Small houses for permanent residence: a review of the most comfortable and cozy projects. Do-it-yourself country houses (projects, photos): you can do it Do-it-yourself frame summer house

Not always summer cottage It makes sense to build a permanent house suitable for living in both summer and winter. If the size of the plot is small, and the house itself will be used only for short-term recreation, then it makes sense to choose the option of a small, cute house. In addition to saving money, this will also significantly speed up construction.

Methods for constructing country houses

The labor intensity, price and time spent on construction greatly depend on the chosen material and size of the house.

The following construction methods can be used:

  • brick construction. It is used mainly for medium-sized houses and is characterized by a fairly large investment of time. For a small house there is no particular point in using it;

  • buildings made of monolithic concrete– practically not used, especially for small buildings;
  • frame construction– can be called a universal technology, used both for the construction of small cabins and for the construction of large two-story houses;

  • country houses made from block containers- allow you to eliminate the construction stage altogether, you only need to work with metal, cut holes for windows and doors.

Features of placing a country house

In relation to the development of the site, one should be guided by such standards as:

  • SNiP 30-02-97 - issues of planning and location of individual buildings are considered, the project of a small country house is being prepared mainly taking into account this document;
  • SP 11-106-97 – concerns the legal side of the issue (development, coordination, approval).

When locating the building, you need to take into account the requirements fire safety and sanitary and hygienic requirements.

Note! Fire distances should only be taken into account for houses located on different sites.

Fire clearances depend on the building material used. So, if a house is built of stone and reinforced concrete, then minimum distance between houses on adjacent plots should be 6 m. But in the case of a frame house using low-flammable building materials, this distance increases to 10.0 m.

As for sanitary and hygienic standards, even small country house must be located at the required distance, for example, from a cesspool, compost heap, well, outbuildings, etc. For example, the distance to the restroom should be at least 12.0 m, and to the bathhouse or shower - 8.0 m.

Frame construction

Briefly, this technology can be described as follows: a building frame is created from beams and wooden planks, then the frame is sheathed. After this, only the interior and exterior decoration remains. Moreover, the technology does not change much, regardless of whether a small cottage or a large building is being built.

What should the foundation be?

Since the load on it will be minimal, you won’t even need strip foundation. Its role is not to carry a significant load, but rather to raise the structure above ground level. This must be done in order to protect the tree from rotting.

For small buildings, a columnar foundation can be made not even from concrete or brick columns, but from ones dug into the ground wooden beams. Of course, the durability of such a structure is lower than that of concrete or brick, but the price of such a foundation is minimal.

Note! In this case, the part of the column located in the ground must be saturated protective compounds and wrapped in waterproofing material.

Installation of lower rails

Small country houses weigh very little, so if the bottom frame is not securely fastened, the structure can easily slide off it, for example, in a strong wind.

You can go two ways:

  • use anchor bolts;
  • leave reinforcement outlets in the concrete of the columnar foundation itself. Then you will need to make a hole in the beam equal to the diameter of the reinforcement and simply put the beam on it. The excess metal is simply cut off. This method is useful because the beams can be easily replaced during repairs; you just need to raise the houses above them.

As for the corners, the bars are connected to each other “in a paw”; there is no point in messing around with more complex options. For additional strength, both beams are connected with wooden dowels. Floor joists are laid.

Frame installation

The frame for a small country house is made of beams (10x15, 15x15 or 10x10 cm) - installed in the corners, the top trim is also made from them, wooden planks (4x10 cm) - suitable for logs, rafters and floor beams, as well as wooden planks ( for example, 8x3 cm) - for frame posts.

The installation instructions look like this:

  • racks made of beams are installed in the corners; for greater strength, they are put on the dowel connecting the beams of the lower frame. Additionally, they can be fixed with metal corners;

  • racks can be attached to the lower frame either only with metal corners, or by complete or incomplete cutting;

  • the bars of the upper trim give rigidity to the structure;
  • floor beams are laid;

Note! The frame posts are fixed with temporary braces during construction, then they are removed and permanent braces are installed.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the roof. Since the load on the rafter system will be small, you can use a hanging rafter system.

In this case, the load will be transferred to the walls of the house. The crossbar is responsible for the rigidity of the rafter frame.

