Is a wooden house a durable choice?
All building materials have a similar level of durability. Historically, accessibility and climate were given more consideration than strength or durability when choosing construction materials. Such a building material is stone in the Mediterranean region and wood in other area. Today, operational circumstances and the standard of construction, rather than the choice of materials, decide which houses last longer.
Wood is frequently mentioned by experts as a material that is resistant to the adverse impacts of the environment. Wood is a natural, “living” material that constantly and harmoniously “communicates” with its surrounding environment.
It should also be emphasized that glued wood structures not only match but often significantly surpass the strength of metal constructions. A wooden beam, especially one made of glulam, is more resistant to fire than metal or even reinforced concrete. A hot metal construction can fall apart very fast as the metal melts and changes form. Despite being burned, the wooden beam retains its load-bearing properties for a long time.
Another important feature is that wood “breathes”, as it has exceptional vapor and air permeability properties. For this reason, wooden houses may retain heat while also ventilating themselves. According to experts, wood retains heat and is often two degrees warmer than the objects surrounding it.
Wood is a natural material, its movement, seating and adaptation depends on weather conditions.
Large and tiny cracks, variations and changes in color tone, as well as altering structure, are not flaws in the wood rather they are a byproduct of wood development and are unique to wood as a natural material.
Over time, untreated wood surfaces turn gray and can become blue and moldy. Properly maintained wooden buildings will be cozy and durable.
What thickness of a house would be best for me?
Those planning to buy a wooden structure (storage house, garden house, summerhouse or residential house) often wonder what thickness of wood would be most suitable for their structure. This is an important decision that most affects the strength and cost of the structure.
Sodo© offers structures made of 28 mm, 44 mm, 68 mm solid wood, as well as 88 mm and 132mm glued wood. In which case and what thickness is most suitable:
If it is difficult to decide what thickness of wood to choose for your structure – consult the Sodo© team.
What kind of foundation do you recommend for my house?
When planning the construction of a house, it is important to consider the type of foundation to install in order to ensure that the house will serve you well for a long time.
The choice of a foundation type usually depends on several important factors:
All the listed factors influence the choice of foundation type and foundation installation costs.
When buying a small house or storage shed that you plan to use only in the warm season or just to store things in, simple foundations can be installed. In most cases, pole foundations are the most suitable solution, which are drilled at the supporting points (under the entire area of the house, even just around the perimeter) and rise above the ground by about 10 cm as a standard (if we are talking about flat terrain). Pole foundations for a garden shed or storage shed are one of the cheapest and easiest solutions. The foundations are drilled shallowly (up to 1 m), therefore, not much material is used, w which allows for cost savings. For those who want to improve the aesthetic appearance of the foundations and protect the house from environmental influences, we recommend finishing the foundations from the outside with a cement board or tinning. Properly installed pole foundations will serve you for a long time and will be an optimally economical solution.
Another popular method of foundation installation is to prepare flat foundations, when the entire area under the house is completely covered with concreate. This type of foundation is often chosen by customers who are building a bigger garden house or summerhouse. It’s also a good choice if you are planning to use the house all year round. The flat foundation is insulated from below, so it is a suitable solution if you want to keep the cold from coming from the ground or if you are thinking of installing an underfloor heating system in your wooden house. A flat foundation protects the house from the effects of moisture and is a solid and reliable solution.
In order to install a flat foundation, the plot terrain must be relatively flat. Therefore, when planning to build your summerhouse, assess your plot and if there are significant differences in the height of the plot, include in the costs the work of leveling the plot.
In some cases, a flat foundation may be your only solution for foundation installation, even for a smaller house or even a storage shed. This is especially relevant when there is moisture on the plot and it is impossible to install a pole foundation or there are other obstacles to the installation of the foundation.
These are the most common methods of installing a flat foundation. However, of course, they are not the only options. If you have different ideas about how to install your cabin’s foundations, or if you have already installed foundations, please get in touch with us and we will discuss the situation with you and find the best solution.
We are always interested in new solutions and modern technologies. We are looking for fast and optimal ways to install foundations. We are ready to hear your modern proposals and solutions!
