jelovica CO2-Fußabdruck

What can we do to reduce the carbon footprint in construction?

 

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH LOW-CARBON PREFABRICATED WOODEN HOUSES

In the current panorama, attention to environmental sustainability in Slovenia is more crucial than ever. Prefabricated wooden houses stand out as innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of construction, and Jelovica is at the forefront of offering low-environmental impact options.

Wooden houses represent an ecological alternative to traditional constructions since wood is a renewable, biodegradable, and low-carbon material. This means that over the lifecycle of the home, more carbon is absorbed than is emitted, helping to reduce the overall carbon footprint.

WHAT IS CARBON FOOTPRINT?

A crucial aspect in pursuing sustainability is the concept of “carbon footprint“. This is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions, expressed in CO2 equivalents, produced directly or indirectly by human activities, such as the construction of buildings. Reducing this impact is crucial to mitigating climate change and preserving our planet for future generations.

Jelovica’s prefabricated wooden houses in Slovenia represent a step forward in reducing the carbon footprint of construction. Thanks to the use of wood which is known as a CO2 storer, buildings have a very low carbon impact.

But what is the importance of achieving a net zero climate impact in wooden buildings? In addition to contributing to the fight against climate change, these sustainable practices promote people’s health and well-being, creating healthier and more comfortable living environments. Furthermore, they support sustainable economic growth by stimulating innovation and job creation in the renewable energy and green technology sectors.

ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION: THE KEY ROLE OF PREFABRICATED WOODEN HOUSES:

In conclusion, low-carbon prefabricated wooden houses offer a winning solution for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. Jelovica Houses Slovenia is committed to leading this transformation towards more responsible and environmentally friendly construction, helping to create more resilient and aware communities. Choosing a prefabricated wooden house means investing in the future of our planet and generations to come.

COMPARISON OF CARBON FOOTPRINT WOODEN HOUSE AND TRADITIONAL HOUSE:

Example of calculating the carbon footprint in the materials used in a Jelovica building and a traditional house:

Interior wall table Jelovica LINK:

Material: Kg/Co2/m2
Plasterboard sheet 2,1
Wood-concrete slab 6,6
Wooden frame -16,7
Lana di roccia 4,3
Wood-concrete slab 6,6
Plasterboard sheet 2,1
TOTAL: 5 Kg/Co2/m2
Wooden house of 172m2 4.207,8kg

176m2 wooden house Jelovica with 4.200Kg CO2 wooden structure.

The calculation for a brick house of 176m2 is 32.600Kg CO2.

So 7 times as much!

This is why we appeal to today’s young people to choose a more sustainable future for themselves and future generations. What do you think?

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

timberframe case in legno

Delivery times of a prefabricated wooden house Europe, trend 2022 -2023

TRENDS IN PREFABRICATED WOOD SYSTEMS

 

Prefabricated wood products are generally produced and assembled in the factories. From there they are transported to the construction site where they are installed or used to build building structures. A wide range of materials are used for the production of these systems. These include metal, wood, glass, plastic, plasterboard, hardware, etc. From the creation of industrial structures to the construction of homes and commercial spaces, prefabricated wooden construction systems are becoming a new trend in the building and construction industry. The introduction of these prefabricated systems has effectively solved the constraints of delivery times in the construction industry. Prefabricated frame systems require less time in the construction of any required structure due to their easy installation process. They can be modified according to requirements and greatly help to save space on construction sites. The robust growth of construction due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, increased government investment in public infrastructure development, and the global economic boom is the main driving force behind the rapid expansion of the prefabricated wood market.

