A rusticasa® house is a timber building designed and manufactured to meet each client’s requirements. We do not work with rigid standard models: each project is developed according to the brief, the architecture, the characteristics of the site, the local climatic conditions and the chosen finishes.
Since 1978, rusticasa® has developed and manufactured industrialised timber construction systems, bringing together engineering, design, manufacturing, assembly and after-sales service within a single company.
We currently offer four construction systems:
Whichever system is selected, every building is engineered for the specific conditions of its location and manufactured under controlled conditions at our facilities.
The choice of timber species depends on its function within the building, the exposure conditions and the desired finish.
For structural applications, we mainly use Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies), selected and graded in accordance with the requirements applicable to structural timber. When used outdoors, such as in certain types of decking, pine may be pressure-treated in an autoclave to increase its resistance to biological agents.
Depending on the construction system and application, Scots pine, Norway spruce and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) are used for walls, cladding and finishing elements. Japanese cedar is grown in the Azores, particularly on the island of São Miguel, and is distinguished by its light weight, dimensional stability, natural durability and aesthetic qualities.
For internal flooring, we offer multilayer oak flooring or Scots pine floorboards.
rusticasa® favours timber sourced from responsibly managed forests and, whenever applicable, uses raw materials carrying PEFC or FSC forest certification.
Every rusticasa® house is individually designed, so its price cannot be determined solely by its floor area. As a general indication, supply and assembly usually cost between €1,300 and €1,600/m², excluding VAT.
This range does not constitute a quotation. The final price depends on several factors, including:
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the indicative price does not include the land, design work and fees, foundations, utility infrastructure, external works or other work for which the client is responsible.
To determine an accurate price, the project, construction site and precise scope of the contracted work must be assessed. The commercial proposal issued by rusticasa® provides a detailed description of the supplies and work included, together with the corresponding exclusions.
Yes. rusticasa® construction systems allow timber to be combined with glass, stone, ceramic materials, cork, plaster, steel, concrete and other materials, provided that the compatibility between the different solutions is properly assessed.
For example, large glazed surfaces, stone fireplaces, steel elements for spanning large openings, ceramic flooring and a variety of internal and external finishes can all be incorporated. Different roofing solutions may also be used, including ceramic tiles, slate, zinc or green roofs.
The combination of materials must take account of structural behaviour, dimensional movement, weathertightness and airtightness, moisture management, thermal bridging, fire safety and the durability of the connections. Each integration is therefore assessed as part of the design process and adapted to the chosen construction system.
Timber has a highly favourable strength-to-weight ratio. Because timber buildings are comparatively light, they are subjected to lower inertial forces than heavier structures. Their capacity to deform and the behaviour of their connections can also contribute to dissipating the energy generated by an earthquake.
However, good seismic performance does not result solely from the material used. It depends on the design of the entire structure, the configuration of the building, the bracing elements, the connections between components and the correct anchoring of the building to its foundations.
Each rusticasa® house is structurally designed according to the location of the project and the seismic actions prescribed by the applicable regulations. A rusticasa® building was also subjected to full-scale seismic testing at Portugal’s National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), as part of the European SERIES project dedicated to studying the seismic performance of buildings.
Yes. A rusticasa® house can incorporate fireplaces, fireplace inserts, wood-burning stoves, heat pumps, climate-control systems, radiators or underfloor heating.
The chosen solution must be incorporated into the design and coordinated with the structure, finishes and technical installations. In the case of fireplaces, fireplace inserts or wood-burning stoves, the applicable requirements for fire safety, ventilation, the discharge of combustion products, thermal insulation and safe distances from combustible elements must be observed.
The most suitable system depends on the location of the house, the thermal performance of the building, the available energy sources, the pattern of use and the occupants’ needs. The technical team at rusticasa® ensures that the selected solution is compatible with the relevant construction system.
rusticasa® has specialised in timber construction since 1978 and has more than 45 years of continuous experience in the sector.
Over this period, the company has completed more than 1,800 buildings, mainly in Portugal, Spain and France, as well as in other markets. This experience encompasses different construction systems, architectural approaches, climatic conditions and regulatory contexts.
More than simply a number of years or completed projects, this track record represents accumulated technical knowledge developed through monitoring buildings over time, improving manufacturing processes and continuously refining the construction systems. The integration of engineering, design, production, assembly and after-sales teams enables this knowledge to be retained and applied to every new project.
