Eestipod Lifestyle

25 March 2026

On the Rise

London homes "overheating due to climate change" - BBC, 12 March 2026

Overheated homes: why the UK is dangerously..... - The Guardian, 10 August 2025

One-in-five homes not equipped to handle hot weather - Dr Ben Roberts Loughborough University


Recent headlines on the subject about how well prepared UK homes are to handle overheating in the summer as a result of increasing temperatures arising from Global Climate Change.


We present a brief overview on the subject in relation to the advantages a log building from Kontio in reducing overheating.


Building Regulations 2010

Overheating

Prior to the publication of this document, successive Approved Documents had striven to improve insulation in UK homes, that is homes in the UK were designed to retain heat.

Improvements in airtightness have only served to enhance the effects of overheating.

This document recognised the issue and laid down the regulations for mitigating overheating.

Conventional New Build

Brick & Block, Timber Frame...

The basic problem? Too much heat in, too little heat out and this did not just revolve around solar gain it included:

  • Electrical equipment
  • Human activity
  • Design failures
  • Airtightness
  • Urban heat island effect (densely built areas with asphalt and concrete).


Massive Wood Log Buildings

Kontio Buildings

Cooler in summer, warmer in winter or, more technically:
Summer Cooling
  • Daytime absorption - the logs serve as a battery storing heat
  • Nightime flushing - heat stored during the day is released slowly (windows open?)

Winter Warming

  • Daytime absorption - the logs serve as a battery, storing the heat
  • Evening heating - the heat stored in the logs during the day is slowly released (windows closed)

Kontio - the only massive wood log home manufacturer with SmartLog technology

Smartlog

SmartLog technology - non-settling logs, meaning second fix is able to progress once the building is weathertight, no waiting for traditional log settlement for items such as fitted kitchens, bathrooms and furniture.

THE ENVIRONMENT  I  SUSTAINABILITY  I  CARBON DIOXIDE

CARBON CAPTURE  I  CLIMATE WARMING  I  THERMAL MASS

LEARN MORE

Advantages of Kontio Massive Wood Timber Buildings

What are the key differences and possible issues with each method of the two main methods of construction compared with massive wood log buildings?

Timber Frame


Timber frame construction needs to be well designed to prevent cold bridging - any uninsulated elements can lead to cold bridging.

Where this occurs it can lead to heat loss. condensation and even mould growth leading to rot and higher heating costs. Airtightness can also be an issue as there are more components used in timber frame.

Button

Kontio Log Buildings


Massive wood log buildings offer superior thermal performance as a result of timbers naturally insulating cellular structure and higher overall mass, combined with low thermal conductivity.

The qualities of Kontio massive wood logs reduce the heating and cooling demand compared with masonary, timber frame and steel structures.

Button

Healthy Living Environment

It has been long recognised that massive wood timber log buildings present the most healthy of environments in which to live.

Longevity

The minimum expected lifespan in the UK for new build homes is 60 years, for Kontio log buildings it is 100 years.

Quick to Build

Once on site, a log building from Kontio can be weathertight in less than a month and is not delayed by weather other than high winds.

Less Waste, Fewer Trades

Shallower foundations - less spoil removal, no need for plastering, electrical and plumbing channels prepped in the factory....

Ready to get started ?

Call us on: 01932 800272