Build a neat 2-storey house. Two-story house: layout, options, examples of successful projects, photos
In private construction, two-story houses (photos and projects occupy a significant part of the proposals of various construction companies, they can include houses with an attic) - this is, first of all, an opportunity to get enough living space on a small plot.
On a plot of 6-8 acres, a house with a living area, for example, 130-150 sq. 2, will look, to put it mildly, cumbersome, but you still need a place under garage and other outbuildings, so there will be no space left for a lawn or garden with a vegetable garden. In addition, it is quite difficult to correctly plan a one-story house of a large area, avoiding walk-through rooms and creating a functional space - in some projects of large one-story houses, the total area of halls and corridors can reach 25-30%. With equal living space, a two-story house, even with an attached garage, occupies much less area on the site.
Projects of two-story houses (meaning both completely two-story houses, with a cold attic, and houses with attic) have other advantages:
- aesthetic appeal - a two-story house makes it possible to implement more architectural ideas and techniques, so most often its facades look not only more solid and representative, but also much prettier and more attractive than those of one-story houses. In addition, there is a certain stereotype that a two-story house is "cooler" than a one-story house - the complex shape of the roof and the house will greatly improve the architectural expressiveness of the house
- space zoning - the layout of a two-story house allows you to divide the living area into "night" (the second floor, where the bedrooms of the owners of the house are usually located) and "day" (first floor - kitchen/dining room, living room, boiler room, utility rooms, etc.). Those. at any time, you can move to the second floor and ensure peace and quiet, minimizing the possibility of even an accidental intrusion of an outsider
- beautiful view - which opens from the balcony, from the terrace or french window, especially if you take into account the habit of erecting monolithic fences up to 3 meters high in plots. Of course, they can be skillfully decorated (hidden) using vertical gardening techniques, but still some feeling of a “prison courtyard” will remain.
- use for the construction of houses of a wide variety of materials - brick, aerated concrete, timber (glued, profiled), rounded log, as well as construction using frame technology
However, the disadvantages characteristic of two-story houses must also be taken into account:
- installation of stairs - without which it is simply impossible to get to the second floor. On the one hand, it will "eat" from 7 to 12 sq.m, depending on the design, usable area. On the other hand, the older the tenants of the house become, the more problematic it becomes for them to get to the second floor. If the house is originally conceived for an elderly couple, then the second floor can be reserved for guest bedrooms, the plan of such a house should provide for the placement of "main" rooms on the first floor. And one more important point - the stairs, if we take the safety of houses in general - the most traumatic place
- if the layout does not provide for the placement of bathrooms one above the other, then the layout of sewer pipes and the provision of lower bathroom ventilation as well as kitchens. In brick houses, it will be necessary to provide and lay out a channel, otherwise, drill through holes and insert air valves, which will increase heat loss, in an aerated concrete house, drill channels directly into the walls. The arrangement of the ventilation system in a one-story house is much simpler and more economical
- with the same thermal insulation, a one-story house is 10% warmer than a two-story house
- in case of fire, it is much easier to evacuate from a one-story house
It is worth dwelling on engineering systems separately. If in the projects of one-story houses most communications can be carried out simply by using the attic, then in a two-story house the same sewer and water pipes will have to be laid inside the interfloor overlap, which significantly complicates its design and significantly complicates the repair of systems in the event of force majeure situations.
Advice! System drawings should provide for the possibility of access to them through control hatches, especially in the most critical areas for breakdowns.
For heating two-story houses, it will be necessary to install a pump for forced circulation of water; in a one-story house, depending on the design, you can get by with “gravity flow”. But the ventilation system, which has already been partially discussed above, will create the greatest problems. Installation plastic windows and thorough insulation of the house will require the installation of a supply and exhaust unit with ventilation ducts, which is quite difficult and costly in a two-story house. In fact, electricity distribution will be the same in complexity and cost in a one-story house as in a two-story house.
The device of the fireplace will also become more complicated - if you install it on the first floor, then you need to accurately plan how the chimney will pass through the second floor, plus - ensure fire safety in the interfloor area. And to install a fireplace on the second floor, you will need to lay a reinforced concrete base.
Projects of one- and two-story houses: which is more economical
Separately, it is worth highlighting the question of comparing the cost of houses. In general, a simple rule applies here - the higher the number of storeys of the building, the cheaper it is for 1 sq.m of usable area. Savings start from the roof - its area is smaller, so the cost of roofing materials and framing is significantly reduced. If you make an overlap between floors, first and second, of wood, you can save on finishing and rough screed, as well as floor insulation. In this case, the floorboard immediately performs the functions of both the finishing coating and the bearing part of the floor. But the use of concrete floors as a floor will nullify the difference in the cost of a floor in a one- and two-story house.
Buying, or better yet, building your own house is a dream of every person. And if dreams come to realization, then a 2-storey house is often a priority. Indeed, the construction of a one-story structure requires a large land plot, and not everyone has it. That is why, in order to increase the living space and save the free territory of the yard, two-story houses are being built.
A two-story house, both in the process of construction and in the process of operation, will not cost as much as a mansion of three floors and above. At the same time, it looks more solid than one-story chalets or bungalows, and it also confirms the status of the owners. And most importantly - any layout of houses and cottages with two floors is possible.
Two-storey house of 158 m²
The area of the house of two floors is enough to realize the most daring ideas. And this is far from the only advantage of modern, cozy and comfortable two-story country houses.
Advantages of two-story houses
Building a comfortable two-story house today is not as expensive as most consumers believe. Of course, such a choice will cost no less than a one-story building, but it's worth it. You can choose a ready-made project of a 2-storey house with a layout or draw up an individual one. Professional architects and designers will be happy to help you make your dreams of a two-story country house a reality, offer relevant solutions that meet your budget.
The main advantages of a country two-story house:
Rational use of land. If you got a very small plot of land within the city or outside it, naturally, you want to equip it with maximum benefit so that every square meter works. Why take up valuable usable space with a squat one-story house? It is better to distribute the same premises on two floors, and equip a garden and a recreation area with a gazebo and barbecue facilities on the site.
High level of comfort. Two floors allow you to very clearly zone the rooms in which they sleep and rest, from the so-called common and working rooms. Traditionally, bedrooms and offices are located on the second floor, while the living room, dining room, kitchen, and playroom are on the first floor. Thus, several generations of families with different daily routines and interests will be able to live with all the conveniences in one house.
Reliable and simple design. Some decide to save money on a two-story house project and are looking for an alternative with an attic. In fact, it is not at all cheaper, and sometimes even more expensive. Indeed, it is much more troublesome to design and build structures with a sloping roof, competently bring all communications to the attic, insulate it, make it comfortable and safe for living, in fact, much more troublesome than doing all the same work when designing a house in full two floors. If you need additional useful living space, it makes sense to immediately choose a two-story house, and not a building with an attic.
So, beautiful two-story houses are the perfect balance between usable area and project and construction costs, aesthetics and comfort, the necessary personal space for each of the family members, but without frills. It is quite possible to provide such characteristics - if the project is developed by specialists who are well aware of all the intricacies of the construction process.
Plan of a large two-story house with an open terrace
Features of the design and construction of two-story cottages
There are several nuances that should be taken into account when drafting a two-story house.
Layout. Standard on the ground floor there is a garage, a kitchen, a living room, storage rooms, a guest bathroom. On the second floor there are bedrooms, bathrooms for the family. Basement and attic rooms are often additionally equipped. They usually make saunas, game rooms or gyms. But if the typical layout does not suit you, and you want to deviate from standard solutions, you can redo the finished project or make a new one.