THE MARKET IN EUROPE

 

The market for prefabricated wood products is expanding, as evidenced by the increase in the production of laminated wood (CLT). Production of CLT in the “DACH” region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), the Czech Republic, and Italy amounts to over 750,000 m3 and is increasing at a rate of over 10% per year.
The growing awareness among people of the effects of building waste on the environment is encouraging the adoption of the concept of green building. This will create profitable growth opportunities in the prefabricated building systems market in the future. Prefabricated building systems generate less waste on construction sites, which makes them the ideal choice for greener and therefore greener construction. Prefabricated buildings have become an ideal alternative sustainable approach for the construction industry. It is gradually becoming a new trend for the construction of residential and non-residential buildings due to its many attractive advantages including shorter construction times, cost savings, and lower emissions.
Most people in the developed regions show a keen interest in wood construction. Adopting these systems not only helps them save time and costs but also reduces CO2 emissions and construction waste.

NEW DELIVERY TIMES FOR WOODEN HOUSES 2022 – 2023

 

For all these reasons many companies that have their factory have had an increase in orders. Previously you could order a wooden prefabricated and have it delivered in 4 months. This included at least 3 months of planning. Now the design, due to many orders also due to the 110% superbonus, comes twice as much. Deliveries after ordering the project to the factory of prefabricated houses also come from 8 to 12 months.
Because the world’s population continues to grow at a record rate. This is why the building and construction industry is under enormous pressure to find alternative construction. The world’s population is currently estimated at around 7. 9 billion according to the Worldometer. This global population explosion is generating demand for residential housing. In turn, it is creating space for the growth of the wooden building systems market. This means that the trend of wooden houses for 2023 will be on the rise.

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

responsabile vendite

Why did the price of wood increase in 2021?

 

The economy is reopening at a frenetic pace after the initial Covid strike that caused all sorts of shortages in early 2021; from medicines to toilet paper to computer chips in the automotive industry. But no one thought that there would be a shortage of wood. There is currently a strong demand for eco-friendly wooden houses with low energy consumption in Europe and it seems that this need will not go away any time soon.

 

prezzi legno slovenia 2021

Increase in wood prices in Slovenia

 

Glued laminated wood has exceeded the limit of 300 EUR/m3. In Italy and Germany, the price of the final product (exposed quality laminated beams) went from 400 euros to around 600 euros/m3 in six months. The price of KVH is expected to reach 600 EUR/m3. What is going on? Why are prices going crazy right now? Why is something that was agreed on Monday often no longer valid on Friday of the same week?

 

COVID-19  AND THE PRICES OF WOOD IN EUROPE

The wood industry is struggling to increase supply as growing demand faces limited production and highly crippled production due to Covid, resulting in short-term wood shortages and consequently high prices. One of the main problems facing the wood industry is the potential shortage of employees, as due to Covid restrictions and vaccinations, many workers have been unable to go to work or have been left without work. All these factors influence cyclical forest activities, such as forest management, planting, or logging, which have affected wood production and have undoubtedly influenced wood supply. In March and April 2020, sawmills closed due to pandemic-related safety restrictions, and wood has become a highly desirable commodity since they reopened.

WOOD PRICES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Another cause of the increase in wood prices is also the United States which saw the supply of wood from Canada closed and then turned towards supplies from Europe. Currently, the price in the United States is 514 EUR /m3 for German KVH wood. Exactly one year ago it was €250/m3. China is also slowly turning to green building, symbolized by the Winter Olympics starting in 2022. Chinese demand for lumber will increase again this year. It could reach 70 million m³ in 2021 and 75 million m³ in 2022. China will also have to adopt much higher prices for lumber this year to fully meet its demand.

 

Although prices dropped in mid-May 2021, they have increased +280% in the last 12 months! Wood prices reached a record 700 EUR/m3 in July, up 406% compared to the same period last year. As a result, the price of a new single-family house has increased on average by almost EUR 36,000!
Prices of wooden houses in Jelovica also increased in 2021. We noticed a sharp increase in material prices:
– Laminated wood +300%
– EPS +100%
– Iron profiles +90%
– Windows +20%
All this affected the prices of JELOVICA wooden houses which increased by 15% until April and 25% until the end of August 2021. It was a disaster for buyers of wooden houses at the time of the pandemic, as the low rates of Mortgages caused a boom in construction resulting in record prices, bidding wars, and a historic shortage of raw materials. Without a solution to the wood crisis, affordability will still be unattainable for many potential homebuyers, as supply is still in short supply with very high prices.

