A dacha is a truly inexpensive home to live in, and only from a certain time we began to consider it a luxury. In fact, if we remember the old days, these are small houses that are half or three times smaller than village ones, but comfortable and cozy for living at any time of the year. Therefore, it makes sense to remember how such housing is built and equipped, and to take care of the maximum comfort that is possible thanks to modern technologies and materials.
So, today we are building a small country house in which a small family can live freely. We will not touch upon the issue of financial problems and moving to a dacha, but will simply study the issue from the perspective of the possibility of living in such a dacha house of one’s own free will, but not due to circumstances.
What should a country house be like?
Everyone sets the basic requirements for a country home independently, depending on personal requirements. But today we are talking about how to furnish a home comfortably and at the same time economically.
Believe me, it's real!
So, what is a cozy and comfortable cottage for living at an inexpensive price? This is a small house that has everything for cooking and personal hygiene. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. There are some household appliances inside, and outside, on the summer cottage itself, there is everything for simple relaxation.
It would also be nice to have several acres of land nearby on which you can plant vegetables and fruits for personal consumption, as well as a couple of small flower beds, say, just for the soul.
In fact, a person doesn’t need much to feel good. Therefore, we believe that it is possible to do without expensive intelligent systems and automated equipment. However, now you can see for yourself!
Choosing a country house project
To reduce the cost of construction as much as possible, but not to compromise on its quality, you can choose an inexpensive project. There are plenty of them on the Internet and even from the house builders themselves, who simply give some standard projects to their clients. But there is always a way to get a project and not order a house from builders, it’s simple.
You can also independently create a housing project that will be convenient for you personally in terms of the layout of the interior. The main thing when determining construction materials is that you have the opportunity to show the project to professionals to approve the feasibility of construction.
Building area: golden mean
To build an inexpensive country house, you don’t need to chase a huge area. Start from the essentials - a couple of rooms, a kitchen, a corridor, a bathroom (if it is inside the house), a small storage room. All this can fit in about 40 square meters. It will be something like an average two-room apartment, which is quite enough for a family.
The premises themselves can be divided by area as convenient, as long as the project is approved.
What to build from?
Today, such buildings can be made from a wide variety of materials:
- Glued laminated timber or logs are a modern throwback to classic construction, but it is very difficult to find a good price;
- Constructing housing from brick or cinder block may be a little cheaper, but it is worth taking into account the cost of subsequent finishing;
- You can build a house using a frame method, for example, from SIP panels. It will be average in price and good in energy saving.
Any material for the construction of a country house can be expensive or not, and if you study the market well, then you can get away from the standard cost by even 40-60%. This is true, because the cost has a regional affiliation, and is also leveled by many builders according to the “eminence” of their company.
Inexpensive building foundation
The foundation for such a house will really cost pennies. Comparatively, of course. But here it is important not just to reduce the cost of the foundation, but to be sure to choose one that will suit your residential building.
It is necessary to consider construction materials, roofing, sheathing, because all this puts weight on the foundation. But it is also worth turning to the study of the soil, because not everywhere you can pour a strip foundation and settle on this option. In some cases, if there are some problems with the soil, it will be necessary to use piles, and this will increase the cost of the process.
Inexpensive roof and roofing for a summer house
We studied most of the roofing options in a feature article earlier, and you can refer to it at any time to get the information you need.
As for the cost, today it is most profitable to install slate or corrugated sheets on the roof.
There are other options, but it is always worth starting not only from savings, but also to calculate in advance the possible service life. In this case, depending on the type of roof, you can pay attention to bitumen shingles, ondulin and other types of roofing
How to build a cottage inexpensively
The answer to the question here is very simple - build a house with your own hands! But if there are no qualifications, and a house is needed in the near future, what to do then? Just look for an inexpensive mason or a team of cobblers who will be ready to inexpensively build you a home in the country.
Anyone who has not encountered a similar question will certainly assume that this is impossible, but will certainly be wrong. Just look at how many builders today are looking for income, and you can earn at least a little from the construction of your dacha. All that remains is to determine among the total number of those proposing their candidacy those who can build with high quality and for the price tag you offer!
Choosing a plot for a summer residence
Today there are a lot of offers in dacha cooperatives. There are even absolutely cheap ones, as long as a person takes the land, and with it the obligation to pay land fees and pay for water and other indicators of civilization.
