House types from A – Z: Features, definitions and advantages & disadvantages

You want to take the next step and are looking for a new property – preferably a house? Then you’ve come to the right place! There are so many different types of houses, it’s hard to choose, and it’s not easy to keep track of them all. We have listed all the house types below with brief definitions and a link to a comprehensive article for you. Get to know the different house types with their respective characteristics and find exactly the right house for you!

Tip. Are you looking for the perfect property for your future? Here you will find tips and necessary information for buyers: Buying a house

Bungalow: no stairs, one floor, flat roof & space

Many people know the word bungalow from the context of holidays. But bungalows are not only popular holiday homes, but also a possible choice for your own home. A bungalow is one thing above all: practical – and modern. This type of house is especially popular with young families, as it combines all living spaces on one floor and, especially due to the absence of stairs, does not pose a danger to children or senior citizens. Choosing the right house is certainly not easy, because it is an important decision that may affect your whole life. Here you can find out everything you need to know about bungalows.

• Bungalow

Semi-detached house: Living with direct neighbours & garden

The semi-detached housing solution can be a slightly cheaper alternative to whole houses. Often you don’t even have to compromise on living space. Rather, the space is saved around the house. As a result, semi-detached houses can save you money. Additionally, it could be that you share garden space with neighbor.

A semi-detached house promises the optimum living comfort with the area of a house at a lower price. Sounds very appealing in itself, but any other option, this concept also comes with its own positive and negative factors, which we will discuss in more detail later. However, for now, we’d like to tell you a little more about what the living spaces of a semi-detached house might look like.

• Semi-detached house

Single-family home: building, buying or renting

The traditional single-family home hasn’t been so traditional for a long time. Quite the opposite. The single-family house is rightly the most popular house form in Germany and is becoming increasingly modern. From the floor plan, to energy regulations, to the little extras. Your house is up to date. Especially for young families, this type of house is something very special, as this will usually be the first home of their own. Are you interested in building, buying or renting?

Of course, when you ask this question, you’ll think directly of a townhouse or duplex. However, this is not everything. A detached house can be much more than just standard. Especially if you are interested in a self-build, you should look into the latest and most modern standards. Here you can find out all about the advantages and disadvantages of a detached house, useful tips and everything you need to know, from the perfect plot of land to the correct energy regulations.

• Single-family house

Half-timbered house: renovation and historical charm in facade & co.

The rustic houses, which are especially widespread in Europe, have their own personal charm. Especially in the countryside and in villages, you can still find some of these historic buildings. But what looks so appealing to many from the outside can quickly be associated with high costs: renovation or even refurbishment are often necessary for a half-timbered house. But if a half-timbered house has been modernised or at least overhauled, it is an absolutely unique and magical piece.

In classic half-timbered houses, materials such as straw, clay and even calf’s hair were used not only to build a wall, but also to insulate it additionally. The most striking feature of half-timbered houses is the façade, in which the literal half-timbering – the beam construction of the house – is openly visible. Often the “work”, i.e. the wooden beams, is not plastered in the interior either, and accordingly a unique living atmosphere is offered. How you can protect yourself from too high costs and still fulfill your dream of a half-timbered house, we tell you here.

• Half-timbered house

Holiday home / weekend house: Living at the holiday resort with sea view

Who does not know it? You’ve simply fallen in love with a place and would love to spend every free minute there. But the workplace and the focus of life are simply too much anchored in the actual home. In such a situation the option of a holiday home opens up. Whether on the beach or by the lake – a holiday home or weekend house can be located basically anywhere.

Whether a holiday home or a holiday apartment is really suitable for you, if the property is not purchased for pure investment purposes, is determined above all by whether the chosen place pleases you and makes your heart beat faster with every visit. Criteria, characteristics, and the question of whether and how we try to answer you in the following article.

• Holiday home / weekend house

Prefabricated house: The quick dream of a house, construction phase, selection and more

What is actually a prefabricated house? This question is very difficult to answer, because this type of house is very diverse. Most providers have a large repertoire of prefabricated house types and you are spoilt for choice. Do you want to live in a detached house? In a housing estate or rather a bungalow? With a cellar, garage and garden? These are all important aspects that you should and can consider when planning your house. Because a prefabricated house is one thing above all: versatile. The main advantage is that there are no long and costly construction phases, because the house is literally already finished. Features and advantages & disadvantages you will find in the following article.

