Comparative research of single-family housing construction systems by construction cost using structural wood and other materiality

Abstract

The wood construction massification in Chile has been considered in the last years as a strategic axis in forestry, and environmental policies, considering that this is a forestry country, the remarkable environmental contribution potential the use of this material has, and the necessity of reducing the housing deficit. In order to evaluate the development feasibility of a massive housing wood construction, with higher quality standards than the ones traditionally used, a comparative analysis is conducted in terms of construction costs based on 4 constructive systems: wood framing, post and beam construction system, galvanized steel, and confined masonry. The wood frame system is presented as the most competitive mainly due the wall, and roofing final cost, but also in the carcass work final cost; it is also more competitive in the construction final cost, but here the gasps are reduced. All evaluated systems have budgets that may be eligible for state subsidies. Among the keys to improve competitivity in wood construction is the diversification of lengths, and dimensions in structural products supply. In relation to the post and beam system, traditionally associated to higher value, and size, it is concluded that is possible to develop delimited footage projects, with low cost, which also allows a greater use of the system advantages in terms of the possibility to modify the house internal distribution.