It is very good if the site is selected not only according to cost, but also according to the criteria of quality and practicality. The soil, its quality, relief, distance from the entrance, neighborhood or city, planting in the country, the ability to build quickly and without problems - all this is very important, but the list of requirements is far from complete. The main thing here is communications: electricity, water, gas, sewerage. It’s good when at autonomous substations or even with centralized supply, the main thing is that there is light and water, the rest is simpler.
Choosing a place for a building
The site for the construction of a country house should be on a hill so that the building is not affected by surface or groundwater. It is advisable to locate the house away from the road, away from unnecessary neighbors' views and road dust, and also so that maximum windows face the sunny side, because it is very good when there is light inside the home.
Installing the foundation
Since our building will be of a frame type, inexpensive, but very modern, we may not deepen the foundation very much, because this will only be a waste of money. You can choose a simple columnar foundation or a strip foundation. Platforms and filler slabs are not needed here, that’s for sure.
You can install the foundation for a frame house yourself if you have even the slightest construction experience. But if a construction team is working on the territory of the dacha, it would be better if they deal with this process, since the foundation of the house plays a very serious role.
Frame installation
The frame of a country house is erected quite simply, but strictly according to the project. It is advisable to initially provide for communication lines in order to hide them in the thickness of the floor and walls. Also, pay attention to the need for structures such as a cellar, because it can always be under the house itself.
Installation of the frame occurs in conjunction with the installation of the rafter system along the roof. If the roof of the house is based on your own design, other options are possible.
Inexpensive arrangement of a summer house
Now we need to make sure that the arrangement does not cost more than the construction. Today we will not work with the interior, as well as with accessories and decor, but we will definitely take care of ensuring comfort inside.
In terms of home improvement, all issues must be resolved with maximum practicality!
Electricity in the house
Naturally, the easiest way to provide a home with electricity is to wire it from the central line. But there are always auxiliary options. Of course, they can take the budget in a negative direction, but they still need to be remembered.
Electricity can be generated by solar panels. In this case, you will only need to spend money on purchase and installation. Next, you will receive electricity almost free of charge, albeit in small quantities.
The simplest sewage system in the country
Who said that providing high-quality sewerage on a site is very expensive? It’s just that we are used to working with septic tanks and outputs to irrigation fields, which in total costs a decent amount. You can always approach the issue from the other side and, for example, build a cesspool from used bricks or just one concrete ring. Of course, you will sometimes have to call a car to service such a local treatment plant, but you can always reduce costs by purchasing special additives for septic tanks. These are bacteria that will help ensure the decomposition of all wastewater and minimize the cost of cleaning the cesspool.
Inexpensive water supply for a dacha
Plumbing in a summer cottage is good, but if it is not there, several tanks will save the situation. One can be placed outside for summer use, and the second on the roof of the house so that you can wash dishes, take a shower, and so on inside.
If we talk about the cost of these types of supplies, then centralized water supply is always more convenient and cheaper. You pay the standard tariff on the meter and do not worry about water delivery or purification.
How to build a summer house? Selection of materials (video)
Cooking and heating
It is very important that the house is warm and that there is a stove on which to cook. This can be a single structure, for example, a modern cooking stove, which will also heat the home in winter.
Just an ordinary potbelly stove, a cast-iron stove that can be installed in any room of a country house. If not, you can build a stone stove, however, the services of a stove maker here can seriously hit your pocket.
Inexpensive life in the country: summing up
We chose an inexpensive, but decent and high-quality plot of land, and built a simple modern house using frame technology. Here we have practically a standard, but if you count in terms of area and inexpensive construction of a house, then here we are already seriously saving.
We also immediately remove expensive septic tanks, stoves, and electrical heating appliances from the budget. This gives us the opportunity not only not to spend money right away, but also not to waste money on maintaining such devices and systems. Of course, there are solutions that are much more practical than a potbelly stove or water tanks, but our task was to prove that life in the country can be comfortable and inexpensive. It seems to us that we have done this, especially if after building and arranging the house you will also tidy up and make the entire dacha area more convenient.
We won’t argue; not everyone will live in a dacha, and even in conditions to which we are not quite accustomed. But now you will have a separate private house, albeit a small one, which is valuable real estate. But in the summer this is generally the best place to relax!
Owning a country plot gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy the fruits of your dacha labor and get some relaxation at a fragrant barbecue festival. But what is a plot without any building on it. And if there are no funds for capital construction, then you can build economy class country houses photo, which will become a seasonal haven for vacationers or those working in the country, and will also serve as storage for all gardening equipment.