WHEN WILL WOOD PRICES FALL?

Lumber prices have “softened” a bit recently as demand has slowed. However, most analysts expect lumber prices to remain elevated into early 2022 due to supply chain disruptions and because very few new factories are operating at 100% capacity. You might think that the increase in lumber prices would seem like a good incentive to restart and open many closed factories, but it’s not that easy. There are not enough workers to operate the sawmills that are open at full capacity, let alone find workers to open a closed sawmill.

In conclusion, if there are no more closures due to COVID-19 in Europe, the wood economy will also be able to start working at 100% again. Many companies in this sector believe that this will happen in the first half of 2022 and therefore we also hope the same.

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

marko hrovatin

New design project JelovicaX 2021

 

In Jelovica wooden houses from Slovenia, we prepare for our international partners a revolutionary project of wooden houses and design. JelovicaX will be designed for large-scale production with very competitive prices but also with very high quality. The revolutionary element is that it will be sold out finished and without the inner walls. So every architecture studio will be able to provide its clients with a customized interior plan when the house is already assembled.
jelovica x marko hrovatin

 

Below are two of the options for the architect on how to insert the interior walls and decorate the house. Anyway, that’s just one of the ideas. Architects and clients receive inside only the ceiling and one load-bearing internal wall (indicated on the ground floor in black). the first floor it’s all open space.

jelovica x jelovica x

The external walls are ventilated and have a very low thermal conductivity. They are certified with a fire resistance of at least 90min and have an acoustic insulation of 45dB.

jelovica x marko hrovatin

 

The element that most defines this project is the large front window. Like many modern design projects in recent years, we see these large front windows that are increasingly pleasing to European customers. Such a large window provides plenty of light in the interior spaces and thus a more pleasant way of life.

jelovica x marko hrovatin

 

Thanks to the facade and roof covered in Aluminium, we can guarantee the casing of the house for 40 years. Warranty applies to the material installed but also to the color. These homes are also designed without downspouts and gutters. Thus they offer the customer lower initial costs and also less maintenance in the years to come.

jelovica x marko hrovatin

 

To learn more, click on the dedicated website for this new design project jelovicax.com

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

superbonus 110

Houses with Superbonus 110%

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and the downturn of the economy, which has been brought to its knees, the shock of the new Superbonus home 110% is expected to come into force. This is a great opportunity for those who have an old house and want to either renovate it or demolish it and make it new. In fact, this involves seismic or energy upgrading of existing buildings. Speaking of the demolition of old and energy-inefficient houses, new customers of wooden houses will be able to benefit from tax concessions on these.

 

ON WHICH CONSTRUCTION WORKS IS THE 110% SUPERBONUS WORTH?

1. Increasing the energy efficiency of the home,
2. Reduction of seismic risk,
3. Installation of photovoltaic systems,
4. Recovery or restoration of external facades.

 

DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION IN BIO-BUILDING

The 110% superbonus applies to wooden houses and is made of the same cubic size as the demolished house. So it falls into the classification of renovation and not of a newly built house. This is because the state wants to preserve the existing building stock and not change it with new additions.

 

case in legno Jelovica Slovenia Leska

WHEN ARE YOU NOT ENTITLED TO THE SUPERBONUS?

1. Increases in volume of the house, because it is considered a new construction and not renovation,
2. New constructions,
3. The execution has not been communicated to the competent bodies prior to the work carried out,
4. Work started in 2021.

 

ADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN A HOUSE IN BIOBUILDING

The best advantage and health of the inhabitants who in a new building can live without moisture and mold. Energy savings will also be very welcome, as you spend much less than in an old and energy-dispersive house.

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

PEFC certified wood origin

WE WANT A GREEN FUTURE FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN!

