Facing of the building in the German style. German style houses

The buildings 14.06.2019
The buildings

Each country has its own traditional. So, Russia is steadily associated with, China with pagodas, Europe with Gothic buildings, the USA with skyscrapers, etc. But at the mention of Germany to those who are fond of architecture or just follow current trends suburban, the term "half-timbered houses" will come to mind.

half-timbered house

Having appeared in Germany, today they have become very popular in different parts of the world, including ours.

Fachwerk history

The German word Fachwerk is formed from two parts: das Fach - section, cell and das Werk - building. Literally, it turns out "a structure from sections." Looking from the side at half-timbered houses, we will be convinced of the accuracy of the definition. Similar to a fairy tale, they will not go unnoticed while walking along the old European streets. Their invariably light walls as if "cut" by dark wooden beams. The sloping roof completes the structure.


According to historians, fachwerk originated in Germany, in areas where there were rivers nearby and shipbuilding developed. To repair and build ships, one had to be well versed in carpentry. And once the masters realized that it was possible to build not only strong ships, but also solid houses.





The appearance of half-timbered houses dates back to the 12th century. But its heyday came in the 15th-16th centuries, when architects mixed traditional fachwerk with new trends:

  • with baroque elements (pediments with large curls along the edges, an abundance of details on the facade, sculptures of people and animals),
  • with Gothic elements (quotes from Holy Scripture on the façade)
  • with details of the Renaissance (an abundance of characteristic rosettes, shells, wreaths, flower vases on the facade).
In addition, the geographical division into regions also influenced the construction. If you visit several regions of Germany, then the same half-timbered houses you will not meet there. The following areas are distinguished: Thracian, Alemannic and Lower Saxon half-timbered houses.


Houses were built taking into account the fact that the land in those days was very expensive. Therefore, I wanted to increase the living space not at her expense. They did it like this:

  • They built a frame of strong wooden racks and beams.
  • The panels filling the space between them were made from a mixture of clay with wild reeds or straw. This mixture was called adobe (you can learn more about it from the publication). The adobe was applied to the "skeleton" of wooden rods.
  • In order to expand the space in the room, the enterprising Germans came up with the idea of ​​building in such a way that each floor was wider than the previous one and “hung” about half a meter above it. This overhanging floor also protected the lower ones from moisture. Subsequently, the characteristic ledges became one of the hallmarks of the fachwerk as an architectural trend.
  • After completing work with the frame and panels, the house and. And they painted not anyhow, but according to a certain principle. Panels - in light color, a wooden frame- necessarily in the dark. The house became visually "broken" into cells. This is how another difference appeared, which we will talk about later.
  • And finally, . In old German half-timbered houses, the roofs were high and sloping. Below them was an additional living space.
As for the decoration and the house as a whole, only wealthy burghers could afford them. They invited experienced craftsmen who know their business very well.


At the request of the owner, they could recreate the family coat of arms on the facade, make unique carvings, decorate the house with sculptures, paintings or inscriptions: for example, with wishes of good health and prosperity, or simply with information about who lives under this roof and whether the owners are happy with the guests. Such statements were called Haussprüche (from German das Haus - house and der Spruch - saying).

Interesting: researchers of this type of architecture have revealed that there is some symbolism in German half-timbered buildings. If the beams intersect like the letter X, then this symbolizes the St. Andrew's Cross (on which the Apostle Andrew was crucified).


If the segments of the side beams do not intersect, then this shape is called "Swabian Woman". Why Swabian? Most likely, the association comes with the national costume of Swabian women: a lace-up corset with a decollete and a fluffy skirt.

If the beams resemble the letter "U", then you have a "Wild Man". Origin given name not really known. Maybe this is how the sedate inhabitants of medieval Germany imagined a person with strange behavior - a wild one.


Curved scrolls in the form of the letter "S" on the corner beams were amulets against lightning. Scary masks on the facade protected from evil spirits and ill-wishers. Images of the sun in the form of rosettes were symbols of fertility and material well-being.


With the onset of the 18th century, half-timbered houses lost their positions. It was very difficult to bring engineering equipment into such a house, but I didn’t want to live without them. The 19th and 20th centuries were also marked by half-timbered calm and mass construction of more modern buildings. But the 21st century stirred up interest in this style. In large cities in Germany, and not only, they began to restore old half-timbered houses and build new ones, but already taking into account modern trends, etc. And now the descendants of burgher houses are called half-timbered houses, or half-timbered houses.

