In the Czech Republic, interest in timber constructions is growing; this year it will change

photo: molo architects

Brno - While the Czech construction industry as a whole has not yet hit rock bottom since the beginning of the economic crisis, the timber construction segment has been growing since the mid-1990s. In 1997, 87 wooden family houses were completed in the Czech Republic, while last year there were around 1500. This was stated by Vratislav Blaha, vice chairman of the Association of Suppliers of Prefabricated Houses (ADMD), at the construction fairs which started today in Brno. Nevertheless, the industry expects a decline for the first time this year.
    "This year, I estimate that there will also be a year-on-year decline in the realization of houses in the Czech Republic among timber house manufacturers, by 15 to 20 percent, which means by 200 to 300 houses," said Blaha.
    According to him, the reason is the uncertainty of customers. People prefer to save and rely on the fact that economic recovery will only occur next year. "Let’s hope that it won’t take long and the situation will turn for the better," said Blaha.
    He believes that the sector still has prospects. For example, in Austria, up to 30 percent of family houses are timber constructions, and this share is even higher in Scandinavia. Last year in the Czech Republic, out of a total of about 14,400 new building starts for all family houses, the share of timber constructions reached around ten percent.
    "We do not have such goals as the standard in Scandinavia. We will be happy if, in ten years, the share of timber constructions in the industry is between 15 and 20 percent," said Blaha.
    According to him, acquiring a timber construction is about as financially demanding as a traditional wooden house. However, timber construction saves the owner money on energy costs. The speed of construction is also an advantage, with rough construction taking place within days.
    Today, more than a hundred companies work in the sector in the Czech Republic. Besides them, there are still many smaller companies on the market, up to various carpentries. "With these companies, while the customer saves on acquiring the house, it will reflect on quality in the future. Large companies have resolved construction details," said Blaha.

Numbers of completed apartments in timber constructions

Year	1997	2010	2011	2012 (estimate)	2013 (estimate)
Timber constructions	87	1358	1496	1500	1200-1300

Source: Association of Suppliers of Prefabricated Houses (ADMD)