Ekodom 50 vs Ekodom 110 – Overview of popular family models

8 min read

Why choosing the right size is the financial decision of the decade

Let's be blunt: most people overestimate their living space needs and underestimate running costs. Every square meter costs money – not just at the construction stage, but for the next 30 years of heating and cleaning. On the other hand, no one wants to wake up in five years in a house that feels like a cramped cage for growing teenagers. This is the moment to turn off emotions and turn on the calculator.

Your goal is to find the golden mean. A functional room layout is not just a catchy slogan from a developer's catalog; it is a guarantee that you won't be tripping over children's toys in the living room. In my line of work, I've seen dozens of investors who regretted building "palaces," but also those who skimped too much on square footage. Today, we compare two radically different approaches to the modern barn concept.

Ekodom 50 - Precision on a narrow plot

Let's start with the smaller player. Ekodom 50 isn't just a small house. It is an engineering masterpiece of space optimization. If you have a narrow plot (which are usually cheaper and harder to develop), this model, with a width of just 5 meters, fits without any issues. Furthermore, its building footprint is 35 m², which in many regions simplifies administrative procedures significantly.

What do you get for the price? It's not a garden shed. It is a fully-fledged, year-round house with insulation standards that rival brick buildings. We are dealing with a timber frame construction using certified C24 wood, filled with 200 mm of wool in the walls and roof. It's like a thermos. It keeps warmth in during winter and prevents overheating in summer.

Key features of the model 50:

  • Less Bureaucracy: Compact footprint often allows for simplified notification procedures (depending on local laws).
  • Flexibility: Variants in usable floor area allow for mezzanine manipulation.
  • Fast ROI: Ideal for short-term rental or as a starter home for a couple.
  • Design: A miniature modern barn – looks more expensive than it costs.

Ekodom 110 - For a family with bigger needs

Now let's look at the other end of the spectrum. Ekodom 110 is the answer to the question: "Where will I fit three kids and a dog?". Here, we don't play with compromises. This is a house design with an attic offering over 100 square meters of usable floor space. This is the league where everyone gets their own room, and there are no queues for the only bathroom in the morning because there are two.

Model 110 enters the market with a strong impact: a building footprint of 70 m². This provides a massive leap in daily living quality. You have a living room with a kitchenette acting as the heart of the home, but you also have 4 or 5 bedrooms. That's a powerful difference.

Why consider this model?

  • Living Space: Over 105 m² of usable area is a standard that satisfies the needs of a 2+3 family.
  • Privacy: Two bathrooms are an absolute necessity for a larger household.
  • Economies of Scale: The cost per square meter in a larger house is often more favorable than in a smaller one.

Living on 50 m² vs. 100 m²

This is the moment where theory meets practice. Many people ask if a family of 4 (2+2) can fit into an Ekodom 50. The answer is: it depends on your discipline. The model 50 with two bedrooms requires minimalism. Every item must have its place. The living room with a kitchenette is cozy, but you won't host a lavish party for 20 people there.

In Ekodom 110, the situation is completely different. Here, the functional layout allows for lifestyle zoning. The ground floor can be bustling with life (living room, kitchen), while the upstairs (bedrooms) remains a quiet zone. Additionally, the technical room in model 110 is a treasure – the washing machine, dryer, heat pump, or recuperator don't have to clutter the bathroom.

FeatureEkodom 50Ekodom 110
Usable Area40 m² - 50 m²105.08 m²
Bedrooms24 or 5
Bathrooms12
Ideal forSingles, couples, investors (rental)Families (2+2, 2+3)
Key AdvantageNarrow plot, simplified processComfort, space, privacy

Construction Costs: Small House vs. Investment in Space

Let's talk money. The construction costs of a small house are nominally lower, obviously. Ekodom 50 in the developer standard is an expenditure of around €57,000 Net (plus foundation). That's the price of a studio apartment in a medium-sized city, but you get a detached house. The entry threshold is low, making it accessible for people without massive credit capacity.

