The future is wooden

Vivek Bhatter knows that the unfamiliarity element in his venture can pitch beams of doubt in the minds of potential clients, but the Delhi entrepreneur vouches for the safety and sustainabili
Wooden houses are not just about the looks, they are cool in summers and warm in winters.
Wooden houses are not just about the looks, they are cool in summers and warm in winters.

Vivek Bhatter knows that the unfamiliarity element in his venture can pitch beams of doubt in the minds of potential clients, but the Delhi entrepreneur vouches for the safety and sustainability of houses he assures can be built in a week’s time. No iron rods, no cement plaster, no steel railings. Even as their prices are flying through the roof, people customarily go for concrete dwellings—a fact that frustrates the director of Satvik Collections in the national capital.

That’s why Bhatter says it isn’t a bad idea to invest in a wooden house next time. “Because this concept is still new to cities, it will take some time for people to acquaint themselves with the idea. But once they understand the durability and sustainability of these houses, they will be in huge demand,” says the innovator, whose company is among the very few that builds such houses in the country.

On the bright side, Bhatter notes that a multitude of advantages of the ‘green abodes’ treated with modern wood technologies is slowly making people more aware of the changing trends—and the need to make use of them. In fact, his city and his periphery have lately been witnessing an increase in the construction of such houses. Made of rich kiln-dried Canadian spruce wood that conforms to all relevant European regulations, these houses don’t compromise on quality.

It’s something that its users too gladly point out. “Visitors at my house,” notes Reena Gupta, who owns a house in Chhatarpur, “have really appreciated the warm and earthy feel of our home. Even by the looks, it has become far more beautiful compared to the concrete home we had earlier.” Rajat Kumar, another resident of the same area, south of Delhi, feels his house is as sturdy as the usual ones. “For one, they can be easily installed. They render a great feel not just in summers; during winters they keep the house warm,” he gushes. “Not to forget, my house’s different appearance fetches us all the attention in the neighbourhood.”

So far in Delhi, such houses have been built in farm areas like Chhatarpur besides in upscale Green Park, but many more are scheduled to come up around them. Their maintenance is hassle-free, according to Bhatter, as the only requirement is a concrete plinth on which these houses are installed. “Apart from that, the client does not have to bother about even a single piece of nail being used in the house,” he says.

The house not only proves to be an energy saver; they also have a anti-fire coating and are cent per cent waterproof and quake-resistant. “Not once were we asked for any materials or labour during the construction,” notes Gupta. “And before we knew, the house was ready to use. To be precise, in just four days.”

As for the imported Canadian wood, the good part about that North American country’s law is that, for every tree uprooted/cut for house construction, the owner will first have to plant two trees. In other words, these houses only add to the green cover. “I would encourage people to invest in this endeavour,” says Anita Mishra, an environmentalist who owns such a house.

With a 50-year guarantee against any manufacturing defect, these houses are being booked by the day. “The response has been overwhelming these days,” says Bhatter. “We’ve already installed around 50 houses in various parts of India. Like, Coorg in Karnataka, Ashtamudi in Kerala’s Kollam, Jammu, Srinagar, Goa, Delhi and Ahmedabad.” The client has an option to choose their model from the comprehensive designs book—one can suggest layout changes as per requirement.

Keeping aside the challenges like the availability of only a few unskilled professionals with an expertise in the construction of such houses, the good news is that the construction doesn’t seem to be deterred by anything. So, if you have an outlandish streak in you and want to do your bit for the environment, owning a wooden house is definitely the way to go.

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