• Prefabricated house

Country house: land, garden and life with the closeness to nature

A country house is a residential building on an estate. The large property in a rural environment usually has a spacious garden. A country house does not only convince by its size and the free space but also by its rustic, romantic charm. But nowadays you can find the country house style more and more often in the city.

This country house style is determined by massive buildings with generous proportions. The house entrances are usually strikingly designed, but the long balconies, terraces, dormers and pavilions are also eye-catchers. Folding shutters, doors, windows and railings made of real wood ensure the perfect harmony of the house. Sometimes the property also includes a conservatory or a carport. Wood, rattan, stone and ceramics, natural materials are mainly used in country houses. The floors are tiled in warm colours. A tiled stove makes this country house cosy and warm – the warmth radiates throughout the entire living space of the house.

• Country house

Solid house: construction, durability & features

A solid house is the construction method of a house, in which a house is built according to the plan of an architect with solid building materials. Each house here becomes unique due to the individual wishes of the respective builder.

The opposite of a solid house is a prefabricated house: In a prefabricated house, the house is built according to the modular principle and consists of a wooden construction. The house is built brick by brick. The building materials are delivered to the construction site, where they are assembled into a finished house by specialist companies. The building materials used for walls and floors are aerated concrete, sand-lime bricks or goat bricks. The staircase and roof construction, on the other hand, is usually made of wood. Learn more about solid houses in the following article.

• Massive house

Terraced house: door to door with the neighbours, purchase price & Co.

Looking for an affordable home near the city? Then how about a terraced house? A terraced house is the perfect alternative between a city apartment and a house in the country. Low purchase price, small garden and/or a terrace in a friendly neighbourhood. We show you what makes a terraced house so attractive and why families and couples in particular like to settle in this type of house.

A terraced house is a row of individual houses which are built directly next to each other without any space in between. However, there is no access between the houses, so there is still the privacy of a normal house. Most of these houses have a minimum size of 160m².

• Terraced house

Beach house: House by the sea – the dream of a house on holiday

You love to listen to the sound of the sea, gaze at the starry sky while the sand tickles between your toes and you breathe in the salty sea breeze? Who says these classic holiday memories should only be part of vacations? Why live in a cramped rented apartment, expose yourself to daily exhaust fumes, and work out in a gym with concrete walls? In this day and age where mobile working has become the norm, Pilates and surfing on the beach are among our favorite activities, and the thirst for adventure is constantly on the rise, the beach house seems to have established itself as the new dream property par excellence. The beach house as an investment, vacation home or home of your own! Convince yourself!

• Beach house

Villa: Living in luxury with lots of space & garden

In the past, a villa, especially the city villa, was often used as a second or country house to be close to the city. This applied exclusively to the wealthier urban population. Nowadays, that has changed. City mansions are no longer used as second homes and are primarily occupied by many families. Meanwhile you have the possibility to renovate an old building or to build a new one. A special advantage is the large garden and the pool, which is often included. In this article you will learn everything important about villas. Buying, building, in a modern style or more traditional? You decide!

• Villa

Energy efficient building

1. Low-energy house
2. Zero-energy house
3. Passive House

Low-energy house: characteristic values, construction & requirements

Sustainable living is a trend that is becoming more and more prevalent and also enjoys state support. Therefore, the interest in environmentally conscious housing solutions is growing more and more. For this reason, we have decided to put together the most important facts about efficient living, so that you can decide whether a low-energy house could also be interesting for you.

Caution is advised when buying and renting a low-energy house, because: The term is not associated with specific requirements for the house! Only if one would like to make the housing unit energetically valid with KFW, certain requirements are made. These should meet a low-energy house in any case. What exactly these are, we will explain to you in more detail below.

• Low-energy house

Zero energy house: definition & advantages and disadvantages at a glance

Since November 2009 the long constructed idea of the zero energy house has become reality and more and more people are now dreaming of turning their own house into a zero energy house. Especially when buying a new home, this type of house has gained popularity. However, many do not know much about the term and simply associate it with sustainable living.

Zero-energy houses are small, building planning and energetic masterpieces. A zero-energy house is oriented in its standard value to the passive house. This means that it does not exceed the energy requirement of 15 kWh/sqm per year (regulation of the Passive House Institute Darmstadt) and also produces the consumed energy itself through photovoltaics and solar thermal energy. This means that a zero-energy house forms a completely self-sufficient entity and is not dependent on electricity purchases. What is actually behind this type of house, you will learn in the following article.