However, Ekodom 110, costing approximately €102,000 Net, offers more than twice the space for less than double the price. Calculated per 1 m² of usable area, the larger house offers better value. You pay once for logistics, once for the crew, and gain volume. If you have the credit capacity, Ekodom 110 is a better "value investment."

Running Costs

Construction is a one-time expense; operation is for life. A small single-story house like Ekodom 50 can be heated very easily. With such small cubic volume and 200 mm insulation, energy demand is minimal. Often, air conditioning with a heating function or simple infrared mats are sufficient. Monthly costs can be ridiculously low.

Ekodom 110 involves a larger volume to heat, but also a better ratio of external partitions to volume (thanks to the compact shape with an attic). Nevertheless, bills will be higher. It requires a more advanced heating system (e.g., a heat pump) to keep costs in check. However, with the use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), which we offer, losses are minimized.

Construction Quality

Regardless of whether you choose the offer for a small or large house, System-S makes no quality compromises. We do not use "wet lumber from a nearby sawmill."

The technical specification for both models is identical and uncompromising:

  1. Structural Timber: C24, chamber-dried, four-side planed. This guarantees the house won't "work" uncontrollably, cracking the plasterboards.
  2. Insulation: Mineral wool with lambda 0.039 W/m*K. 150 mm within the frame + 50 mm on the installation grid. This eliminates thermal bridges.
  3. Windows: 3-pane glazing. In a modern barn where glazing is extensive, this is an absolute necessity to prevent interior cooling.

Who is Ekodom 50 the only right choice for?

Choose Ekodom 50 if your priority is financial freedom and minimalism. If your plot is 12-15 meters wide, a larger house simply won't fit according to most building codes. It is also an ideal option for seniors (downsizing) who don't want to clean 100 meters and run up and down stairs, especially if choosing the single-story variant without a mezzanine. It's a house for people who spend their lives outdoors and come home to sleep and eat.

When does Ekodom 110 win hands down?

If you have a family of 4 or plan to expand your family, Ekodom 50 will be a temporary solution. Kids grow, and their spatial needs grow exponentially. Ekodom 110 is a destination home. It is a sanctuary. If you work from home (home office), you need a separate study, which simply cannot be carved out in the 50 model without losing the living room. Choose 110 if you value peace and quiet and don't want to hear the dishwasher while watching a movie in the upstairs bedroom.

What are the realization stages? From dream to keys

The process in both cases is similar, which is good news. As the manufacturer, we take on the burden of prefabrication and assembly. We arrive, erect the frame, close it up, insulate it, and hand it over in the developer standard. Your task is "only" (and as much as) the interior finishing – flooring, painting, bathroom installation. This gives you control over the final finishing budget.

Summary - Your Move

There are no bad houses, only mismatched choices. The small single-story Ekodom 50 is a master of economy and cleverness. Ekodom 110 is the king of comfort and family stability. Look at your finances, look at your plot, and ask yourself: where do I see myself in 10 years? If you still have doubts, contact us. We will help you calculate every option.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

The Ekodom 50 has a building footprint of 35 m². In many jurisdictions, such a size may allow for simplified construction procedures (e.g., for recreational use or guest houses), but regulations for permanent residences vary by country and municipality. Always check your local zoning laws.

Heating costs for the Ekodom 110 will naturally be higher due to double the cubic volume. However, thanks to the same high-quality insulation (200mm mineral wool) and the option to install mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), the house remains highly energy-efficient.

It is possible, but it requires compromises. Ekodom 50 features two bedrooms. For a family of 4, this typically means children share a room or parents sleep in the living area. For the full comfort of a 4-person family, we recommend the Ekodom 110 model.

The assembly process of the timber frame structure is very fast. Once the foundation is prepared by the investor, the assembly itself to the developer standard usually takes from a few to several weeks, depending on the chosen model and weather conditions.

Yes, timber frame technology allows for some flexibility. We can adapt the layout of partition walls to your individual needs during the design adaptation phase, provided it does not interfere with the building's load-bearing structure.
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