Stairs. In fact, the design of stairs is also included in the previous paragraph. But the moment is so vast and significant that it is worth considering it separately. Stairs are one of the main disadvantages of two-story houses. First, they take away the usable area. Secondly, this is a separate column for the costs of design, materials and construction work. Thirdly, the stairs are not safe if small children, the elderly, the disabled live in the house - this must be taken into account even at the stage of choosing a two-story house. But you can’t refuse the stairs either. With the right approach, the staircase will successfully cope with its tasks without any threat to the residents of a two-story house. And it will become a highlight of the interior, if it is beautifully designed in accordance with the general style of the house.
Convenient and safe stairs to the second floor
Foundation. On the one hand, the area of \u200b\u200bthe foundation will be less than when erecting a one-story building. But on the other hand, it must be more durable and reliable in order to withstand the supporting floors of two floors. It is important not only to choose the right type of foundation, its design. It also takes into account the type of soil, the topography of the site, climatic conditions and precipitation, and many more seemingly small details. However, if you ignore them, the house, at best, will serve properly for no more than five years, and at worst, its operation will end in disaster.
Reinforced strip foundation for a two-story house
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".
All these nuances should be taken into account already at the stage of designing the future home of your dreams. Of course, a person who is far from engineering, architecture and construction cannot cope with this task on his own - only professionals should deal with design.
Tip: if you decide to build a two-story house among a one-story village, it makes sense to ask the city planning authorities if this is allowed. It's not always all about the financial issue. Perhaps your neighbors did not add more floors to their house, not at all because they do not have the funds for this, but because of unsuitable soil or for other equally good reasons.
What to build a two-story house
There are many building materials for the construction of houses, the choice depends on a number of factors: financial capabilities, design features of the future home, the climatic conditions of the region, and finally, the architectural style of the house. Modern developers use these types of building materials for two-story houses:
brick of various types;
ceramic blocks;
gas blocks;
wood.
In a typical building, inexpensive frame houses predominate. But in principle it is difficult to find a project in which only one type of material would be used. Usually several are combined for the basement, external walls, internal floors, attics and basements.
Tip: the lighter the material for walls and roofing, the less will be the load on the foundation. This is a very important point, thanks to which it is possible to optimize the design and layout of a residential building, as well as significantly reduce the cost of materials and work.
Video description
See an example of planning and designing a two-story house in the video:
The optimal dimensions of a two-story house
What size should be the ideal two-story house is an ambiguous question. For a family of four who have lived all their lives in a one-room apartment, a house of 80 square meters. m. will seem like mansions. And someone will have to crowd and 180 square meters. m. And yet you can find the "golden mean" - the optimal area for a family of four to six people - 140-160 square meters. m. In such a house, you can comfortably equip a large living room, kitchen, two bathrooms and three bedrooms - excluding balconies and auxiliary utility rooms.
An example of the layout of a two-story house with an area of 223 m²
Ground floor layout
The photo below shows some of the most successful and interesting ground floor projects for a medium-sized residential building. There is a garage, utility room, stairs, guest bathroom. The living area is a living room-studio with areas for cooking and eating. From the living room there is access to the terrace.
The photo below is a classic layout, on the ground floor there is a kitchen and living room, utility rooms and a garage for one car, one bedroom for guests. From the living room there is access to the veranda.
Another example of the layout of the first floor of a small two-story house
You can plan the location of the rooms on the ground floor as you like, the main thing is that your ideas do not contradict the safety rules for designing houses.
Video description
An example of the design and layout of a luxurious two-story cottage, see the video:
Second floor layout
A variant of thoughtful, reliable and convenient planning of premises on the second floor in the photo below. There is one large bedroom, two rooms for children's or guest bedrooms, a large bathroom and a terrace.
Another successful example of the layout of the second floor, where there are three bedrooms of various sizes, a large bathroom and a spacious hall. The largest bedroom has access to a balcony.
Two-story houses: photo examples of successful buildings
Modern two-storey minimalist house with 3 bedrooms, balconies and a garage for two cars, area - 190 m²
A small cottage in a modern style for three bedrooms with a garage, area - 205 m²
Two-story European-style mansion with a combined facade, area - 140 m²
Compact two-story brick house in a minimalist style, area - 113 m²
Two-storey house in Scandinavian style with a flat roof, area - 126 m²
Modern futuristic home with two car garage and two living rooms
Two-storey house in a classic style, area - 203 m²
Two-storey house for a narrow area of energy-saving design, area - 126 m²
Mansion on two floors in neo-colonial style with a panoramic window, area - 174 m²
Spacious Art Nouveau house with a garage, a large living room and an office, area - 197 m²
Conclusion
A two-story house, moderately spacious and comfortable, is the golden mean in terms of dimensions and ergonomics, usable area and placement of living and working premises. If you are looking to the future and want to build a reliable, durable and beautiful house that not only your children, but also grandchildren will be happy to come to, choose the most successful projects of two-story houses and trust the construction to professionals.
Layout of two-story houses: developers are increasingly using plans for two-story houses for arranging suburban land plots. Buildings of this type can be considered as a golden mean in terms of dimensions, usable areas, and the type of placement of rooms in a building. Structures with two floors are considered classic. They suggest a traditional type of accommodation with the organization of kitchens and general rooms on the first floor, bedrooms and bathrooms on the second.
Two-story house - the best option for a large family
The layout of two-story houses, their features
Traditional interior design has its pros and cons. Plans for two-story houses are presented in a wide variety, and the developer can adjust them at will:
- select materials (construction based on gas blocks, wood, foam blocks, bricks, ceramics, etc.);
Small two-story house with an external staircase to the balcony
- independently set the dimensional parameters of each of the rooms;
- add additional structural elements to the building (terrace, veranda, attic, garage, attic, bay window).
Helpful advice! Brick buildings of cottages are the best way to solve the problem of living in a country house in the summer season. They will also be comfortable as a permanent place of residence, as they have all the parameters necessary for comfort: durability, good thermal insulation level, strength, high sound insulation and other equally useful advantages.
It is a very important step - carefully consider the location and area of \u200b\u200bthe premises in the future home
Benefits of planning rent two floors
Building a cottage with two floors has the following advantages:
- saving the area of the territory - this issue is especially relevant among owners of small land plots. Thanks to space savings, it becomes possible to install additional household facilities (a shed for storing firewood, a carport) or for recreation (an arbor, a canopy, a bathhouse, a summer kitchen, organize an area with benches and flower beds) on the adjacent territory;
- ample opportunities for design decisions affecting the exterior. Using the services of professional designers, constructors or architects, you can build an interesting building, decorate the entire house territory and garden in the same style or using the same materials;
The building with two floors provides ample opportunities for various design solutions.
- the ability to diversify the facade and architecture of the cottage with beautiful balconies (as a material for the railing, you can use natural stone, wood, decorated with carvings, durable glass, metal, complemented by artistic forging, or use combinations of these materials);
- there are more opportunities for the design of interior spaces, their decorative improvement.
Combined living and dining room located on the ground floor of a private house
Cons of two-story houses
For the construction of a cottage with two floors, a larger budget is required than in the case of one-story buildings.
This point is due to many factors. First of all, these are the features of the construction of the foundation part. To support the weight of several floors, you will need a reliable and solid foundation. For these purposes, tape-type foundations made of concrete are provided. The cost of their construction is very high. But the characteristics make it possible to keep the weight of the house with furniture filling and an attic even on a small building site.
The presence of the second floor obliges the developer to create a staircase structure. This carries not only additional costs, but also complicates the technology of building a house.
