Timber Frame

Whether you are a construction company searching for an efficient new way to build or an independent contractor developing a one-time project, you may have heard about the benefits timber frame can provide. Used for a variety of building types, this construction method is one of the oldest — and best — ways for builders to see their visions come to life.

What is timber framing?

Timber frame construction has been around since the 1900s, popularized in the United States by craftsmen who required fast, cost-effective housing that didn’t sacrifice efficiency nor quality. The process utilizes strong timber pieces to produce a building’s frame. Overall, it is a simpler method that allows builders to support horizontal beams with upright posts, stack logs horizontally and more.

Today, timber framing is most often seen with the construction of new homes. Compared to post-and-beam homes, which utilize metal fasteners to keep beams and pegs from falling apart, a timber frame home will employ wooden pegs to keep members securely fastened. However, the largest difference comes with the home’s overall look; a conventionally framed house is likely to have a contemporary feel, whereas timber frame houses offer a more organic appearance.

Despite being an ancient artform, timber framing remains prominent in a variety of countries, including the United States, Germany, Australia and Canada. The most popular wood types are red and white oak, white pine, Douglas fir, cypress and cedar.

What are the benefits of timber framing?

If you’re debating between conventional stick frame or timber frame construction for your next project, you will want to consider some of the benefits that timber framing has to offer. Yellowstone Timber Frame can help you explore the pros and cons of each, helping you to analyze the many different facets of designing the structural shell of your timber frame home or building.

Benefits of timber framing include:

Energy Efficiency

By design, timber-framed homes will naturally keep heat inside. As a result, you won’t have to pay a hefty energy fee for regular heater-use, as your home will do most of the work for you!

unique design capabilities

Besides adding an eye-catching, classic appearance to your home, timber frame construction offers homeowners extended design opportunities. Compared to other building methods, timber-framed homes are often open-concept and spacious, enabling you to design your home's interior as much as you wish. Yellowstone Timber Frame can fully customize your dream floor plan to make your dreams come true!

sustainability

Yellowstone Timber Frame has make a conscious decision to adjusted our methods to comply with eco-friendly standards, primarily by committing to restore deforested areas with new vegetation and trees, minimize our energy consumption, and choose environmentally friendly building materials. Rest assured you can enjoy a beautiful new building that we have gone the extra mile to preserve our surrounding natural beauty. Timber organically sequesters carbon by converting carbon dioxide into cellulose and releasing clean pure oxygen! 

unmatched durability

Housing construction costs can be expensive, which is why you’ll need a building method that promises to last you for decades. Fortunately, timber framing is renowned for its ability to withstand earthquakes, storms, and general wear-and-tear thanks to its strong cellulose fibers in all different wood-types. Reclaimed timber has been recycled and repurposed time and time again due to its lasting strength. 

multiple sizing options

Timber frames come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs, with lumber ranging from skinny two-by-fours to massive twelve-by-thirty beams. Regardless of how grand your vision is, timber framing can make it a reality.

Interested in a timber frame?

If timber framing sounds like the perfect option for your next building project, don’t hesitate to reach out to Yellowstone Timber Frame to learn more about how we can provide you the highest quality construction available.

What Is the Difference Between Timber Frame Homes & Post and Beam Homes?

Builders and buyers alike will find that the majority of timber homes fall into one of these two major categories: timber frame and post-and-beam. While both of these methods are capable of crafting beautiful and reliable houses, some key differences separate the two — primarily concerning how each process fastens its joinery system together.

For instance, post-and-beam homes will utilize metal fasteners to hold the frame’s components together. In contrast, timber frame homes will primarily employ wooden pegs to achieve this. As such, each method will result in a unique look that can very well change the entire appearance of your home’s interior.

The top differences that separate timber frame homes from post-and-beam homes are:

What Is the Difference Between Timber Frame Homes & Log Cabins?

While both types of construction are in the same timber material family there are some interesting differences between the two. Typically log homes will stack whole logs one on top of the other for the exterior walls where a timber frame will create a shell out of posts and beams that then attach a structural insulated panel to create the exterior wall.

The history of both types of construction is rooted in the tools and materials that were available when the pioneers were settling in new territory. Whole logs were cut by hand to fit together, after the industrial revolution and the development of more sophisticated machines like the steam engine, steam-powered sawmills were able to mill rectangular lumber. The rectangular lumber was first used as timber siding somewhat of a hybrid of log cabins and timber framing.

The top differences that separate timber frame homes from log homes are:

Timber Home Construction

First and foremost, homeowners will work alongside the Yellowstone unified team of designers, craftsmen, and installation professionals hand in hand to design and build their dream home. This includes everything from interior and exterior layout to the specific materials desired for each house area. Once the blueprints have been finalized, it’s time for the timber frame fabrication to begin:

Timber frame structures require a meticulous engineering review despite the fact the local building codes may not even require it. The long-term structural integrity of the frame can only be validated by a licensed structural engineer. After the engineer gives his seal of approval final construction documents and details can be generated and sent to the fabrication team. CNC which stands for computer-aided control wood carving machines will perfectly sculpt each piece of timber into its final form. The final step in the process is to ship all of the materials to the job site for our professional timber installers to assemble the complete structure.