Read about what is cheaper to build a garden house from and how to do all the work correctly in our material below.
Materials for the construction of an inexpensive country house
To understand what you can save on when building a country house, and how to build a cheap country house, you need to study all possible options for building materials. So, you can build an inexpensive cottage with your own hands from the following materials:
- Frame-panel fragments. Here, timber is used to install the frame, and chipboard, fiberboard, OSB, etc. slabs can be used as cladding. To insulate such a house (if desired), you can use polystyrene or mineral wool slabs. As a result, the house can be used not only in the warm season, but also in winter. A special feature of the installation of such a frame-panel house is its undeniable savings. After all, it is fashionable to assemble a building using practically available materials, of which every summer resident/gardener/craftsman probably has a lot. As a last resort, you can borrow leftover material from your neighbors.
- A log house can also be made in a country house. Such construction will cost a little more, but the house will be stronger and more durable. The only drawback of wood (especially if the cheapest planed timber is used) is that it shrinks. As a result, cracks and gaps appear in the walls. It will be necessary to additionally insulate the building so that the country cottage can be used without problems.
- In response to the question of how to build a cheap dacha, we can advise building clay building. That is, to make a kind of adobe house. The construction technology is simple and similar to modeling. Materials for installation will cost the craftsman practically nothing, since the clay and straw from which an adobe house is built is practically underfoot. Such a clay country house, if all installation rules are properly followed, can become a durable building for any season. The only drawback of an adobe house is that its construction will take a lot of time. Perhaps even more than one season.
- Caravan house. This option for setting up an inexpensive country cottage is the simplest. You can find a more or less decent trailer that is simply installed on the site. If desired, water and sewerage are supplied to such a trailer.
Important: for any type of inexpensive country house, you can install lightweight types of foundations - pile or shallow strip foundations. And this is an additional point of savings during construction.
Frame-panel house: technology of work
To build such a house using frame technology, you will need to prepare material in accordance with the given perimeter of the building. The materials you will need are:
- Beam with a section of 100x100 to create the frame of the house;
- Self-tapping screws and metal corners for fastening frame posts;
- Panels or slabs of fiberboard, chipboard, OSB;
- Insulation material (if desired);
- Piles for the foundation and a metal channel for tying the piles.
We carry out the work in this way:
- It is worth installing driven piles in the designated places in the corners of the future house. Supports are also installed under wall joints and under load-bearing partitions, if any are included in the house design. Monolithic concrete pillars and brick supports can also be installed as supports. In any case, the pillars are mounted on a sand cushion to a depth of at least 60 cm. In this case, both concrete and brickwork should be reinforced.
- The finished supports are tied with a channel or I-beam, and waterproofing material is laid over the pillars.
- Then a timber sheathing is laid on the resulting belt, which will become the base plate of the frame. That is, the timber should lie along the perimeter, and wooden logs should be placed on top of the timber frame in increments of 50-60 cm. All wooden elements are securely fastened together with metal corners and self-tapping screws.
- Now it’s the turn of the vertical timber racks. They are mounted in increments of 50 cm, firmly resting against the timber frame. For additional fixation of the longitudinal supports, jibs are installed on each side. You can also install crossbars.
Advice: it is better to assemble the frame on the ground in parts, and only then lift it and fix it to the base.
- Once the entire frame is ready, the top trim of the vertical posts is completed. And attic or floor joists are laid on top of the upper belt.
- The finished frame is sheathed with selected panels, securely fixing them and leaving space for window and door openings.
- The top of the house is sheathed with any insulating material, not forgetting to install vapor and waterproofing materials.
- For exterior finishing, you can choose corrugated sheets or siding.
Important: in order to further save on the construction of a summer house, the roof is made pitched and covered with lightweight roofing materials.
- You can save additional money by installing simple wooden window frames and doors. This is how you can quickly build a house.
Timber country house
In this case, the work will be performed in a different sequence. First of all, you should prepare the following material:
- Beam of any section. But it is worth remembering that the larger the cross-section of the material, the stronger the finished house will be.
- Wooden dowels made of hardwood.
- Roofing material.
- Floor board.
The work is carried out in this way:
- First, the foundation is laid. It can be either a shallow strip (40-60 cm in height, including the base) or a columnar/pile type. But in any case, the concrete must dry well, and its top and all other sides must be properly waterproofed.
- A backing board made of moisture-resistant wood is laid on top of the foundation. In this case, the board is fixed to the foundation with construction anchors, deepening them 15-20 cm into the base.