The presence of the second floor creates the need for additional costs for the construction of a staircase
Important! According to statistics, stair structures and landings act as the main sources of danger and cause many accidents that occur in country and private homes. Moreover, the builders themselves often join the ranks of the victims, since the process of erecting a two-story house is accompanied by the use of stepladders.
Stair accident statistics for the last 6 years:
A certain number of falls are due to the careless operation by the owners of the already finished staircase leading to the second floor, as well as to the violation of technology and safety standards during its construction, which leads to the collapse or breakage of individual parts.
Staircase in a private house with two floors
This can be easily avoided if you entrust the work to professionals who will draw up the correct drawings, calculate the parameters, select the appropriate materials for the railings and other parts, their fasteners.
What complicates the layout of two-story houses
The cost of construction also increases due to other factors. Let's consider them in more detail:
- the large weight of the building requires additional reinforcement of interfloor ceilings, otherwise future living in the house will be accompanied by increased danger;
- elements of communication systems and heating in two-story buildings have a more branched and complex scheme. Because of this, it will be necessary to lay additional water pipes, supply sewage, install special circulation equipment that contributes to the normal movement of the heat carrier inside the circuit in order to provide full heating. Such equipment includes a circulation pump;
- at the stages of construction, as well as finishing and facade work, scaffolding will be required to ensure that materials can be lifted to the required height;
Two-storey Art Nouveau house with underground garage
- for families with elderly people, children, and people with disabilities, special projects are being developed. It is not possible to use absolutely everything. In such a house, rooms belonging to the indicated categories of residents must be located on the ground floor, since moving up stairs can be problematic and dangerous;
- the amount of costs for the purchase of insulation increases for the reason that the wind load on the walls increases.
Note! The cost of project development also increases due to the design of staircase and balcony structures, the foundation part, structural and nodal elements.
An example of the layout of a two-story house with a small area
Photos of two-story houses: projects with plans for different areas
In fact, it turns out that building a cottage with two floors has more disadvantages than advantages. But basically all the minuses relate only to additional costs. If you have the necessary budget, building a building will be a profitable solution in any respect.
Part of the costs relates to the preparation of documentation related to:
- creation of a powerful foundation;
- ladder structure device;
- complication of design decisions;
- reinforcement of floors between floors.
Two-storey house with a seating area on an outdoor terrace
Having sufficient budget opportunities for construction, you can build a really reliable and comfortable house on a small piece of land. To do this, you can use free projects or use the services of a specialized design company.
Projects of two-story houses and cottages, free drawings and photos
On the example of the layout of a two-story house 6 by 8 m, you can see that even a small building can offer normal living conditions and comfort. The main entrance to the cottage is located from the porch. For convenience, there is a dressing room. A large living room is combined with a compact kitchen, which is adjacent to the bathroom.
Project 1. Facade of a two-story house 6x8 m
From the living room, stairs lead to the second floor, where there are two bedrooms. One of them can easily be converted into a nursery or guest room. The rooms are separated by a dressing room intended for common use.
Note! The total area of the cottage is increased by a long terrace adjacent to the living room. This part of the house can be used as a dining room in the warm season. The terrace has two entrances to the house at once, thanks to which guests and owners have the opportunity to freely move from the street to the building.
Project 1. Ground floor plan: 1 - vestibule, 2 - living room, 3 - kitchen, 4 - bathroom, 5 - terrace. Second floor plan: 1 - bedroom, 2 - dressing room, 3 - bedroom, 4 - staircase hall
An example of a convenient layout of a two-story house 6x9 meters
The rectangular layout option is no less convenient than the square one. In this project, with dimensions of 6x9 m, the first floor is a reception area. There is a kitchen with a small dining room, a full bathroom, as well as a large living room, which solves the problem of placing stairs to the second floor. The rooms have an optimal location, thanks to which you can rationalize the movement of people around the house. The kitchen and living room are equipped with exits to the street.
Project 2. Facade of a two-story house 6x9 m
On the second floor, the layout provides for two bedrooms, one of which may well become a children's room, the other - a parent's bedroom. The nursery room is adjacent to a small room that can be equipped with:
- under the dressing room;
- under a small gym;
- under the pantry for storage.
This layout option, like any other ready-made projects, can be adjusted to the wishes of the future owner. You can always change the purpose of the rooms, as well as their placement and size.
Project 2. Ground floor plan: 1 - kitchen-living room-dining room, 2 - bathroom. Second floor plan: 1 - corridor, 2 and 3 - bedroom, 4 - balcony
Layouts of two-story houses 7 by 7: photos and drawings
The layout of a two-story house 7 by 7 m, shown in the project below, is quite functional. It includes all the premises necessary for a comfortable stay of a family with two children. The lower floor of the cottage is reserved for receiving guests.
Here is located:
- kitchen;
- dining room;
- living room;
- full bathroom;
- hallway and dressing room.
Helpful advice! By connecting the spaces of several rooms, you can significantly increase the usable area. On the example of this layout of a two-story house 7x7 m, you can see how well the combination of such premises as the living room, kitchen and dining room looks.
Project 3. Facade of a two-story house 7x7 m
The cottage has two porches. One plays the role of the main entrance from the street: immediately at the entrance to the house through the hallway there is a dressing room where you can leave outerwear and shoes. The second porch is located at the exit from the living room on the other side of the building.
This decision is beneficial for many reasons. Firstly, you can always set up a seating area or a small garden with a flower garden in the backyard, where it will be pleasant to relax with guests. Secondly, in the backyard there may be a play area for children, where they can go through the living room. This eliminates the need to walk around the building.
Project 3. Ground floor plan: 1 - entrance hall, 2 - corridor, 3 - kitchen-living room, 4 - bathroom. Second floor plan: 1 - corridor, 2 - nursery, 3 - bedroom, 4 - bathroom
The plan of a two-story house 7 by 7 m takes into account the needs of the whole family, while the total area of \u200b\u200bthe building is small. On the second floor there are rest rooms: a parent's bedroom with a large bed and a children's bedroom. The premises of the children's room were deliberately left large, which allows you to organize two sleeping places at once, a work area and a wardrobe. There is also a large bathroom with Jacuzzi and shower.
Features of the layout of a two-story house 7 by 8: photo and drawing
In construction, shapes close to a square are often used. Externally, such buildings, as shown in the example project below, look square, but an extra meter allows you to freely install a staircase without cutting off the useful area of \u200b\u200bthe living room and providing the opportunity to organize an additional bathroom on the second floor.
Project 4. Facade of a two-story house 7x8 m
This project is remarkable in that the main structure has a small extension at the main entrance, where a porch with several convenient approaches is installed. Also, the building is equipped with another entrance from the porch located behind the house.
The space on the second floor is completely occupied by bedrooms. Two large rooms are separated from each other by a small hall leading to the bathroom. Thanks to this, none of the rooms intended for relaxation is a walk-through, which ensures comfort, peace and the opportunity to retire. The plan shows that one of the bedrooms is equipped with a large bed. Therefore, this room can be considered as a parent bedroom. While the second bedroom is reserved for a nursery with two beds.
Project 4. Ground floor plan: 1 - entrance hall, 2 - living room, 3 - kitchen-dining room, 4 - pantry, 5 - bathroom. Second floor plan: 1 - corridor, 2 - bathroom, 3 - children's room, 4 - bedroom
Note! One of the rooms has a balcony. The possibility of installing such structural additions to the building is one of the most attractive advantages of buildings with two floors and this particular project.