• Zero-energy house

Passive house: new construction, features and costs

Sustainable housing options are divided into different house options. Part of them are zero energy houses, low energy houses and also passive houses. You can also find detailed articles on other options in our magazine, but here we will only talk about the passive house for the time being.

A house is called a passive house as soon as it requires less than 15 kWh/sqm per year. This value is achieved through various measures in the construction of the house. Multiple glazed windows and high-quality insulation reduce the transmission heat loss and thus minimise heating costs.

• Passive House

What is a solid house? Features, durability and construction

A solid house is the construction method of a house, in which a house is built according to the plan of an architect with solid building materials. Each house here becomes unique due to the individual wishes of the respective builder.

The opposite of a solid house is a prefabricated house: In a prefabricated house, the house is built according to the modular principle and consists of a wooden construction. The house is built brick by brick. The building materials are delivered to the construction site, where they are assembled into a finished house by specialist companies. The building materials used for walls and floors are aerated concrete, sand-lime bricks or goat bricks. The staircase and roof construction, on the other hand, is usually made of wood.

On average, a house of this construction type has a lifespan of 100-120 years and is considered the older of the two construction variants. In terms of price, the average price for a square meter of a new building is 1,300 euros. for the pure construction costs without the land. There is no limit here for the upper price limit.

Tip. You want to learn more about risks and factors of building a house? Then take a look at our article on building a property! Here you will find expert videos that give you tips and tricks and information on important topics such as financing, equity & Co.

Are you looking for the right house? Then check out our guide! Here you will find definitions, meanings and lots of information: House types from A-Z

Room layout: room, space & unlimited possibilities

Since you can plan your solid house individually, the room layout of your house is completely up to you. Whether it’s a walk-in wardrobe, music room, open-plan kitchen or a house with a sauna – there are no limits to your wishes.

Advantages and disadvantages: Lifetime, individuality, costs & Co.

Even today, the majority of builders in Germany opt for an architect-designed house in solid construction. In the following two paragraphs you will find out which advantages and disadvantages this entails.

Advantages: high durability, individuality & own contribution

If you choose a solid house for the construction of your house, this will bring some advantages compared to a prefabricated house.

The biggest advantage and the reason why most builders choose a solid house is the great degree of individuality that is given to you. Size, floor plan, materials, shape and equipment of the house can be chosen at will.

The solid construction method influences the indoor climate and the air and moisture circulation inside the room through the material (concrete or stone). Other advantages of the building material are high sound and fire protection.

Up to 100 to 120 years of life – that’s what a solid house promises you. On average, three generations can live in this house. In contrast to a prefabricated house, this one is also more resistant to environmental influences such as flooding or heavy rain.

Solidity pays off not only in a long life span, but also in a possible later sale: Even after a few years or decades, a higher price can be achieved with a solid house than with a prefabricated house.

One way to save costs on a solid house is to do a lot of the work on the house yourself. Craftsmanship can thus reduce the costs of the craftsmen and also costs in the construction financing. The own work can be credited to you up to a certain point as equity.

• High degree of individuality (size, floor plan, material, equipment)
• Better indoor climate & air and moisture circulation
• High fire and sound protection
• Long service life
• Protected against environmental influences (flooding, heavy rain)
• Higher resale value
• Own contribution

Source: Massivhaus (Lukinski.de)

Disadvantages: long construction time, delays & high costs

Despite all the advantages, a solid house also brings negative aspects. The clarification of the financing should take place before the construction. If necessary, a possible subsidy programme can be claimed from credit institutions. Since financing of the new building and the rent of the past dwelling are parallel stemmed, this could be a good financial solution. Long periods of bad weather can cause delays in construction. This not only acts as a longer wait for the home, but also becomes an additional cost. This is where commitment interest can occur over a long period of time.

Many builders shy away from building a solid house because of the long construction time it takes to complete it. This construction time is often extended by long drying times of the components, this leads to the fact that the date of completion is delayed even further. Some stages of construction can only be completed depending on the weather such as work on the roof truss of the house.

For the construction of a solid house several different craftsmen are needed: Bricklayers, roofers, painters and tile layers are just the beginning. The coordination of these different craftsmen can be extremely difficult. Construction errors as well as compliance problems can easily occur.

• High investment
• Long construction time
• Delay of the construction
• Weather dependency
• Longer drying times
• Many different trades

For whom is a solid house suitable? Families, creative people & Co.

