What’s new, general information and frequently asked questions about timber frame and post and beam construction, inspired and beautifully built buildings, timber frame home design advice, what woods to use, and best practices. Check out our timber frame videos for a unique glimpse into our projects and methods.
how we do it | moving timber
Sometimes you have to do it the hard way: installing timbers when the roof is already in place. Whether you call it retrofitting timber or the hard way to build a timber frame, the idea is similar to building a…
The Grumpy Old Timberframer on… Power Tools
https://vimeo.com/506311342
The Grumpy Old Timberframer on… Hand Drafting
https://vimeo.com/506303937
What is the Best Wood for Timber Framing Projects?
Key Takeaway Builders often use Douglas fir, bald cypress, Port Orford cedar, western red cedar, or eastern white pine. The right choice depends on strength requirements, the look you want, cost, local availability, and how much weather or moisture the…
Timber Frame Inspiration
How do timber frame dreams become reality? We’re always excited to dream along with a new client because every one of our timber frames started the same way: someone had a dream and was inspired to build something. What we…
Timber Traditions: Our Industry Customs
Key Takeaway Timber framing traditions often come to life on raising day, when the frame goes up and everyone pauses to celebrate. Crews sometimes place a small tree at the peak, carve initials or dates into hidden spots, set a…
Why Do Timbers Split and Crack?
Key Takeaway Timbers split as they dry because wood shrinks at different rates in different directions. These cracks, often called checks, show up on the surface or deeper inside. They change the look but rarely affect strength when the timbers…
How to Figure Out a Timber Frame Budget
Champagne timber framing on a (craft) beer budget After receiving the latest Carolina Timberworks newsletter, a potential client emailed a great question: “Can you show a recent home for a customer on a 300k budget, else this stuff is non-realistic to normal…
The Benefits of Timber Framing
Key Takeaway Timber framing shows off its structure, keeps the floor plan open, and creates a handmade feel that grows warmer as the wood ages. It tends to support greener building choices and usually costs more than standard stick-built work….
Timber Frame Treehouse
Search for “problems with tree houses” and Google will serve up 37,100,000 results: it’s impossible not to harm the trees, trees grow over time, trees die, there aren’t the right trees where you’d really like to have a tree house… Our…
Build a Party Barn!
Key Takeaway A timber frame party barn is a barn-style space built with visible heavy timbers and a big open interior that can switch quickly from storage to events. People use them for weddings, family gatherings, classes, recreation, vehicle storage,…
Differences Between Decorative and Structural Timber Framing
A homeowner building in the Outer Banks emailed a great question this week: “I was wondering if people typically use your trusses as structural members or just as decorative members attached to the existing frame structure?” We build and install…