Before starting to build their home, private developers, as usual, carefully compare different materials. But if the choice is made in favor of a wooden frame, then you should definitely find out what a gun carriage is and what advantages houses made of this material with an exotic name have, familiar to many only from Lermontov’s poem about Borodino.
The construction technology is quite interesting, but, of course, it is worth turning to those who are good at it for construction. Private specialists should not be considered. Moreover, try to master Norwegian cutting techniques on your own. This company produces quite good, correct houses from gun carriages. And the wood is excellent - the house will be excellent and will last for a very long time.
Origins of technology
Carriage is the name for the hand-cutting style that has developed in Norway. The construction of housing using fire monitor technology is widespread throughout the Scandinavian region. Houses made from gun carriages owe their shape to the practicality of ancient builders. Once they realized that hewn logs do not affect the height of the crown and do not particularly reduce the thermal conductivity of the structure, but they supply additional high-quality lumber. The carriage proved to be a more economical option than round timber, and today the characteristic buildings are found throughout not only Norway, but also Sweden and Finland. Characteristic features of a modern Norwegian house are:
- Form . The houses are mostly one-story, squat, with a flat roof. The combination of low population density and large territory does not limit the size of the building; convenient organization of the internal space comes to the fore.
- Appearance . Houses made from gun carriages look impressive due to the high height of the crown, due to the choice of large-sized logs. Windows are made small to save heat. If the living room project has a panoramic window, then this room is oriented to the south.
Classic Norwegian housing Source samstroy.com
- Layout . The rooms look spacious due to the fact that in a classic Norwegian house there is no ceiling; its role is played by the open under-roof space. Usually the house combines a living room and a kitchen, and the bedrooms are kept small (this way they warm up faster in the winter).
- Roofing _ It has large extensions (especially in mountainous areas), which serves as additional protection for the house during winter snowfalls. They try to use natural roofing materials: slate, shingles or ceramic tiles. The know-how of Norwegian houses is green roofing, which improves the heat-saving qualities of the building.
- Construction . A log house made from a carriage does not look boring; the building is decorated with a balcony, terrace or veranda (often covered). Carved columns and fences are used for decoration.
- Color . They prefer to leave the houses made from gun carriages in their natural color, covering them with a protective compound and varnish. Sometimes walls are painted in calm shades that match natural wood. Small parts of the house (window and door frames, overhangs, trim and doors) are sometimes coated with white or other bright paint in contrast.
Interior of a Norwegian house Source pinterest.com
Log or timber?
The carriage is logs hewn on two opposite sides, which are, in fact, huge boards, which were the first to be used by the inhabitants of Scandinavia for the construction of houses, but the Norwegians were especially successful in this, becoming the authors of a special locking connection that ensures not only maximum structural strength, but and high thermal insulation qualities.
Houses built from gun carriages do not need additional insulation, although the wall thickness is no more than 20–24 cm.
In the domestic tradition, the carriage is sometimes called a gable or double-edged beam. But often we mean a log, that is, a log sawn in a special way (and, as a rule, even without the bark removed from both sides), which is laid in a horizontal plane and is mainly used as a load-bearing structure, for example, a floor joist.
If we talk about the carriage as a modern building material for the construction of houses, then it should be noted that this material is closer to a rounded log, which had two parallel sides cut off. Although, some builders, on the contrary, see it as a beam with two rounded sides, which seem to have been forgotten to remove.
Features of the material
A carriage is a log prepared in a special way. During processing, it acquires a semi-oval shape, after which it is also called a double-edged (or gable) beam. The sides of the log (which then form the surface of the walls) are made flat and parallel to each other. The other two sides (top and bottom) are left with a rounded shape, characteristic of a log. A rounded notch is made in the bottom side. The Norwegian carriage has the following features:
- Wood . The log used is predominantly coniferous with a diameter of 40 cm or more.
- Thickness _ The parameter is determined by the distance between the flat sides. The thickness is selected depending on the nature of the future construction. For houses with an area of up to 150 m2, it is recommended to use material with a thickness of 210 mm, with a larger area - 250 mm. Height may vary due to the natural slope (change in diameter from top to bottom) of the log. This allows you to get the effect of an authentic Scandinavian building.
Prepared fire monitors Source furufrue.blogspot.com
- Humidity . Both wet and dry lumber is used for construction. It practically does not give deep cracks, and its physical characteristics are similar to rounded logs.
- Practicality . During the production of the carriage, the side cut of the log (slab board) remains. It can also be used (sub-floors, partition walls or fences), waste is minimal.
- Usage . The carriage is used for the construction of country houses of any complexity, as well as baths. The even profile gives such buildings a recognizable stylish look.
