Timber Frame Blogger

5 Tips for Choosing a Timber Frame Floor Plan

2011-11-18T07:47:00.000-08:00

Choosing a floor plan can be an overwhelming process. Following these simple guidelines can help you choose the floor plan that’s perfect for you and

your family.

1.) Using Your Old Home as a Guide – One of the easiest ways to get started is to think about the home you currently live in. Brainstorm all the things you enjoy about your current home that you’d like to see in your new timber frame home. Use the layout of your current home to expand and map out what you would change if you were turning it into your dream home. Do you and your spouse currently share a closet, but you’re dying to have your own his/her closets? Hindsight is 20/20, so think of all the things you would have done differently with your old home. Make a list of the gripes you have with your current floor plan and let it guide your new home’s layout.

2.) Value Engineering – Everyone has a budget, and there are many ways to cut down on costs when it comes to choosing your floor plan. The more geometrically simple the home is, the more cost effective it will be. Have you ever heard the term “cutting corners?” The closer your home resembles a square box, the lower the cost will be. Bay windows and other bump-outs will increase your costs. If you’re thinking of a walk-out basement, make sure you are building on a hill, or you’ll be paying an excavator to alter your site. Another thing to be alert for is the way in which living floor space is calculated. Check whether or not the builder has included room and loft spaces with low rafters as living floor spaces; such spaces are sometimes not included in living area calculations. Try to compare “net to gross” ratios (total space compared to usable space) between plans. No need to run a calculation, just eyeball plans for unnecessarily large halls, walkway areas, and the like.

3.) Lifestyle – Consider your activity level and how often you’ll be utilizing your outdoor spaces. Do you do a lot of entertaining? You may wish to have porch access from your kitchen to engage in al fresco dining. Do you need a formal living room, or will a relaxed family room be sufficient? It’s critical to determine where a TV will go especially when dealing with a smaller floor plan in absence of a media room. Do you want a fireplace as a focal point, or would you prefer it tucked off in a corner? Will this be your retirement home? Consider grouping all of your most used rooms on the bottom floor, leaving the upstairs for family and friends when visiting. Try mapping out where your current furniture would go in the new timber frame floor plan. You’ll want to make sure you have space for a large dining room table if you entertain large groups of peopleand allow room for headboards and nightstands in relation to windows.

4.) Accessibility – Make sure that things will flow easily in your home. Consider daily activities and what layout would make these run smoothly. For example, when bringing groceries inside from your car, you’ll want your garage to enter into a mudroom, and then into the kitchen. Make sure your laundry area is where you want it to be. How far do you want to haul your laundry back and forth? Consider your storage space. Many timber frame homes contain no attic because of the vaulted ceiling spaces. If you’re also planning on a fully finished basement, where will you store your unused items, such as holiday decorations? You may need additional closet space. Pay close attention to the lineal footage of the cabinets in your kitchen and make sure there is sufficient storage space.

5.) Privacy – Make sure you consider the separation of parents and children. If you have young kids, you may wish for their room to be very close to yours, but as they grow older, you may want to give them more privacy. Do you want the master bedroom to be secluded away from other bedrooms? Consider the location of public bathrooms. A small floor plan with the master suite on the first floor may only include one bathroom off the master bedroom. Would you want guests using this bathroom, or would you prefer a small half bath added to the floor plan?

There are dozens of things to consider when designing or choosing your timber frame floor plan. Following these simple tips should give you a good start on the process. If you have questions or need further advice, your Regional Sales Manager will always be available to help you along the journey to your dream home.

Rustic Elegance - Timber Frame Seminar

2011-09-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Summit Custom Homes invite you to an informative seminar: "Rustic Elegance, Making Sense of Log & Timber Frame Construction" on Saturday, October 8 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, this seminar is a great place to learn more about timber frame construction.

Are you actively planning or considering a log or timber frame build?
Do you own land and are looking for direction on how to get started with design?
Do you own land and are trying to decide whether a log or timber frame build is right for you?
Are you passionate for log and timber frame construction and want to learn more about your options in this market?

Upon leaving this seminar, participants will have a strong understanding of:

The differences between log, timber frame, and hybrid homes
Key elements of well-planned spaces in log & timber frame homes
Design resources available for your individual interests/project
How to effectively plan a timeline for your project
$/Square Foot Costs and how they relate to Log & Timber Frame Construction

Special Group Rates at the Double Tree Hotel - call 1-800-494-9467 to make your reservation with code "Summit Custom Homes"

For more information, or to RSVP: contact Greg Burnshaw, burnshaw@timberframe1.com or 800-227-4311

OR contact Summit Custom Homes directly at www.SummitOfVA.com or 434-244-5600.

Custom Timber Frame Carvings

2011-09-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

Woodhouse has one goal in mind: to create the perfect timber frame home for you and your family. Whatever it may take to make your timber frame home perfect, Woodhouse can accommodate you. Often, our clients will have special requests, like what type of wood they'd like us to use, or making adjustments to a floor plan.

From time to time, our clients request that we add a special touch to a specific post or beam that will be showcased in an area of their home. Sometimes this is an archway in their entrance, outside their home, or in their dining area.

Our corporate office and show home also has a carving, as seen here:

Our team of experts hand-carve these special engravings in our joinery shop. They take pride in their work, and you can rest assured that your carvings will be of the highest quality.

If you have questions about carving or detail in your timber frame package, or any other special request, contact Woodhouse at 800-227-4311 and we'd be happy to help.

New Carriage Series of SmartWoods!

2011-09-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

We're proud to announce that we have added a new collection of pre-designed timber frame homes to our SmartWood product line. The Carriage Series pays homage to traditional carriage homes of the 18th and 19th centuries. It was very common in those days for both small and large estates to possess a carriage house, which would house horses, carriages, hay, etc. As the industrial revolution began and with the creation of automobiles, carriage houses became garages or living spaces for guests.

Woodhouse has a deep appreciation for many types of homes. We created the Carriage Series as a modern rendering of the traditional carriage houses of the past. The key feature of our SmartWood line is the unique timber frame apartments situated atop two and three stall garages.

