Wooden Houses and Bungalows

Kefken Ahşap Dekorasyon builds timber houses and bungalows. The same team puts up the load-bearing frame, the outer cladding, the roof, the veranda, the stairs and the railings. A job can range from a small single-storey bungalow to a two-storey timber house with balconies. Each house is planned for its site and for how it will be used.

What is the difference between a timber house and a bungalow?

A bungalow is usually a small, simple single-storey building, used as a guest house, a summer house or a holiday unit in a garden. A timber house is larger, can have two storeys and a balcony, and is planned for living in all year. In both, the timber frame sits on a base or foundation, the outside is clad in timber and a roof goes on top. A house can rise from a stone base, have a veranda at the front and log-style walls.

How is a timber house built?

1. Site visit and briefing: We see the plot and talk about the size of the house, the room layout and how it will be used.
2. Plan and quote: We settle the dimensions, the materials and the positions of windows and doors, and prepare a quote.
3. Base: Timber must not touch the soil. The house sits on a foundation or base prepared to suit the ground. On small jobs our own team pours the concrete; on large jobs that need a lot of concrete we bring in specialists and machinery.
4. Frame and roof: The load-bearing timber frame goes up, the roof trusses are placed and the roof is covered.
5. Cladding and details: The outer cladding, window and door frames, veranda, stairs and railings are made. Finally a protective coat is applied.

What timber and materials are used?

Pressure-treated pine is generally used for the frame and the outer cladding. The preservative is pressed into the wood and makes it more resistant to rot and insects, but it does not replace paint or varnish on the outer surface. For houses lived in all year, insulation in the walls and roof is recommended. Inner surfaces can be finished with tongue-and-groove panelling or boards. Tiles or shingles can be chosen for the roof.

How do you maintain a timber house?

Sun and water wear a timber house the most. The roof and gutters should carry water away from the house, the timber should not touch the soil, and the protective coat on the outside should be renewed in time. On sunny elevations the coat wears thin faster; when the colour fades or the surface flakes, it needs sanding and a new coat. Surfaces you walk on, such as the veranda and stairs, need care more often. Renewing the protective coat in time keeps the timber of the house sound for longer.