Container houses

Ordinary shipping containers can be turned into beautiful small cottages. In this case, the size of the building is limited by the size of the container itself; if desired, several containers can be combined at once.

All work in this case comes down to transporting the container and its external and internal decoration. When upgrading an ordinary container, it is enough to simply cut holes in the metal for windows and doors, while the metal must be left in the corners, otherwise the rigidity of the structure will be insufficient. If there are problems with the power supply on the site, then renting a diesel generator for the dacha will help.

The inside of the house will definitely need to be insulated. This must be done even if you plan to stay exclusively in warm weather. The fact is that the heat insulator is also a good sound insulator.

The frame for insulation is assembled from wooden blocks, and the space between them is filled with any suitable material; there are no special restrictions. You can use polystyrene foam, mineral wool, mineral wool boards, etc.

Note! The container can easily be stolen; to prevent this from happening, it is advisable to weld its lower part to the foundation posts.

The result is a building quite suitable for living. As for the size, even the smallest country house is quite capable of providing a comfortable overnight stay for 2-4 people; for the average family this is quite enough.

Summarizing

There is a small house on almost every summer cottage. Every summer resident can build a small country house with his own hands, and the information in this article will help you decide on the optimal construction technology. Focused on frame technology, as the most promising for solving this kind of problem ().

The video in this article shows the process of building a small country house.


























Everyone has the opportunity to build a dream home, and if you do everything with your own hands, you will be able to create a special, unique atmosphere, avoiding standard and hackneyed approaches. And even though it may be just a small house on a summer cottage, it will be filled with happiness and warmth.

1. The Hut on Chicken Legs in Strathmore





This fairytale home was created by a team of architects from Broadhurst Architects for clients who had a plot of land in Maryland. The nearly 25 square feet of this lovely little home includes a kitchen, living room with gas fireplace, bedroom, bathroom and a pretty deck. It is made from previously used materials and is equipped with a rainwater collection system, solar panels, modern system safety from bears, rodents and other uninvited guests.



This cute A-frame house will only take a day to assemble and will cost you $1,200. It was designed by Derek Didriksen of Relax Shacks and built by Joe Everson of Tennessee Tiny Homes. The roof and walls are made of polycarbonate material, which is lightweight and easy to handle. If you want to add more places, from 6 to 9 square meters, you just need to raise the wall. The house has two beds that can also be used as shelves, a small kitchen with a sink and a mini-fridge.



Owned by designer Mac Loyd of Creative Cottages, this stunning little cottage features a kitchen, living room, bathroom, two bedrooms, gas fireplace, laundry area and terrace. According to Mack, his home demonstrates the ergonomics of space, making it possible to live in whole family. Assembly of the house will take only a week.





Foy and Louise, a Maine couple, spent about 10 years creating the cabin as a rental property. When the project was ready, we decided to live in it ourselves. The house, with an area of ​​just over 20 square meters, stands on a plastic pallet and pontoon. It was first assembled on land and then launched into the water. Unfortunately, it may suddenly flood. Louise spends hours carrying water into a 55-litre water tank to keep the shower and kitchen running, and there is also a rainwater collection system for watering the plants. The house has a bedroom, living room and equipped kitchen. In the evening and at night it is illuminated by candles and gas lamps and thanks to the energy of solar panels.





This is probably the largest of the houses presented in the review, since its area is almost 40 square meters. This little house can easily be moved on a trailer. The spacious bedroom has a large bed and multifunctional shelves that are placed in different places. In the kitchen area there is also a dining area, and outside there is a 9 square meter veranda where you can barbecue or enjoy the sun and fresh air.





A couple of extreme skiing enthusiasts, Molly Baker and Zach Giffin, are constantly traveling from place to place, and so they decided to buy a mobile home so that they could be at home everywhere. In a two-story house, the ground floor contains a living and dining room with a kitchen with a small stove. The guest bedroom and storage area are accessed via an unusual staircase. The cost of the house is $25,000.



Nestled in a majestic forest, the modern lodge was built to replace a 60s building that had stood there for decades. The inside of the house has a modern, elegant design, but it seems to be sandwiched between two large stones - one serves as a support, and the other as the basis for the terrace. The house is spacious, as its area is more than 30 square meters, and the windows are quite large.