Materials for the construction of country houses
For the construction of two-story cottages, various building materials are used, which are presented in a huge variety on the modern market.
For these purposes, apply:
- beam;
- piece materials (foam blocks, bricks, gas blocks);
- log.
Frame construction technology is most common among developers today, but other options are also used. The choice of raw materials for building a house is limited solely by budgetary possibilities, as well as the taste preferences of the future owner.
Two-story home with attached shed and backyard pool
Features of cottages built of wood
Wood is considered a traditional raw material used for the construction of suburban housing.
It has several advantages:
- reliability;
- warmth;
- environmental friendliness.
Cottages made of wood perfectly retain heat. The heating of the building occurs very quickly even after complete cooling. This advantage will be especially beneficial for owners of houses used for living only seasonally.
The interior of a two-story house built from logs
As for the interior decoration, wooden cottages practically do not need it, since the material of the house itself looks beautiful and very natural. Most developers prefer to leave the building in its original form, since a significant amount may be required to carry out fine repairs.
Helpful advice! Wooden structures have a light structure, which makes it possible to mount the building on a lightweight foundation base. Use a strip foundation. It is better if it is shallowly recessed. It is possible to use a pile foundation with strapping or a solid slab.
The following materials can be used as raw materials for building a house:
- glued timber;
- log;
- whole beam.
The wooden structure is environmentally friendly and natural beauty
Even a small width of the walls is able to retain heat quite well inside the house. The disadvantages of buildings of this type include the need to withstand the assembled box for 3-12 months. For this period, work stops, as it becomes impossible to install double-glazed windows and door structures in openings, which can still lead to the side under the influence of shrinkage.
Features of the layout of a two-story house 9 by 9: photo and plan of the building from aerated concrete
Buildings built of brick, foam blocks or aerated concrete, as in the layout of a two-story house 9 by 9 m, are reliable and durable. But this is possible only under the condition of strict observance of the construction technology.
The construction of such structures suggests that the finished building will have an impressive weight, which means that you should thoroughly approach the organization of the foundation. It should be borne in mind that houses made of piece materials will not allow you to save money. A base of poor quality will lead to the fact that the cottage will “walk”, which will eventually lead to cracks and make further operation not only dangerous, but also impossible.
Project 5. Facade of a two-story house 9x9 m from aerated concrete
In such a house, the temperature is well maintained, but this can only be possible if the building is not cooled. Like any other stone building, the two-story 9 by 9 m house shown on the plan needs to be warmed up for a long time to ensure comfortable temperature conditions, since the material is able to absorb heat for a long time.
Buildings from piece materials give a certain freedom in design issues. A stone structure can be supplemented with architectural elements:
- arch;
- bay window;
- balcony;
- rounded corners.
Project 5. Ground floor plan: 1 - entrance hall, 2 - corridor, 3 - office, 4 - living room, 5 - kitchen, 6 - bathroom. Second floor plan: 1 - corridor, 2 - nursery, 3 - bedroom, 4 - nursery, 5 - bathroom
Houses made of timber or rounded logs can also be built using these elements, but such work will be extremely difficult to complete.
The use of frame construction technology
The frame technology of erecting buildings can be characterized in three words: cheap, fast, simple.
Note! As in the case of brick and block houses, the construction of a frame cottage is accompanied by a certain freedom in terms of the distribution of interior spaces and architecture, and performance characteristics have much in common with buildings made of wood.
The construction of cottages using frame technology has many advantages.
Advantages of frame-type cottages:
- low construction costs;
- lightweight construction;
- the ability to save money at the stage of organizing the foundation;
- high speed of erection;
- no need to withstand the box, giving it time to shrink;
- practicality and ease of use;
- almost complete absence of restrictions on the shape of the building, its dimensions.
If the construction is accompanied by the use of environmentally friendly materials, the cottage will be no worse than a wooden one.
Two-story frame-type cottage with a small area
Features of designing cottages by floor
The minimum building area with optimal dimensions is equal to a square zone with parameters of 8x8 m or a rectangular plot on which the plan of a two-story house 8 by 10 m can fit.
These dimensions allow the construction of a small cottage-type house with a rational distribution of interior spaces. It is allowed to use a smaller foundation, but in this case the layout will be unfunctional and not very convenient.
On the layout of a two-story house 8 by 10 m, a ladder is fully placed. There is enough space to accommodate not only the kitchen and living room on the first floor and the master bedrooms on the second, but also to receive guests.
After the mandatory premises are included in the layout, there may be free space that can be used to organize additional rooms.
The upper limit of the size is limited only by the wishes of the owners and the size of the suburban area. For a comfortable stay of a family consisting of two adults and several children, you will need a cottage with an area of 110-130 m². This figure can be increased to 200 m² by organizing a garage.
Building a larger house will incur additional costs, and not only during the construction process. Maintenance and operation of large cottages is very expensive, and most of the rooms will be rarely used by the owners.
The first floor of a country house and its layout
In most cases, the set of premises for the ground floor is the same for all layout options. Rooms for various purposes can be placed here, but some of them are mandatory:
- living room;
- kitchen;
- bathroom for guests;
- hallway or hall;
- boiler room.
Layout option for the first floor of a two-story house with a large veranda
Helpful advice! Arrange a small tambour room at the entrance to the house, then cold air will not directly enter the house when the doors are opened. Thus, you can maintain comfortable temperature conditions even in winter.
After entering the mandatory premises into the layout, you may have free space. It can be used to organize additional rooms, for example:
- cabinet;
- guest;
- dining room.
The layout of a two-story house 10x10 m may include a garage. This room is included in the general drawing of the first floor and is brought under the roof of the building, and is also equipped with a separate entrance to the cottage. In most cases, the garage space offers two entrances. One of them can run directly from the house (through the hallway), the second - from the street (through shutters).
The layout of the first floor of a compact house
Achieving a successful placement of rooms is easy. The main condition for success is to exclude narrow and long corridors on the plan. This can be achieved by combining the spaces of several rooms. As for the corridors, the space they occupy cannot be considered as useful and functional.
How to combine multiple rooms
The problem of the small area of the ground floor is solved by removing some partitions, which will maximize the free space. This method of combining rooms is called studio layout. In practice, it turns out that the living room, kitchen and hall are connected into one large room, which has a purely visual division into functional areas.
The combined spaces simultaneously play the role of the same corridors from where you can get into the guest room, bathroom or office, if the layout provides for the presence of these premises on the ground floor.
Studio layout allows you to expand the interior space of the house
Note! The staircase is an indispensable attribute of a building with two floors. It can be used as a natural partition.
In rare cases, the passage room is the kitchen. In such conditions, the workspace has an island type of placement. It is necessarily completed with a bar counter, the design of which depends on the shape of the room itself.
The combined rooms of the living room and kitchen are separated by a bar counter
Most often, bar counters of the following forms are installed:
- triangular;
- semicircular;
- U-shaped;
- arbitrary.
The classic version of the distribution of internal spaces, where each of the rooms has clear boundaries, is possible only if the premises have a large area. Then it becomes possible to complicate the structural shape of the rooms by adding internal partitions that cannot create the effect of closed spaces. The kitchen and living room can be combined, while the last of them can be a completely independent room.
An example of the layout of the first floor of a house without the use of internal partitions
The second floor of a country house and its layout
In the classic layouts, the second floor of the building is reserved for a recreation area for the whole family.
Here are located:
- bedroom premises;
- a full bathroom with a bathtub for common use;
- children's;
- additional bathroom for parents.
If there is enough space upstairs, a family room is set up, which is an analogue of the living room, but used exclusively by people living in the building. A dressing room is also installed here.