Distinctive features of half-timbered houses



Color contrasts and windows in a row.
  1. Complete absence of metal elements in construction. What is 500 years ago, what is construction now half-timbered house does not accept metal in the frame. Heavy metal ties will spoil both the appearance of the house and the interior. The result is not at all what was expected.
  2. Bearing beams do not hide under . This is one of the main features characteristic of fachwerk. Beams divide the house into peculiar sections.
  3. Filling the space between the beams with a material that is different in texture from wood. Previously, it was adobe, which we have already talked about above. To date, it has been successfully replaced by brick.
  4. Lightweight design. Half-timbered houses are very light, so you can build them on a shallow one.
  5. Color contrasts. In the first half-timbered houses they played on the confrontation "light-dark". Now the flight of fancy is not constrained by anything: dark red and green, brown and beige, dark brown and light green and other combinations.
  6. Overhanging one floor over another. Today, this feature has practically disappeared, it has become optional. There is no need to expand the living space in this way, and modern ones perfectly protect the tree from moisture.
  7. Lots of small windows. In the Middle Ages, the house could be literally strewn with small windows. Small, because they still didn’t really know how to make large windows, it was difficult to get glass and very expensive. Fortunately, now they can make windows of any size, and there are no problems with the material. Very popular among owners of half-timbered houses these days panoramic windows . Although experts do not recommend doing this. Firstly, because the windows do not always overlook a pond, a meadow, a forest or a house is on the outskirts, and neighbors scurrying about on business are an amateur sight. It is better to make several windows in one row.
  8. high roofs. In Europe, all half-timbered houses have tall and sharp gable roofs. It was beneficial to have such a roof structure: it protects the whole house from precipitation, and you can also equip it under it. AT modern houses there are also sloping options. But if you want to meet the requirements of style as much as possible, then a high roof is a must.
  9. The house should "strive" up. Of course, with a shortage of land in medieval Europe houses could not "spread" in width. They were directed upwards. The higher, the more space. If you are building a house now, then it is up to you to decide whether it will be stretched vertically or horizontally.

Is it possible to build a half-timbered house in Russia?

On the pages of the TSB (Great Soviet Encyclopedia) there is a mention of half-timbered houses. But with a note that it can only be built in a warm climate, otherwise you will not overwinter. For example, in the south of the country: “... In modern construction F. with a wooden frame and brick or adobe filling are mainly used in areas with a warm climate (including in auxiliary production buildings). Such data were for the period 1969-1978.


But thanks to new technologies. Now half-timbered houses are no less warm than tiles.

  • The walls are best left white (or any light tone).
  • Beams - always contrastingly dark to the walls. By the way, you can display on the beams.
  • Forged things look good as decorative elements: horseshoes, shelves, etc. If desired, even forged furniture will not be superfluous.
  • The interior of a half-timbered house implies the presence of a hearth. It will make it more homely and cozy. It doesn't matter if it's a fireplace or a stove.


  • If there is no passion for antiquity, then the house can be turned into a modern spacious dwelling. We add the features of minimalism to the fachwerk features:

    • None forged products and an abundance of accessories.
    • A large amount of space remains free to sunlight could easily fill the room.
    • Beams can be painted in light tone slightly darker than the walls.
    • A small fireplace (the oven is inappropriate), a minimum of furniture, textiles light colors, in general, nothing that weighs down the interior - and we get a house from a mixture of two seemingly opposite directions.


    Half-timbered houses, despite their popularity and ancient history in Europe, we are considered exotic. Not everyone will dare to "get involved" with such a project. But with proper execution, the result will justify the effort and money spent. And what do you think?

    Has a long history. The style loved by Europeans was borrowed by domestic architects and designers. What is the secret of popularity German cladding, what are the basic principles of technology and how to imitate half-timbered houses on your own?

