Metal newbuild homes cheaper than concrete in France
Building process is much faster and there are energy-efficiency gains too
Metal houses can be built within three months
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The sharp rise in the price of concrete block newbuilds has seen renewed interest in metal houses in France.
Built with either metal frames and wood-chip insulation board and fibre cement panel walls, or with insulated metal panels, the houses take only two to three months to build, resulting in prices 20% lower than concrete equivalents.
“From the road they look just like an ordinary bungalow, which make up most of the new houses built,” said Karim Crémont of Gillibert Constructions Métalliques in Charente.
“Of course, architects have used metal frame houses for years to build more fancy properties, where the strength of steel beams and posts lets them do designs you cannot do with other materials, but having an architect pushes up the cost.
“Most of our houses are a cheaper way for people to have their own home.”
Building a house with metal starts with digging and setting concrete and steel bases for the main uprights.
Once these have set, the posts are raised into place and bolted to the settings and to each other.
“Only once this is done do we move to the floor base, which allows greater flexibility in arranging all the conduits for plumbing and electricity,” said Mr Crémont.
His plans for a basic house of 130m2 have been evaluated by technicians who handle planning applications for communes.
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Metal houses are energy-efficient
“They were very happy with the look, which is similar to most modern bungalows, and also very happy in that we easily met the insulation and energy requirements in the new RE2020 regulations – insulated metal panel walls are very energy-efficient,” he said.
“Most people have plasterboard finishes on the inside and opt for heat pumps, because it is the heating method the government has decided is best for the environment.”
Estimates are that metal framed houses now make up 10% of newbuilds in France, with price being a driving factor.
“Prices are lower, not so much because the materials are cheaper, but because we can put up a house, ready to move into, in two or three months with good weather, where concrete block houses usually take at least nine months,” said Mr Crémont.
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How much do metal houses cost?
“You need good coordination between us, the builders and the electricians and plumbers and we have the experience and teamwork to make that happen.”
Prices for building new basic bungalows out of concrete blocks in France are usually between €1,000 and €1,500 per m2. Mr Crémont’s metal offerings start at €800 per m2.
His firm is a family business, with Mr Crémont the third generation to run it.
Until now it has specialised in farm buildings and industrial units. As well as houses, he has also recently branched out to solar panel installations.
“I have been thinking about how to build metal houses for eight years,” Mr Crémont said.
“When a couple of friends were interested in building their own home, I helped them do so, working out the techniques as I did so.
“I have had some nasty remarks from traditional builders, but it does not worry me. I see a way of helping people build their own homes.”