These timber frame homes would make a pefect guest suite or apartment to any property. For more information, call Woodhouse today at 800-227-4311 and one of our timber frame experts will answer your questions.

Upcoming Timber Frame Home Shows!

2011-08-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

Woodhouse is coming to a city near you! Meet with our timber frame experts and find out why Woodhouse is a leader in the industry of building timber homes.

We invite you to join us at the following home shows:

St. Louis, Missouri
September 23-25
Charlotte, North Carolina
September 23-25
Denver, Colorado
September 30-October 2
Dallas, Texas
October 14-16
Chantilly, Virginia
October 28-30
West Springfield, Massachusetts
November 4-6
NYC/New Jersey area
November 11-13

Contact your regional sales manager if you'd like to attend any of these events. While an RSVP is not mandatory, we may be able to offer you a reduced price for admission by adding you to our guest list! If you're thinking of building, we encourage you to come learn more about the timber framing industry and meet Woodhouse's timber frame experts!

For general inquiries about these home shows, visit http://www.timberframe1.com/woodhouse-welcomes-you-join-us-following-trade-shows or call 800-227-4311

Durango Parade of Homes

2011-08-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

A custom timber frame will be featured in the upcoming Durango Parade of Homes in Durango, Colorado during the weekend of September 9. Black Canyon Builders, an Independent Builder/Dealer of Woodhouse, is presenting this home in the Parade, which recognizes the finest homes and remodels in La Plata County, Colorado.

Black Canyon Builders recently remodeled what is known as the "Day House" which is somewhat of a historical landmark in La Plata County. Jared Ogden, owner of Black Canyon Builders, had been a Durango resident for 20 years, and had always "recognized the prominence" of the Day house. When Jared read that the home, built in 1886, had been neglected and would be on the verge of demolition, he felt a responsibility as a community member to help.

Before & After

Since the remodel of the main house, they have begun construction on the accompanying barn, which will serve as a guest house located nearby. To rebuild this barn, Southern Yellow Pine timbers were used from Woodhouse, The Timber Frame Company, along with frame and panel drawings.

The porch of the timber framed guest home uses reclaimed timbers from the old barn as a tribute to its past.

In its final stages of construction, the newly remodeled barn will be available to tour during the Durango Parade of Homes, September 9-11. Tickets for the Parade can be purchased at www.durangopoh.com. The weekend event will not only include daily tours of the homes on display, but also a cupcake war, art displays, and Homes Under the Stars where you can see the featured homes at night and enjoy their beautiful lighting.

If you would like to tour the Woodhouse timber framed home featured in Durango, or any other Woodhouse timber frame in the Colorado region, contact Shawn Nohava, Regional Sales Manager - West at 800-636-1363

Custom Timber Frame Home - Palatial yet Cozy

2011-08-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, this post and beam home was built using Douglas Fir timbers. The custom designed Woodhouse home is located next to the beautiful Cayuga Lake, providing excellent views for its residents.

The post and beam home was built with energy efficiency in mind. SIPs were used, as well as an insulating foam spray for an air-tight seal. Air exchangers were also installed to bring fresh air in and get rid of stale air from inside.

"It was a treat to witness the piecing together of these SIPs - like a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle being put together." -Richard & Lisa Coico, Woodhouse® Home Owners

Call Woodhouse to learn more about our custom timber homes.

Mountain Timber Frame Home - A Woodhouse Custom Creation

2011-08-09T11:00:00.001-07:00

This mountain home was built in Vermont, near one of the highest peaks in the state. The post and beam home was built with that in mind, and provides excellent views of the nearby mountain. Although this was a custom design, it is reminiscent of our Mountain Homes series, but also has an Adirondack feel with hints of a craftsman influence.

"In a time when energy efficiency is more than a luxury, it is a necessity, sister company to Woodhouse®, Murus, provides the very best in structural insulated panels (SIPs). The Loewen windows are among the very best made and the time-honored method of timber frame construction completes the fine structure. With an architect on staff at Woodhouse®, the company is a full service company." - Bob & Wendy Parrish, Woodhouse Home Owners

Contact Woodhouse today to learn more about our custom timber homes. 800-227-4311.

Lakeside Timber Frame Home

2011-08-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

This unique two-room post and beam building is located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Located in the heart of wine country, relaxation is key in this custom timber frame.

This timber frame is very different from many we have made in the past. With no kitchen or bathrooms, it's not really a home at all, but more of a place of meditation and relaxation. With breathtaking lake views and exposed timbers, it would be hard to feel anything but relaxed here.

"What is so interesting about Woodhouse® is seeing the package arrive, watching them erect the frame, and seeing how quickly everything goes together. These guys obviously love what they do and I love working with people who love what they do. That is important to me." - Carol & Mack Travis, Woodhouse® Home Owners

See more photos of this beautiful timber frame on our website.

Call us today to find out more about our pre-designed & custom timber framing! 800-227-4311

Timber Frame Perk - Working with an Open Floor Plan

2011-08-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Our Regional Sales Manager, Gregory Burnshaw offers up this feature on open floor plans:

One of the many appealing characteristics of a timber framed home is the potential for an open floor plan. Conventional "stick-built" construction necessitate load-bearing walls to support the structure and usually have many interconnected interior boxes, or rooms, obscured from one another. By contrast, timber framing uses posts, beams, and various trusses to create open spaces.

An open floor plan and vaulted space both contribute to a roomier feeling while using less square footage than a conventionally built home that is divided by supporting walls. Hence, when designing and decorating a timber frame home the open spaces need to be carefully thought out.

Designing an open floor plan and cathedral space is both fun and challenging. The great room generally becomes the focal point of a home and sets a theme that will be visually shared with the other areas of the home. Consequently, "great" rooms and the grand spaces created by an open floor plan "up the ante" in terms of how we furnish and decorate the space. Picture your current sofa and coffee table set up in the middle of a vaulted great room and you'll get the picture; a disproportion between the size of the room and the pieces within it. To maintain scale and balance, in proportion to the volume, the scale of the furnishing and finishes need to be given serious consideration.