    Features of German technology

    Fachwerk trim is a kind of grid of wooden beams applied to the cladding of a house in a contrasting color. This solution has a number of advantages:

    1. Versatility. Stitching decorative beams suitable for small country houses, and spacious cottages. Facade can be combined with others style directions characteristic of a particular area.
    2. Ease of arrangement. The technology is not difficult. The main thing is to plan the location of the beams in advance and prepare the material.
    3. Sophistication. A variety of textures of wall decoration and colors allows you to create an exclusive facade. The design implies unity with nature - the external wooden frame gives the house a special charm.

    Of the minuses of the technology, one can note: the relative high cost of the materials used and the fragility of wooden elements.

    The choice of material for the arrangement of the facade

    The service life, ease of installation and practicality of the operation of the cladding largely depends on the right materials. Special attention it is necessary to give the base for the facade half-timbered and stuffed planks.

    natural wood or imitation

    The choice lies between wooden or polyurethane boards. Each material has pros and cons.

    Distinctive features wood beams:

    • naturalness and environmental friendliness;
    • beautiful appearance;
    • the need for careful preparation - treatment with flame retardants and protective impregnations;
    • susceptibility to decay;
    • high cost.

    Good alternative to wood polyurethane beams. The main advantages of polymers:

    • plausible imitation of the texture and shades of wood;
    • wide selection colors false beams;
    • low weight - polymer boards are hollow inside, such a finish does not give a special load on the lightweight frame foundation;
    • excellent technical and operational properties: resistance to UV rays, temperature extremes, resistance to decay, inertness to organic matter and the absence of deformations.

    An important argument in favor of imitation of fachwerk with polyurethane beams is the affordable cost of polymer materials.

    Fachwerk base options

    Installation of beams takes place on a prepared base. Three options are popular in frame housing construction:

    • DSP sheathing;
    • wall plastering;
    • use of OSB boards.

    The most practical method is the use of cement-bonded particle boards (DSP). The material has high density, tolerates longitudinal loads well and is not afraid of precipitation. DSP sheathing gives the frame additional strength.

    Composite boardsbest base under fachwerk. Value for money technical qualities material is optimal.

    Plastering walls is a labor-intensive process. Moreover, taking into account the features prefabricated houses, this method is not recommended for cladding. Temporary movements of the frame can lead to cracking of the plaster layer.

    OSB boardsbudget technology. The material is suitable for use in the construction country houses and small buildings.

    The nuances of using OSB-plates:

    • high-quality processing with bioprotection is necessary to prevent the appearance of mold;
    • special attention to the ends of the paintings - with regular contact with water, they can swell;
    • over time, OSB boards change color and require painting.

    Step-by-step instructions for finishing the facade

    Let's describe the order of finishing the facade of a half-timbered house with our own hands. The entire course of work can conditionally be divided into several stages.

    Design and sketch development

    First of all, you need to make layout plan of wooden beams. It is necessary to build on the working drawing of the house itself.

    When drawing up a sketch, you should adhere to the following rules:

    • the placement of the racks is not tied to the seams of the DSP boards; on the contrary, the cladding panels are “adjusted” to the sketch of the location of the beams;
    • top and, crossbars, braces and vertical supports should leave the impression of not decorative, but load-bearing elements;
    • in the layout of racks and boards, symmetry is welcome; in the frame of window and door areas, it is desirable to adhere to a single tactic.

    Necessary materials and tools

    To implement a half-timbered facade, you will need the following materials:

    • DSP boards 12-16 mm thick;
    • wooden beams 15 cm wide or polyurethane strips;
    • bars for attaching the DSP to the frame;
    • insulation;
    • windproof membrane;
    • fasteners - wood screws 3.5 * 5.5 mm;
    • paint, protective.

    From the tools you need to prepare: a puncher, a screwdriver with nozzles and drills, a grinder for cutting plates, a level, a tape measure, a spatula, a roller, a square and a pencil.

    Cutting and fixing DSP boards

    Comparing the dimensions and configuration of the walls with the dimensions of the facing slabs, it is necessary to cut the DSP. Before installing the canvases, it is necessary to "fill" the frame heat-insulating material, and fix on top of the insulation windproof membrane.