Ready to build your dream home?

Are you prepared to begin your timber frame project? Yellowstone Timber Frame is happy to answer any questions you may have! We can fully customize any design plan, create, and ship out the completed timber frame kit and install the project for you. Contact Yellowstone Timber frame today to get started on your dream project!

Timber Frame Definitions

Much like any other building method, timber frame construction hosts a variety of words that newcomers to the process may find unfamiliar. If you choose to work with an experienced provider like Yellowstone Timber Frame to design your dream

home, you will find yourself coming across some — if not all — of the following key terms. As always, it’s essential to take note of each so you can fully comprehend any new decisions or changes that occur throughout the process.

What are the different types of timber frame trusses?

As your timber frame construction is underway, you’ll find that there is a variety of timber frame trusses you may choose from. These timber pieces essentially make up one of the most essential support components of your home — primarily for roofs.

Your final decision will mostly rely on the design and structure of your home, as not every truss provides the same result. Yellowstone Timber Frame can help you to determine the best choice from the following:

king post truss

This option is by far the most cost-effective while still offering a robust, sturdy frame along with a snug interior appearance.

queen post truss

A design that contains an open area in the center of the truss, therefore lowering the ceiling height visually.

arch chord truss

Another version of the king post truss, this truss features an arched lower chord.

parallel truss

Solid trusses that are often utilized to support other rafters, trusses and purlins.

hammerbeam timber frame truss

A complex, heavier truss with a central arch and a cathedral-like appearance.

common truss

Symmetrical, triangle trusses with a peak at the center.

timber frame truss with purlins

A frame with timbers that run perpendicular to its support rafters.

barrel truss

A curved truss that takes on the outer appearance of a barrel.

Scissor Truss

A truss with diagonal chords that “scissor” across one another.

decorative truss

A truss that is used only for decoration purposes, often made with reclaimed beams.

Timber Frame Raising

Timber frame raising is the process of physically raising the home’s finalized frame, often with the use of a crane or other construction tools depending on size. Since most — if not all — of the components have already been prepared before arriving at the construction site, all that remains is the act of assembling them prior to raising.

The process occurs by raising and connecting bents one at a time with horizontal beams. Once the frame has been fully raised and tested to be secure and structurally sound, construction will be marked as complete with a symbolic final nail into the frame’s highest point.

Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) For Insulating a Timber Frame Construction

If you’re looking for a method to enclose your timber frame home, Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) may very well be one of the most effective. SIPs are installed by stuffing the space between two structural components, where its insulated foam core will then form an airtight barrier that protects your home from any outside elements.

Fortunately, Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) offer multiple variations in size and thickness, ranging from 4-by-8 to 8-by-24 feet in length and 2 to 12 inches in thickness. As a result, nearly any type of timber framing you chose to build with Yellowstone Timber Frame can utilize SIPs to enhance its appearance and interior feel.

Furthermore, SIPs are incredibly easy to cut to specifications and install, allowing them to be prepared directly at the building site. As such, you can use SIPs to insulate nearly anything, including doors, windows, walls and more.

Benefits of Using SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels) To Insulate A Timber Frame Home:

Energy Efficiency

SIPs offer impressive air loss prevention, keeping heat inside and reducing energy use.

sustainability

Thanks to their energy efficiency, SIPs place less stress on a household’s energy usage and reduces greenhouse emissions.

structural integrity

Compared to conventional building methods, SIPs offer unparalleled robustness and durability that protect the home from various outdoor elements.

quick installation

SIPs are easily installed during the timber frame construction process, allowing for overall cost savings and improved efficiency.

Timber Frame Frequently Asked Questions

As with any large-scale project, you may have a few concerns on your mind as it comes time to plan your timber frame home.

With comprehensive experience in the construction industry, Yellowstone Timber Frame is prepared to answer some of the most common questions surrounding the process, including:

what timber is used for framing?

Homeowners have a wide variety to choose from when it comes to the timber used in their timber frame house. These options include, Douglas Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Oak and White Oak.

what is the best wood to use for timber framing?

Each wood type has its own strengths and weaknesses; thus, there is no definitive answer for which is the “best,” since it depends on your requirements. Ultimately, the final choice will depend on the wood’s availability, cost and sustainability as it relates to your project.

how long does timber frame last?

Timber framing is renowned for being one of the most durable building methods available, as timber frame homes can last up to three times longer than conventional houses (over 100 years!).

how do you make a timber frame?

Timber frames are constructed with multiple posts and beams, which are then secured to each other through pegs and other joinery. It is most visually recognizable by the exposed timbers resting outside of the frame.

are timber frame houses safe?

With an impressively robust construction and assembly process, timber framing is far safer than conventional building methods.

Ready to build your dream home?

Are you prepared to begin your timber frame project? Yellowstone Timber Frame is happy to answer any questions you may have! We can fully customize any design plan, create, and ship out the completed timber frame kit and install the project for you. Contact Yellowstone Timber frame today to get started on your dream project!