The arrangement of pieces of furniture working together forms a mass. A grouping of sofas, chairs, and a cocktail table huddled together in cozy proximity can serve well as an intimate converssation arena and fill a portion of a large room nicely, and the mass of that grouping needs to work with the volume of the room. Oversized sofas and furniture, large scale chandeliers and paintings, sculpture and accent pieces all work well to counterbalance and fill larger spaces.

Colors and textures of the finishes and furnishing also help fill the space and volume. Recall a floor covering you may have seen in a hotel lobby, restaurant or movie theater. The large repetative pattern that feels comfortable in these larger spaces would be awkward and out of proportion in the confined space of a guest bedroom. But in the open area of your great room/dining/conversation room, it compliments the large area in terms of scale while drawing together and unifying the common areas.

Course textures consume more visual space than a smooth surface (and can help with acoustics). Light colors can create a sense of dominance in furnishings or floor covering. A light colored floor will jump up while a darker floor will recede. Whereas a light colored ceiling or vaulted roof will recede mimicking the out-of-doors while a darker colored ceiling will seem to loom lower into the space. The same principle used on walls can help bring warmth and intimacy to a large room by using darker values on the wall.

Lastly, designs utilizing diagonals (i.e. tile, furniture placement, floor coverings) take up more visual space than rectilinear arrangements. Use diagonal and other strong patterns sparingly.

For advice on decorating the open floor plan in your Woodhouse timber frame, contact Greg at 800-227-4311.

Custom Timber Frame Home Design

2011-08-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

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Custom designing a timber frame home is a very rewarding experience for our owners. Your personal aesthetics, material preferences, building site requirements, budget, and importantly dreams for a custom home of the highest quality, are included in the custom Woodhouse design process.

Our very first timber frame home was a custom design (1979/1980) and ever since, Woodhouse has provided our clients with custom design services of the highest level found within the timber frame industry. In fact, one of the co-founders of Woodhouse's predecessor, Solar Northern, had a degree in architecture from MIT and the other, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture - a great combination for a creative design process. From our earliest years we've had a licensed architect as a key member of our design team.

We continually push the envelope with our design services. From a site visit and design consultation where we spend the day with you at your property, to final construction drawings, we involve you - our client - in a custom and comfortable design process to evolve the optimum home of your dreams.

From conceptual drawings we work together through a series of design iterations each step reflecting changes and ideas growing from the previous iteration. This provides you with every opportunity to be involved in the process to the degree and price that you choose, ultimately reflecting the integration of your ideas and a comprehensive timber-framed designed home.

The custom design process is suitable for all sizes and styles of timber frame and hybrid homes. From one room additions to expansive resort homes, from starter homes to commercial buildings, the Woodhouse custom design process serves all.

To discuss the details of the Woodhouse post and beam custom design process please speak with your Regional Sales Manager who can explain costs, options, and how the process could unfold your dream home.

Your Budget and How a Timber Frame Pre-Designed Home Plan Can Help

2011-08-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

If your budget is giving you second thoughts, not to mention some real angst, consider SmartWood, our line of pleasingly affordable timber frame packages.

The home pictured here is an OakMeadow SmartWood, from our Barn Homes.

SmartWood was developed just for those of you who choose, for whatever reason, to spend less for your post and beam package and home. Featuring pre-designed plans from one-room 384 square-foot cabins to 3,100 square-foot homes in a variety of architectual styles, SmartWood may be perfect for your budget. We realized that a custom designed Woodhouse timber frame package with the very best materials and a wide offering of wood species and frame configurations may be more than some choose to afford. With SmartWood, you still receive the high quality of a home crafted by the Woodhouse artisans but real savings with a pre-design and economy of materials.

Tour a Woodhouse SmartWood

If your budget fits this profile we encourage you to consider SmartWood. To tour a SmartWood, contact the Woodhouse Regional Sales Manager nearest you.

Colorado Dreaming...of Timber Frames

2011-08-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

The lure of Colorodo has taken hold of people for hundreds of years - from early settlers looking for riches in gold to today's busy gentry looking for riches in recreation. It is a land hosting breathtaking views rich in history, resources, outdoor activities and a unique lifestyle. Choices from extreme downhill skiing, hiking, river rafting, golf, photography, theater, arts, crafts - the list goes on. There is something for everyone in Colorado.

Breckenridge is nestled in an area of crystal blue streams and majestic snow covered mountains. During an evening stroll along the streets you can have an artist render a sketch of your view, pick up unique wares and enjoy a quintessential feast of choice.

Woodhouse has flourished here with more than a dozen custom timber homes in this area alone. Our clients who have chosen Breckenridge for their dream home location - vacation or residence - want a rugged but elegant home to match their surroundings.

Ski Homes Video

The custom design process used at Woodhouse and our history in the area assures a post and beam home that meets the client’s hopes, dreams and budget. Our high quality material package is one of the best offered today. This along with our full design staff who works with you from inception to completion allows for an enjoyable and fruitful project. Rugged, efficient and elegant - built to be part of the land.

To take a tour of one of our homes in Breckenridge or anywhere in the Rocky Mountain area call our Western Regional Sales Manager, Shawn Nohava at 303-440-7678.

New Sagamore Smartwood!

2011-07-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

Woodhouse is excited to introduce our new SmartWood pre-designed timber frame design, Sagamore! A member of the Adirondack series of homes, the Sagamore is a modified version of our MountainView plan. The dormers were redrawn as a split shed and gable, and the master bedroom was enlarged with a new closet area. The gorgeous covered porch was also added.

There is actually a new Sagamore home being built right now in Bolton Landing, New York. It's the first from our new Adirondack series of SmartWoods to be built! Glenn Trudell, our Northeast Regional Sales Manager set out to build the home with his company, Trubilt, Inc. He had planned on building it with the hopes of selling it after, but as it turns out, the home was sold before they even dug a hole!

Timber framing was used throughout the entire living space including the lower level, the breezeway and the office space over the garage. The home totals over 5,000 square feet of space. There are 3 bedrooms with a first floor master suite, and 3 1/2 baths in the design. The connector to the garage was turned into a timbered sunroom with a wet bar. The two second floor bedrooms are connected by a bridge loft that looks down upon the great room and to the stunning views through the wall of windows. The large two story great room in the open first floor design has views to the kitchen and dining area. The lower level was laid out with a large recreation area, a second home office and a kennel area.

