Any structure is based on a frame skeleton, be it an industrial facility, a private cottage or a small extension for a house. Another thing is that there are different technologies for its implementation, which differ in the complexity of implementation, design features and operational characteristics. In the traditional view, a frame is a set of correctly arranged walls, a roof and a floor. However, designers are well aware that there are also many secondary design elements that take much more time and effort to work with.
What is a frame?
Frame can be called a set of structural elements of a building or structure that form the supporting part of the structure. That is, it is the power base on which all other technical, engineering and decorative materials are held. The traditional list from which the frame is formed includes the already mentioned walls with a roof and a floor, but this will be a simplified formula. The fact is that the listed components individually, even in the simplest projects, are complex structural parts that make up the skeleton of the house.
It can be said that the frame is a structured base, which includes several levels of load-bearing and protective elements. For example, the first level will be bare walls, a foundation without screed, and rafters. This will be followed by wall insulation, concrete covering for the foundation and the initial laying of roofing material. Now it's worth getting acquainted with another concept of a frame house, which is based on prefabricated building technology.
Features of a frame house
In traditional projects of brick and wooden houses, the frame is understood as a system of separate components, which, although they eventually form one whole, may not be mated at all during the construction of the frame base. In this case, the meaning of the prefabricated structure lies precisely in the maximum reduction of the basic load-bearing elements into a single structure already at the construction stage. Actually, this is the main advantage, that in a matter of days, thanks to prefabricated frame equipment, a small team can complete construction work by offering the customer a finished house. The prefabricated frame, the photo of which is presented below, demonstrates an example of such a structure.
We are talking about house kits that contain the necessary set of materials that eventually form the frame. Such buildings are distinguished from ordinary houses by the use of simpler and cheaper materials, which, however, are much more convenient in terms of installation. Most often, building materials are represented by wood-shaving raw materials, which subsequently require dense thermal and waterproof insulation, and in some cases physical reinforcement.
Foundation as the basis for the frame
Perhaps the foundation is the only component that unites frame house kits and traditional building designs. In both cases, the foundation is not included in the frame set as such, but construction cannot begin without it. To complete this part of the work, you will need a concrete mortar, lumber for formwork or a set of 4 piles - the choice of materials is determined by the construction technique. An ordinary strip foundation is arranged by pouring a trench, bounded by wooden formwork barriers, around the perimeter of the site for the location of the future home.
Pile technology is somewhat simpler, but also allows you to install a solid frame. You can accomplish this task with your own hands by driving pillars at the corners of the house placement site, on which a reinforced concrete panel will be laid in the future. This option is not suitable for a full-fledged stone or brick building, but it is often used in the construction of frame houses that do not put excessive load on the same piles.
Wall mounting
In traditional designs, walls are built with mortar. With bricks, blocks or lumber levels, walls are built up on the basis of a prepared foundation. By this time, either a floor slab in the lower part, or a full-fledged screed, on which the rough floor material will later fall, should also be provided.
As for prefabricated structures, here it is even easier to form a wall frame - this is work in twostage, the first of which involves the creation of a wooden crate. Next, ready-made wall panels are erected, made either from wood-shaving material, or by means of home-made upholstery with a board, the width of which can vary from 10 to 20 cm.
Crate as frame element
When it was said that a significant part of the work activities will be occupied by auxiliary operations, they meant, among other things, the crate. This is not an independent, but a secondary, but important structural element. The lathing is used as an intermediate transitional component between the foundation and the subfloor, the upper floor and the truss system, as well as when finishing with plasterboard panels. In the latter case, a metal frame of the wall is used, forming a profile platform on which it will be possible to screw the same plasterboard panels and lining.
As for other examples of lathing, we will talk about more massive structures formed by large-format beams and boards. Technologically, such a grating also allows laying insulating material without affecting either the main structure or the outer facing material.
Installing a roof truss system
Rafters, regardless of installation configuration, must have a solid foundation. The base is made using the same crate, but it must also be installed on a solid carrierconstruction. In this capacity, vertical racks leading directly from the foundation are suitable. Next, the frame of the upper part of the truss system is mounted. To do this, it is worth using a beam with a small-format board as a material. Fixing operations can be performed according to one of three systems - cutting, using perforated brackets or using steel corners. If possible, it is recommended to use a combined option, which will provide even more strength to the roof.
Frame insulation
At each stage of the lathing, it will not be superfluous to immediately lay the thermal insulation material. This is especially true of prefabricated house sets, which are not characterized by the most efficient heat retention. In the lower part of the foundation, where the crate is located, loose expanded clay can be used. It is good because it does not require special installation and simply crumbles evenly over the entire surface. If you plan to insulate the frame of the house on vertical surfaces, then you will have to turn to panel and roll materials. They are also balanced over the entire surface, after which they are fixed with a construction stapler or standard fasteners included with the insulation.
Finishing work
The finish of the frame also depends on what materials were used in its construction. If chipboard panels were used, then it is desirable to carry out the interior decoration with a combination of metal lathing and drywall, which will also provide the function of insulation.
The mostthe most important part will be the roofing with roofing material. And here it is important to deal with the following question: how to make the frame of the truss system so that it can withstand the roofing? As noted above, the strongest base can be obtained by a combination of perforated and grooved joints, as well as the inclusion of metal corners. This option will allow you to cover the roof surface with heavy bitumen or metal tiles. If a light metal profile is used, then there is simply no need for additional reinforcement of the rafters - there are enough steel corners to connect the beams.
Conclusion
Technologists offer different options for the device frame base, each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of the choice, it is important to remember that the frame is, first of all, a power structure that provides the strength resource of the house. In this regard, the best solution would be to use traditional building materials for walls in the form of bricks, block elements or reinforced concrete panels. But prefabricated frame structures also have significant advantages - in the form of low price, quick installation and versatility in terms of operation.