For whom is the solid house suitable? This solid house is suitable for large families, individualists and people who would like to use their house as an investment in the future. We show you here which target groups benefit from which aspects of the solid house.

Large families: house for several generations

A large family will find a dream home in a solid house. As the house has a long lifespan, this house can also be wonderfully bequeathed to future generations.

Individualists and creative people: house according to your wishes & needs

Is a solid house the right choice for you? You are the right candidate for a solid house if the individual plays a big role for you when building your house. Instead of a standard house, a house can be created according to your personal wishes and needs.

Developers who want to use a property as an investment

Since a solid house is in a significantly more expensive price segment than a prefabricated house, a solid house is more something for high earners. A solid house is also suitable for people who are looking for an investment and want to use the house later as an investment.

Construction of the solid house: what, when and how

Building a solid home can be done through three different ways: Through a developer, a general contractor, or independently.

The advantage of building through a developer is that you don’t have to worry about coordinating the construction work, as this is completely taken care of by the company. After the completion of the construction, the house will be handed over to you ready to move in.

When building with a general contractor, the coordination of the construction site is taken from you by the company. However, the land is usually not included in the service. As with building with a developer, you also have a contact person. Your contact person coordinates your schedule and ensures that the construction work is carried out correctly. The responsibility for the construction of the house is therefore in the hands of a third party.

The last option is to take the construction into your own hands and coordinate construction work and various necessary tradesmen yourself. Especially inexperienced builders should know that they face a great challenge here, because the construction of a solid house can be extremely complicated and stressful. Therefore, building a house on your own is only advised if you already have experience in the building trade. Wrong decisions can otherwise lead to a huge loss of money.

• Property developer: Coordination is completely taken over by the company, handover when the house is ready to move in, specific contact person
• General contractor: coordination of the construction site, land not included, specific contact person
• Independent construction: complete coordination on own responsibility, stress, experience needed

Duration of the construction of a solid house: from the basement to the roof

Building a solid house takes time, waiting times for drying out and drying through delay the time until the next step takes place. Another decisive factor is the weather. Usually the main construction phase is moved to the summer, so that most of the construction can take place in the warm and preferably without much rain. The first step in the construction of a solid house is the casting of the floor slab and the construction of the basement. The second step is the masonry of the walls and the construction of the intermediate ceilings. The roof and the interior fittings are the last step.

Selecting materials correctly: Concrete, brick, sand-lime brick

With a house built stone on stone, you have to choose between different materials. Brick is considered the classic building material and the oldest building block in the world. The advantage of this building material is the good heat and sound insulation and the short drying time. A low susceptibility to mold and a good fire protection are other positive aspects of the stone. However, it must be noted that certain types of brick are not suitable for load-bearing walls.

Aerated concrete is convincing due to its light weight with a high insulating effect. However, a high sound insulation is not given here. In addition, the bricks easily absorb moisture and require good protection against environmental influences.

You are well protected from noise with the heavy sand-lime brick. In addition, there is the high compressive strength and the insensitivity to the weather. Negative aspects are the poor thermal insulation and the costly processing.

Lightweight blocks are a combination of materials that combine the advantages of different materials. This material is made of cement with added pumice or expanded concrete. Robust and good heat and sound insulation – these are the advantages of lightweight blocks. The lack of frost resistance, however, requires supplementary protection against the weather.

• Brick: good heat and sound insulation, low susceptibility to mould, good fire protection, not suitable for load-bearing walls
• Aerated concrete: light weight, high insulating effect, high sound insulation, requires protection against environmental influences
• Sand-lime brick: high compressive strength, insensitive to weathering, poor thermal insulation, costly processing
• Lightweight brick: robust, good heat and sound insulation, lack of frost resistance

Mixture of prefabricated house and solid house: The prefabricated solid house

An alternative to the solid house is the prefabricated solid house. The prefabricated solid house is an intermediate form between the prefabricated house and the solid house. A prefabricated house with wooden construction can be selected from the catalogue. The house is then rebuilt with solid materials by a builder. However, the costs and construction time are based on the solid house and not on the prefabricated house.

Individual furnishing according to your taste

As individual as you can design your house from the outside, you can also adapt the interior to your individual taste. Different interior styles are waiting to be discovered by you and to fill your house with life. In our interior brand guide you will find numerous luxury brands and their homeware collections such as Dior Maison, Fendi or Armani Casa.

