Any structure is based on a skeleton skeleton, whether it is an industrial facility, a private cottage or a small extension for the house. Another thing is that there are different technologies for its implementation, characterized by complexity of execution, structural features and operational characteristics. In a traditional view, a frame is a set of properly arranged walls, roof, and floor. However, designers are well aware that there are also many minor structural elements that take a lot more time and effort to work with.
What is a wireframe?
A frame can be called a combination of structural elements of a building or structure, which form the bearing part of the structure. That is, it is the power base on which all other technical, engineering and decorative materials are held. The traditional list from which the frame is formed includes the already mentioned walls with a roof and floor, but this will be a simplified formula. The fact is that the listed components individually, even in simplest projects, are complex structural parts that make up the skeleton of the house.
We can say that the frame is a structured base that includes several levels of supporting and protective elements. For example, the first level will be bare walls, a foundation without screed and rafters. This will be followed by wall insulation, concrete coating for the foundation and primary laying of roofing material. Now you should familiarize yourself with another concept of a frame house, which is based on prefabricated construction technology.
Features of the frame house
In traditional projects of brick and wooden houses, a frame is understood to mean a system of separate components, which, although they form a single unit as a result, may not be interfaced at all during the construction of the frame base. In this case, the meaning of the prefabricated structure lies precisely in the maximum reduction of the basic load-bearing elements into a single structure already at the construction stage. Actually, this is the main advantage that in a matter of days, thanks to prefabricated frame machinery, a small team can complete the construction work by offering the customer a finished house. The prefabricated frame, a photo of which is presented below, shows an example of such a structure.
We are talking about house kits that contain the necessary set with materials that ultimately form the frame. Such buildings are distinguished from ordinary houses by the use of simpler and cheaper materials, which, however, are much more convenient from the point of view of installation. Most often, building materials are represented by wood-based raw materials, which subsequently require the implementation of dense heat and water insulation, and in some cases physical reinforcement.
The foundation as the basis for the frame
Perhaps the foundation is the only component that makes frame houses complete sets and designs of traditional buildings. In both cases, the foundation is not included in the frame set as such, but without it you can’t start construction. To complete this part of the work, concrete mortar, timber for formwork or a set of 4 piles will be required - the choice of materials is determined by the construction technique. The usual strip foundation is arranged by pouring a trench, limited by wooden formwork barriers, around the perimeter of the site of the future home.
Piling technology is somewhat simpler, but also allows you to install a solid frame. You can accomplish this task with your own hands by driving pillars in the corners of the home placement area, onto which a reinforced concrete panel will be laid in the future. This option is not suitable for a full-fledged stone or brick building, but it is often used in the construction of frame houses, which do not exert an excessive load on the same piles.
Wall mounting
In traditional designs, walls are erected using mortar. Bricks, blocks or lumber levels are building walls on the basis of a prepared foundation. At this point, either a floor slab in the lower part, or a full screed, on which the rough floor material will later lie, should also be provided.
As for prefabricated structures, it is even easier to form a wall frame here - this is a two-stage operation, the first of which involves the creation of a wooden crate. Next, ready-made wall panels are constructed, either made of wood-shaving material, or by means of home-made upholstery with a board, the width of which can vary from 10 to 20 cm. The joints are formed with steel corners - fasteners are made with self-tapping screws or screw products.
Lathing as a frame element
When it was said that a considerable part of the work activities would be taken by auxiliary operations, this included, in particular, the crate. This is not an independent, but a secondary, but important structural element. The lathing is used as an intermediate-transitional component between the foundation and the subfloor, the upper floor and the rafter system, as well as when finishing from drywall panels. In the latter case, the metal frame of the wall is used, forming a profile platform on which it will be possible to screw the same drywall panels and lining.
As for other examples of the execution of the crate, we will talk about more massive structures formed by large-format beams and boards. Technologically, such a lattice also allows laying insulating material without affecting either the main structure or the external facing material.
Installation of a roof truss system
Rafter beams, regardless of installation configuration, must have a solid foundation. The base is carried out using the same crate, but it must also be installed on a solid supporting structure. In this capacity, vertical racks leading directly from the foundation are suitable. Next, the installation of the frame of the upper part of the rafter system is performed. For this, it is worth using a bar with a small-format board as a material. Fixing operations can be performed according to one of three systems - cutting, using perforated brackets or by means of steel corners. If possible, it is recommended to use a combined version, which will provide even greater strength to the roof.
Frame insulation
At each stage of the crate, it will not be superfluous to immediately lay the insulation material. This is especially true of prefabricated house kits, which are not characterized by the most effective heat storage. In the lower part of the foundation, where the crate is located, loose expanded clay can be used. It is good because it does not require special installation and simply scatters evenly over the entire surface. If you plan to insulate the frame of the house on vertical surfaces, then you will have to turn to panel and roll materials. They are also balanced over the entire surface, after which they are fixed with a construction stapler or typical fasteners included with the heater.
Finishing work
Finishing the frame also depends on what materials were used in its construction. If wood-particle panels were used, it is advisable to perform the interior decoration with a combination of a metal crate and drywall, which will also provide the insulation function.
The most responsible part will be the roof finishing with roofing material. And here it is important to deal with the following question: how to make the frame of the rafter system so that it can withstand the roofing? As noted above, the strongest base can be obtained by a combination of perforation and groove joints, as well as the inclusion of metal corners. This option will cover the roof surface with heavy bitumen or metal. If a light metal profile is used, then there is simply no need for additional reinforcement of the rafters - enough steel corners to connect the beams.
Conclusion
Technologists offer different options for the frame base device, each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of the choice, it is important to remember that the frame is, first and foremost, a power structure that provides the strength resource of the house. In this regard, the optimal solution would be to use traditional building materials for walls in the form of bricks, block elements or reinforced concrete panels. But prefabricated frame structures have significant advantages - in the form of low prices, quick installation and versatility in terms of operation.