What is the difference between Log, Timber Framing, and Post and Beam?
Timber framing is one of the oldest wood working crafts in the world. Archeologists are finding evidence of oak frames in England dating back thousands of years. Utilizing heavy timbers that are joined together utilizing mortise and tenon joints, a timber frame is much like a huge piece of furniture.
Log construction utilizes horizontally stacked logs, which are either round or squared off, to create the walls.
Post and Beam construction utilizes upright posts to support horizontal beams that can be joined with traditional joinery or use metal brackets to secure the frame.
What are the benefits of Timber Frame building?
Energy Efficiency: Most often, timber frames are completely enclosed in an envelope of insulated panels creating an extremely efficient enclosure. These panel systems acheive High R (insulation rating) values and little to no air infiltration.
Aesthetics: A timber frame building embraces you with warmth, strength and beauty. The knowledge that your home is handcrafted by caring people adds a palpable quality.
Flexibility: A timber frame structure provides an open space with no interior load bearing walls This allows for an open, flexible floor plan and for significant ceiling heights.
Longevity: Timber frame that were built hundreds of years ago remain active and stable to this day. Many have survived major natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes, in very good condition.
Do you offer a design service to help me with my plans?
Initial Consultation: Hugh Lofting Timber Framing, Inc offers a complimentary initial design consultation. Once we receive your initial design sketches and some details about your project we will work with you to develop an initial design for your frame. You or your designer can Email or fax your project ideas including: size, location, wood species, time frame, and budget. We will call you to further discuss your project. This initial consultation is of no cost to you. From this process you will receive a base budget for your frame and panel system and a base design to work from.
Design Consulation: We are available to review site conditions and design concepts to determine the project's feasibility and to produce concept drawings. This is a fee based service.
Design: To ensure design integrity, we prefer to be involved from design concept. Working directly with the Architect and/or General Contractor we provide structural timber frame drawings which can be directly imported into the designer's software to create a seamless construction package. Our focus is on strong comunication between all parties. The fee for this service is applied to the timber framing contract.
How much do Timber Frames cost per square foot?
This question is similar to asking, “How much does a new car cost?” The answer is, “It depends.” There are so many variable influencing this cost that until you have a basic floor plan and rough frame design, and some ideas about the choices of wood and degree of finish and embellishment you are interested in, you will not get a very useful estimate. It can be stated, however, that the cost of a timber frame is comparable to a well-built custom home with extensive cathedral ceilings and open space with comparable finishes.
Some builders will give a range of cost per square footage, but it is in your best interest to really understand what affects this range. Also, keep in mind that how square footage is calculated directly affects any estimate given in terms of square footage. Including porches, garage, etc. in the square footage of the home will of course skew the price from a quote that includes heated space only. If you are comparing estimates, make sure the square footage is calculated on the same basis in each case.
The price of a timber frame varies according to how many pieces are in it, what species and quality of wood is chosen, how the timbers are finished, what embellishments are added, and any exceptional site requirements.
Efficiency of frame design: In the same floor plan, you could add a bent or two and have 20% to 30% more timber in the project – which will clearly completely change the cost per square foot.
Wood selection: Quality. (Dryness & growth pattern). You have choices ranging from green wood, which could be either old growth or second growth, to kiln dried or recycled wood. Each of these can markedly affect the price of the frame. Basically, the more stable the wood (drier, denser) the less the joinery will open over time, and the less checking you will see. In a well-built timber frame, these two issues (shrinkage and checking) do not tend to be structural, so this decision is based on aesthetics vs. cost.
Species: There are many species that can be used in a timber frame. Individual builders tend to have a few choices of wood species that they work with, and they can tell you the pros and cons of each choice. Some are available in longer lengths, some offer greater strength in a smaller dimension, some are considered prettier or more interesting.
Frame detailing: The added embellishments on a frame (drop pendants, carvings, etc). The finish on the timbers themselves is a serious consideration. The choices include rough sawn wood, a sanded and oiled finish, hand hewn, adzed, sand blasted or nylon brushed. You might apply clear oil, stain or even a colored wash, like a light white wash.
Site Requirements: Accessibility to your site will be a factor in determining the cost. Can a truck and trailer drive right to your site, or will there be extra handling? Can a crane be brought in? Of course, these considerations apply any home built on a site, but it is something to keep in mind.
The Rest of the House: Beyond the timber frame, you will make myriad choices that will affect the finished square footage cost. If you like stucco and slate roofs you will be in a higher part of the price range than if you accept asphalt shingles. Hybrids, making the choice to do part of the project as a timber frame and part as stick building, can sometimes make a project more affordable - consider timber framing the public areas and build the wings with structural insulating panels.
In the end, you have only three variables to work with in the homebuilding process: size, quality and budget. You can set two of these, and the third will be set automatically, like the sides on a triangle. Rather than sacrificing quality for a large home if your budget is tight, consider challenging your designer to design high quality, comfortable, smaller spaces.