8. Secluded cottage





The house with an area of ​​35 m2 is built from natural materials and equipped energy saving technologies, vaulted ceiling and large floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition, there is a glassed-in terrace that can be used as a dining room or an additional bedroom. The house has a fireplace and a kitchen.

9. Carrie and Shane's Little House





The couple recently completed three months of construction and furnishing of a cute 18 square meter house. The basis for the mobile home was a trailer. The house itself is equipped with a water heater, dry closet, solar battery, and large windows provide better lighting.

10. Tiny House by Richardson Architects





The small house has a bright exterior and interior. The area is 25 square meters and it is equipped with a rustic-style terrace. Interestingly, on the terrace there is a board on which the menu is indicated every day, and comfortable wooden chairs made from previously used materials. Inside there are two bathrooms and double bedrooms, a kitchenette and a dining room. Stainless steel materials and painted plywood sheets were also used during construction. The house is located in a picturesque corner of the Californian coast.

11. Tom's Tree House



Tree houses never fail to amaze. Many people would like to stay overnight at Camp Wandawega, located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The three-story structure is located on an elm tree. The spacious terrace allows you to relax in a hammock or have lunch during the day. On the second floor there is a library and a bedroom.

12. House on Orcas Island





The house is hidden in a thicket of elms and cedars on Oscar Island, Washington. This perfect place for those who want to retire and get closer to nature. On total area Just over 35 square meters there is a living room, a bathroom, and on the second floor there is a bedroom. Since outside temperatures can drop significantly in winter, the house is equipped with energy-saving windows and insulating materials.

13. Box of matches

Gingerbread Cottage.


Houses in the American town of Oak Bluffs are striking examples how cozy and beautiful a small home can be. Many are decorated with Victorian-style designs and painted in a range of colours, as well as quaint terraces and lofts where the bedrooms are located. Renting such a house per week will cost $1,800.



This shabby but chic cottage is built with 95% reused materials from 25 other houses that are 200 years old or more. This 7 square meter home from Texas Tiny Houses features arched windows and stained glass windows. The stairs leading to the second floor lead to the sleeping area. The house, whose interior is designed in a rustic style, has a kitchen, living room and dining room.

But these examples are not all that people can do in order to have a separate home, because everyone has their own little childhood dream, the fulfillment of which our review offers:.

After a week of work and the bustle of the city, I want to relax in the lap of nature and breathe fresh air. Perfect option– a small dacha plot with a house. Often called dachas simply land plots, which are distributed to citizens for growing crops. Sooner or later, the owner of such a plot has a desire to have a house where he can relax after working in the garden beds and spend a weekend in nature. Hiring a crew is expensive and simple summer house small sizes you can build yourself.

How to build a country house without outside help?

When thinking about a house on a summer cottage, you should decide whether they will live in it temporarily during the summer season or whether it will be possible to live in it throughout the year. This determines how much money will be spent on construction. For year-round living, you need to build a permanent structure with communications and heating. This requires a lot of funds and manpower.

If you plan to live only seasonally, you can build a house with your own hands. At first glance, it may seem that this is a complex and difficult task for a person far from construction. But, starting to understand the nuances of construction, it is clear that you can gain construction experience during construction, if you wish.

There are several technologies that allow you to easily and quickly build a small country house. The simplest and most economically advantageous technology is frame construction. It allows you to build a house yourself without outside help. This is the cheapest option when choosing materials, since you can use used materials. True, they must be of high quality for the structure to last a long time. Another advantage of frame construction is speed. If you put in the effort, you can build a house for finishing in a season.

What material is suitable for the walls of the dacha - choose the appropriate options

The construction market has a large selection of different materials from which walls can be built. The choice depends on the preferences of the developer, the purpose of the future home and operating conditions. For a country house, you should select inexpensive, easy-to-install materials that do not require a solid foundation. Let's consider several options for such building materials:


You can build a country house from other materials. For example, you can use building materials from a dismantled house if they are in a condition suitable for construction. But all loads must be correctly calculated.

It must be remembered that the heavier the walls, the stronger the foundation needs to be made.