- After this, they begin laying the timber, joining it at the corners into a bowl. That is, you will have to do additional work, forming grooves for laying the timber.
Important: each crown must be controlled horizontally.
- After 2-3 rows of crowns, the timber is additionally fixed with construction dowels. To do this, holes are drilled to the full height of the three stacked crowns and arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Pins are stuffed into the holes. It is worth remembering that next time the dowels need to be shifted relative to those already mounted below.
- The fully assembled walls are covered with floor beams, cutting them into the upper crown. The beams are laid in increments of 40-60 cm, and then covered with a floorboard.
Important: the same principle applies to the flooring in the house. If desired, both the upper and lower floors can be insulated with mineral wool or polystyrene slabs.
- The roof of a finished timber house can also be made pitched in order to save money.
Advice: a house made of timber needs about six months to a year to shrink. It is recommended to cut window and door openings after the wood has settled. Otherwise, the house may suffer greatly.
House made of clay
If you don’t know what to build a dacha from, then try installing an environmentally friendly adobe house in your dacha. You'll have to tinker here. The fact is that to construct such a structure, a large volume of clay and straw should be prepared in advance in the summer. It is these components that will become the main ones in the construction of a cheap house.
- So, after the clay has rested for the winter, it can be used. To do this, clay is loaded into a specially prepared pit and moistened with water in an amount of 20% of the total mass of the material. Cut straw moistened with water is also added here. The straw cutting length should be 9-16 cm.
- The whole mass is thoroughly mixed. You can use your feet. And to make the adobe mixture stronger, you can add lime to the solution. It will strengthen the strength of the finished house.
- The mass is left overnight, and in the morning adobe blocks are made from it. To do this, the mixture is compacted into a specially prepared form, cutting off the top of the mixture with fishing line or wire. Five holes are made in the blocks so that moisture can freely leave the brick.
- The finished blocks are knocked out and laid on a platform in the sun, arranged at an angle.
- After two to three hours, the blocks can be transferred to the shade and left on edge until completely dry.
- In this way, you should prepare a sufficient amount of adobe bricks.
- The construction of the house is carried out on a pre-laid foundation. The masonry is carried out according to the principle of brickwork. And the same clay mass is used as a solution. The width of the seam in this case should be no more than 1 cm.
Important: you need to lay adobe blocks no more than two rows per day. This is necessary so that the adobe mixture can dry thoroughly. At night, the rows of masonry are covered with film.
- Once the walls of the adobe house are ready, they can be plastered outside and inside.
- The floor in such a house is made on the ground, first laying waterproofing, and then laying joists and insulation between them.
- The roof of an adobe house can be anything, but it is important to make good projections (at least 70 cm) so that moisture from rain or snow does not spoil the clay walls. When installing windows in an adobe house, it is worth making canopies over the frames and ebbs in the area of the window sills. A house built in this way will serve the family for decades.
Caravan house
The simplest type of country house for a seasonal stay, as an answer to the question of how to build a country house. Moreover, the trailer can be installed simply on brick pedestals-supports, installed simply on a sand cushion. There should be one support post per meter of trailer length. If desired, the trailer can be insulated, and then such a country house will become cozy in winter.
Remember: you can build a country house with your own hands from any material, the main thing is to comply with all the basic requirements for each type of raw material used.
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Many residents of megacities dream of purchasing a plot of land and a comfortable house outside the city, albeit a small one. In some cases, it is easier and cheaper to build a house yourself than to buy a ready-made one. Projects of country houses for 6 acres will help you make the right choice, photos of which are presented in large numbers in our review. It is believed that building a house is very difficult. But some projects of country houses are distinguished by their extraordinary simplicity.
Comfortable small-sized country house
Country house projects for 6 acres: photos, options and construction requirements
To create a good-quality and durable building, you need to select a high-quality design for a country house for 6 acres. Photos of the best options can be seen in the interior. Before choosing, you should decide on the materials and a convenient place for the future structure.
First of all, you need to decide whether the building will be intended only for summer living or whether it will be a capital country house with your own hands. Projects, photos and recommendations for choosing a suitable structure can be found in this material.
A functional and comfortable home must meet certain requirements:
- Construction is carried out in a short period of time, since until the house is built, there is nowhere even to hide from the rain.
- The structure must be erected taking into account all the rules of manufacturability of the process.
- For such a construction, you should not spend a lot of money and purchase expensive materials.
- Construction is carried out in such a way that it remains possible to add additional premises.