People often do not ask where the wood that is sold in stores or is sold as building material for a wooden house comes from. The origin of the wood is a very important thing because we see that nowadays deforestation is spreading more and more. Forests are the lungs of our planet and slow down its warming.


source:twitter.com/SgnJuliette

In the last few days, we have seen many reports of fires in the Amazon rainforest. This is very serious, because if we don’t slow down this process, we’re going to a point of no return. In recent years, we have destroyed more than 50% of the world’s forests. These forests were first used for except wood. After the wood was cut down, the forests were burned to make pastures. So here we can ask ourselves the question if trees are cut down, but no new ones are planted, then will we be left without them?

That’s why we need to have forests controlled by the agencies, which make sure that every tree cut down gets a new one replanted. If we leave forests to companies, who only see their profit, we will see the same things that are happening in Brasilia here in Europe very soon.

 

WHAT IS THE PEFC CERTIFICATE?

PEFC is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization that promotes sustainable forest management. It issues PEFC certificates that provide the finished product with a transparent forest management control system and a forest-to-forest traceability system. PEFC is primarily aimed at small forest owners who are sustainable forest managers. PEFC certification holds over 240 million hectares of forests worldwide.

Principles to be met by a forest owner in order for a forest to be PEFC certified:

– the felling does not exceed the wood increment,
– after felling, natural or artificial restoration of the forest is carried out,
the forest does not have the character of a plantation,
– no pesticides are used in the forest,
– forests are managed in such a way as to preserve the habitat of plants and animals,
conservation of the biodiversity of ecosystems.
– protect workers’ rights and promote local employment,
respect for the rights and property of indigenous (native) peoples and landowners;
verification of the origin of wood raw materials.

We at Jelovica also want a greener, greener, and healthier future for future generations! That’s why we joined the PEFC in 2013.

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

Categories of wooden houses in Europe

 

When we talk about wooden houses, many different types come to mind, from the very small wooden houses used in the garden to the architecturally avant-garde villas. Wood is a sustainable material, a renewable resource (usually from reforestation), and does not require the combustion of fossil fuels during its production. As a building material, it is really fashionable in recent years and you can build many types of wooden houses.

»TIMBERFRAME SOUTH-EUROPE HOUSE«

case in legno prefabbricate slovenia

Example of a timberframe house. Jelovica.com

telaio timberfram legno slovenia

Example of af an external wall in a timber frame. Jelovica.com

This type of wooden house is the most used in the world. It consists in connecting the wooden beams in the way of constructing a frame wall. The wood usually used is timber. The insulation, usually rock wool, is then placed in the frame. From the outside, it can be finished like a normal house: plaster, stone facade, or wooden facade. On the inside, it is painted with wall plaster. In Europe, it is widespread in northern parts, mainly in Germany, Sweden, and Norway. But in recent years, they have also seen very strong growth in the markets of Southern Europe, among which Italy is one of the most prominent.
An evolution of this system is the factories of frame walls, which are built it in closed and controlled environments. These walls are later referred to as “prefabricated timber-frame elements”.

»X-LAM OR CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER (CLT)«

casa in xlam slovenia

Example of a x-lam house. Jelovica.com

xlam slovenia

example of an external wall in X-lam. Jelovica.com

Became popular in Europe and gradually attracted the attention of the rest of the world; X-lam or Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) stands out for strength, appearance, versatility, and sustainability.
The material consists of boards (or slats) of timber, glued, and laminated wood, in which each layer is oriented perpendicular to the previous one (X design). By joining layers of wood at perpendicular angles, the structural rigidity of the panel is achieved in both directions, similar to plywood but with thicker components. In this way, the panel has a high tensile and compressive strength.
Material widely used in recent years to make buildings of 4 floors more. There are even 20-storey projects already!

»CHALET OR COTTAGE«

Chalet

Chalet. Treelinechalets.com

This type of construction also called solid wood frame consists only of wooden logs. Insulation is generally very effective; with good moisture stability. Air renewal is, of course, good. Very suitable for cottage-type buildings or construction kits, this method is not used when large openings are required.