Also exciting: Our articles on the subject of room furnishing, as well as our comprehensive guide with the trendiest interior styles: Furnishing styles XXL.

You can find out more about prefabricated houses from the real estate experts at IHV – Die Immobilien Makler.

The different construction methods – From prefabricated houses to solid houses

Altogether there are three different construction methods. The three different construction methods are called prefabricated house, solid house and log house. But what are the differences between these three construction methods? What are the advantages and disadvantages? We explain to you the differences that are decisive for you, after all, investing in a house is a life decision and not just a casual decision.

Prefab house – Fast & Cheap

Basically one can say that the construction of a prefabricated house brings cost advantages in contrast to the other variants. The clients also benefit from an extremely short construction period. The sooner your house is finished, the sooner you can move into your new home with your offspring. If you now think that I benefit from a shorter construction time and at the same time have lower costs, then you are mistaken. Prefabricated houses are known for their high quality. But what material is the so-called prefabricated house made of? The wall construction usually consists of wood. If you want to be absolutely sure what you are investing in, you have the opportunity to look at exact samples of prefabricated houses beforehand.

Nevertheless, there are not only advantages but also disadvantages for the prefabricated house. As the name suggests, a prefab house is already “finished”. You therefore do not have much room for manoeuvre. Especially if you have planned to incorporate many of your own ideas into the construction of your house, you should reconsider whether the prefabricated house is the right variant for you. Many already know when they move into the new house that they want to sell it sometime in order to live somewhere else again. For this reason, you should be aware from the outset that a prefabricated house has lost considerable value when resold.

Advantages prefabricated house

• low construction costs
• fast construction time
• precise ideas through samples
• good insulation
• high quality

Disadvantages Prefabricated house

• not much design possibility
• low heat storage capacity
• lower value at resale

Solid House – Durable & Diverse

And what is the variant? Besides the prefabricated house, a solid house is a frequently chosen alternative. But what can be the reasons why someone decides to build a massive house? The massive house is famous for one aspect: longevity! Many builders decide to build a massive house because the value remains constant over a very long period of time. Should you decide to move out of your own home at any time, you have the opportunity to receive a similar amount for the house as you have spent. Another positive aspect is that the walls of a massive house store heat. The advantage of that: The house doesn’t cool down so quickly in winter and doesn’t heat up so quickly in summer. If it has always been your dream to make a significant contribution to the design of your home, then the massive house could be just right for you.

And what are the disadvantages of building a massive house? There are two major disadvantages and these are on the one hand the long construction period and on the other hand higher construction costs. “Time is money” is the motto of many people and that’s why this is an aspect you should keep in mind, no matter how much money you have earmarked for building your own home, the costs are interesting for everyone. You should therefore be aware when making your decision that the construction of a massive house entails higher costs than the construction of a prefabricated house.

Frequently Asked Questions about Solid Houses

• How expensive is a massive house?
• What does turnkey mean?
  Turnkey is the complete transfer of the finished house, so that you as tenant or owner can move in immediately.
• What is a massive house?
  “A builder, who decides for a property with 850 square meters and a massif house with a floor space of 150 square meters, must count [on] in the country wide average with costs at a value of approximately 320,000 euro on a property with 850 square meters.”

Advantages solid house

• longevity
• high value in case of resale
• high stability of value
• Scope of design

Disadvantages Massivhaus

• Long construction time
• High construction costs

Video: Prefab House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5SL-X2PbFA

Log cabin – single & stable

The log house (wooden house) is not quite as well known as the other two constructions. But wrongly, because the construction of the log house brings many advantages with it. Similar to the prefabricated house, the log house is also erected within a very short time and in addition it lasts a long time. In addition, the log house is usually built from the natural building material wood. This aspect not only protects the environment, as it is a renewable raw material, but also creates a special living atmosphere. As a rule, wood has the effect of making a living room look cosy and at home. Combined with a fireplace in winter, it creates a great living feeling. And you also have the opportunity to help design the log cabin yourself.

There are also some negative aspects for the log cabin. It is necessary that the walls of the wooden house are painted regularly. As a rule, this is a period of between 4 and 10 years during which the coating must be refreshed.

Advantages Log House

• quickly erected
• often stable
• natural building material
• atmosphere
• longevity
• Design possibilities

Disadvantages Log cabin

• regular painting
• Repairs are difficult