Typically, our homes are made with a select dense coastal Douglas Fir. But for this home, a faster growing Eastern slope Douglas Fir is being used. It's less dense, but has great color and is significantly less expensive than the denser version - a great option for timber frame building!

Mrs. Irene Baker and Mr. Billy Weir have graciously welcomed you into this home for an
Open House on August 14, from 11am-3pm!

For more information, or directions, contact Glenn Trudell:

Office: 1-866-715-1825, Cell: 1-607-379-0899

See more photos on our Flickr page!

New Idependent Builder / Dealer!

2011-07-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

We're proud to announce our latest Independent Timber Frame Builder/Dealer!

Leonard Carpentry Service is new to the St Louis Missouri region, but not new to quality service. If you're in the St. Louis area and interested in a Woodhouse Timber Frame home, they'd love to help make your dream come true. Visit them here: http://www.lcshomes.com/index.html

Trumansburg Timber Frame Update

2008-09-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

Okay. Okay. I know I've been remiss in updating the blog on the timber frame home that my folks are building on Cayuga Lake. I'm succumbing to the pressure and here are photos and a description of the home which is now, I guess, about 2 or 3 weeks away from completion.

If you were following this blog previously, this should be a familiar shot. Two big differences from the last time: 1) the second garage is now finished forming an "autocourt" in the front of the house and providing dad with four garage stalls to store his toys; 2) the home is painted a sage green which took a bit of getting used to (especially coupled with the cinnamon-colored windows) but is now growing on everyone. Aside from final grading, landscaping, and outdoor items like the fireplace adjacent to the deck, the exterior is funamentally finished.

On the left (north) side of the house is the florida room and one of three large retaining walls that surround the home and help manage the relatively significant water issue. Quite a bit of planning and work went in to managing the water that flows down the twin hogbacks, through a complex culvert system under the house, and out to the lake during a heavy rain.

Remember the photo on the left? The dock was about 100 years old -- and looked it! The photo on the right shows the same dock as it looks today. My kids and I have enjoyed quite a few evenings diving off this new dock this summer! The plan is to build a post and beam beach house and boat lift to the right (south) of the dock next summer.

The orange (actually "warm terra cotta") takes a bit of getting used to but we're convinced the room will feel right when furnished. The doug fir timber frame turned out gorgous after a number of polyurethane coats with 220 grit sandings in between -- it's like furniture! The woodburning fireplace facade is covered with StoneCraft cultured stone and the floor is finished with a custom installed and finished white oak.

The kitchen as dad installs appliances (microwave / range hood sitting on the counter). The floor is a 12x12 tile that looks like slate (but much tougher and easier to keep clean). Cabinets are maple. Counter is granite. The light fixtures over the counter look like they came out of a lighthouse!

This photo is taken standing in the great room and shooting toward the front door which can barely be seen through the treads of the stairs. The timber frame stairs are being finished "as we speak." To the left is the library which boasts gorgeous cherry panelling, a small wood burning fireplace, and a 2-story mezanine. The curved panelling in front of the step ladder hides a dry bar.

The next update should be the finished home.

Woodhouse SmartWood Line Described

2008-06-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

This article appears on the Log & Timber Homes website. The August 2008 issue of Timber Homes Illustrated features my home in Cayuga Lake, New York.

Company says timber frames now affordable for the 'average buyer'

SmartWood is a line of pre-designed timber framed homes by Woodhouse. Ranging in size from small cabins to larger homes, they are offered in a variety of architectural styles." "However," says Steve Keller the founder of Woodhouse and a timber framer for almost 30 years, "SmartWood was conceived to make timber frames affordable for the average buyer."

Keller continued by saying, "It is a well established fact that a timber frame home is going to cost more than a conventionally built home and, depending upon the region, as much as 20 to 30% more. At Woodhouse, we knew that a lot of our prospective clients were unable or unwilling to afford a custom timber frame with the quality of a Woodhouse home or other custom designed timber frame. SmartWood addresses that problem."

"SmartWood is exactly what it says – a 'smart' and affordable way to build a timber framed home." Steve elaborated on the precepts of SmartWood. "To reduce the price we did three things:

First was to reduce the cost of designing a home. We have more than 50 pre-designed SmartWood homes (adding more every day) that spread the cost of design over 10 or more homes – a very real savings.

Next, we optimized the efficiency of the timber frame design, by first engineering the timber frame and only then, integrating the floor plan (opposite to many custom designs where inefficient timber frames are often designed to meet the owner's floor planrequirements) and using simplified, but industry standard or better, joinery (how the timbers inter-connect) to further reduce cost.

Finally, we selected the most cost effective but still quality materials: "The 'smart wood' that we use," Keller smiles, "is the common-sense choice of kiln-dried Southern Yellow Pine timbers – strong, beautiful and less expensive than virtually any other species of timber. Plus being plantation grown, they are a very 'green' wood. We then decided on EPS foam-core structural insulating SIPS by Murus – the industry standard and less expensive than the polyurethane foam-core SIPs used by Woodhouse. Lastly, we opted for Anderson brand windows and doors – an efficient and reliable window but less costly window. This combination is impossible to beat – especially in concert with the service and quality of Woodhouse."

Keller continued the story by talking about his business partner's choice of a timber framed home and design. "Pat Seaman, president of Woodhouse came to us with a strong corporate background and quickly learned and applied his skills to the timber framing business. However, he had never actually built a home, his or anyone else's.

"So when it came time for Pat and his wife Tracey to build their timber frame home, SmartWood was a logical choice for a number reasons common to many clientele. Quite simply, the square footage they wanted, the amenities therein and doing it within their budget, was an absolute must. From the SmartWood plan-book Pat and Tracey selected the Mountain View design envisioning it accommodating their beautiful lake side sloping property and lifestyle – a growing family, room for entertaining their friends and families in a casual setting and room for a regulation pool table and media area."