Layout of the second floor with four bedrooms of a large two-story house with an attic
Helpful advice! If the cottage has a garage, children's and bedrooms should not be located above its accommodation area. It is recommended to place an area intended for storing things, a landing or a dressing room there.
Layout of a two-story house: rules for combining rooms on the second floor
As in the case of the first floor, the formation of corridors should be avoided. The most common solution to this problem is to organize a small patch with free space. It can be located in front of the stairs and serve as a passageway between other rooms on the floor.
Bedroom with access to the rest room, organized on the second floor of a private house
Much less often, a patch is used as a passage room between the children's and parent's bedrooms. This is due to the fact that such a solution is possible only if there is a sufficiently large amount of space. In small two-story cottages, only one bathroom is installed below, so that the area above can be used exclusively for bedrooms.
The parent bedroom often has an adjacent location with one of the small rooms. Such planning methods are relevant for families with small children. A smaller room is equipped as a nursery for a baby up to 3-4 years old. As they grow older, the child moves to their own bedroom, which may also have an adjoining room.
3D model of a small two-story house
If the layout provides for smaller bedrooms with adjacent rooms, each family member can have their own dressing room. The small size of the house will not allow such a decision to be made, therefore, the option of arranging one dressing room for everyone is allowed, divided into sectors, where each site is intended for a separate family member.
Examples of successful layouts of cottages with two floors
When developing a layout, it is worth considering the fact that residents spend most of their time on the ground floor. This allows you to use the living room as a common room, office or nursery. The family rises to the second floor only for sleeping, so it is recommended to endow the common spaces with the most comfortable conditions in order to create convenience for everyone.
Option for a successful layout of a two-story house 8 by 8 m
Two-storey cottage with an attic and a veranda
Layouts with an attic and a veranda are considered the most successful. And if you also equip a basement in such a cottage, there will be space for storing things or conservation. On the layout of a two-story house 10 by 10 m, you can see how profitable the basement space under the house can be used. And the presence of an attic floor allows you to improve living conditions and add an office on the first or second floor.
Helpful advice! On any of the layouts, the main premises are the dining room and the living room. Make the most of their space by installing access to a veranda, patio or garden. Thanks to this, evenings in the living room with friends or family will become more comfortable.
Two-storey cottage with an attic and an open veranda
Attics are used to accommodate bedrooms. Their number depends on the size of the attic floor, as well as the needs of the family. Often other premises are also equipped here:
- a guest room;
- billiard room;
- gym with exercise equipment;
- cabinet;
- jacuzzi, etc.
In the attic of a two-story private house there is a bathroom with a jacuzzi
In houses where there is an attic, the first floor has a more massive structure than the second. If the layout involves placing several rooms upstairs at once, do not forget that the cottage will be subjected to a high weight load. Therefore, for security reasons, it is recommended to carefully make all calculations, taking into account the total area of the building, as well as the size of the site where the construction will be carried out.
Features of a building with an attic floor
The layout of the attic floor is given increased attention. Since this space is intended for people to live and relax, the attic should be as comfortable and convenient as possible. The material for the construction of the roof deserves special consideration.
Arrangement of the basement, garage and attic - effective ways to increase the usable area of \u200b\u200bthe house
The most common roof structures:
- lean-to;
- with two slopes;
- broken line (with two slopes).
Roofs with two slopes are very simple to implement and require less construction costs. This moment is due to the fact that the roof slopes are used as the sides, and the end zones are the gables.
Helpful advice! Facing the gables should be done using the same material as the finishing of the first floor. The type of roof and roofing material must be decided in advance - even at the stage of drafting the project. The filling of the attic floor is also thought out in advance.
Children's bedroom, arranged on the attic floor of a private house
Advantages of the attic:
- Saving money - building a two-story cottage with an attic will cost much less than building a three-story house. Even with the cost of the roof.
- Attractive design - with the help of broken roofs and slopes, which are placed at various slopes, you can create a unique architectural look for the house.
- Interesting interior design - subject to well-chosen forms, the owner of such a house will be able to create an original interior.
In the attic of a two-story house there is a cozy seating area
Advantages and disadvantages of the attic in the layout of a two-story house 10 by 10: photo
The layout of the building with parameters of 10x10 m, which is presented below, has both advantages and disadvantages associated with the construction of the attic floor.
The plan of the house provides for the placement of three bedrooms at once (parent and two children) on the attic floor. Due to this space under the roof, a family with two teenagers can comfortably live in a cottage. Each bedroom is equipped with a wardrobe and a work area. All rooms open onto a long hall.
Project 6. Facade of a two-story house 10x10 m
The placement of the rooms is rational, but there are a number of disadvantages associated with the attic. Most of them appear at the construction stage.
Firstly, the process of installing the ventilation system, as well as all the elements of thermal insulation, becomes more complicated. Any mistake in the technology can cause freezing of the premises or the appearance of excessive humidity, which will lead to a violation of the comfortable climate and the formation of condensate, mold.
Secondly, there are difficulties with natural lighting, which should fall into each of the rooms in the required amount.
Helpful advice! If we limit ourselves to exclusively vertical windows installed in a special structure called a "birdhouse", the level of natural light will be extremely small. It is recommended to install specialized window structures designed for this purpose.
Project 6. Plan of the first floor: 1 - entrance hall, 2 - hall, 3 - office, 4 - living-dining room, 5 - kitchen, 6 - bathroom. Second floor plan: 1 - corridor, 2 - bathroom, 3 - nursery, 4 - bedroom, 5 - nursery
Disadvantages associated with the operation of the premises
The attic space is called the "dead zone". Despite the fact that the attic rooms are no different from similar rooms on the ground floor, they have much less usable area, since the sloping walls do not allow furniture to be installed closely. The way out of this situation will be custom-made furniture. These products are designed taking into account the structural features of the room. On the one hand, such a technique will allow you to furnish the room in an unusual way, on the other hand, it will entail additional costs.
The attic is almost always used as a space for placing bedrooms and children, but this area cannot be called a suitable place. This is especially true for offices and children's rooms, since sloping walls can create a feeling of anxiety, inner unrest and threat in a person.
An office organized in the attic of a two-story house
Features of the layout of a two-story house with a garage
Often, wood is used for the construction of country houses. If it was she who was chosen for construction, then some additions will be required for the plan of a two-story house with a garage. In this case, it will be necessary to perform cladding on the wall panels so that the garage does not visually stand out from the general appearance of the building, and harmonizes with it.
The garage can have a separate room, but this is only possible if there is a large adjoining area. To organize the roof of the cottage and the garage, you need to use the same materials so as not to disturb the overall exterior of the yard. In addition, unity should be observed in terms of roof construction. The slope should be the same.
Two story home with attached garage
It is difficult to develop a project of a two-story building with a garage on your own. It is recommended to use a ready-made plan that can be ordered from any construction company or downloaded for free online.
Helpful advice! In two-story buildings, a staircase is required. The space underneath can be effectively used for storage. Having done all the calculations correctly, you can place a small pantry under the stairs or install shelves for books, etc.
Plan of a two-story house 12 by 12 m with a garage
The project below takes into account the needs of families with children. The first advantage that catches the eye is the presence of two entrances to the house, located on different sides of the building.
Project 7. Facade of a two-storey house 12x12 m with a garage
One entrance is located from the front of the cottage. Having risen to a small porch, the owners of the house and their guests enter the vestibule, where they can take off their outerwear and shoes. This zone serves to keep the heat in the house and is separated by a door from a small hall, into which all the other rooms on the ground floor open. For convenience, a wall hanger with hooks for guests' clothes can be installed in the vestibule. In the hall there is a place for a wardrobe belonging to the owners.