- If the house is intended for temporary residence, then in the future it can be converted into a bathhouse or structure into a summer kitchen.
- The building must be durable. Even with a shorter service life than permanent housing, the house should last at least 25-35 years.
What building materials are used during construction?
A wide range of different materials can be used for the construction of country houses. The most commonly used options are:
- The most popular is. Such buildings are erected over a season and are distinguished by simple technology. The frame system is assembled from timber, which is sheathed with special plywood or clapboard. Refers to the best options in terms of quality and price. This material is also characterized by a long service life.
- Some buildings are made from profiled timber. The construction of the structure takes several months. Also, about six months are allotted for shrinkage. Such structures do not require exterior finishing.
- Stone buildings are made from and cinder blocks. Such structures require long construction times, since a powerful foundation is used and the walls are built in rows. Before construction work, it is necessary to prepare a detailed project. Houses made of stone and brick are characterized by increased strength and reliability.
Helpful information! The choice of building material is influenced by its cost in a particular region, personal preferences and the type of foundation. Frame buildings and timber structures are mounted on screw or columnar bases.
Video: small houses for a plot of 6 acres
How to build a turnkey country house inexpensively: prices
For those who do not want to spend a lot of time on construction work, the best option may be an inexpensive turnkey country house. Prices for structures can be seen in a special catalog of the selected construction organization. A suitable option can be selected to suit any budget. The cost of the structure is influenced by the type of structure, material and dimensions of the structure.
A house measuring 5*5 m made of clapboard and timber will cost about 100 thousand rubles. A structure with a porch and a canopy or veranda will require an investment of a larger amount, more than 200 thousand rubles.
Related article:
Features of installing a house with your own hands
Features of installation work depend on the choice of specific material. A timber structure has many positive qualities. Such material is treated with stain and various protective compounds. A lightweight version of the foundation can be used for the structure. In this case, the roof can be gable.
How to make a foundation?
Due to the optimal weight of timber structures, the bases can be used uncomplicated and light.
The following options are worth considering:
- Columnar is created from brick supports, which are dug in at 30-50 cm.
- A strip foundation is a reinforced concrete strip laid to a certain depth.
- The pile foundation is mounted on screw piles. A similar structure can be erected on unstable soils. Pile and columnar foundations require a grillage. In this case, a certain timber is used.
It is laid between the wood and the foundation. You can apply a layer of roofing felt. Then the floor beams or joists are installed.
Expert's point of view
Dmitry Kholodok
Technical director of the repair and construction company "ILASSTROY"
Ask a Question“If the dimensions of the building are more than 6*6 meters, then additional support will be required for the floor beams. In this case, the foundation is supplied not only under the external walls, but also under columns and partitions, which bear a large load.”
Related article:
Methods of constructing walls and roofs
The timber is laid in a certain way. In the corner parts, the ends should be installed in a checkerboard pattern. During installation, jute is used, which ensures a tight fit of the joints. Installation of timber on dowels is used. These are vertical rods that connect 2-3 crowns. The dowels are driven into pre-drilled holes. These elements are made from steel rods or wood.
Ceiling beams are mounted on the upper crowns. After installing the ceiling beams, special wooden gables can be installed. The following types of roofing are often used for timber houses:
- Straight gable.
- Broken.
An unedged board is used as a sheathing structure under the roof. The main material used is tile material or ondulin. A waterproofing layer is installed under the roof.
Helpful information! The best material to protect against drafts is profiled timber. Grooves and ridges provide a reliable seal.
The dacha building is divided into two parts. More than 70% goes to living space, and the remaining area contains a bathroom and storage room.
To insulate the building, mineral wool and vapor barrier are used. Linoleum can be used as flooring, and lining or plasterboard can be used for interior decoration. When using plasterboard for cladding, it is worth making a stronger foundation. When living in a house for a year, you need to take care of heating. The water heating system and design with.
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People acquire dachas in different ways - they inherit them, buy plots with a house and remodel or complete them for themselves, or buy land in an almost open field and begin to develop virgin lands. One of our craftsmen, who decided to join country life, was puzzled by just such a process. And since the most effective way to save money is to do it yourself, that’s exactly what he did, starting small - with a summer house in the country “for the first time.”
- Country house 6x6 with built-in terrace 4x3:
- project;
- foundation;
- water supply;
- box;
- internal work.