Can I install the foundation myself?
You can install the foundation yourself. The representative of Sodo© will provide you with a recommended scheme that will facilitate the installation of foundations and help you to orientate yourself in terms of distances and measurements. Even if you want to install a foundation of a different type than the recommended scheme, you can use it as a guide to correct your measurements.
If the house will be built for you by the construction team of Sodo©, please send us a photograph of the prepared foundations once the foundation is installed so that there are no further questions when you arrive to carry out the construction work
Sodo© does not advise on technological issues relating to foundation installation.
When house needs to be insulated?
We offer insulation materials for larger garden houses and summerhouses. All the products we manufacture can be insulated, of course. Sheds, garages, and gazebos, however, are rarely insulated. They are usually built to store items or to spend time in the summer.
The main insulations we offer are:
When house needs to be insulated?
If you plan to use your house in the winter or all year round, then you should consider insulating your roof with thicker insulation. This will not only protect your roof from the cold outside but also from the internal heat loss through your roof. It is also important to emphasize that roof insulation protects not only from the cold, but also from the heat of the sun. That’s why we recommend insulating your roof not only for the cold season but also for the summer in a wood house. When the sun warms your roof, the heat of the sun will not heat up the inside of the cabin and will give you coolness and comfort. If you plan to use the house only in summer, then choose the thinnest roof insulation option.
What thickness of insulation to choose?
The thickness of the roof insulation depends on how you plan to use the house. The thicker the insulation you choose, the lower the heat loss will be. The main thicknesses of the roof insulation are as follows:
You can always consult our team about the thickness of the roof insulation!
Do I need floor insulation?
The need and thickness of the floor insulation depends on when you plan to use the cabin and what type of foundation you plan to install. If you plan to use the house only in the warm season and you have installed pole foundations, then you don’t need to install floor insulation. However, if you want the coolness of colder days or the humidity of rainy days to not reach your house and it would be warmer to walk on the floor – you’ll want to consider installing at least a thinnest (5 cm) floor insulation layer. Floor insulation not only keeps the internal heat inside, but it also protects your home’s floor from outside influences.
If you plan to use the house all year round, then you need to think about a thicker insulation layer. For example, if your house is warm, you’ll often install a flat foundation when planning to use it in the colder season (see article on foundations). If your home is cold, then floor insulation will be an extra tool to insulate the floor of your home.
You can always consult our team about the thickness of the floor insulation!
When and how are the walls insulated?
Wall insulation is recommended for those who want to make their house suitable for living all year round (then we recommend insulating the walls at least 20 cm) or who want a summerhouse to which they can sometimes come in the cold season (then 10 cm insulation would be enough).
Wall insulation works are carried out outside the house. In this way, not only do you not lose the internal space of the house, but the entire structure is protected from external influences, humidity and temperature changes.
The insulation of the walls is finished with an external panel, which you can paint in the colors you want or order the ones already painted in an industrial way at Sodo©.
If you have any questions or doubts about which thickness of insulation to choose – contact us and the Sodo© team will answer all your questions.
Will the house purchased at Sodo© be equipped with all communications (plumbing and electricity)?
All the cabins we sell can be equipped with the desired communications: electricity, water supply, sewage, solar power, alarm system, etc. The cabins we sell do not have the aforementioned communications – they need to be installed independently after the construction of the cabin or before, depending on the type of communications and the specifics of the installation.
The Sodo© team is always ready to share its knowledge and experience about which communications and how best to install them.
Can I install a heating-cooling system in my summerhouse or garden house?
All the commonly used heating or cooling systems (underfloor heating, air-to-air, air-to-water, etc.) can be installed in the garden houses, summerhouses or other structures produced by us. After choosing the desired heating or cooling system, it is necessary to evaluate the additional requirements for its installation. For example, those planning to install underfloor heating will have to refuse the wooden floor we offer, as it is not a suitable floor covering in this case, or those planning to install a fireplace must evaluate how the fireplace area will be protected from the heating of the wood and where the chimney will be installed.