The second entrance to the house is located on the opposite side of the building. The large porch can be used for al fresco dining. Owners of a country house would do well to purchase a set of garden or folding outdoor furniture for the summer. The convenience of placing the second entrance is due to the fact that from the backyard you can get directly into the living room. This is the best combination if the owners of the house like to relax on the street and receive guests.
Project 7. Ground floor plan: 1 - entrance hall, 2 - staircase hall, 3 - living room, 4 - kitchen-dining room, 5 - pantry, 6 - toilet, 7 - garage. Second floor plan: 1 - corridor, 2 - nursery, 3 - bedroom, 4 - nursery, 5 - bathroom
Combining the living room and kitchen: advantages and disadvantages
The layout shows that the large living room is connected to the dining room and kitchen. Quite often, this type of placement is recommended by the designers themselves, who see many advantages in this solution.
Advantages of combining spaces:
- increase in space and usable area;
- visual expansion of boundaries;
- comfortable conditions for communication with the family during dinner or joint rest;
- comfortable conditions for receiving guests;
- in the process of cooking, people in the kitchen are not separated from other residents.
An example of combining the living room and kitchen on the ground floor of the house
This approach has several disadvantages:
- it will be necessary to increase the frequency of general cleaning;
- Unpleasant odors from the kitchen can spread throughout the home.
Note! The combined spaces on the layout of a two-story house 12 by 12 m have one significant drawback - it requires coordination of the design of all three rooms (kitchen, dining room, living room), but at the same time it is necessary to visually delimit the rooms according to their purpose.
Methods of visual division of space
- installation of a bar counter;
- certain placement of kitchen furniture, as a result of which a kitchen hood with a protruding structure will play the role of a separator;
The premises of the kitchen-dining room and living room are separated from each other with the help of furniture
- installation of floor coverings of various types. For example, stone tiles or tiles are suitable for the kitchen, it is better to decorate the floor in the living room with laminate;
- the use of unusual color schemes for wall decoration. In addition to this, colors can be duplicated on the floor.
In this case, the delimiting element is the closet, which partially separates the dining and kitchen spaces from the living room. It is better if the pieces of furniture have the same or similar colors. This will avoid mistakes in interior design in the living room, kitchen and dining room. With accessories, you can focus on certain areas of the room or individual objects.
The specifics of the placement of the garage
Depending on the size of the local area, as well as the specifics of its use (whether additional structures will be installed on it or a garden will be laid out), the garage space can be separate or included in the structure of the house. In our case, the layout provides for a garage room, which is adjacent to the house as an extension.
Layout of the first floor of a private house with a large garage
Helpful advice! A garage combined with a cottage will save space on the site. Thanks to this solution, construction costs are also reduced, since a separate building will require higher financial investments.
During the design process, it should be remembered that it is recommended to place the garage on the north side. Do not forget about a high-quality ventilation system, which will prevent exhaust gases, unpleasant odors and fuel vapors from entering the house.
Advantages of a garage combined with a house:
- saving money spent on construction;
- quick and convenient access to the residential part of the house;
- the formation of a usable area above the garage, which can be used for various purposes;
- saving space on the site.
2 storey house with 2 car garage
The disadvantages include only the likelihood of gases from the garage entering the living rooms.
Garage, attic and veranda are far from the only elements that can improve the layout, make it functional and comfortable. On large plots, a winter garden can be added to the building plan. Most often, this element is attached to the kitchen.
Such premises are accompanied by high energy and heat costs. If you install a fence from other rooms and strengthen the thermal insulation, these problems can be avoided. Thanks to the winter garden and other structural additions, you can create a unique home that will be pleasant to live in all year round.
After all the necessary documents for the purchased land have been finalized, you can proceed to the layout of the house. Of course, you can review several dozen finished projects, or you can contact the construction company you like with an individual order and individual requirements. The plan of a small two-story house is selected quite quickly.
Plan of a small two-story brick house
Recently, the plan of a two-story house with an attic and a garage has been very popular. But first, it is worth considering the simple projects of country houses and the features of their design. Most often, houses of this type are built from profiled wood, which is distinguished by ideal sound and thermal insulation qualities, as well as environmental friendliness and a high level of fire safety.
However, the plan for a two-story house made of glued or galvanized timber will require huge financial investments, so houses made of brick and concrete blocks have not lost their popularity.
Plan of a two-story house from a bar
One of the important stages in the design of a multi-storey building is the selection of building materials, the purpose of which is to ensure not only first-class performance, but also an impeccable appearance. A high-quality layout of a two-story house requires a competent approach to the construction of foundation supports, which is also another significant factor that determines the optimal building materials.
Today, more and more often in the suburban areas of small towns you can see many wooden houses with several floors. The reason for such popularity of wood building material is impeccable performance and stylish appearance.
The plan of a simple two-story house made of glued laminated timber and other wood is the best solution for small and quiet areas. Glued laminated timber endures any effects of capricious weather, especially high levels of humidity and sudden changes in temperature. At the same time, indoors, both on the lower and upper floors, a unique atmosphere of homeliness and comfort is created. In addition, this building material meets all European and domestic quality and environmental safety standards.
A two-story house is a building of prestige. It is fashionable, beautiful and practical. And for urban residents, such a home is the number one dream. Today we will talk about how to competently draw up plans for two-story houses. We have prepared for you a lot of typical projects and recommendations for their improvement.
Read in the article
Distinctive features of two-story cottages
Before embarking on the design of a two-story house, it should be remembered that this building has several distinctive features. They must be taken into account.
A two-story house can not be built on any site. There are cases when the characteristics of the soil do not allow the construction of such structures. For this reason, before design work, you should carefully study the geodesy of the site and it is better to involve professionals for this work.
Advice! Before purchasing a building plot, walk around the area and pay attention to neighboring houses. Ask yourself why the neighbors only build one-story buildings, or why almost all houses have cracks. All these observations should lead you to the appropriate conclusions.
You should also pay attention to the general concept of the architecture of the area. Agree, it is ridiculous to put a log house in the middle of Victorian mansions.
So, three special requirements for a two-story house:
- suitable soil;
- appropriate building conditions in the area;
- high-quality project, taking into account all safety requirements.
Pros of houses with two floors
So why do many developers prefer two floors to one? Let's look at the obvious reasons for the popularity of this choice:
Attractive look | Two-story buildings can be designed in the most attractive way, using a second light, turrets, gables, balconies. |
Comfortable living conditions | Many aspects can be added to this item: both magnificent views of the landscape, and the possibility of privacy in the bedrooms of the second floor, and successful zoning of space |
Saving land area | A two-story building takes up much less space than a one-story building of the same area. The vacated space can be taken by a swimming pool, a playground or a gazebo for relaxation |
Convenient layout | Common rooms and utility rooms are usually located on the ground floor. The second is reserved for personal space. |
Construction conditions | Significantly reduced the amount of work on the roof. In fact, the cost of building a two-story house is cheaper than a one-story house of the same area. |
Disadvantages of two-story buildings
Do not blindly get involved in projects. Structures with two floors have drawbacks, they should be remembered and compensated for in the design process:
Foundation costs | The foundation for a tall building will need a more powerful one. You will have to fork out for quality materials and additional work. |
Additional costs for the arrangement of stairs | Two-story houses will require not only an internal staircase or. To ensure the safety of residents, you will also need to install an external emergency evacuation ladder. |
Difficulties in laying communications | In a house with two floors, it is more difficult to wire heating and electricity. Additional node connections and switches will be required. |
The age of family members must be taken into account when designing | In the projects of private houses, rooms for the elderly are located on the ground floor. This way you will save them from having to climb up. |
The need for high-quality thermal insulation of the second floor | On the second floor, without high-quality thermal insulation, it is hot in summer and cold in winter. It is necessary to think over a high-quality heating system and install air conditioning devices. |
Difficulties to be faced
For a two-story structure, reliable floors will be required. Their design should be given special attention, otherwise the home will not be safe.
