruct and increase the area of an old but solid cottage not only by the extension of the outbuildings. Projects of houses, combined of stone and wood, give a chance to modernize the home, increasing the number of storeys of the building and preserving the lower walls. It is important to adhere to a certain sequence in the use of materials: upper structures should be lighter than lower ones. The following pairs are recommended:
- stone or brick + solid log or timber;
- wood + frame floor;
- monolith + SIP panels.
One of the most important requirements that must be met projects of houses combined of stone and wood - the correct joining of the lower and upper tiers. The location of the bearing walls of both floors must necessarily coincide. Otherwise, the operation of the building does not avoid unpleasant consequences. When joining external walls of different materials, it is important to ensure reliability, vapor barrier and insulation of transitions.
How to replace traditional materials
Combined houses made of stone and wood, the projects of which are offered by construction companies, are now being built in different climatic zones. Considering the features of the soil, choose the type of foundation: tape or pile. Instead of stone, brick, foam concrete, wood concrete or blocks of porous ceramics are now used.
For reasons of economy of the budget, the whole log is replaced with glued timber or SIP panels.
Arranging in the basement a garage, boiler room or kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, children's rooms and other living quarters are traditionally placed above them: it’s more convenient, warmer and more comfortable.
What additional benefits does alpine technology have?
The construction of a two-story cottage is expensive. Almost all combined houses made of stone and wood (projects, photos, real buildings) are an example of how to reduce costs. In addition to cost savings, this technology has several more advantages:
- Raised wooden walls with overhangs of the roof are protected from moisture from natural precipitation.
- An increase in the useful area of a building is possible with a real reduction in costs.
- Projects of houses, combined of stone and wood, give their residents the opportunity to live in the cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
- The first, heavier floor provides the building with fire safety and stability, the second - an abundance of light, fresh air and environmental friendliness.
- Original and beautiful appearance of the building.
The use of combinations of modern building materials and the described rules for the construction of an alpine chalet make it possible to build a beautiful, comfortable and beautiful residential building using old, time-tested technology.