Keller interceded by adding, "Any SmartWood design can be customized, with limitations for cost engineering, and; Pat and Tracey needed some customization of their selection, the Mountain View, which included a walk-out/day-light basement to accommodate the slope of their property and the media and pool table area (a guest bedroom was also added in this lower level), a larger kitchen / dining area and an office over the garage accessible from inside and outside of the house.

"As is often the case, customizations like Pat and Tracey's will lead to a new SmartWood design. In this instance we've added their home, the Lake View, to our SmartWood line of homes and have subsequently built three more across the country."

Keller further observed that, "In the construction of his home, Pat applied his management skills to the building process. He was diligent in obtaining multiple bids for all phases of construction, reviewing the bids in detail with each sub-contractor and consulting with more experienced third parties when warranted and; every day, spending time on the job site reviewing all the work to ensure quality and planning the next work, and very importantly, to enculture good sub-contractor relationships."

"Pat's detailed record keeping attests to the cost effectiveness of building a SmartWood. His completed cost was more than competitive, square foot for square foot, with a custom home in the Finger Lakes region of New York." Keller concluded.

"All too often I have seen owner's dreams for a timber framed home dashed when they over design for their budget." Steve Keller added pensively. "And it can be a real tragedy. To avoid this owners must either, one, hire a designer or architect who has the ability or personality to assiduously adhere to a real budget and is capable of efficiently engineering the timber frame structure to stand as the heart of the home, or two, engage a timber frame company who has the experience and ability to do the same," and Keller added "Shame on us timber framers if we allow or enable a client to over-shoot their budget."

"In the situation where the budget is unrealistic for a custom timber frame, SmartWood is often the answer. Our experience is that we can build a SmartWood at the same price or less than a custom built conventional home. And that is a wonderful thing," said a smiling Steve Keller.

How to Pick a Builder for Your Timber Frame Home Project

2008-05-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

In our 30 years of designing and manufacturing timber frame homes around the world, there are a few questions that we've come to expect from a potential client. One of the most common is "How much do your homes cost per square foot?" (Unfortunately, this is like asking how much a car costs per pound). One of the legitimate questions that we are almost always asked somewhere during the client's decision process is: "do you have a builder in my area or can you recommend one for my project?"

The best answer to this question, of course, is "yes, we have a highly experienced timber frame builder, trained in the Woodhouse product, right in the area where you are going to build and we would love to introduce you!" In fact, in many cases we are able to answer this way because of the extensive network of independent builder-dealers that Woodhouse enjoys around the country. These builders are a real asset to our future owners. They are trained, we know them well, and we love to introduce them to prospective clients.

Woodhouse is very focused on extending this network of independent builder-dealers and is always on the lookout for good builders in areas where timber frame building is popular. If you know of one, or are one yourself, please contact us for some very interesting information.

But, this post in particular is for those people building a timber frame home who are not fortunate enough to have a Woodhouse independent builder-dealer in their desired building area. If you are one on them, Don't Worry - there are many talented and honest builders and you can find someone to trust with your dream project. Like almost anything else, the key is to do your homework.

Referrals
There are many sources of builder referrals but some are more helpful than others. Broad sources, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) can help you find builders in your area but their recommendation is relatively unqualified. A bit better are sources such as builder supply houses, realtors, and code enforcement officers. But, the best sources are personal ones. Since you're planning to live (or at least vacation) in the area that you're building, you will be making friends and acquaintances. Ask them for builder references - especially those that have been through a project themselves.

We suggest identifying at least three recommended builders through the use of qualifying questions to help narrow your choices. Some examples might be:

Do you carry liability (how much), workers comp. and builder's risk insurance?

Have you had any experience building timber frame and structural insulated panel homes? (Not required but would be useful.)

Have your subs had any experience with these structures - specifically electrical, HVAC, and foundation subs? (Again, not required but would be useful.)

Do you quote one price for a turn-key home or do you work on a cost-plus basis?

How much of the work is done by your own people and what work do you sub out?

How do you handle changes throughout the project (if turn-key price)?

Do you mind if the homeowner helps on specific aspects of the build?

Of course this list can go on for a long time but you get the idea. The answers you are looking for will vary depending on what you are comfortable with. For instance, you may want the security of one price no matter what. On the other hand, that price comes with a cost (the builder will have included a contingency for his own security) and you may wish to save this money by working on a cost-plus basis (and assuming the risk of cost increases). The concept is to develop a list of questions with which to vet the builders and narrow down to those that work in a manner consistent with your own project philosophy.

Some questions (like the one about insurance) should just simply be deal-breakers if answered in the negative.

Once through this process, you should ask for references. You should be able to walk through and inspect the builder's work as well as be allowed to interview the reference yourself and in private. Like any reference, the builder is only going to introduce you to those former clients with whom he feels he has a good relationship. The reference can still be valuable however; if you (a) inspect the work carefully, and (b) ask specific questions that will allow the reference to describe how the builder actually works.

When walking through a reference project pay close attention to the following (these are not in any particular order):

Condition of timbers (if it is a timber frame) - scratches, marring, forklift marks, etc.

Fit and finish of all trim work;

Fit and finish of all tile work;

Look under sinks and in the mechanical room - how neat & organized is the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work?

Do all doors, including closets, line up, open and close properly?

Are drip caps properly installed on all exterior windows, doors, and exposed horizontal surfaces?

Is siding, trim, and roofing material properly installed?

Is the finish of the home aesthetically pleasing and coordinated?

When interviewing the reference, make sure to ask open-ended questions that allow the homeowner to express their opinion about the builder's strengths and weaknesses. Questions such as the following can be invaluable:

Was the builder always easy to communicate with, returned voicemails, showed up on time for appointments, etc.

Were there any aspects of the project that turned out much better than you expected?

Were there any aspects of the project with which you were unhappy?

Was the job completed on time and within your budget?

What would you consider to be the builder's strengths and weaknesses?

Was there any contention at any point within the project?

Could the builder help with design as well as execution?

These are just examples and a good starting point. What is important to you will dictate the kinds of questions you will ask. The concept is to make sure and set up a private interview and ask open-ended questions.