Subtleties of technology
For centuries, when manually chopping houses in the Scandinavian countries, the Norwegian bowl style was practiced, which makes it possible to obtain a reliable, warm and windproof castle. The use of a perfect cutting method and the use of a carriage that combines the qualities of timber and logs creates a high-quality, warm and durable housing that is not afraid of temperature changes and has good soundproofing properties.
Norwegian castle Source elitdrevdom.ru
The time-tested method is used everywhere in modern suburban construction; a turnkey house made from gun carriages is made taking into account the features of the technology:
- Method of connecting corners . The corner joints of the logs are formed using a bowl with a notch; Each log has a tenon and a groove for the tenon. When laying, the tenon of the upper log fits into the groove of the lower one. The logs are securely fixed, which prevents individual elements from moving or rotating.
- Material . The method involves the use of large diameter logs in construction. During the drying process, the own weight of the logs jams them in the bowls.
- Insulation . Thermal insulation is carried out once, during assembly. The logs fit tightly together; re-caulking is not required. Thanks to the structural properties of the Norwegian log, the walls of the log house have the same thickness throughout their entire height. In a Russian log house (made of classic, round-shaped logs), the wall thickness at the junction of adjacent logs is minimal, which reduces the thermal efficiency of the housing.
Construction of a log house using Norwegian technology Source elitdrevdom.ru
See also: The most popular designs of carriage houses.
The history of its appearance
This technology came to us from the Scandinavian countries
This technology came to us from the Scandinavian countries. It was not by chance that such building material appeared, but for the purpose of saving. After all, the larger the log, the stronger and warmer the walls of the house. But it is expensive. Therefore, the pine was cut off on both sides. The slab obtained in this way was used to cover the floor or roof. Thus, the entire array was put to work, without a trace. Thanks to the unique fastening of the crowns (a special lock and wooden dowels), the corners of the walls of the Scandinavian houses were windproof in harsh climates, and the dwelling itself was extremely strong and stable.
Fastening logs with wooden pins - tenons - was also used in Rus'. And on the stacked logs for insulation they left sap (the layer under the bark).
Housing made from gun carriages: advantages and disadvantages
In Russia, people became interested in the method due to the similarity of housing operating conditions. It doesn’t matter whether a carriage, a bathhouse or a house is being built using the technology, any building will retain its qualities in areas with long and snowy winters. The advantages of country cottages made from gun carriages are:
- Durability . To connect logs, a complex corner connection, a Norwegian lock, is used. The use of cutting using the carriage method creates a large number of nested angles, which prevents the logs from shifting, and the construction is reliable. Drying of logs occurs in the finished log house; As a result of shrinkage, the structure is compacted, which increases strength indicators.
- Heat saving . Due to the large height of each crown, their total number (and, therefore, the number of joints) is minimal. This feature of the Norwegian loghouse reduces heat loss, which is especially important when building a bathhouse. Norwegian cutting prevents severe cracking, which has a positive effect on heat-saving qualities.
Two-story project with a balcony, Norwegian felling Source nnov.kupiprodai.ru
See also: Contacts of companies that provide turnkey house construction services.
- Saving space . Due to the shape of the monitor logs (smooth walls), the useful area of the premises is not lost when compared with a rounded log.
- Aesthetics and environmental friendliness . Like any wooden structure, a log frame made from a carriage looks impressive and regulates the microclimate well.
- Saving money . It is acceptable to choose logs with minor defects (cheaper ones), which are removed when creating the side surfaces. The finishing of wooden walls can be minimal. They are protected with an antiseptic, coated with varnish or water-based paint (if they want to get an additional shade).
- Efficient use of space . Flat internal walls make it possible to install stairs, install floors and plumbing, and place furniture with less difficulty and more efficiently.
Video description
About the technology of construction from gun carriages in the following video:
The method is not without its drawbacks:
- Complexity of technology . The reason for the slow spread of carriage technology is the complexity of the Norwegian lock. The work is labor-intensive and highly precise, requiring skill, time and adjustments.
- Preparing fire monitor logs . When processing the top, protective layer of wood is removed from both sides. Over time, cracks appear on the surface (from which not a single cutting method protects), which are not deep or, especially, through. The material may experience the usual problems: rot and mold. To extend the service life of a log house, it is recommended to treat it with an antiseptic and fire retardant once every two to three years, and after 5-6 years to re-caulk it.
The complex execution of a Norwegian castle requires great skill Source softlot.ru
How to calculate the quantity?
Before moving on to construction work, you need to purchase all the necessary building materials. The master must correctly calculate the number of components to assemble a strong and high-quality structure. It should be taken into account that 1 cube can contain different amounts of materials, depending on their dimensional parameters (there are different-sized boards with a length of, for example, 5-6 meters, a thickness of 25-50 mm). The cubic capacity is always calculated based on height, length and width.