Yes. A timber house intended for residential use can be financed through a mortgage, provided that the project and property comply with the applicable legal, planning, technical and banking requirements. The use of timber as a construction material does not, in itself, prevent access to mortgage finance.
Approval always depends on the assessment carried out by the lender, which may consider, among other factors, the value of the land, the approved project, the valuation of the completed property, the construction quotation and contract, the guarantees provided and the client’s financial circumstances.
As industrialised timber construction may follow a different construction and payment schedule from a conventional building project, it is advisable to provide the lender with the contract, programme of works and payment schedule in advance. rusticasa® can provide the technical and commercial documentation relating to its supply, but the decision to grant finance and the applicable conditions remain the sole responsibility of the lender.
A building intended for residential use is generally subject to planning and building control, regardless of whether it is constructed from timber, concrete, masonry or any other material. The fact that a building is prefabricated, modular, transportable or capable of being dismantled does not, in itself, exempt it from these requirements.
The applicable procedure depends on the characteristics and location of the building, the local development plans in force and the relevant national and local regulations. Depending on the circumstances, the project may require planning permission, prior notification or another legally prescribed procedure.
Before developing the project or entering into a construction contract, the client should confirm the planning feasibility of the site and the applicable procedure with the relevant local authority, preferably with the assistance of the project architect. rusticasa® provides the technical documentation relating to its construction system required for the preparation and submission of the project documentation.
Like any building, a timber house requires regular inspection and maintenance. The frequency depends on its location, exposure to sunlight and coastal conditions, humidity, surrounding vegetation, the materials used and the chosen finishes.
The following measures are particularly recommended:
External timber surfaces should be inspected regularly, and their protective surface treatment renewed when their condition requires it. The frequency of application will not be the same on every façade: surfaces with greater exposure to sunlight, rain or coastal conditions will normally require more frequent attention.
Timely maintenance is simpler and more economical than repairing deteriorated elements. The specific instructions supplied with each building should take precedence over any general recommendation.
When properly designed, manufactured and assembled, a timber building offers advantages that directly benefit comfort, efficiency, construction time and the everyday use of the house:
These advantages do not result solely from the choice of timber. They depend on the quality of the design, materials, manufacturing, assembly, protection against moisture and maintenance. At rusticasa®, integrating the different stages of the process enables the properties of timber to be translated into tangible benefits for the building and its occupants.
A timber house that is properly designed, built and maintained can remain in use for many generations. The existence of timber buildings that are several centuries old demonstrates that durability depends less on the nature of the material than on appropriate construction detailing, protection against moisture and maintenance throughout the building’s life.
The most important factors affecting durability include:
Structures are designed for the design working life established by the applicable standards, generally 50 years for standard buildings. This period is a design reference that assumes the specified maintenance and does not constitute an expiry date, a commercial guarantee or a limit on the building’s actual service life.
With appropriate design and regular maintenance, a house can substantially exceed this reference period. Some of the first houses built by rusticasa® in the late 1970s and early 1980s remain in use today and are in a good state of repair.
Timber is a renewable raw material that can make a significant contribution to reducing the environmental impact of construction, particularly when it comes from responsibly managed forests and is used in durable buildings.
As trees grow, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Part of this carbon remains stored in the timber throughout the service life of the building. Processing timber also generally requires less energy than producing many mineral- or metal-based construction materials.
However, the sustainability of a house does not depend solely on its structural material. Its entire life cycle must be considered, including the origin of the raw materials, transport, manufacturing, the quantity of waste generated, energy performance during use, maintenance requirements, durability and the destination of the components at the end of their service life.
rusticasa® favours timber sourced from responsibly managed forests and, whenever applicable, uses raw materials carrying PEFC or FSC certification. Manufacturing under controlled conditions enables material use to be optimised, while the thermal performance of the construction systems helps reduce the energy required during the use of the house.
Durability also plays an essential role: the longer the building and its components remain in service, the lower the environmental impact associated with each year of use tends to be. This approach is supported by the rusticasa® environmental management system, certified to ISO 14001.
The thermal performance of a house does not depend solely on the timber or the thickness of its walls. It results from the combined performance of the entire building envelope: walls, roof, floors, glazed openings, construction junctions, airtightness, ventilation and solar protection.
Timber has relatively low thermal conductivity compared with materials such as steel or concrete, helping to limit thermal bridging. However, this property does not remove the need for insulation or for the thermal design of the building as a whole.
