Sustainability and environment
Wooden houses have long been a tradition in Sweden. Sommarnöjen is proud to continue the tradition. But we want to do it in a way that takes the future generations who will one day take over our houses into account.
There are many considerations to take into account when building houses. Building genuinely environmentally friendly also makes it more complex. There are pros and cons to every choice, especially if you take several kinds of sustainability into account – ecological, social and economic. The material may be renewable, but needs to be transported far – is it then ecologically sustainable? And how are people affected by the materials that are extracted?rnFor Sommarnöjen, sustainability and the environment are important. Being aware of the impact we have on the environment. In this way we ensure that we have the knowledge required to improve. Being open about it we consider self-evident.
Minimal transportation
When you build a house it usually takes place at the site where the house will stand. Then materials are transported there in batches, from different suppliers and timed for when they will be used. The various craftsmen required for a finished house – carpenters, electricians, plumbers, tinsmiths, roofers – travel to the job daily. Vacation homes are often built in nature, a bit away from the towns where materials are bought and the craftsmen live. Therefore there are many transports, for both people and materials. And almost always by car. It is not the most environmentally friendly construction process. With Sommarnöjen it looks different.rnThe majority of our turnkey houses are built entirely finished in our factory. Then all material is transported to one place where it is assembled in a protected environment. The staff live close to the factory. Building entirely in a factory means that CO₂ emissions from the transports decrease dramatically compared to other construction methods. Our staff also get to work close to their homes and have increasingly more predictable time with their families.rnFrom our factory our houses are delivered with a single transport. Key in the door. Your vacation home does not become a worn construction site, as the house is smoothly lifted into place with a crane. Gentle on the environment, both globally and locally.rn
Discerning material choices
We try to use materials that are natural, non-toxic and renewable. The materials we choose of course also meet Swedish building requirements. The façades are painted with tar vitriol or natural slurry paint. Our paints do not contain plastic or copper, which can be harmful to aquatic organisms. In all choices of materials and products we choose the more environmentally friendly alternative, such as eco insulation made from recycled glass.rnWood is the consistent material in all our houses. The timber, which is used for floors, interior and exterior walls, consists of pine. A solid wood material. Besides being a renewable material, wood binds carbon dioxide in the house’s walls and floors.rnOver time, life begins to wear on houses regardless of how solidly they are built. Therefore we design our houses with consideration for how they should function when they have lost their shine and something breaks. Solid floors are sanded when they become worn and other parts can be replaced. You should not need a new house for everything to work. The longer the house can stand, the better for the planet and for those who have the vacation home as a second home.rn
Homes that change with you
Our homes have open floor plans, with large spaces and often with functions placed smartly along the walls. Partly because it is functional, but also so the houses can be adapted to needs, remodeled and extended. Because we know that needs change over time. We also know that houses with good proportions and balanced forms are appreciated across generations. Houses built with care and with natural materials are not ones you want to replace. Memories have settled into the walls.rnGoing forward we want to create houses that become even greener and to make it easy for our customers to make environmentally friendly choices. Therefore we continue to develop stylish and climate-smart options. Refine materials and equipment. Simplify processes. One vacation home at a time.rnrn