Layout – convenience and ease of use

Any construction consists of stages and begins with design. Even a simple country house needs a plan and construction project. A country house must have a kitchen, which can be combined with a living room to save space, dividing the rooms with a light partition. If a second floor is planned, then it is better to place bedrooms on it. For a summer cottage, a good option for obtaining additional area There is a veranda for relaxation.

After design, further steps include:

  • Floor installation.
  • Preparation of the site for construction and installation of the foundation.
  • Walling.
  • and ceiling.
  • External and internal finishing works.

Each stage requires certain knowledge and skills. Therefore, before starting this or that type of work, you should study the nuances associated with their implementation.

How to make a strong foundation and save money?

Having decided on the place where the house will be located, you need to carry out preparatory work for the construction of the foundation. To do this, stumps are uprooted, bushes are removed, the top fertile layer of soil is removed and the surface for the foundation is leveled. Then, using a tape measure and a corner, markings are made for future corners and walls. Pegs are driven in at the corners, and threads are stretched between them to limit the size of the pit. The foundation depth should be below the freezing depth. Usually a pit is dug about a meter deep.

Since a lightweight foundation is needed, it can be made from railroad sleepers. First of all, a geotextile fabric, Dornit 150, should be laid at the bottom of the pit. It is used as an additional reinforcing layer, as well as preventing the penetration of capillary moisture into the house structures. Next, sand is poured in several layers, each of which is well compacted. A layer of gravel or crushed stone is placed on top of the sand. At the next stage, sleepers are laid on the concrete layer and tied together. The structure is then filled with concrete.

For a small house, a strip foundation made of concrete is suitable. To do this, you need to dig trenches about 50 cm wide around the perimeter of the house and interior walls, install the formwork, lay reinforcement in it and fill it with concrete. The foundation must stand for about 3-4 weeks for the concrete to gain strength.

More thorough, but also more expensive. It can be used if a basement is being built. In this case, the blocks will play the role of walls. The ceiling can be made of slabs or a reinforced frame can be arranged, formwork can be built and poured with concrete.

A popular foundation for the lungs frame houses is a columnar foundation. A sufficient diameter of the pillars will be 30 -40 cm. The pillars are either dug into the ground to a depth below the freezing depth, or installed on a solid foundation directly on the ground. Corner posts must be installed. Intermediate ones are placed at a distance of 2-3 m from each other.

The floor is made of tongue and groove boards along joists laid on the foundation. First, the subfloor is installed. Beams are laid along the perimeter of the installed pillars. Then you should install the cross beams on opposite posts. This creates a subfloor frame. Beams can be made of wood, metal, concrete - depending on the financial capabilities and preferences of the developer. Moisture-resistant insulation is laid between the joists, and a floor covering is laid on top of the entire structure. A simpler way to install a floor is a concrete screed.

Reliable and warm walls – longevity of the building

The simplest house for a summer residence is a house with frame walls. The technology for constructing walls is simple:

  1. 1. To protect the walls from moisture, two layers of roofing material are laid on top of the foundation. The timber frame is laid first on the foundation. At the ends, the beam is cut in half to connect the beams to each other at the corners.
  2. 2. Next you need to install support posts in the corners. For stability, they are temporarily strengthened using jibs.
  3. 3. Racks along the walls are installed at a distance of 50 cm from each other and also secured. Window and door blocks are attached to support posts.
  4. 4. After placing all the beams, it is necessary to secure the upper beam for strapping and secure all the posts well. To one support post, you need to attach two slopes to the bottom trim beam and two slopes to the top trim. The installation of the beams must be checked with a building level to prevent vertical and horizontal deviations.
  5. 5. The outside walls of the frame must be covered with a special windproof and waterproofing film, which, in turn, is secured with a counter-lattice.
  6. 6. The walls are sheathed on top with either OSB boards or sheets of plywood that are resistant to moisture.

At the same time as the wall frame, the ceiling frame is made. Beams are installed along the perimeter, and then transverse beams are installed. At the stage of interior finishing, the ceiling is sheathed with plywood, plasterboard or other finishing material.

Roof – reliable protection from bad weather

For a country house, a simple pitched roof is best suited. But if you want to have a large attic space, which, if desired, can be landscaped and provide additional usable space, then you need to install a gable roof.