We recommend discussing all additional nuances with heating or cooling system suppliers/installers and a Sodo© representative.
Which roof cover should I choose?
Often, when buying a garden house, shed or summerhouse, the question arises as to which roof covering to choose, why one covering is better than another and in what cases?
When choosing a roof covering, it is important to consider the following main factors:
Bitumen tiles are the most popular and most commonly offered roof covering for garden houses and summerhouses. It is the best option because of its price, technical characteristics and aesthetic image. Bitumen tile can be of different colors, so it can be used with existing roofs of buildings, or with your planned exterior color of your house. If you buy a bitumen tile roof cover from us, your cover will be delivered along with your house.
Also, in order to fulfill the manufacturer’s technical requirements for the installation of bitumen tiles, we strongly recommend a special underlayment for the installation of bitumen tiles. This underlayment is laid before bituminous shingle installation and is crucial for the proper installation of the bitumen tiles and protection of your roof. Only when you use the underlayment is the installation of your roof considered correct and only then will you receive the warranty.
If you plan to buy bitumen roof tiles from us together with the house, we can also provide you with underleyer.
Sometimes it is technically impossible to cover the roof with bituminous tiles (if the roof slope is insufficient). In this case, the most reliable solution is EPDM roofing. This solution is most suitable when building a flat or single-sloped roof, when the degree of roof slope is less than 7 degrees. EPDM coating is one of the best solutions for flat roofs, providing excellent protection against moisture penetration. Although this solution is more expensive than bituminous tiles or other roll coatings, its reliability is high and has been tested for many years.
In order to facilitate the process of choosing a covering for the cabins, we have offered the best and most reliable options for choosing a covering for the cabins.
When is it worth choosing metal roofing?
Those who intend to buy a summerhouse or a residential house often think about durable long-term solutions related with not only installation and insulation of the house, but also to the roofing. In such cases, for those who wish, we offer to cover the house with steel roofing. Steel roofing offers universal benefits, so it’s suitable for all kinds of housing. Metal roof cover is manufactured individually based on the length of the slope of each house, to meet the unique needs of customers and provide long-term reliability.
Metal roof manufacturers offer a wide range of coat colors, so you’ll be able to choose the color that best complements your home’s exterior plan.
From Sodo©, you can also order a steel roof that will be delivered and installed while building your house.
We reduce your efforts and save your time!!!
Why should I buy a rain drainage system?
You want to buy a garden shed, a summerhouse, a carport or a gazebo and you are thinking about the most important accessories to buy so that the structure lasts a long time and is properly maintained. It is important not to forget about the rain runoff system, which should be installed regardless of the roof covering you have chosen.
You need a rain drainage system because:
There are two types of rainwater drainage systems: metal and plastic. They differ in their properties, durability and price. Whichever system you choose, you will easily install it on the structure manufactured by us and enjoy all the benefits it provides.
If you don’t want to spend time and energy searching for and ordering a rainwater drainage system yourself, we can help you. At Sodo©, along with a house, you can also order a metal rain runoff system, which will be delivered and installed together with the house.
Will Sodo© build me a house?
From a small shed to a huge house – Sodo© is here to make your construction project a success. You can benefit from our many years of experience in construction and management.
If you decided to save your time and effort in building the purchased wooden structure and order construction services from Sodamis.lt, you will be provided with the following standard services:
Additional services available:
We offer our customers a comprehensive opportunity to purchase all services from us, from design to house construction. We will take full responsibility for the end product and will save you the hassle of searching for builders and other craftspeople.
Can I build the cabin myself?
If you have decided that you will build your purchased cabin yourself, Sodo© will provide you with all of the technical drawings of your cabin to help you construct it. All of our products are labeled to make it easier for you to do the construction work yourself.
Before deciding to build a cabin, consider the following questions yourself:
If you decide to build a cabin yourself, it is important to know that the manufacturer’s warranty will be valid until the end of the construction of the cabin (since the further durability of the structure directly depends on the quality of the construction work).
What is the best way to paint a house?
