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.

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.

I’m all for any and all projects that will get our economy back on track.  Public projects will move the dollars in the form of wages and materials.  Costs of building materials, like much else, have dropped recently.  Will these projects mean that prices cement, drywall, steel, etc will begin to rise?  If so, will these price increases mean that it will cost more to build a home?

Food for thought.

I did say quiet…the hammers aren’t hammering much, the power tools are still, the construction trades are slower than they’ve been in many years.  The advantage goes to the you.  There are talented carpenters, masons, plumbers, and electricians ready to work.

Two purposes are served.  The first is the opportunity get some very competitive pricing by utilizing the available labor.  The second opportunity comes to the tradesmen/tradeswomen who can continue to work.

David and I are stepping forward.  We see this as an excellent time to build and our home will be out of the ground in a couple of weeks.  We are finding the proposals we’re getting are competitive and we are pleased to be able to reach out to these tradesmen.

Step back and look at where you are and where you plan on being in a couple of years.  Building while there are available contractors may be your best choice.   Building now, and building a smaller, sustainable, energy efficient home will no doubt serve you well.