In the reference configurations currently documented, the external walls of the rusticasa® systems provide the following thermal resistance values:
The higher the thermal resistance, the greater the wall’s resistance to heat flow. These values relate to the reference wall assemblies and do not, on their own, represent the overall energy performance of the house.
For each project, the composition of the building envelope is assessed and, where necessary, adapted to the local climatic conditions and applicable regulatory requirements. A properly designed envelope helps provide more stable indoor temperatures, greater comfort and lower heating and cooling requirements.
Yes. rusticasa® does not work with a closed catalogue of standardised models. The houses and floor plans shown on the website are primarily intended to demonstrate architectural possibilities and provide inspiration for the development of new projects.
Each house can be designed or adapted to suit the needs of its occupants, the characteristics and orientation of the site, the local climatic conditions, planning regulations, the chosen construction system and the available budget. The project may be developed by the client’s architect or in collaboration with other appointed professionals.
Customisation can include the floor area and layout, the building’s form, the openings, the expression of timber within the interior, cladding, finishes and equipment. All choices must, however, be coordinated with the structural, thermal, acoustic, safety and manufacturing requirements.
Before preparation for production, the project is reviewed and adapted to the selected construction system. This allows architectural freedom to be combined with safety, performance and an efficient prefabrication process.
Timber is a combustible material, but the behaviour of a timber structure in a fire can be predicted and calculated. When a solid timber element is exposed to fire, a charred layer progressively forms on its surface, slowing the transmission of heat into the interior of the section.
The timber beneath this layer temporarily remains at a lower temperature and retains part of its load-bearing capacity. Structural calculations take into account the charring rate, the progressive reduction of the load-bearing section, the behaviour of the connections and the required period of fire resistance.
It is important to distinguish between two concepts:
Fire safety does not depend solely on the structural material. It results from the design as a whole, including compartmentation, finishes, protection of connections, technical installations, detection and alarm systems and evacuation provisions.
The structures of rusticasa® houses are designed in accordance with the fire-resistance requirements applicable to each project and the relevant provisions of Eurocode 5.
The timescale depends on the construction system, the size and complexity of the house, the level of finish, the location of the site and the production schedule of rusticasa®.
As a general indication, once the detailed design has been completed and approved, manufacturing the components in the factory takes an average of approximately two weeks. Assembly and the remaining work contracted to rusticasa® on site may take approximately six weeks. These periods vary according to the specific characteristics of each building.
The high degree of prefabrication allows a significant proportion of the work to be carried out under controlled conditions, reducing the time spent on site and limiting the exposure of materials to weather conditions.
These timescales do not include the development and approval of the designs, planning procedures, the construction of foundations and utility infrastructure or other work for which the client is responsible. Assembly can only begin once the foundations, site access and all other necessary conditions have been completed and verified.
The schedule applicable to each building is established in the quotation, the contract and the corresponding programme of works.
Although every project has its own characteristics, the construction process normally involves the following stages:
Some of these stages may take place in parallel, and their sequence may vary according to the project. The responsibilities of rusticasa®, the client, the design team and the other parties involved are identified in the quotation, contract and programme of works.
Before assembly begins, the site must be prepared and the foundations completed in accordance with the structural design, technical specifications and dimensional tolerances provided by rusticasa®.
Depending on the characteristics of the site and the project, the preparatory work may include:
This work is normally the responsibility of the client or contractors appointed by the client, unless expressly included in the rusticasa® quotation.
The foundations, infrastructure and service penetrations must be coordinated with the timber building before manufacturing begins. Verifying these conditions in advance is essential to prevent incompatibilities, delays and additional work during assembly.
In Portugal, for contracts concluded with consumers, liability for a lack of conformity in immovable property is governed by Decree-Law No. 84/2021 of 18 October.
Under this legislation, the professional is liable for any lack of conformity that exists when the property is delivered and becomes apparent within:
The liability of rusticasa® covers the materials, supplies and work included in the corresponding contract. Work carried out by the client or by other contractors is subject to the guarantees and responsibilities of the respective parties.
The guarantee does not replace proper use or maintenance of the building. Circumstances resulting from normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance, improper use, alterations carried out by third parties or external causes do not, in themselves, constitute a lack of conformity attributable to rusticasa®.
Any issue should be reported so that its origin, nature and contractual status can be assessed. For buildings constructed outside Portugal, the legislation of the country where the building is located and the terms of the corresponding contract apply.
In addition to its legal and contractual obligations, rusticasa® provides after-sales support and can offer inspection, maintenance and repair services throughout the service life of the building.
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