A rafter system is installed for the roof. It consists of several farms. It is more convenient to assemble individual roof parts on the ground using a template. After the individual elements have been assembled, they begin to install the rafters and install trusses on them. First, the façade truss is installed. The correct installation is checked by the building level. The façade truss is then secured using slopes. A similar truss is installed at the opposite end of the roof, and is also temporarily secured using slopes.

A cord is stretched between the installed outer trusses, along which all intermediate structures are installed. When all the trusses are installed, their lower ends are secured with brackets to the floor beams. The trusses are secured at the top using a ridge beam. The outer part of the roof is covered with a windproof and moisture-proof film, on top of which a counter-lattice is mounted.

The roofing material should be selected before installing the roof, as the manufacturer of the roofing material indicates which rafter system is needed. To avoid problems when working with roofing materials, when purchasing them, you should take a laying diagram. The roof can be made of ondulin, bitumen tiles, slate or any other roofing material that will be most beneficial.

Cottage for a summer residence - comfort for the soul

During construction, it is important to treat all wooden elements of the house with special chemicals that protect the wood from rot, fungus, and biological effects, and increase fire safety.

When the walls and roof are ready, all that remains is the exterior and interior finishing. Budget option for facade finishing - painting OSB boards oil paint. Another attractive finishing material is siding. With its help you can make your home beautiful appearance and choose the color of your choice. The slats are easily attached to the frame of the house using screws.

You can use the remaining cladding boards to cover the slopes of windows and doors. Window openings should be carefully processed with a jigsaw and plane. Window slopes should be covered with wooden slats 19 mm wide. Cladding boards are nailed to the slopes on the outside. If wall insulation is necessary, it is better to do it from the outside so as not to take away the usable space inside the house. Mineral wool is an inexpensive and easy-to-install insulation material.

To conduct electricity, you need a waterproof power cable, which is best done underground. To protect the cable from damage, it must be laid at a depth of at least 60 cm, sprinkled with a layer of sand about 10 cm on top. To protect the cable from shovels when digging, it is better to put a protective film and bricks on top.

If you do not have extensive experience in electrical work, then it is better to entrust the electrical wiring to specialists.


Interior decoration you can create an atmosphere of comfort and peace, where you would like to relax and unwind. Therefore, despite the fact that the dacha is a seasonal habitat, you want it to be cozy and comfortable like home. This is achieved by interior and furniture corresponding to the chosen style. Often frame houses are lined with clapboard from the inside. For a small dacha, a rustic style is suitable. You can also make furniture with your own hands, then the house will be filled with homely warmth. The more work you do yourself, the cheaper the construction will be.

If you prepare in advance all the materials necessary for the construction of a frame house, then you can build a house on your own in one summer season. Finishing work can be done gradually, whenever possible, the main thing is to build the box of the house and install the roof. The better the work is done, the longer the house will last.

A suburban area is not only land with a vegetable garden and plantings. Many city residents come there for a good rest, so it is necessary to have a house on the site. Not all summer residents have the opportunity to build a comfortable house on six acres. Many people get out of this situation by choosing the option of building an economy class house.

Inexperienced and novice summer residents are faced with the question of choosing cheap materials for construction. Below are examples of inexpensive and cozy country houses with visual photos.


Where to start construction

Any construction begins with a plan on paper. The house outside the city is not intended for year-round living, but for the sake of comfort it requires familiarization with the standard project.

Among the projects of country houses, the ones with an attic or attic are in the lead. This option allows you to avoid building outbuildings on the site. All equipment and work tools are stored in the attic. In addition to such a house, you can add a veranda or terrace that serves as a dining room.

Strip foundation requires more time and costs. Positive side it is that it allows you to use the room under the floor as a basement.

The next stage of preparation is the material of the “box” of the future building. There are several types of inexpensive and reliable building materials:


Frame-panel structures

The frame is mounted using timber and sheathed with wooden boards of fiberboard or chipboard. Expanded polystyrene, glass wool or polystyrene are used as insulation. The result is a house with minimal costs that can be used all year round.

A house made of timber is distinguished by its durability. Construction work will cost more. When using cheap timber, you are likely to encounter the problem of building shrinkage. As a result, cracks and gaps appear. The cobbled house will also have to be insulated.

A clay house is the cheapest and easiest construction option. Construction materials are right under your feet. The construction technique is similar to clay sculpting.