    Following actions:

    1. Fix vertically wooden blocks– the fastening step depends on the width of the cut DSP sheets.
    2. Drill holes in the plates: the diameter is equal to the thickness of the self-tapping screws, the step along the edges is 20 cm, in the middle - 40 cm, the indentation is from 1.5 cm.
    3. Treat the ends of the sheets with a strengthening primer.
    4. Fix the DSP slab, keeping a gap between the elements of 3-5 mm. The head of the self-tapping screw should go deep into the canvas by 1-2 mm.

    Priming and painting walls

    At this stage, it performs finishing walls before attaching the beams. Work progress:

    1. Fill the gaps between the DSP boards with a weatherproof compound. It is also necessary to process the attachment points - the caps of the self-tapping screws.
    2. Apply the strengthening primer to the walls using a roller. Leave the surface to dry completely.
    3. Prepare the paint, thoroughly mix the base with the color and apply to the walls.

    As a rule, one layer is not enough to cover the gray DSP boards. To achieve uniformity of color, it is desirable to repeat the staining.

    Preparation and installation of beams

    Boards for finishing the facade should be well dried. Further, the material is sanded, treated with flame retardant impregnations and protective compounds.

    Such measures are aimed at reducing the ability of wood to ignite and increase resistance to precipitation, solar radiation. Impregnation with an antiseptic protects the beams from the appearance of rot and insect invasions. The final stage of preparation- painting the boards in a dark color.

    1. Cut lumber according to the sketch.
    2. Fix the finished elements with self-tapping screws, observing the layout plan.

    The procedure for working with polyurethane strips is somewhat simpler. They do not require pre-treatment and are fixed to the DSP with liquid nails.

    Fachwerk decor secrets

    The facades of houses in the German Fachwerk style have some common features in execution:

    1. The floors are visually separated by one or two rows of horizontal beams.
    2. AT window frames bindings are present.
    3. Entrance doors - mostly massive wood, without glazing.
    4. Drainpipes, chimney and ventilation outlets match the color of the beams.
    5. The foundation of the house is decorated with natural or artificial stone.
    6. Fachwerk tradition is to decorate window sills with flowerpots and planters with flowers.

    The beautification of the facade in the medieval European style has taken root in modern frame housing construction. Fachwerk imitation can radically change the appearance of the building, giving it originality and presentability.

    Video: fachwerk on a house insulated with foam


    Many German cities have managed to retain their former charm. AT settlements, which escaped major destruction during the Second World War, urban development dates back many centuries, which is the subject of admiration for tourists. A half-timbered building to this day adorns the appearance of many old parts of cities.

    We all know the popular prints, already rather fed up, but, it seems, “not killed” clichés about Russia - the balalaika, the matryoshka doll and the tame bear. But the standard idea of ​​Germany is also not complete without the mention of Oktoberfest, sausages and, of course, such cozy, like gingerbread, German houses. This image of a homely idyll attracts many who are in love with Germany. But is it really so and in what houses, how stone wall live German burghers?

    Fachwerkhaus (frame house)- this is just the same, "postcard" view of Germany: fairytale house, which you want to admire without ceasing - and it would be even better to live! The house consists of a wooden frame, the cavities of which are filled with a mixture of wood and clay or, in some cases, brick. Half-timbered houses are an integral part of the country's architecture; it is impossible to imagine Germany without them. As a rule, such houses are located in the old part of the city (Altstadt).


    Reihenhaus (sectional house)- This is a separate house, which is part of a line of houses built in a row. Sectional houses prevail in the development of the central part of cities. Outside the historical center of the city there are, as a rule, detached houses and houses with two apartments.


    Doppelhaus it is usually a large semi-detached house. But you should not be afraid - you won’t have to share the premises with anyone except your family. In most cases, this type of housing is two houses with common wall, while each of which stands on its own land plot and has its own separate entrance. So there is no need to worry about how to get to the bathroom in the morning, ahead of the neighbors.

    Einfamilienhaus (family house)- is a residential building that serves as a home for one family and contains one conditional apartment. As a rule, such single-family houses are owned by users and therefore they are also called private houses.