In addition, certain difficulties await you in the process of engineering communications design.
Heating a residential building on two floors will require the use of a system with a circulation pump. Water supply and sewerage also need a special structure, because on the second floor you will need at least one more bathroom. You should carefully consider the ventilation system of the house and lay the wiring in such a way as to ensure its maximum safety.
And this is not all the difficulties that await you. Be prepared for the fact that building a two-story house is a difficult task.
The choice of material for construction
About a quarter of the construction budget goes to the walls. It is important to carefully and prudently approach the choice of material.
This should be done without compromising the strength and reliability of the home, so let's see what materials are inexpensive and at the same time of high quality.
By what criteria should building materials be selected:
- affordable price - in this regard, you can save a lot by choosing light-weight material. It does not require a strong foundation - and this is another article to save;
- heat-insulating qualities of the material - you should select products that are suitable for the climatic conditions of your region;
- the cost of building walls - the larger the elements of construction, the less time it will take to work. The fastest way to build frame structures;
- finishing requirements - some building materials, such as logs, do not require finishing, this can save a lot.
And now let's look at some of the most common options for building walls.
Everything new is a well-forgotten old: wood
There was a time when the construction of wooden houses almost stopped. The country was massively built from concrete blocks, assembling multi-storey buildings like designers. The skills of talented architects were lost, and no one understood how much healthier and happier the residents of wooden houses were. Understanding came with time and now wood is again one of the most popular materials for suburban construction. The projects of small houses are in the greatest demand.
Like any building material, wood has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider them in more detail:
Minuses | |
Wood reacts sharply to atmospheric humidity. | Have you noticed how a wooden front door closes tightly in spring and autumn and does not stay in the opening at all in summer? The tree is able to swell, absorbing atmospheric moisture. In dry and hot weather, it can crack. All these facts affect the structure. From excess moisture, a fungus appears on the wood and rot can begin, and cracks must be periodically caulked so that there are no drafts. |
fire hazard | In this regard, wood is the leader among other materials. Dry old wood catches fire quickly and strongly. In order to secure your home, you will have to carefully treat the walls with fire retardants, but they do not give a 100% guarantee. |
Long shrink process | Only glued beams practically do not shrink. All other types of wood building material require time to shrink. The house must stand for at least a year before moving in. |
pros | |
Excellent air exchange | The tree "breathes", so you do not need to install any complex and supply devices |
High thermal insulation qualities | The wooden house is warm in winter and comfortable in summer. Wooden houses practically do not need air conditioners, and heating costs are much lower than in block and brick buildings. |
Benefit for health | In an environmentally friendly wooden house, it is not only easier to breathe - the air is saturated with resinous substances and phytoncides, which is very beneficial for health |
Low construction costs | A wooden house does not need a strong foundation. In the old days, log cabins were built on boulders. Modern technologies allow the use of a shallow strip or pile foundation. |
Quick erection | A wooden house is put up in about two to three months. It should be noted that you can build at any time of the year. |
Durability | Don't trust the skeptics. Look at the samples of ancient architecture - these buildings stood for more than one hundred years, and they were not always carefully looked after. And if you look after the house and do current repairs in a timely manner, it will serve more than one generation of your family. |
Admire the projects of small two-story wooden houses, embodied in different regions of Russia:
And now a little more about the different "wooden" technologies.
Frame structures
Frame technologies are experiencing a peak in popularity. This method of construction came from Europe and America. Remember footage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? It was strange to observe that practically nothing remained of the huge populated areas. The secret is simple - a powerful element simply "dismantled" light frame structures and scattered them like houses of cards. It is not for nothing that the inhabitants of states prone to such cataclysms have fortified cellars outside their houses for shelter. What do we have?
In our latitudes, thank God, there are almost no hurricanes. And frame structures have practically no contraindications. You will be surprised, but similar structures were erected with us before. In the dense forests of Karelia and Siberia, people still live in the villages of railway builders. And they live in houses built using frame technology. Such houses are already half a century old and more, and at the same time they are warm and durable, just like fifty years ago. There is only one conclusion - if you build with high quality, in compliance with all requirements, you can get a reliable and solid frame house as a result.
During the construction process, no mortar or special construction equipment is needed. The frame house is installed on a screw or column foundation. You can build it at any time of the year.
Advice! The most durable construction will be if you use a metal frame. It is exceptionally strong and durable and will not let you down under any circumstances. In addition, repairing a house with a metal frame will be much easier.
Frame buildings perfectly retain heat due to the special design of the walls, reminiscent of a layer cake.
Important! When building a frame house, cracks should not be allowed. It is necessary to follow all the joints and carefully adjust the plates.
Like other timber structures, frame houses have the same disadvantages. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you should treat the walls with flame retardant compounds, pay special attention to protecting electrical wiring and periodically treat the walls with an antiseptic.
Advice! Use mineral wool as a heater. It doesn't have rodents. They like polystyrene more and, using it, you risk then constantly listening to the cheerful crunch of illegal tenants.
Related article:
Do you want to build a frame house with your own hands? The step-by-step instructions given in this article will help to understand all the intricacies quickly and easily even for beginners.
Log cabins and their features
Unlike the frame structure, the log house has the ability to "breathe". It is not hermetic, the pores of the wood allow air to pass through. The log house has all the positive characteristics of wood that we talked about. In addition, such buildings always have a special exterior: colorful and attractive.
For your information! The log house, if necessary, can be dismantled and built on another site. To do this, each log is numbered during disassembly and reassembled in a strict order. To simplify the work, save the original building drawings.
Log cabins have their own nuances. The main problem is wood-eating insects. This is a real scourge. If appropriate measures are not taken, grinder beetles will turn the building into dust in just a few years. To avoid such a disaster, the wood is carefully treated with special compositions - insecticides.
Another essential point for choosing the material of the log house is the quality of the log. It can be chopped or rounded. Rounded logs look even, they are much easier to build. Chopped ones usually have one thickened end, this is due to the natural structure of the tree.
As for log cabins, glued material is the favorite here. In such a bar there are several layers of wood with multidirectional fibers. This material does not shrink, does not deform, and is additionally protected from pests by an internal adhesive composition.
We offer photos of projects of private houses made of logs and timber:
brick fortress
A brick dwelling is a kind of fortress. Reliable, durable, strong. This is a building for centuries, which will be inherited by your grandchildren. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of this material:
Minuses | |
Low degree of heat saving | For a summer residence, a brick structure is not the best solution. If the country house has stood for several days without heating in cold weather, it will be difficult to warm it up and this process will take a very long time. In residential brick houses, heating costs are higher than, for example, in wooden ones. Such houses need additional insulation. |
High construction costs | Brick is a small building material. Its laying requires professional skills. Not everyone can build a brick house on their own. In addition, a brick structure requires a solid foundation that can withstand a lot of weight. |
pros | |
Resistance to external influence | The brick is not afraid of rodents, insects, microorganisms, fungus. Brick is not afraid of natural disasters and atmospheric phenomena. |
Environmental friendliness | Brick made of natural baked clay is a building material that is safe for human health. It has satisfactory vapor permeability. |
Good sound insulation | Brick walls perfectly absorb all unnecessary noise. |
No need for exterior decoration | Brick walls do not need to be covered with facade materials. On sale there is a facing brick - it is a durable and durable material for exterior decoration. |
We present a photo of projects of brick houses and cottages:
Aerated concrete buildings
Aerated concrete is a relatively new building material. Foamed concrete is produced using a special technology. The result is light volumetric blocks with a porous structure and excellent thermal insulation characteristics.
