What is a log building?

History

Log construction has been a familiar part of the European landscape for centuries, particularly in Alpine countries and the far north, as our ancestors were already aware of the qualities of wood as a natural and extremely durable raw material. Log construction draws on hundreds of years of experience, skill and dexterity. The fact that numerous old log buildings exist is a clear indication that these are not transient structures. Modern log construction combines the experience gained over centuries with modern insights, thus facilitating the realisation of every wish in an extremely well-established and proven construction concept. In particular, new combinations with different building materials such as stone, glass and metal have led to a rediscovery of the log construction method.

Log construction: never has it been so easy to build solid, healthy and ecologically valuable houses.

There are many reasons for choosing a log building

Relative to its weight, timber is one of the strongest of construction materials. Wood has demonstrated its ability to withstand extreme loads over long periods through its use in all construction sectors. Valais has had log buildings since the 12th century.

Wood is an environmentally friendly building material with a proven track record and, as a sustainable raw material, offers numerous advantages. The forest provides a habitat for animals and a unique recreation environment for human beings. In contrast to other construction materials, the processing of wood does not require much energy. The tree trunk can be almost completely processed, with even sawdust and shavings being used to make pellets or chipboard. Residents of a wooden house can enjoy an extremely durable product and benefit from living in a natural environment free of toxins.

Together with the latest construction methods and sophisticated detailed solutions, our extensive experience with log construction creates individually planned, warm and practical log homes that are affordable to every pocket.

A healthy indoor climate

Nothing compares to the living climate and home comfort experienced in a wooden house. After all, wood is a living, breathing material. A log building ensures cosy warmth in winter and refreshing coolness in summer. Wood is a breathable material that always exudes a pleasant, natural and fresh fragrance. You simply feel comfortable in a log building as you have brought nature into your own home!

A log wall is endowed with optimum climatic properties. Problems relating to condensation, cold spots in rooms or damp in new structures are unknown where wood is used. A further advantage is the enormous level of heat accumulated when compared to the thermal transfer resistance. The level of heat stored is up to 15 times that in the case of other building materials.

In fact, it is no mistake to say that wood is the most healthy building material. And you and your family deserve to live in a healthy environment.

The best insulation

Thermal insulation in a building is one of the most important areas today and also one of the most difficult challenges to master. This was not so pronounced in the past, only becoming prominent when shortages of energy sources arose, leading to the situation we are familiar with today. Simple principles underlie our insulation work, with the insulation envelope being required to exhibit a specific thickness and density. Planning and execution in these areas are also among the important tasks that we seek to realise. Added to this comes the extensive experience we have garnered in these areas. Building an affordable house is one thing – ensuring it can be maintained as inexpensively as possible after construction is another. This is why we place enormous emphasis on sound, efficient thermal insulation.

However, simply picking the right thermal insulation materials does not provide a building with a thick "winter coat". Further layers are required for this purpose, namely an airtight layer and insulation protection (wind proofing seal). The airtight layer prevents any damp warm air from getting into the structure and condensing inside. The insulation protection guards the thermal insulation against cold draughts and damp penetrating from outside.

We live in and build predominantly in the Alpine region and know exactly how important a reasonable transfer of heat, thermal storage and heat recovery are when it comes to heating costs. You can also benefit from our expertise.