Japanese houses compared to European ones

[Maciamo]

The point people seem to be missing is that old homes are only uncomfortable because few people ever bother to take care of them. By renovating them you can give them all the comforts of a modern home while preserving their traditional appearance and durability.

If that would be true in Western countries for brick or stone houses, it doesn't work that well with wooden traditional Japanese houses, as wood can't be insulated that well (can't imagine double-glazing on a wooden house ), and I question how one could install central or floor heating in such a house.

[senseiman]

If that would be true in Western countries for brick or stone houses, it doesn't work that well with wooden traditional Japanese houses, as wood can't be insulated that well (can't imagine double-glazing on a wooden house ), and I question how one could install central or floor heating in such a house.

I'm not sure about the technical aspects of it, but I read an article in the Japan Times a few months ago that said it was possible. There is even a magazine (in Japanese) devoted to the subject, the places look absolutely remarkable. Its not just minor tinkering with the inside we are talking about here, they essentially tear the place down and then completely rebuild it. As it is, most of the ****** new places going up these days actually do have wood frames, so it must be possible.