Country house 6x6 with built-in terrace 4x3
Gonzik1
Last year I purchased a plot of land in a field (like a new holiday village). The poles were installed, electricity was supplied to the site (it took two months to complete the paperwork), a panel was installed on the pole with a meter, a machine and an outlet. This year, having saved up some money, I began construction. I decided to do everything myself, because it’s cheaper and more reliable.
DIY country house project
The craftsman created the dacha construction project with his own hands over the winter; according to his idea, this is the first module, to which he will later attach another one, combining both parts into a solid structure. Using a special program, I made a drawing that allowed me to accurately calculate the required amount of building materials.
Foundation
Since the house is lightweight, using frame technology and on one floor, Gonzik1 gave preference to a columnar foundation made of special concrete blocks (20x20x40 cm). His choice was also influenced by the low groundwater level (GWL) at the dacha and the excellent condition of similar foundations under neighboring buildings. Depending on the level, I used one or two blocks per pillar - removed the fertile layer, added a sand cushion, and laid the blocks. The plane was maintained using a hydraulic level. According to the craftsman, he appreciated this simple tool - it’s cheap and the measurement accuracy is excellent. The pillars were covered with roofing felt for waterproofing. With the help of relatives, the foundation was ready in three days.
Water supply
There is no place for a central water supply in the field, so the problem of water supply is a personal matter for each summer resident. Our craftsman initially planned to drill a well. Test drilling at thirty-six meters was unsuccessful - dense black clay came out instead of water. The drillers reported that only an artesian well about ninety meters long would help, and they announced an exorbitant price. Gonzik1 I got upset, imagining the scale of the problem, and decided to dig a well, as the foreseeable future has shown - the decision is the right one. Three days of work, ten rings - a column of water for one and a half rings, restored in an hour and a half.
Box
The strapping is two-layer - at the bottom there is a board 100x50 mm, at the top - 100x40 mm, impregnated with fire and biological protection, the strapping elements were connected to each other with nails (100 and 120 mm). The strapping was laid on top of the roofing felt and secured to the posts with anchors.
All frame posts were also assembled from 100x40 mm boards with nails; the walls were raised directly on site using temporary jibs. They collected only the ridge on the ground, then lifted it onto the roof. This stage took another four days.
The next thing was to install the rafters, wind boards, install the wind protection, and put the counter batten and sheathing on top. Our craftsman chose metal tiles as the roofing covering.
Gonzik1
I read that no matter which side the sheets are laid on, they are often laid from left to right. It turned out, no, the tiles are laid from right to left, otherwise the next sheet will have to be placed under the previous one, which is extremely inconvenient, especially when installing alone. The weather was not very good, it was drizzling, there was wind, it moved along the roof like a cat, trying to cling to the sheathing with its feet. All twelve sheets of tiles (115x350 cm) were laid in half a day.
After the tiles, we got to the grounding, due to which the floor joists were not completely laid. Gonzik1 I used a corner 50x50x4 mm, a connection from a metal strip 40x4 mm, plus a piece of self-supporting insulated wire (SIP).
Next, we covered the entire structure with a protective membrane, installed a door, laid floorboards on the terrace, and began covering the façade with imitation timber. The cash was immediately treated with protective impregnation. During the work, the craftsman made adjustments to the project - he made a third window, so there will be more light, and the view from the window is attractive.
Interior work
With the end of the holidays, the construction process slowed down as much as possible, since free weekends did not occur every week, but it continued. I finished with the floor - rough on OSB joists, a windproof membrane on top, stone wool slabs between the joists, sheathing, and then OSB again on it. Linoleum is assumed to be the finishing coating. The house also got another window.
I brought electricity into the house, insulated the perimeter with stone wool, a vapor barrier on top and clapboard as cladding.
The finishing process continued according to the same algorithm; contrasting trim on the window openings added decorative value to the house. All internal walls will be covered with clapboard.
Gonzik1
There are no stoves planned, the house is for seasonal use - spring, summer, autumn. I plan to install electric convectors, I have no problems with electricity there, three phases, new substation, 15 kW per site.
