Understanding the Wooden House

The wooden house is a special and attractive building. Although currently there are many building materials created to make houses, wood has its own irreplaceable charm. In ancient times, when human life was still close to nature, wood was the main material for making houses. Now, wooden houses are still favored by many people because of the beauty and natural atmosphere they provide. Wooden houses are one of the best means for humans today to get closer to nature and cure their longing for wood and forests.

wooden houses in the tropical country

Wooden house model

With the support of modern woodworking technology, various models and designs of wooden houses can be made now. Variations in wood types, shape arrangements, construction, and finishing make the choice of wooden house designs increasingly diverse, each of which provides a distinctive beauty of appearance. However, in general, wooden house designs can be grouped as follows:

• Simple wooden house

This simple wooden house is often found as a residence or a place to chat in a park or garden, although it can also be used as a permanent residence. The shape of the building and its elements, such as walls, floors, roofs, doors, etc., are made in a simple form and emphasize functionality. This simple wooden house still looks unique and special as a result of the use of wood. If premium wood is used, which has high aesthetic beauty, then this wooden house will still look elegant and luxurious.

• Traditional wooden house

A traditional wooden house is a wooden house that refers to the model and shape of traditional houses from the community in the past. In Indonesia, which is a country with many ethnic groups and cultures, there are many traditional house models that can still be used as a reference source for making wooden houses. Each region and tribe has a traditional house model with its own beauty that is interesting to use as a reference for wooden house design.

• Modern wooden house

A wooden house with a modern design is a contemporary approach to architecture that combines wood materials with modern design elements. Although it still displays the natural beauty of wood, modern houses still prioritize functionality and practicality, which are the characteristics of modern human life. This house is also equipped with modern tools and technology that are needed by human life today.

Advantages of wooden houses

• Beautiful and natural

Wood is a natural material with a distinctive beauty. Wood has a unique, beautiful natural look of grain and color. The grain pattern and color of the wood are different for each type of wood and are the aesthetic value that cannot be replaced by other materials. With the right design and process, you can make a building with a special and unique beauty. In addition, the wood is a natural material that provides a warm and friendly natural feel that cannot be provided by other building materials. Psychologically, wood will bring humans closer to nature and answer to human longing for the past when humans had very close interactions with nature.

• Keeping the room temperature more stable

Wood is a good natural insulator; it can withstand heat both from outside and from inside the room. A wooden house will help keep the temperature inside the room cool when the weather outside is hot and keep the room warm when the temperature outside is colder. With the right design and construction, the use of wood can help save energy used for heating or cooling the room.

• Bringing a comfortable atmosphere

Physically, wood has a lower hardness compared to concrete or brick. Therefore, wood is a better soundproofing material than concrete or brick walls. Wooden houses will make the room feel softer, making it more comfortable when occupied and used for activities.

• Environmentally friendly

Wood is a product of trees from forests or plantations that can be renewed. With good management, the existence of forests and wood plantations can be maintained to remain sustainable. The use of wood as a building material that is balanced with proper management of forests and wood plantations will encourage people to maintain the sustainability of trees and forests. At the end it will help the world to maintain the balance of nature.

• Flexible

Wooden houses have better flexibility compared to concrete or brick walls. With the right design, wooden houses can be uninstalled and reinstalled with minimal damage. With the right design and construction arrangements, wooden houses can be designed to be portable or semi-permanent and can be moved to another place if needed.

• Relatively more safe for earthquake disaster

Wooden buildings are more flexible than brick or concrete buildings. If there is a shock or earthquake, wooden buildings tend to be more flexible and follow the shocks they experience with less damage. If a wooden house gets a strong jolt and collapses, the wood will be interconnected so that it is relatively safer for the person inside. 

• Interesting design variations

Wood has many types, each of which has different beauty and appearance. The nature and beauty of the wood can produce various interesting architectural models. There are many models of wooden houses that can be created, ranging from traditional to modern models and complex to simple models, by maximizing the beauty and uniqueness of wood.

Disadvantages of wooden houses

Besides his advantages, wooden houses also have several disadvantages that need to be considered when you want to build a wooden house.

• Safety

Wood is more flammable compared to other building materials. Therefore, wooden houses have a higher risk of fire hazards. If a fire occurs that is not immediately extinguished, the fire will quickly spread and burn down the entire building.

Wooden buildings are also physically less strong than brick or concrete buildings. Wooden walls or doors are relatively easier to damage or dismantle. Therefore, in general, wooden buildings are easier to be broken into by people with bad intentions.

• Maintenance

Wooden houses require more complex maintenance than houses made of other materials. Wood is a material that is susceptible to being attacked by insects, fungi, or bacteria. Wood is also a material that is not resistant to water and humid conditions. To be more durable and long-lasting, wood must be properly cared for and maintained. Wood must be kept dry and kept away from water and soil so that it is not damaged by water or termite attacks.

The process of cleaning wooden houses must also be carried out carefully. Excessive use of water should be avoided because it will make the wood wet and invite many other problems. The process of refinishing or repainting wooden buildings is also a complex job and requires experts to do it.

Tips for building a wooden house

A wooden house will indeed produce a unique appearance and provide a natural atmosphere for those of you who like it. However, before deciding to build a wooden house, there are several things that need to be known and considered to get a beautiful, comfortable, and safe house and residence.

• Proper design and construction

Wooden buildings always need proper construction so that they can be strong and safe. The selection and size of each component and part of the construction, such as floors, walls, pillars, etc., must be done with careful calculation. Likewise, the construction of each connection must be made in detail and carefully to ensure the strength and safety of the building. If the building is made to be dismantled and reassembled, then more complicated and careful calculations are needed to accommodate its installation and dismantling. A carpenter or expert carpenter is needed to ensure that the wooden house is made with a sturdy, strong, safe, and durable construction. 

• Choose wood with good quality. 

The quality of the wood is one of the main elements that determines the quality of the building produced. The good wood generally has a high price, but it will be commensurate with the benefits provided. Expensive wood such as teak, ironwood, rosewood, oak, and other premium wood will give you a natural beauty look that will bring a warm and pleasant home atmosphere. The good-quality wood will give you strong and long-lasting buildings.