    Sozialwohnung (council flat) This is a residential building built with the help of public public funds. These apartments are distinguished by a rather low rent, since they are intended mainly for low-income segments of the population (large families, people with disabilities).
    In order to rent such an apartment, you must have a special permit. This permission, respectively, is received by persons whose income does not exceed a certain allowable limit. Municipal apartments are received on a first-come, first-served basis, but since there are more people who have the right to rent such apartments than the housing itself, they are distributed in order of urgent need. For example, it is more likely that municipal housing will be issued to a pensioner with a disability who lives on the 5th floor in a building without an elevator.
    Wochenendhaus (summer house) is a house or hut located in a rural, natural area for spending holidays or weekends there. Some summer houses are in really beautiful places: by the lake or with mountain view. From small garden plot on the outskirts of the city (Schrebergarten, Kleingarten) summer houses differ, first of all, in size. They are usually provided modern plumbing, gas is installed and there is electricity.


    Bungalow- represents cottage, which may have various options roofs The word itself comes from North Indian languages ​​and literally means "in the Bengali style." The history of the spread of such a residential building is connected with the fact that in the 18th century the British colonialists who lived in the Bengal region took local houses as a model for building housing and reproduced them. Typical bungalows have one floor and a spacious veranda. In Germany, the peak of popularity of the bungalow came in the 60s of the 20th century.


    What house would you like to live in?

    Half-timbered architecture can be recognized immediately. It is associated with the houses of Germany and Europe. Often the roofs in such structures are covered with a tiled roof. To date, this canonical type of residential buildings is used as a design refinement. On the other hand, it is a symbol of German quality. But in fact, buildings of the 15th-16th centuries have been preserved in Germany, which are currently in operation. Therefore, many argue that German technology houses have an extended service life.

    History of German houses

    In fact, the famous German houses, whose photos are fascinating, appeared for a reason. Structures of structures in which the main material is wood are typical both for wooded areas and for coastal ones. In the countries of the Baltic and North seas(Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, Holland, etc.) there were many skilled carpenters who built quality ships. These craftsmen knew how to properly build a reliable wooden structure, so they started building structures.

    For the construction of the first houses, the pillars were dug directly into the ground, and connecting beams and rafters were laid on top of them, after which they proceeded to the construction of the roof. Of course, after 15 years, the pillars rotted relatively quickly. Over time, they began to be installed on the prototype of a stone foundation - huge boulders previously dug into the ground. The service life of the pillars, and hence the structures, has increased tenfold. But it was necessary to compensate for the binding to the ground with a multitude of transverse slopes, rods, puffs and ties.

    For skilled carpenters, such a connection was not a problem. They were carried out according to naval methods and techniques. Today, all connections have been replaced by simpler ones, using steel fasteners (anchors, screws, brackets, threaded rods).

    Design features

    Actually, german house- this is a special frame made of elements of large and medium section, with filling of the sinuses of the external temperature circuit. The remaining elements of the structure (roof, foundation, partitions, walls) can be made in the same way as in other houses.

    A reliable frame is no problem for skilled carpenters. But sinus filling is difficult task. After all, the quality of the walls depended on this, and consequently the fate of the entire structure. At that time, the sinuses were filled with adobe or adobe material. This material has been used on all continents. Today it is also becoming popular, it is used in green building.

    Grooves were cut in the beams, into which a paired or wicker lattice of rods was inserted. They applied adobe on it. Sheet material for exterior finish building at that time was not invented, and it was too expensive to use boards for this purpose. Therefore, the buildings were plastered, but at first it was not possible to apply the mortar to the wooden beams.

    Therefore, the walls remained with visible beams, which later became the hallmark of German houses.

    A distinctive feature of a half-timbered house

    Many old German houses have one distinctive feature. Looking closely, you can see that each new floor of the house hangs over the previous one. At first glance, this looks unusual. The explanation for this design is quite simple. In coastal areas, it often rains and rains, flowing down the walls, the water fell on lower floors. Their walls were very wet. The upper floors quickly dried due to wind and sun. The lower ones could rot due to moisture, and this is unacceptable. Therefore, the upper floors were carried forward.

    This feature of construction has become inefficient with the invention in the construction industry of high-quality waterproofing materials. Modern facades, foundations, walls and wood are reliably protected from frost and moisture. Therefore, modern German houses have completely flat wall planes.

    The changes also affected roofing material, due to the weight of which it was impossible to take out the visor even half a meter. Today, light sheets are used that can drain water from the wall by a meter, or even more.

    Canadian technology or still German?