For all those interested, the craftsman posted a calculation of materials (all used boards are 6 meters long):
- foundation blocks 200×200×400 mm, 30 pieces;
- board 50x100 mm, 8 pieces (for the bottom layer of strapping);
- board 40x100 mm, 96 pieces - approximately 8 pieces left;
- board 25x10 mm, 128 pieces - approximately 12 pieces left;
- timber 100×100 mm, 3 pieces;
- rail 25×50 mm, 15 pieces;
- imitation timber 18.5×146, 100 pieces – approximately 15 pieces left;
- insulation, stone wool 1200×600×100 mm, 28 packages (6 slabs each) – package left;
- windproof membrane 1.6 m wide, 60 m² per roll, 3 rolls;
- vapor barrier 1.6 m wide, 60 m² per roll, 3 rolls - approximately 0.5 rolls left;
- OSB 3 2500×1200×9 mm, 15 pieces (rough and finishing floor) – approximately 1.5 slabs left;
- metal tile 350×115 cm, 12 sheets;
- lining 12.5x96 cm, 370 pieces (10 packs) - not sure it’s enough, partially used for toilet hemming, and the walls are not finished yet;
- wooden windows 1000×1000 mm, 3 pieces;
- entrance metal door 2050×900 mm, 1 piece;
- protective impregnation for wood, 10 liters - 3 liters left, but the house is covered in only one layer.
Taking into account independent construction and finishing, the estimate turned out to be quite budgetary.
Gonzik1
- Foundation - 2500 rubles.
- Boards for the frame, wind protection, vapor barrier, imitation timber (exterior decoration), lining (interior decoration), insulation, etc. - 110,000 rubles.
- Metal tiles - 20,000 rubles.
- Door - 13,200 rubles.
- Windows - 4,200 rubles x 3 = 12,600 rubles.
- Forwarding SIP to the house - 3000 rubles (with the cable itself).
- Impregnation - 3600 rubles.
I’m still planning to install electrical wiring around the house, I think I’ll spend 8-10 thousand. I don’t give the cost of nails, screws, staples for a stapler, etc., etc., because I no longer remember how much I purchased. Total: about 165,000 rubles.
For another short but fruitful vacation - I finished the electrical work, finished the interior paneling and painting, made a set for the kitchen, completed the terrace. I laid a 100x40 mm board on the terrace, took it unplaned, processed it with an electric planer, and then covered it with impregnation in two layers. Over the past winter, everything was in place, nothing moved, did not dry out or warp. The craftsman has plans to complete the second block, but this test of the pen is excellent - an excellent summer house for a family holiday.
The need to build a compact house may arise for various reasons. For example, such a small structure is perfect for placement on a summer cottage that is not used for permanent residence. In a small house you can conveniently change clothes, put your things and spend the night.
Of course, ready-made cabins are sold on the market, but the quality of their execution often leaves much to be desired, and the cost is definitely overpriced. For the same money you can put together a great little house on your own.
There is nothing complicated about building a compact structure yourself. Follow the guide and everything will definitely work out.
Any construction must begin with planning, without which construction will take much more time, money and effort. There is a possibility that the finished structure, built without a plan, will not meet your needs and expectations.
For a small house it is not necessary to draw up detailed documentation with many drawings. Even a simple sketch indicating the main dimensions, communications and other design features will be sufficient.
Preliminarily think through the order of the internal organization of the future small house. Will it have only one room, or will there be enough space for a small kitchen and a small bathroom? At this point, focus on your personal preferences and capabilities.
For example, many prudent owners use a very interesting technique: they raise the ceiling and arrange a sleeping area in the attic. This solution allows you to significantly save useful space.
It is recommended to pay special attention to the experience of the Japanese. Even on a few square meters they manage to place everything necessary to create a comfortable and cozy environment, because even a mini house is still a house in which it is definitely more comfortable than on the street.
The following guide will give instructions on how to build a fairly simple small house. Approximately 75% of the space will be occupied by living quarters, and the remaining space will be used to accommodate a storage room and dry closet.
If things are very difficult with free space, you can make separate entrances to the mentioned premises from the street. If there are no such problems with free space, and you don’t want to constantly go outside, arrange an entrance to the technical room from the living room.
If desired, make your own changes to the plan. For example, instead of a pantry, you can arrange a mini-kitchen with a table, a couple of folding chairs or small stools and a compact stove.
After approval of the plan, proceed directly to construction activities. Start by laying out the foundation.
Foundation
For the construction of a small house, a simple foundation made of blocks is perfect. Western private developers came up with a very interesting solution. They create a foundation block with four channels. A reinforcing bar is inserted into each of these channels. The rods themselves are driven into the ground. As a result, the block is securely attached to the ground.
In the project under consideration, the foundation will consist of six such blocks. You will place four blocks in the corners of the future building, the remaining two - under the internal partition.
You can make the blocks yourself from concrete or buy them ready-made.
Dig a hole 200 mm deep with sides corresponding to the dimensions of the blocks.