Advantages and disadvantages of foam concrete:
pros | |
Good heat retention | Due to the porous structure, the material contains many air capsules and perfectly maintains the temperature regime in the room. |
Light weight design | Foam blocks weigh much lighter than bricks. For such a house, there is no need to equip a reinforced foundation. |
Moisture Immunity | Blocks are made by pouring into molds. Their coating does not absorb moisture from the air, and, therefore, in such a house there will be no dampness and mold. |
Long service life | Foam concrete blocks have the useful property of gaining strength during operation. The longer the structure lasts, the stronger it is. |
fire safety | Foam concrete does not burn and does not support fire. It is one of the safest building materials. |
Erection speed | The blocks have a strict geometric shape and large sizes. This simplifies the installation process. For gluing blocks, you can use not the usual cement mortar, but tile adhesive. |
Variation of architectural forms | Blocks are perfectly sawn, they can be given any shape. Thanks to these properties, it is easy to build from blocks not only smooth walls, but also columns, arches and other complex shapes. |
Minuses | |
Building shrinkage | A foam concrete house shrinks slightly, about 2 millimeters per square meter. The process takes up to six months. |
Special requirements for finishing materials | Not any finishing materials can be used to process foam blocks. Careful priming will be required. |
The need for reinforcement | The fragility of building elements made of foam concrete requires reinforcement of the structure with a reinforcing mesh. |
A small photo catalog of foam concrete country houses:
Houses on a metal frame
We have already touched on the topic of frame construction when we talked about wooden houses. But on a metal frame, you can make not only a house from OSB panels.
Using a steel frame, you can build a glass house or a sandwich panel house.
Previously, steel frames were used only in industrial construction. Now this technology is becoming more and more firmly established in individual construction. Steel is used to create the foundation of walls and ceilings, to shape the roof.
The metal frame requires special insulation. Its main advantage is that such a base does not deform and does not shrink, it can be mounted at any time of the year.
It is believed that the metal frame of the house is dangerous because it can become a current conductor in a thunderstorm. To prevent this from happening, the structure is grounded, and the racks themselves are carefully insulated with a special coating.
Examples of houses on metal krakas:
How to plan a two-story house
The internal space of the house must be carefully planned, divided into functional zones. First of all, it is necessary to separate the residential area from the technical premises. The technical, auxiliary premises include a boiler room, a workshop, a laundry room, a pantry and a kitchen,. The living area includes bedrooms, living room, guest room, office, gym and so on.
Advice! The technical zone is located in the northern part of the building, where there are a minimum of windows. Living rooms are oriented to the south and east.
A few tips for the general layout of a two-story house:
- the fewer corridors the better. This space is of little practical use, so try not to make them too long. It is better to provide a hall - it can be used as additional space for placing stairs and a hallway;
- in the project, pay enough attention to insolation. The larger the window, the less you will subsequently spend on lighting. Large windows on the sunny side will save on heating. There are recommendations on the norm of glazing - 1 square meter per 8 squares of the area of \u200b\u200bthe room;
- modern architectural design often uses the combination of rooms, for example, a living room and a kitchen;
- for a balcony on the second floor, it is better to design an additional external support. So you secure the structure and keep the heat in the house from cold bridges;
- do not forget to design a vestibule before entering the house, at least a small one. It will keep the heat in the house;
- in a two-story house, at least two bathrooms must be provided - one for each floor;
- do not get carried away with the complex geometry of the roof. The simpler the slope, the easier it is to perform and the better the roof will retain heat;
- if you are planning a real fireplace in the house, it should be provided at the design stage, then it will be problematic to integrate it into the finished building;
- if you have taken up the construction of a country house, keep in mind that most of the owners rarely stop there. Perhaps over time you will decide to make an extension. Think about it ahead of time. Perhaps leave one wall of the first floor without windows.
Ground floor plan
In a two-story house, the kitchen, living room, technical rooms and a guest room are usually located on the ground floor. This is the minimum set for a small cottage. If funds allow, you can order a pool or a gym, a winter garden from the designer.
A little about the main premises of the first floor:
Kitchen | In a country cottage, it is logical to combine the kitchen with the dining room. When choosing the dimensions of the room, focus on the amount of furniture needed, the size of the dining group. Do not make this room narrow, otherwise it will be inconvenient for you to cook and set the table. |
bathroom | The bathroom is located next to the kitchen or corridor. The minimum size is 5 square meters. |
Corridor | Narrow corridors will interfere with the promotion and movement of furniture. The minimum width of the corridor is one and a half meters. |
Living room | This room should be as spacious as possible. If you have planned a second light, then this is the best idea for the living room. Large windows overlooking the garden are welcome. There is also a fireplace here. |
Technical buildings | These objects are located on the north side of the building. The furnace must be equipped with a high-quality ventilation system. |
Guest room or office | You can combine a guest room with an office and think over the appropriate interior design. Install a comfortable folding sofa in the office and late guests will be able to spend the night comfortably there. |
This is the minimum list of premises for the first floor. Here are some examples of ready-made free projects of houses and cottages with ground floor drawings:
Second floor plan
The second floor is a recreation and privacy area. There is a children's bedroom here. If the area of the cottage is large, a large hall can be placed on the second floor as a zone for family recreation and communication. It is more convenient to place a dressing room next to the bedroom.
Advice! If a garage is attached to the cottage, do not place a nursery above the garage. Malfunctions in ventilation can lead to the ingress of car gases into the room.
As on the first floor, try to get by with a minimum of corridors, or better, get rid of them altogether. Replace the hallway with a walk-through room.
If there is a baby in the house, then it is better if the nursery door is located directly next to the parent's bedroom.
Keep in mind that in a two-story house, the whole family will spend most of the day on the ground floor. Therefore, the rooms on the second floor do not have to be large, but certainly cozy.
Projects of the 2nd floor of the house:
Combination of premises in projects of two-story houses
If the ground floor occupies a small area, you can minimize the number of partitions and combine several rooms into one. Such a project will be called a studio. You will get that the living room, kitchen, dining room and hall will be one large space. In this case, the studio is zoned using simple design techniques.
Doors leading to the bathroom and guest room are installed in the studio. There is also a staircase to the next floor.
Advice! When planning rooms in the house, use 3D graphics. It will allow you to visually imagine what the delimited space will look like.
If the studio option does not suit you, consider other types of combination. You can combine the kitchen and dining room, living room and hallway.
Examples of planning houses and cottages with two floors and combined rooms:
House with an attic
The second floor can be made in the form. This is a practical solution that allows you to save on materials. You can live in the attic all year round, the rooms in it are no different in terms of heat saving from full-fledged floors. And by the way, the attic greatly lightens the overall weight of the building, so you can use a less powerful foundation.
Features of the geometry of the roof in this case are carefully calculated in such a way that they have ceilings of at least 220 centimeters.
Internal inclined planes are easy to arrange so that they do not put pressure on your perception.
Photo projects of houses with an attic inside and outside.