The most convenient way to calculate the amount of carriage is using online electronic calculators. Similar applications can be found on many construction websites. Having made all the necessary calculations, you can purchase the ideal amount of carriage.
It is not recommended to neglect this stage, so as not to run into a shortage of necessary materials.
Features of modern gun carriage projects
In the private housing construction market, there are construction companies with extensive experience in the construction of wooden houses, offering the design and construction of cottages from gun carriages. Many organizations use their own lumber, which allows them to maintain the optimal cost of turnkey work.
Technology has great potential for creating modern housing that is practical and multifunctional. Future owners are offered designs of houses made from gun carriages in a variety of architectural designs, both standard and individual. The price of construction is affected by:
- Cost of building materials . It determines 60-75% of the final price. The most commonly used wood is pine, spruce, larch and cedar.
- Project parameters . The area of the house and the thickness of the log walls; number of cuts per unit area of walls.
- Project development . The cost is affected by the complexity of the layout (number of floors, extensions, presence of a terrace, balcony, porch, columns or attic).
- Features of the foundation . If the site has complex topography, additional costs may apply.
House made of gun carriages with a green roof Source heatylab.com
- Shape and area of the roof . The cost depends on the design, type of roofing material chosen, the presence of gables or overhangs, as well as additional insulation.
- Selection of finishing and engineering works.
Forest selection
Traditionally, the Norwegian carriage for house projects was made from tree species common on the Scandinavian Peninsula - pine, cedar and larch. Russian country cottages do not break tradition - they are built from the same materials:
- House made of pine carriage . Pine is a common and rapidly renewable resource. Such a house will be the most practical due to the low cost of the material. Pine has a smooth and dense structure, has a small number of knots and is easy to process.
- House made of cedar carriage . Cedar wood is strong, but malleable enough to process. It is valued for its beautiful texture and high heat capacity (30% higher than pine wood). Cedar resin contains natural antiseptics that protect wood from biological pests.
Video description
About the review of the house from the gun carriage in the following video:
- House made of larch carriage . Durable wood, maximally protected from moisture thanks to the resin that impregnates it. The advantages of larch wood include its hardness, resistance to temperature changes, high thermal insulation qualities and excellent antiseptic properties that suppress the proliferation of pests and putrefactive mold.
Any wood must meet quality requirements. For construction, logs are selected that are free from cracks at the ends, traces of blue stains, bark beetles, mold and mechanical damage.
Forest selection
Fire monitor lumber is made from pine, cedar, larch, and spruce.
When choosing, it is worth considering the features of raw materials:
- Pine is a practical lumber with a dense structure that is easy to process.
- Cedar is a durable, heat-intensive wood with a beautiful texture and is easy to process. The cedar trunk contains resin with natural antiseptics, so it does not grow mold or be undermined by insects.
- Larch is a durable, moisture-resistant tree that is resistant to temperature fluctuations. It has excellent thermal insulation and antiseptic properties.
For construction, it is better to choose logs without cracks at the ends, without traces of blue stains, pests or damage.
Projects and prices of houses using carriage technology
The combination of modern construction techniques, the imagination of the architect and the financial capabilities of the customer makes it possible to realize a country house from a gun carriage of any complexity. By ordering a house from a gun carriage, the price of which depends on the choice of project and wall materials, the future owner can maintain the Scandinavian style, taking care not only of the traditional Norwegian layout, but also of the interior elements. A stove or fireplace, simple wooden furniture, fluffy carpets and textiles with a checkered pattern will look good in the house.
The construction of projects from a turnkey carriage allows you to get a house completely ready for living, with utilities installed and excellent heat saving indicators. The construction company will undertake the entire range of finishing works, including installation of stairs, installation of window and door casings, sanding (sandblasting) and painting of walls.
A practical option is a project with a covered veranda Source sk-zd.ru
The cost of a country cottage built using the carriage technology is unique, just like the house itself. Average prices (in the Moscow region) can serve as guidelines:
- Pine carriage (thickness 240 mm). The cost of cutting a log house is 8.5-12.5 thousand rubles/m2. Turnkey construction: 39-45 thousand rubles/m2.
- Cedar carriage (thickness 220 mm). Felling a log house - 17-20.5 thousand rubles/m2. Turnkey: 45-55 thousand rubles/m2.
- Cedar carriage (thickness 250 mm). Felling a log house - 21-23 thousand rubles/m2. Turnkey: 55-58 thousand rubles/m2.
- Cedar carriage (thickness 300 mm). Felling a log house - 26.5-34.5 thousand rubles/m2. Turnkey: 58.5-77.5 thousand rubles/m2.
