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There are three larger categories of assembled buildings:
light frame structures, where the elements of the supporting structure are produced
on location and factory production is limited. The materials are processed on location
with power- and hand tools.
Prefabricated houses, where slab and roof structure are fully produced in a factory setting. Only assembly is done on location. The term prefabrication does not imply that the building is completed; it simply means there is a high level of prior factory production.
Log walled buildings, blockhouses, and cabins are usually assembled from factory-made wooden materials. Such buildings feature the natural beauty of wood for their interior and exterior.
The following materials are used for the frame structure:
 Metal structure (steel, aluminum)
Wood (hardwood, plywood, etc.)
Special structural elements
Since wooden frame structures are more common in Hungary, lets take a closer look at its most important properties:
 1.
Sturdiness properties:
Wood, due to the way it grows, is very sturdy lengthwise,
but is less so crosswise. This is very important during construction,
since a professionally assembled structure would account for this property. There is no guarantee to the sturdiness of homemade buildings.
 2.
The effect of humidity on wood:
The moisture content of wood is also very important. Wood can be a superb
building material if it is properly dried to air-dry levels. Store-bought
wood is moist, and barely usable for construction. A house built from such
materials has a much shorter life-span. Not to mention parasites, which
prefer moist wood (mostly a 30% level).
Dry material will not be a breeding
ground for mold and bacteria.
3. Burning, fireproof:
Wood is a bad heat conductor and its inner layers are slow to warm up.
This is in contrast to metal, which becomes useless once it
reaches its melting point. A great example is the wooden spoon:
these are often used for cooking instead of metal spoons, which
would burn the cook’s hand in no time!
Fire chars the outer layers of wood, which further enhances the heat insulation
and keeps oxygen from entering. A good example of this is the campfire.
The largest logs take forever to burn up; the interior of the log remains intact.
When planning, the burning speed is essential
(spruce 0,6-0,7 mm/min, aspen: 0,8mm/min, wattle: 0,3mm/min)
4. Expected life-span of wood:
Spruce: 120-900 years
Lombardy poplar: around 90 years
Fir: 120-1000 years
Redwood: 1000-1800 years
Assuming air-dry wood and protection against ailments and harm.
5. According to regulations:
The ÉME and MAKÉSZ seals guarantee that wooden structures meet the
construction industry guidelines of the Hungarian Regulations.""
(Öko-Házak, 2002/2 - Fazekas Péter,
president of ÉVOSZ’s Department of Light-frame Builders)
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