»WOODEN GARDEN HOUSES«

casetta da giardino

Example of a wooden garden house. Eternaparquet.com

They are small wooden prefabrications, generally smaller than 10m2. Usually, they are already sold whole or as an assembly kit. They usually have very competitive prices, because they are usually made in factories.

»GLAMPING«

glamping slovenia fornitori

Example of a Glamping. Jelovica.com

They are wooden camping houses, which offer more comfort than tents. They are usually made in the frame system.

 

In Jelovica we can deliver high-quality timber-frame or Xlam villas. We don’t sell Cottages, garden houses or Galmpins.

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

casa in legno Slovenia Jelovica

6 reasons why choose a wooden house

 

WOODEN HOUSES ARE ECOLOGICAL AND ECO-SUSTAINABLE

Wood is an ecological and sustainable material. And it’s also a truly renewable building material. Its sustainability is unsurpassed! Spruce forests grow faster than wood is used by most major lumber-supplying countries, which have long-standing policies to regrow more wood than is felled.

case in legno slovenia

 

PREFABRICATED WOODEN HOUSES ARE HIGHLY ENERGY-EFFICIENT

Wood helps minimize energy consumption in several ways. In terms of embodied energy, which is understood as the total energy necessary to extract, process, produce, transport, build, and maintain a material or product, life cycle assessment studies of green building houses demonstrate that a structure in wood significantly outperforms steel and concrete.
Wood also has better insulating properties: 400 times better than steel and 15 times better than concrete. Wood’s cellular structure contains air pockets, which limit its ability to conduct heat and help minimize the energy needed to heat and cool our eco-friendly wood homes while providing energy-efficient homes.

 

ECOLOGICAL HOMES AND C02 REDUCTION

Good quality custom-built log homes achieve the highest levels of energy efficiency due to outstanding insulation quality and heat retention. Furthermore, to achieve human well-being the high surface temperature of the wood allows an air temperature 2°C lower than in a traditional house.
Wood is a building material with a positive CO2 balance and requires less primary energy during construction. Wood uses solar energy to grow and store large amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. One cubic meter of wood therefore blocks approximately one ton of harmful greenhouse gases. At least another ton is saved when using wood instead of other building materials.

 

UNRIVALED PROPRIETIES OF WOODEN HOUSES FOR PEOPLE’S WELL-BEING

Living and working in eco-friendly wooden houses means being in a pleasant and healthy environment. Timber is diffusible and hygroscopic. It filters the air and therefore provides a fresh and healthy climate. It has humidity-regulating properties that have positive effects on the atmospheric conditions of a room.
Wood smells good, looks beautiful, and feels good and therefore has a positive effect on our well-being. Wood positively affects all human senses.

 

NO LIMITS ON DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS FOR WOODEN HOUSES

Considering the relationship between people, material and the environment is of the utmost importance when building a house. Using wood as the main building material is the right choice with its endless design possibilities, as well as unmatched physical and technical properties for a wood frame house.
You can choose your custom-made wooden house for your specific needs and adapt it to the place where it will be built.

 

DELIVERY TIME OF PREFABRICATED WOODEN HOUSES

Today we applying cutting-edge manufacturing methods to fabricate custom timber frame homes in a safe and secure environment using high-quality timber harvested from certified, sustainable forests. Modern technology, certified and monitored production and construction methods allow for very quick assembly in a matter of working days with great advantages including weather independence, less disturbance of neighbors, no waste materials on site, and – the biggest everyone’s advantage – completion of the houses in a very short time. Thats why our standard delivery time is between 3 and 5 months.

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

montaggio bioedilizia case in legno

How do you prepare a building site for timber frame houses?

