FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the advantages of building a low-energy house compared to building a masonry load-bearing construction?
Among the most prominent advantages of prefabricated houses is the speed of construction due to the controlled conditions in the factory. A prefabricated house is built “in one breath”, without constant pauses and waiting for better weather conditions, so it can be produced throughout the year.
After assembly and completion of all internal works, furnishing and moving in is possible, which is also one of the advantages of “dry” construction.
The advantage of building low-energy houses is the optimization of energy consumption and the maximum utilization of available energy. The energy efficiency of a low-energy building is based on a high-quality layer of insulation, high-quality windows and doors that prevent heat loss, the air flow system, which provides ventilation and additional energy storage, and the use of solar energy.
As a rule, low-energy houses use the most efficient thermal insulation, energy-efficient carpentry, low air leakage levels and thermal recovery in ventilation to ensure less energy is needed for heating and cooling. Houses built according to reduced energy consumption standards also provide a high level of living comfort with pleasant temperatures throughout the year without standard heating and cooling systems, and with very low energy costs.
Prefabricated houses have a much smaller surface mass than brick houses, making them several times more earthquakes resistant. As a building material, wood is much more elastic than brick and concrete, which is precisely why it behaves “better” during earthquakes, and is a very useful earthquake-proof material.
The materials we use as layers for covering wooden load-bearing elements are categorized as “non-flammable” or “slightly flammable”. Contrary to popular belief, wood is a very valuable fireproof material. Namely, concrete cracks under the influence of high temperatures, steel loses its stability due to bending and twisting, while wood creates a protective layer which prevents the supply of oxygen and burning, so that the wood only smolders, but remains statically stable for a longer time.
Prefabricated buildings last 50 years or more with regular maintenance.
What do "design-build" and "turnkey" performance levels mean?
The “design-build” performance level includes building construction, fully completed on the outside, on a prepared concrete base (foundations, cellar, basement…) except for floor coverings and balcony/terrace railings. Inside, the building is brought to the finishing works stage.
The “turnkey” performance level on a prepared foundation or with foundation construction includes the construction of a completely habitable (furnished) building.
How much low-energy prefabricated house cost per square meter?
The final price is influenced by the choice of materials that is defined with the investor, the complexity of the project, the level of performance, the location of the construction site (accessibility of the terrain), so the price cannot be determined based on square footage.