You have already purchased or are planning to purchase a wooden house or summerhouse. Have you evaluated all the questions and chosen the best option? The structure purchased at Sodo© will be a place for your life, entertainment and relaxation.
Just don’t forget to take care of the house properly. Often, while dreaming about how to furnish the interior, people forget that taking care of the exterior protection of the house is also very important. When buying a house, choose good paint suppliers in advance, whose product will be reliable, durable and of high quality.
When choosing paint, consider the following questions:
By choosing and purchasing high-quality paint for your cabin you will guarantee high-quality protection and long-lasting durability.
Another option for covering the house is impregnation. Before buying a wood impregnant, make sure that it is suitable for covering wood and creates a sufficient protective layer.
Please note that the windows and doors must be covered with the required layer of paint. Impregnants are not suitable for painting wooden windows and doors!
Painting or impregnation work must be done as soon as possible after building the house, but no later than 2 weeks after construction.
Proper maintenance of a wooden structure includes not only the initial coating with protective agents, but also subsequent repainting. Remember to renew the paint coat according to the recommendations of the paint manufacturer.
Choose quality paint for your home and it will successfully serve you for a long time!
What is the impregnation offered by Sodo©?
If you want to additionally protect your house or if you do not have the opportunity to paint the house immediately after construction, Sodo© offers you to purchase products soaked in impregnant. Already at the factory, we will soak your entire cabin in an impregnation bath, where all surfaces will be covered with a protective layer.
After purchasing an already impregnated house, the walls should be repainted after 1 year. Windows and doors must be painted as specified immediately after installation (the impregnant does not create a sufficient protective layer for windows and doors, only temporary protection).
Proper maintenance of a wooden structure includes not only the initial coating with protective agents, but also subsequent repainting. Remember to renew the paint coat according to the recommendations of the paint manufacturer.
Choose quality paint for your home and it will serve you well for a long time!
Can I change the cabin to my desired layout?
We can modify all standard cabins according to your wishes and dreams. When changing the cabin, you can move the walls, add or reduce the number of rooms, change the type of windows and doors, raise or lower the cabin, or even add a second floor. Sodo© offers you a wide freedom of modifications and a fast price calculation.
Will the price of a standard house change if I move the inner wall?
If you want to change the layout of a standard house by moving one or several walls – no problem. The Sodo© team will make your wishes come true. In this case, the price of the house will change and it will be calculated as individual design project because we will produce the house individually for you and it will no longer be a standard product (mass produced with other houses of the same model).
Can I send you the design and plans of the cabin I want?
A custom-built home is a unique home that meets the client’s individual specific needs and tastes, and is adapted to the available plot of land.
Sodo© offers an instant price calculation, a clear and specific offer along with consultations.
We offer a wide range of wood thicknesses, roof styles, windows and doors, and many other technical features to choose from, so our options are broad and versatile.
Contact our team to create a personalized wooden house and we will make the experience easy, creative and enjoyable.
Can I change the windows and doors of a standard cabin?
If you want to change the windows and doors of a standard house to another one, but you want the price of the house to remain as low as possible, we suggest changing the windows or doors to larger ones than the standard ones. This way, during the building of your cabin, you can enlarge the existing openings and place the required windows and doors without changing the normal construction process of your cabin.
In all cases, we recommend consulting the Sodo© team, where an experienced employee will assess the possibilities of implementing your desired changes and offer the best solution.
What advance payment do I have to pay?
In order to confirm your order and start the order fulfillment process, we take an advance payment. The amount of payment varies depending on which cabin you want to order:
What is the next payment procedure?
After ordering the cabin and paying the advance payment, the next payment will be required before delivering the cabin to the place you specified. Before we deliver the cabin, you need to pay the remaining amount for the cabin and additional materials ordered. The payment amount will depend on the already paid advance:
When buying a standard cabin, you pay the remaining 90% of the invoice amount
Payment must be made by bank transfer no later than 1 day before the agreed transportation date.
Can another person pay part of the amount for me?
Different persons can pay for the purchased cabin, but the name and surname of the customer (the person who officially purchased the cabin from Sodo©) must be indicated in the payment purpose.