And here's some great news - if you're working with Woodhouse, an experienced regional sales manager can work right along side you throughout this process to help find and qualify the right builder for your timber frame project.

A Timber Frame Home For Everyone: Designing the Perfect House

2008-03-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

Wodhouse® is known for designing to specific considerations: maximizing stunning views, the mechanics of the perfect weekend ski retreat for multiple families, the maintenance and water management considerations of a waterfront home, or ensuring a retirement home considers the potential needs as the homeowners age. In our 30 years and over 700 homes designed and built we have come to realize that, with the right mindset and some creative work on the part of our design team and homeowner clients, timber framing can meet almost any requirement.

Consider the design language itself - the architectural "vernacular." We can (and have) designed and built Adirondack cottages, New England saltboxes, California "treehouses," South Pacific island retreats. Even homes to blend with the mid-eighteenth century villages common to the American hometown and their greek & gothic revival designs. The structural insulated panels (SIPs) with which we wrap our frames form a "blank canvas" on which the client and architect can draw whatever dream they share.

Size needn't be a limitation either. Some of the NYS Thruway rest stops that we built as timber frame in the early nineties measure over fifteen thousand square feet. We design and build many homes in the three to eight thousand square foot range every year. At the same time we have built many cottages in the 500 square foot range. In fact, we have designed a beautiful line of timber frame sheds and barns that start at about 150 square feet and utilize the same environmentally friendly frame material as our SmartWood™ timber frame homes but in smaller dimensions consistent with the lighter roof loads.

The breadth of scale and design aesthetic translates to the actual structure of our timber frames as well. A beautifully simple common rafter frame compliments the simplicity of a saltbox. A principal purlin / rafter system adds appeal to the vaulted spaces of a barn home. The soaring arches of a Hammerbeam truss system create the cathedral-like space in a formal Tuscan-styled great room. Low and heavy oak floor beams form a cozy space over an irish cottage kitchen. The use of organic "crook-truss" bents and entire tree posts translate the magic of a treehouse into the reality of a dream home. You get the idea - no-nonsense structural or light and lyrical, a timber frame works.

Instead of design limitations, we tend to work with some clients on budget limitations. A timber frame and SIP home costs more than a traditionally built home. But there are some simple ways to limit the impact of a timber frame project on the pocketbook. Specifically, we ask our potential clients to strongly consider the two highest impact cost reduction techniques: shrinking the footprint / going vertical and SmartWood™.

Consider this fact. It will always cost more for a home design to expand horizontally than for it to expand vertically. This is because for every foot your push a design out, you add a foot of foundation, roofing, excavation, etc. as well as the foot of floor and wall space. Pushing a design up or down, conversely, only adds the wall space (conceptually and in general).

Why is this important?

I would have to guess that about 80 to 90% of the homes we build are situated on a site that accommodates a walkout basement. Even so, our clients tend to put all of their space requirements on the floors above grade. When asked what will go in the lower level, they begin filling this space with afterthought - a rec. room, a bar, a play area for the children, a workshop, etc. We ask our clients to consider putting some of their required space in the lower level allowing for a smaller overall footprint and thereby reducing cost. Some living areas well-suited to the lower level are guest suites, TV rooms, home offices, etc.

One of the other best ways to reduce the cost of a timber frame project is to consider our SmartWood™ series of predesigned homes. These use "industry-standard" materials (expanded polystyrene SIPs instead of polyurethane, Andersen 400 series windows instead of Loewen, etc.) and the initial cost of design is amortized over multiple units. In addition, we use kiln-dried southern yellow pine (environmentally-friendly & the same strength characteristics as douglas fir at about half the cost) and design the structures in dimensions that the most cost efficient. The result is a beautiful timber frame home at a significantly reduced cost.

We believe that, within reason, we can accommodate almost any requirement with a timber frame home. We have designed homes in almost every architectural style, in almost every size and we know how to maximize value for those clients with a more constrained budget. Remain open-minded and flexible and give us a try!

Trumansburg Timber Frame -- Month Seven

2008-02-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

Well the timber frame project we've been tracking is shut down for the winter while the folks are in "winter storage" in Florida. The last work was done in early December. Fundamentally, as my last post in November showed, the exterior is complete and the interior is ready for sheetrock and finish. It will get cranked back up in May and should be complete sometime mid-summer. Here's how we left it...

The difference between a log home, a timber frame home, and a post and beam home

So... to keep this blog fresh while we wait for the project to get cranked back up, it has been suggested that I write a bit about the difference between a log home, a timber frame home, and a post and beam home. Here goes...

I have friends who introduce me as a log home builder. This is inaccurate on two counts – I’m neither a builder (I run a manufacturing company) nor do I have anything to do with log homes. But it illustrates the difficulty that many people have differentiating log homes from timber frame homes. Throw in the relatively subtle difference of what people call a post and beam home and it can be confusing.

As you can see from the photo on the left, a log home is built of relatively large pieces of wood stacked horizontally to form walls. Most people would like the pieces of wood to be large and round but they can be sized and shaped in many different ways to simplify the build process and eliminate some of the difficulties inherent in this building system (settling (vertical movement) of the walls as they dry, lack of insulating capability, etc.).

A post and beam home uses relatively large pieces of wood positioned upright (posts) to support horizontal pieces (beams). The posts and beams can be left organically shaped (round) as in a post and beam log home or squared off as in a timber frame home. Additionally, the pieces may be attached to each other in many different ways including metal brackets, plates, bolts, screws, or mortise and tenon joinery.

A timber frame home (shown to the right) is a specific kind of post and beam home that uses mortise and tenon joinery and wooden pegs to hold the squared-off timbers together. A Woodhouse® timber frame home, including our SmartWood™ series of predesigned homes, is a home constructed of a timber frame surrounded by structural insulated panels (SIPs).

What are the advantages of a timber frame home when compared to a log home?

Aesthetics
A log home is a very specific aesthetic. It’s rustic appeal evident in many ways. A timber frame is a much more flexible aesthetic with a broad spectrum of finish from as rustic as a log home to as elegant as a European cathedral. We often hear clients comment that they started looking for a log home but felt that there was “too much wood” and that a timber frame home gave them a similar feel of rustic elegance but with a more varied, less monochromatic, palette on the inside as well as complete freedom on exterior finish.

