Learn About A-Frame Homes

What are A Frame Homes?

An A-frame home is shaped as a triangle or a letter A. Four walls begin from the foundation and finish at an angle. A-frame houses are typically smaller, around 1,000 square feet. Although the sides are sloping, there might be large windows on the back. The wall in front is where the shining point is and is made up of windows or other types of glass.

For years A-frames have been popular worldwide, including in Japan's Shirakawa go village and in Switzerland's ski chalets. In addition to their aesthetic appeal these buildings that slope are simple practical, since the steeply pitched roof releases snow and lets rain evaporate off the roof with ease.

A-Frame Unique Look

There was a huge fanfare over the old-fashioned look of the A-frame, especially when surrounded by picturesque landscapes. A-frames quickly appeared on the most remote land parcels and appeared on the pages of magazines and newspapers.

A-Frame Unique Look
The pros and cons of A-Frame Cabins

The pros and cons of A-Frame Cabins

This style is sought-after for many reasons, not just its aesthetics. It is important to keep in mind that the A-frame's design doesn't offer stunning views of trees or a warm corner fireplace. There are also some sacrifices to make in choosing it over a conventional home form.

The advantages of buying an A-frame home

A-frame homes are practical particularly in snowy or windy locations. The steep roofs effortlessly shed snow and rain and block strong winds, therefore, they are as robust in a midwestern forest as they are in a beachside village. Another advantage of A-frame homes is that their straightforward design can be built with just two people. Although it's not difficult to construct the frame, you should seek out an architect should your plans have special features in mind or maximize the space within. You'll require electricians and plumbers to make the house ready to be habitable, particularly if it is in an undeveloped area.

The advantages of buying an A-frame home
Negatives to an A-Frame House

Negatives to an A-Frame House

A-frame homes usually have less interior space than a similarly sized home because the walls on the exterior are steeply sloped. This leaves a bit of awkward, unused space toward the roof of the home but this area can be used as a loft or storage. It's hard to get onto the A-frame roof to fix the shingles on one side, or patch leaks due to the sloped side walls. Many homeowners opt to install metal roofing instead. Another problem is the massive amount of roof space. This type of home is equipped with 20% more wall space and energy bills may be higher if the walls are not properly insulated.

What is the construction cost of an A-Frame house?

The price for building an A-frame home is around $150,000 for an 1,000 square-foot house. This type of house costs around $100 to $200 per square foot for construction materials and labour. $400 to $600 per square foot when you want to build a vacation cottage home. Prefabricated A-frame kits are also available and can be purchased for about $37,000 to complete the inside and out setup. These kits are less expensive upfront , but require assistance from a professional and additional costs to install electric and plumbing.

What is the construction cost of an A-Frame house?