Timber Frame Facts

Fact #25  – The terms timber frame and post and beam are often used interchangeably.  Timber frames, however, tend to refer to mortise and tenon joined timbers, while post and beam can refer to timbers joined with metal fasteners.  There are post and beam homes joined with joinery, but a frame joined with metal plates and other metal fasteners is seldom referred to as a timber frame.

Fact #26 – Numerous studies have shown timber frames to have structural benefits that withstand seismic activity better than other types of construction.

Fact #27 – Timber frames are raised and stand alone and are structurally sound with our without enclosure systems.

Fact #22 – Timber Frames are not log homes. Logs depend on horizontal members for their structure and strength.  Timber frames are built using age old timber joining techniques for vertical and horizontal timbers.

Fact #23 – There is no such thing as a fake timber frame.  It either is a timber frame or it’s not a timber frame.  Boxing beams and hanging beams from conventional framing is not a structural technique.

Fact #24 – Timber Frames can become additions to existing structures of any type.  It is not uncommon to add a great room, master bedroom, or outdoor living space to a conventionally framed home.

Fact #19 – Most timber frame companies work  closely with engineers to make sure that the structure meets or exceeds local building codes.   That timber frames are sustainable is evident in the history of building.

Fact #20 -  Early timber frames, dating back to 5000 to 6000 BC, survive in England and Scotland.

Fact #21 – There are timber frame buildings in France dating to the 12th century that are still in use today.

Okay, the hard facts are out there.  Now let’s get a little more creative with our facts.

Fact # 16 – Timber frames are “nailed” with wooden pegs.

Fact #17 – Timber frames are easy to decorate for Christmas.  Those beams and pegs just beg to be lit and swagged and decked with all sorts of decorations.

Fact #18 – Timber frames offer the opportunity to have cozy, private spaces without walls.

Fact #13 –  People who live in timber frames are happier (okay, so I made this up using my own data).

Fact #14 – Timber frames help to meet green certification requirements.  Building with rapidly renewable timbers, using energy efficient panels, minimizing site waste.

Fact #15 – Timber frames are naturally more fire resistant.  Heavy timber is recognized by fire codes (even in places where fire is a major hazard…like California) as a safer building product.

The fact is…

Fact #10 – Timber frames are honest.  Their integrity is there for all to see in the timbers and the joinery.

Fact #11 – Timber frames offer design opportunities that aren’t easy (if possible) to accomplish with other forms of construction.   The post and beams provide structure that is natural and not forced.

Fact #12 – A timber frame can be designed in any style…a Tudor (or half timbered home), a bungalow or cottage, a lodge, a farmhouse, a colonial, or a contemporary home.   The possibilities are endless.

The advantages of timber frames are many.  Let’s move forward with facts that support that statement.

Fact #7 – Daylighting is easy in a timber frame.  Because the structure is supported on the posts, your options are open to have windows wherever needed.

Fact #8 – The same joinery used in fine furniture and construction for centuries is the joinery still used in timber frame construction.  Whether dovetails, mortises and tenons, or scarf joints, the details would have been the same in a centuries old timber frame and one cut today.

Fact #9 – The same tools used to craft timber frames through the ages are standard in every timber frame shop today…whether a handcrafted shop or a shop using  computer numerical controlled  (CNC) equipment.  You’ll find chisels and mallets used to finish joinery.

Facts are easy when you are discussing a craft that hasn’t changed much through the centuries.

Let’s continue the list of facts, not fiction,  about timber frames.

Fact #4 – Timber frames, with their point loaded design, allow easier renovation and remodeling, if needed.  There are no bearing walls that must be accounted for in the process.  This flexibility might not seem important, but try opening up a wall in a stick-framed home and you get into headers and engineering.  Not so with timber frames.

Fact #5 – Timber frames can be built with a wide variety of woods.  The timber will be sized according to the properties of that particular species. Decisions should be based on availability, aesthetics, and the design of the timber frame.

Fact #6 – Timber frames are still timber frames, whether they are cut by hand or with a machine.  While there are subtle differences, the joinery is the same joinery used for centuries.

More facts to follow.

While all timber framers want to tell how wonderful timber frames are and how you life will be much better if you live in one, we need to know the facts.  Just the facts, thank you very much. So I will begin a series of short posts with timber frame facts.  No hype and no hyperbole.

Fact #1 – Timber frames are built from a renewable resource.  Wood does literally “grow on trees”.

Fact #2 – Timber frames are built with wood that is minimally processed. This is environmentally responsible.

Fact #3 – Timber frames will last for centuries.

So that’s the start of these facts.   Let’s see where it goes.

As David and I have researched the products that will go into our new home, we’ve gone back through the articles and ads that drew our interest and looked at products that are often not quite mainstream.   The common denominator to these products is that they are 1) energy efficient, 2) convenient, 3) comfortable.

We are looking hard at LG’s washer/dryer combination.  What a novel idea…put the clothes in dirty and take them out dry and ready to wear.  No more …”oh, I forgot to put that load in the dryer”.  This is a solution that is long past overdue.

Of course, radiant floor heat isn’t new, but we are using hydronic radiant floor heating…heated with an on demand hot water heater.   We will have a separate unit for our domestic hot water (I require lots of hot water), but what a great solution to a comfortable, energy efficient system.  Several systems are on the market…and they aren’t inexpensive…but we believe it will be cost effective and comfortable.

Cable lights.  We’ve seen them, but not often, and have always thought they looked interesting.  We are incorporating them into the timbered ceiling to accent those beautiful beams.

Concrete countertops.  Our son had them installed in his new timber frame (yes, he built a timber framed home before we did) and they are absolutely beautiful!

Salvaged materials.  Our roofing came off of an old chicken house that we tore down years ago.  We used some on our new timber framed barn and loved the look.  Of course, the roofing paper will be more important, but this is a great look.  Our front door and french doors came from a home built in the 1800′s.  They are solid oak and magnificent.  We picked them up for a fraction of the cost of new doors of similar quality.   Ceramic door knobs are really nice.  We bought several sets (including skeleton keys) and will use them in our new home.   We are collecting old six panel doors to use for our pocket doors.   These products haven’t nearly outlived their useful life.  Talk about sustainability!