Maintenance
A log home requires much more maintenance than a timber frame home. Specifically, the exterior must be cleaned and treated on a frequent basis (usually every 2-3 years to maintain the manufacturer’s warranty) and the homeowner must cope with an unsettling degree of settling (as much as 6 inches a story) as the horizontal logs shrink over time. A timber frame home requires no more maintenance than a traditionally constructed home.

Longevity
A timber framer in NY that I know once described the relative longevity of a timber frame and a log home as follows: “You can see many thousand year old timber frame buildings throughout Europe and asia. Try to find a thousand year old log home”

Energy Efficiency
The “R-value” of wood is approximately R-1 for each 1” of wood. A typical log home constructed of 8” logs would have a wall R-value of approximately R-8 (actually less because the chinking between the logs would be of a smaller dimension). A Woodhouse ® timber frame home surrounded by SIPs is one of the most energy efficient building systems available. A typical 4 ½” Murus polyurethane SIP wall has an R-value of 26 and, maybe more importantly, has no opportunity for air leaks resulting in a more energy efficient home than both log or conventionally built homes.

The US log home industry is much bigger than the US timber frame industry but its growth is slowing while timber framing is enjoying accelerating growth throughout the country. Beautiful rustic elegance, little maintenance, the opportunity to leave a tangible legacy for your children and grandchildren, and sustainability are just a few of the differences between the building systems that account for the growing popularity of timber frame homes.

T-Burg Timberframe -- Week 15

2007-11-30T09:34:00.001-08:00

It has now been about three and a half months since delivery and the exterior is about 3 days from completion (except for stonework since it's now too cold to lay it). This is the first photos posted of the house from the lakeside -- I'm standing on the beach. From here you can see the large exterior deck with the covered portion toward the right. Behind it and to the right is the florida room. The deck is supported by a white oak timber frame and the newell posts were also supplied by Woodhouse to match all of the exterior timbers. The giant window wall in the center is partially obscured in this photo by a scaffold structure being used by the guys installing the siding (Dave, Peter, and Hossman). You can also see, to the right and below the deck, the giant culvert that carries rain water from the front of the house out to the rear. Someday it will be incorporated into a stone wall to create a nice water feature.

While down here I took this photo of the existing dock. Needs a little work (maybe some paint?). Views are nice though...

Here's a more familiar view of the project! You can see that the cementatious siding is completed on the front and sides of the house as well as the garage. You can also barely see the felt covered chimney right behind the tree. This will be covered with Eldorado Stone. With most of the leaves down, the dramatic position of the home relative to the lake becomes more apparent.

Aside for the "hay loft" door for access to the storage area above the bays, the garage is fundamentally complete, sans paint.

This is a detail shot of the front of the house. By the way, the whitish gray color is the raw color of the cementatious siding and trim. Finished colors will be richer (but have not been really decided upon yet. The Eagle indows were ordered in a cinnamon red color so the fin ished palette will compliment the warmth of the red and also the rich oak. The Eldorado Stone will also have reddish tones within it.

This bracket designed and installed to look like it is holding up the roof over the mud room is a very pretty touch. It is finished with a product made by Sikkens -- a scandinavian producer of wood finishing products that we have had particularly goor results with. This photo also shows the detail in the siding -- clapboard below with shingles in all of the gables. This detail is much more apparent in person.

All the activity is on the rear deck where the guys are finishing the siding.

On the inside, the house is just about ready for sheetrock. The walls are framed and electrical, rough plumbing, and HVAC just about complete.

Even the fireplaces are now installed -- one in the library (shown to the right) and one in the great room.

T-Burg Timber Frame: Weeks 3-7

2007-10-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

This is the 3rd in a series of posts about a Woodhouse timber frame project on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY. The photo to the right was taken on the 60th day of the project and shows the big jump in progress that has occurred since the Woodhouse package was completed at the end of week three (I've been traveling, etc. and haven't taken photos since then). Specifically, a 2-car detached garage has taken form on the left of the photo (its twin will be constructed on the far right of the photo creating an auto court and four-car capacity). All windows have been installed. We use 3 different window brands -- this home was designed with Eagle brand windows. The roof of the house has been covered with a product called Triflex 30 which acts like 30# felt but will not rip in the wind. The walls are covered in 15# felt and all of the exterior timbers (in white oak because it can handle weather (it's what barrels are made from)) have been installed. The chimneys are framed (you can see one on the front of the house to the right of the entrance) and exterior trim work has begun.

This is a detail photo of the primary entrance to the house. It is a white oak king post truss porch with curved braces. As you can see, the quality of the white oak is very high and, as with all Woodhouse custom projects, all of the joinery is housed which creates a very tightly fitted timber frame in a beautiful cream color. Above the timbers you can see the fascia trim. All of the exterior trim on this house is made from a product that looks like pressed OSB (oriented strand board) with one side formed to look like rough-sawn cedar. This is a relatively weather resistant product that is being used in conjunction with a cementatious siding.

The piers under the timbers are unfinished concrete block which will be faced with a cultured stone product to match all of the chimneys.

On the left side of the house we have built a "stick-built" florida room which will not be insulated and will essentially be a glass structure with french doors that will open to the deck on the lake side of the home. This is a convenient part of the design process at Woodhouse where we will do the design work for non-Woodhouse portions of a project to ensure a unified design while helping the client to manage cost.

It is difficult to see in this photo but there is another entrance just to the right of the Florida room on the front of the house which enters in to a mud room behind the kitchen. This entrance is nicely set off by a white oak truss which you can barely see under the eave.

Moving to the lake side of the home, this photo shows the deck (supported by a white oak timber frame underneath) made from pressure treated joists being covered by a composite decking (stable, weatherproof, black walnut finish). The newel posts were supplied pre-cut by Woodhouse and, above it all is a white oak timber frame covered deck. This area will have a large harvest table for al fresco dining and, at the very end of the deck, set in to the hill, will be an outdoor kitchen.

On the left of the photo you can see the large window wall facing the lake from the great room inside.