    Old German houses can be safely called the basis of all frame construction technologies. After all, in modern construction frame technology almost everything is repeated. There are no cross slopes in the systems. Today, experts only use a different thickness of the material (modern beams have become a little thinner). Many consider it to be Canadian, but finished structures are often referred to as both Finnish and German. And this is true, because buildings were built using this technology even before the discovery of America.

    Today at frame houses it's hard to see old European houses, because they have a characteristic advantage - sheathing with high-quality sheet material and finishing the building from the outside. The design of the building was improved, and nature won, because the consumption of wood was significantly reduced.

    Ancient house building method and modern materials

    Thanks to the sheathing OSB sheet the design has become even stronger, tougher and more reliable. Now you do not need to use powerful beams and racks at the initial stage. Exterior finish and sheet material reliably protect the wooden frame from negative influences environment: solar burnout, weathering, freezing. Thanks to this protection, the life of the structure has increased significantly.

    A solid German house has business card- visible beams of the structure. Today they are used only for decorative purposes. Of course, walls made of adobe and clay are a thing of the past, and the space is filled with high-quality and environmentally friendly insulation. Today, straw is also used as a filler.

    Previously, sinus trimming was a problem, but today this process takes as much effort as interior decoration walls. Through the use of modern facade putties this process is easy and simple.

    The frame of the structure remained a model of the reliability of the entire structure. Speed ​​up and simplify the installation process german home metal elements helped.

    Conclusion

    The German house is a high-quality reliable building. Its construction is practically no different from other houses. Remember, having decided to build such a house, you can fulfill your dream and live in

    When furnishing a house, the issue of the exterior deserves special attention, because the appearance of the house is an indicator of the taste of its owners. Today, designers offer many options decorative finishes facades that can make the house unique and distinguish it from the general range of surrounding buildings. Following the newfangled trends, all more people prefer to use certain architectural style in the design of houses, characteristic of a particular country.

    For those who appreciate the simplicity of forms, restraint and elegance without frills, we can advise you to decorate the facade of the house in the German style. Such a house will look advantageous due to its solid and original design. appearance, he will be able to create the impression of reliability and home comfort.

    The advantage of the German style is that it can be applied both to an object under construction and to a finished one, that is, when the walls are erected and the roof is ready. The Germans are thrifty people, so you don’t need to finish the facade a large number of material that will pleasantly affect the family budget.

    Modest German style is traditionally characterized by practicality, economy and original design. The design of the façade can be described common features inherent in this architectural direction.

    1. Simplicity and rigor decorative elements.
    2. No intricate patterns bright colors and details, sculptural decorations.
    3. A rational approach to the use of materials for construction and decoration.
    4. Limited color palette.
    5. Compliance with the traditional canons of Western European architecture.

    Walls and roof

    Traditionally, a German-style house has the shape of a square or rectangle with even, smooth walls, painted in plain, discreet colors and decorated with bay windows. These are the protruding parts of the house that increase the living space.

    As for the roof, it is usually gable and made in a brown-red palette. The main roofing material is tiles. The plinth is finished with natural stone, which is very popular in Germany as a material for original design buildings. Thanks to this, the building stands out for its noble appearance.

    As decorative elements, small balconies are built, less often attics. They are decorated without pretentiousness: tinted boards that are fixed over the facade.

    Windows and doors

    German style is very demanding on the design of doors and windows. The front door must certainly stand out against the general background of the facade. This is usually the most bright detail that attracts attention.

    Windows are made rectangular, or resembling an arch. Each window is not a single whole, but several sections separated by special jumpers. In addition, windows are decorated wooden shutters, which perform an exclusively decorative function, giving the house a lived-in and well-groomed look.

    half-timbered houses

    Fachwerk is a famous style of architecture in Germany. Distinctive feature such buildings is the presence of a vertical frame with cross beams and diagonal braces. It is also characterized by curly beam structures. They are painted in colors that contrast with the shade of the walls, giving the house expressiveness and entourage. Particularly impressive on the walls look curved beams in combination with natural stone trim or plaster.

    gothic houses

    Buildings that are stylized as Gothic are always distinguished by their originality. In the photo, such houses look like real ones. medieval castles. This is facilitated by a pointed roof and vertically elongated windows, which visually make the entire building taller and more presentable.

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