The downside is that the construction process is too time-consuming. It will take several seasons to build a clay dwelling.

The trailer is common among new summer residents. The best option for living in summer time or during the construction of a comfortable house.

Construction of frame structure

Frame construction belongs to the low-budget category. Building a country house with your own hands without the help of specialists will not be difficult. If all necessary materials ready, the work will last several weeks.


To build a house you will need:

  • beams for the frame;
  • screws and corners;
  • wooden chipboard or fiberboard;
  • insulation;
  • piles for the foundation.

Stages of building a frame house

At the marked places, piles are driven in the corners. Install concrete or brick supports under the joints of the walls. Then they are covered with waterproofing material and tied with a channel.

A lattice of beams is laid around the entire perimeter. Wooden logs are placed on top of it at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other. All parts are secured with corners and self-tapping screws.

Next, vertical racks are mounted, firmly resting on the lattice grille. The finished frame is tied and attic logs are placed on top of it. Further work in progress by covering the frame with wooden slabs. At this stage, holes are left for windows and doors.

Now you need to decide on the choice of roof for country house. Most summer residents choose gable and pitched roofs. To save money, the second option deserves more attention. When building a roof, do not forget about vapor barrier. The roof will be inexpensive sheets of corrugated board or ondulin.


External cladding is done using siding. Before this, the outer walls are insulated with special materials. Instead of plastic windows install ordinary wooden ones without double-glazed windows. This approach will significantly reduce the cost of construction.

With the help of simple and simple tips, your country home will be ready for use in less than a month. Those who do not have enough time for construction can contact a construction company, which will offer to build a turnkey cottage for an affordable price.

A few words about the interior

No matter how the house looks from the outside, the inside of the country house must meet all the requirements of modern times. Gone are the days when dacha dwellings were used for cooking and sleeping.

Relaxing at the dacha means, first of all, comfort and organization inside the house. There are many budget-friendly ways to satisfy your most desired interior design needs.

Country - rustic style in the interior. Here you can’t do without cabinets and shelves covered with curtains with embroidery. Crocheted napkins, tablecloths and rugs made from old clothes will look good.


Good day, dear users of the site. The warm season is approaching and we cannot sit at home. Either gardening or cleaning garden plot. And you never know what worries you have on your plot in a village, town or country house. Sometimes, after righteous labors, you just want to sit down and relax, drink tea or coffee, listen to music, and so on. In your yard, you can simply take out chairs and sit, or it is better to build a structure specially equipped for relaxation. Therefore, I would like to present to your attention another summer guest house. This building is ideal for summer holiday, and even in the cold season, if you install a stove in it, it will be quite cozy. The assembly process is quite simple and will not be difficult for those whose hands grow from the right place.

To begin with, the author of this building prepared a place for the construction of the structure. I started, as usual in such cases, from the foundation. The author made a columnar foundation. Each column required eight foundation blocks. This is what the finished foundation looks like. Easy to build and not very expensive. Bricks can be used instead of foundation blocks.


The author's next step is tying, i.e. erection of the foundation of a future structure on the foundation. For this, the author used a beam with a section of 150x150 mm. Before installation, treat the timber with fire protection.


After we have tied the foundation, we install more between the main bars. This is for the floor. Next, the author begins to lay the floor itself.



Please note that when making the floor, the author does not place it in the front part of the building, since there will subsequently be a small terrace with a porch there. The author decided to insulate it immediately, without erecting walls. For this I used Izospan B, 5 cm insulation.


Further, after the author has covered the “sub-floor” with insulation, he lays the main floor on top of it.


Next, the wall frame is assembled and installed on the base.



Next, the author installs ready-made doors, upholsters the frame of the walls on the outside with isospan and trims everything with imitation timber.


This is what the walls look like from the inside at this stage of construction.


The next step is preparing the roof. The author puts insulation and sews everything up with boards.


After the author has prepared the ceiling, he assembles and installs skates on the roof. He fastens them with construction corners.



Next, boards are nailed for subsequent installation of insulation and roof tiles on them.


After all the boards are filled, we insulate the roof on top with isospan-D


Now the author begins to insulate the interior of the future guest house. For this, materials such as Izospan A, insulation, and lining are used.