Why choose Gablok timber framing for your self-build project?
At Gablok, our projects are built entirely of wood-frame construction. With our insulated wooden blocks made of OSB and insulation, your load-bearing walls take shape, guaranteeing a stable, well-insulated structure. Although the traditional "hard" construction method is still the most popular in Belgium, more and more people are becoming convinced by timber-frame housing projects and their many advantages.
What are the advantages of wood-frame construction?
Sustainability: wood is a natural, renewable and durable material. A timber-frame home can withstand the test of time while requiring little maintenance. Generally speaking, their lifespan can be counted in hundreds of years or more.Thermal and acoustic insulation: wood is an excellent natural insulator. Thanks to its thermal properties, it reduces heating requirements in winter and air-conditioning needs in summer. Especially with our Gablok insulated wood blocks, which contain extra insulation. In terms of acoustic insulation, wood absorbs and attenuates noise, enhancing the comfort of your home.
Speed of construction: thanks to the lightness of wood and the prefabrication of components, timber-frame construction significantly reduces construction time compared with traditional methods. There's no need to wait for the building to dry out or for other work to be done. What's more, there's no need to add water to the building site, which further simplifies implementation. This also reduces delays often caused by bad weather, a frequent constraint on traditional building sites.
Architectural flexibility: wood-frame construction offers great design freedom, enabling a wide variety of innovative architectural projects. Because wood is a more flexible material, you can give free rein to your imagination and create the spaces you want. From large bay windows to numerous openings, the choice is yours. Wood-frame construction also offers a wide range of exterior cladding options.
How does the Gablok wood kit work?
The Gablok kit is distinguished by its simplicity and efficiency. It consists of insulated, ready-to-assemble wooden blocks that form the load-bearing walls of your home. Thanks to our stackable block system, assembly is as easy as a life-size building set. Gablok blocks are designed for optimum insulation and structural strength. This kit is specially designed to make self-building accessible to all, even those with no previous experience.
Why choose wood-frame self-build?
Self-building a timber-frame home also offers a number of advantages:
Financial savings: by building yourself, you save on labor costs, which can represent a significant proportion of the budget in traditional construction. With the Gablok kit, you can do most of the work yourself, without having to call in professionals for every stage of construction. Transport costs are also reduced, thanks to the prefabrication of the blocks and delivery of the exact number of elements required, limiting the number of return trips to the construction site.
Total control over your project: self-build gives you total control over your budget, the stages of construction and the structure of your home. You're in control of every decision, from design to finish. This means you can adapt your project to your needs and desires, without being constrained by deadlines or the requirements of construction companies. What's more, by being directly involved in the construction of your home, you can ensure that every detail is carried out as you wish.
Respect for the environment: by opting for wood-frame construction, you're making an ecological choice. The wood used by Gablok comes from short supply chains and sustainably managed forests, which limits the carbon footprint of your construction. Each block is built right here in Belgium. What's more, wood is biodegradable and recyclable, unlike other building materials that can be difficult to dispose of or reuse. Choosing wood also helps to reduce construction waste and better manage natural resources.
→ find out more about the provenance of our self-build blocks
More questions about ourtimber-frame self-build solutions? Contact us to discuss your project.