 

FOUNDATION FOR A TIMBER FRAME HOUSE

Even prefabricated houses need a cement foundation to support themselves. The foundation can be made in different ways, usually, it is made of reinforced concrete. The foundation must dry well before assembly, so we suggest that it is finished at least 28 days earlier. That’s why I usually ask the end customer to provide me with photographic documentation.
The size of the foundation is indicated on the project, but we know that in reality there are always discrepancies.

The maximum height tolerance for the stalls is +/- 1cm. This is because the prefabricated walls are attached to the foundation with anchors and they have statically limits in height. It is also important that the foundation is waterproofed!

platea casa in legno

Reinforced concrete foundation with scaffolding.

SPACE FOR TRUCKS FOR WOODEN HOUSES

It is very important that when trucks with walls arrive at the construction site, they have space to maneuver and park the closest to the foundation of the house being assembled. The trucks usually used for transport are truck size: 15m length. So we suggest ensuring a minimum passage height of 4. 20m, width 3. 20m and length 16m.

Remove or move any obstructions such as electricity or telephone cables, trees, and shrubs to leave enough space for trucks and also for wall or roof storage.
I would also remind you that trucks can weigh up to 24 tonnes, so the ground must already be prepared for these heavy goods vehicles. It’s usually done under a gravel pitch.

montaggio case in legno prefabbricato

Road closure and assembly with crane.

TRUCK/CRANE FOR WOODEN HOUSE ASSEMBLY

For lifting the prefabricated timber frame elements, which can weigh up to 2 tons, you will need a crane. You can use a construction crane or even a crane truck. The 15-metre long arm must have a capacity of at least 2 tonnes, although this is very much dependent on the project in question. If there is a construction crane provide solid support on the ground.

SPACE FOR BUILDING MATERIALS

Along with the walls, ceilings, and roof, the house is also provided with many building elements, for which it is necessary to provide space where to place them. For this reason, we suggest having a place near the stage prepared to support elements at least 14m long and at least 6m wide. We also suggest that this soil be either crushed gravel or concrete. If there is a road nearby and the customer does not have the necessary space for support or the parking of the truck, the road must be closed in time for the assembly to take place.

timberframe case in legnoBuilding materials in different parts of the construction site.

CONSTRUCTION FENCE

The territory around the building shall be fenced. This is a mandatory requirement to guarantee occupational safety. The height shall be at least 2 metres and the gates necessary for the passage of heavy goods vehicles shall also be provided.

WOODEN HOUSES ASSEMBLY: WHAT IF IT RAINS OR SNOWS?

The prefabricated wooden houses can be assembled all months of the year. Sometimes it happens that it may rain or snow during assembly. In these cases, it is necessary to stop the assembly and close the elements with suitable sheets.

case in legno sloveniaCovering with PVC sheets of prefabricated walls during rain.

Marko Hrovatin

Marko Hrovatin

Interview with RAI2 TV: We believe in renewable energy

JELOVICA HOUSES: WE BELIEVE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

Last year we were contacted by RAI2 (national TV station) to do a documentary on our wooden houses factory in Slovenia. The PUNTO EUROPA program deals with issues of the European Parliament and the influence of the European Union on the lives of member states and their citizens. In this respect, they were looking for European companies that have embraced the green way of living with recyclable materials and the philosophy of renewable energy.

Marko Hrovatin Rai2 intervista Punto Europa bioedilizia

 

In this regard, we went to see the first passive prefabricated wooden kindergarten in Slovenia with low energy consumption. The nursery is made of 95% renewable and recyclable materials. You can see that our products also embrace the concept of renewable energy because they also use photovoltaic panels for the electricity they use.

case in legno Jelovica Slovenia bioediliziacase in legno Jelovica Slovenia bioediliziacase in legno Jelovica Slovenia bioedilizia

 

In our green building factory in Slovenia, we are proud of our “green production“, in which we only use renewable energy: 82% of the energy comes from photovoltaic panels, 18% from the power plant. In the winter months, we have a wood boiler available, which is recycled from the waste material of wooden houses nad heats the whole complex.

Marko Hrovatin
Marko Hrovatin