Fill the hole with a 20 cm layer of sand and gravel mixture. Pack the pillow thoroughly.
Install blocks and introduce reinforcement in accordance with the previously given recommendations.
Cover the blocks with a layer of roofing felt.
Make sure that the blocks are installed evenly and proceed to further planned activities.
Floor installation
First step
Mount the bottom trim. Make it from timber with a cross-section of 15x15 cm. To connect the strapping beams, use a convenient fastening option. You can, for example, connect them using the tongue-and-groove method with additional reinforcement with glue and bolts.
Second step
Place a platform pre-assembled from a 15x5 cm board on top of the frame.
Third step
Cover the platform with plywood.
Fourth step
Turn the resulting box over and place insulation inside it.
Fifth step
Sew the insulation with a double layer of plywood. Lay plywood 1.2 cm thick along the box, and 0.9 cm thick across it. As a result, the floor will have a thickness of 2.1 cm. Use PVA glue to fasten the layers of plywood.
Sixth step
Sew the platform with roofing felt on all sides.
At this point the floor is ready. If you wish, you can additionally decorate it with other material to your taste.
Linoleum is perfect for finishing the floor.
First step
Treat timber and boards intended for wall construction with an antiseptic.
Second step
Assemble the frame of the planned dimensions.
Third step
Arrange the top harness.
Fourth step
Cover the entire structure with plywood.
Fifth step
Attach windproof film to the outside of the walls. At the same time, this material will perform waterproofing functions.
During the construction of walls, do not forget to leave openings for installing doors and double-glazed windows.
Arrangement of the roof structure
The roof structure must be such that in the future, when opening the door, the roof overhang will not be affected. To comply with this rule, the slope of the roof slope must be 25 degrees.
First step
Install the rafters. To do this, use 10x5 cm boards. To fasten the boards, use corners and screws.
Second step
Mount the roof ridge. To make it, use a 15x5 cm board.
Third step
Additionally, fasten the roof rafters with ties 10x2.5 cm.
Fourth step
Attach 0.9 cm thick plywood to the rafters.
Fifth step
Lay your preferred roofing material over the finished base. Flexible tiles work well. This is a relatively lightweight material with good performance properties. At the same time, the roof of a small house will have a small area, so you won’t spend a lot of money on finishing material.
Doors and double glazed windows
To create a healthy microclimate in a room, even if it is very small, you need to install windows. It is better to provide places for placing double-glazed windows at the stage of assembling the frame.
To determine the optimal total window area, divide the floor area of your small house by 5. Divide the resulting value by the number of windows you need.
If you are planning to equip your small house with a bathroom and kitchen, think in advance about the order of furniture placement so that the windows do not interfere with the normal use of the house in the future, but are a useful addition.
If possible, windows should be placed in a south-east direction, since there is very little sunlight on the north side, and low western sun rays are bad for the eyes.
You can buy doors ready-made or make them yourself. It is enough to assemble the frame, fill the voids with thermal insulation (mineral wool is perfect), cover the frame with plywood and upholster it with the desired material.
Wall decoration
External
Proceed with the exterior wall decoration.
Internal
Proceed with interior decoration.
- Secure a layer of thermal insulation material.
- Cover the insulation with a layer of vapor barrier.
- Cover the walls with clapboard.
At this point the wall decoration is ready. After this, it is recommended to start arranging the ceiling and making a porch to your taste. It is better to carry out these activities before the construction of the roof structure begins.
Furnish and technical equipment of a small house according to your taste.
Ceiling finishing
- Cover the ceiling with a vapor barrier material.
- Secure the insulation material.
- Cover the ceiling with insulating layers with clapboard.
You can lay boards in the attic. At this point, focus on the specifics of your situation, taking into account exactly how you will use your attic.
Necessary communications
If necessary, install electrical wiring, sewerage and water supply into the house.
For heating a small house, both an electric heater and a gas convector are well suited. Such gas convectors use liquefied gas as fuel. To ensure the most efficient heat distribution, the system should be equipped with a galvanized steel reflector.
A gas convector must be equipped with a smoke exhaust pipe. The chimney is carefully insulated to prevent fires. To protect the chimney from snow, rain and various debris, install a special protective canopy on its street end.
This completes the small country house. You did an excellent job without involving third-party specialists, which allowed you to save a significant amount of money, and you were convinced that there is nothing complicated in the construction of such structures - you just need to follow the manual in everything and adhere to the advice of professional builders. You can start using the house you built yourself.
Good luck!
Video - DIY small house