Timber framing and “post-and-beam” construction is a general term for building with heavy timbers rather than “dimension lumber” such as 2″x4″s. Traditional timber framing is the method of creating structures using heavy squared-off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs (larger versions of the mortise and tenon joints in furniture). It is commonplace in wooden buildings from the 19th century and earlier. The method comes from making things out of logs and tree trunks without modern high tech saws to cut lumber from the starting material stock.

  • They are stronger and more durable.
  • Experience has shown that living in houses that consist largely of wood offer people health benefits.
  • According to research, wood also has a positive psychological effect.
  • It is rapidly erected… an “average”-sized timber-frame home can be erected within 2 to 3 days.
  • lends well to pre-fitting the frame usually in bent or wall-sections that are aligned with jigs. This allows faster erection on site and more precise alignments. Such pre-fitting in the shop is independent of a machine or hand-cut production line.
  • Timber Frames with SIP, or structural insulated panels as insulation, are more efficient than fiberglass, and even stronger.
  • There are a limited number of load bearing walls in a timber frame structures, allowing more flexibility and changes to the floor plan.
  • The generally larger spaces between the frames enable greater flexibility in placing and re-locating windows and doors during and after construction, with less concern over structural implications and the need for heavy lintels.
  • The working structure of the array can be seen, studied, and enjoyed.
  • With SIPs, structures often cost less than half as much to heat and cool as stick-built/fiberglass structures.
  • With SIPs, HVAC systems can be sized smaller, costing less, and still have higher SEER ratings (higher efficiency).
  • Usually less wood is used in a timber frames than in a stud-wall structure.
  • Use of sustainable materials, such as local wood, contributes to a lower carbon footprint and lower cost to the environment.
  • A very low carbon footprint is created when local woods are used.
  • The building process creates almost no waste.
  • Compare with the dumpsters you see at stick-built sites. Less waste at jobsite means less pressure on waste treatment plants/landfills.

  • Timber waste can be recycled.
  • It can use recycled or otherwise discarded timbers
  • Craftsmanship is encouraged and enhanced by the owner’s and framer’s knowledge that the frame will be seen and admired by the inhabitants and visitors for centuries.

View our Timber Frame plans