Almost every person in our time dreams of a big and beautiful house, but not all our fellow citizens can realize their dream because of the incredible high cost of real estate.
But the appearance of frame houses in our country completely turned the idea of the inhabitants of the city that a quality cottage should cost unreal money. Unfortunately, almost all consumers are cautious about this technology, believing that on the basis of a wooden beam and panels it is possible to erect except that country houses. Fortunately, not only single-storey skeleton houses are widespread in the world, but also full-fledged two-three-story buildings. The experience of their exploitation in sufficient measure proves the absolute reliability of this kind of housing. By the way, they are used even in Alaska, where temperatures are by no means tropical.
But it would be unfair to call this building technology "multi-storey". The frame itself is not physically capable of carrying too much stress on itself. But it would be equally unfair to say that single-storey frame houses are a technological limit.
Actually, to this day, it is common one-story cottages of this type. It is not right to assume that they are like "puppet" toys. On the contrary, they have everything necessary for a comfortable stay of the family for more than a decade. Under the condition of erecting on light foundations, they are able to withstand, even without special damage, even earthquakes of medium strength. Projects of single-story frame houses, providing for the erection of an attic room, are common. However, it can not be called a full-fledged second floor, and the convenience of living in a room with a sloping ceiling is in question.
But no one will interfere with the construction of two-story housing, which will be the ideal home for a large family. Even though the foundation of such a building needs to be made more reliable, it is still much cheaper than similar foundations for brick and stone buildings. So the frame-panel houses are single-storey - this is not the only example of the successful use of Canadian construction technology.
Two-storey cottages are quite feasible to supplement with balconies, mezzanines and other decorative elements. Options for exterior finishing are just the sea: from bricks to vinyl siding. It should be noted that with the use of facing stone or other heavy materials, you will not be able to do without an easy foundation. The same can be said about the projects of three-story buildings. However, skeleton single-storey houses are encountered much more often, since the seismic stability of their fellow "skyscrapers" is greatly reduced.
If such structures could withstand at least four to five floors, then the practice of their construction would be extended around the world.
But they have other characteristics. In particular, to build skeleton single-storey houses should be in strict accordance with the technology. Use only the best sound-insulating and heat-insulating materials.