On the inside things are progressing as well. This photo shows the timber frame staircase installed by the Woodhouse crew. Behind it you can see that interior wall framing has begun.

This week, as I write, the roof is being shingled and trim continues to progress while, on the inside, the interior walls are bing finished.

T-Burg Timber Frame -- Week Two

2007-09-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd blog post in a series intended to follow a timber frame home project from beginning to end. At the end of the first 40 hours, the Woodhouse crew had erected 90% of the interior frame and about 40% of the structural insulated panels on the project. This post will show the progress made over the next 20 hours and will illustrate some of the specific project details of a typical Woodhouse timber frame home.

The photo above shows the project at the end of day 9. The 2nd floor system has now been completed giving the installation crew a secure base from which to finish the remaining frame and SIPs.

This photo details a bit of the frame (the post located between the great room and the kitchen). There are a couple of things you should take away from this photo. First, it clearly shows the superior timber that we are fortunate to use (27-year relationships with our timber suppliers does count for something!). This is douglas fir and is specified #1 or better (it's much better!), free of heart center (FOHC) and is very dense. Many of the timbers on this project are actually 100% clear grain.

In addition, you can see how tight the joinery is on a Woodhouse timber frame. All of the joints that you see are housed (recessed in a 1/2" "housing" that eliminates gaps and resists movement over time). Although all wood of this size will check (non-structural cracks) and move as it dries, the combination of the superior grade of timber combined with housed joinery will reduce such movement and ensure a more elegant finished product.

I took this photo to more clearly show how we install drywall (blueboard) on to the frame first and then install the SIPs over it. Looking straight ahead, you can see the drywall is located between the frame and the panels. Installing it this way allows us to attach the drywall to the frame members themselves, install the panels, and then, from the inside, screw the drywall in to the panels. This means that, as the timber posts, beams, and braces shrink and move slightly as they dry, the drywall will move with them ensuring a tight joint between the timbers and the drywall over time. To me, this is an important detail and it is the combination of all of these small details (superior grade, housed joinery, exterior drywall attached to the frame, and many others) that results in a truly superior timber frame home.

This photo shows the project on the morning of day 11 after 60 hours of work. The interior frame is complete as are most of the wall SIPs. Conventional trusses are being installed in the 2nd floor of the hybrid portion to the right

and roof trusses are already being installed over the mud room to the left.

The next post will show dramatic progress because I was not on site to photograph for about 10 days and, as I write this, the crew has completed the installation of our package and moved on to the next project. The contractor is now beginning to finish the exterior and frame the interior walls!

T-burg Timber Frame -- Week One

2007-08-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

Trumansburg is located on the west side of Cayuga Lake -- the longest of the Finger Lakes located in central NY just south of Rochester and Syracuse. This project is a special one for us at Woodhouse because it is to be the summer home of my parents (my father has been a mentor to the company for many years and everyone at Woodhouse knows them) and, because it is close to my own residence, it's relatively easy for me to document -- I'm also likely to be more involved in it personally than many of our projects (we regularly ship all over the United States).

The photo to the left shows the project about 4 hours after delivery on Monday, August 20, 2007. The site had been prepared with driveway access, a staging area for material, foundation completed (we used insulated concrete forms (ICFs) and the first floor deck installed. A tractor-trailer arrived at about 8:00a and was unloaded in about 1.5 hours. The shipment included the first floor frame and second floor joist system and was staged about 200 yards from the build site. Our crew (5 plus our foreman) began standing and bracing the douglas fir posts and, by this point, had placed one beam connecting two of the posts. Generally, we begin construction by creating one "box" of posts and beams -- the frame grows from there.

This photo also shows how beautiful the site is. The home is approximately 20 ft. above the beach area which has a nice area for a lawn and dock facilities. What may not be apparent from the photo is that the home is nestled between two high hogbacks which create a very dramatic site but one fraught with drainage issues. There is actually a 2 ft. culvert all the way under the house!

The photo to the right shows the project about 2 hours later. The "box" in the center will form the entrance foyer and it was erected first. Just behind it you can see the tall posts which will support the king post trusses over the great room. To the left of those posts is a "box" which will be the dining area.

The blue line in front of the frame is actually the boom of an all-terrain forklift which is what we use to erect most of the frame and, later, the structural insulated panels (more on them later). This happens to be a Gradall brand. We specify that this piece of equipment must be on site for all of our project installations.

This photo shows the frame on the beginning of day 2. After one day of progress the crew has unloaded the package, staged the material, and erected most of the first floor frame. Pretty good for 9 or 10 hours!

The area to the right of the frame is actually a panel-only section which will make up the master bedroom suite and, above it, a guest bedroom and bathroom. We call this kind of design a "hybrid." That is, it is a timber frame structure in most of the house with some section(s) made out of structural insulated panels (SIPs) only.

Structural Insulated Panels or S.I.P.s are comprised of two skins (usually 7/16" oriented strand board (OSB)) surrounding a central core of insulating material. They are also sometimes referred to as "stress-skin panels." They are installed on a timber frame outside of the frame members to form a continuous blanket of insulation. The result is one of the best-insulated structures possible -- far outperforming traditional insulating methods.

After two days of work (photo taken about 7:30a on day 3), the second floor system over the timber frame has been completed and sheathed with Advantech (this is a 3/4" tongue and groove plywood impregnated with a resin to prevent it from absorbing water and swelling). In addition, you can now begin to see the SIPs being installed in the panel only area. Woodhouse uses only Murus brand polyurethane SIPs which we believe to be the highest quality producer of SIPs in the world. This will be an incredibly well insulated home! You can also see where the crew has preassembled the king post trusses and staged them for when the crane arrives (they are stacked on the floor in front of where the SIPs have been installed).

Day 3 was spent installing SIPs on the first floor (after unloading the second shipment which included the second floor frame abd first floor panels). You can see more SIPs standing in the panel only area and can barely see that the SIPs have been installed on the left side as well (the kitchen & dining areas). Woodhouse supplies the sheetrock for the exterior walls and installs it over the timber frame prior to SIP installation. This is not only the most cost effective way to install the exterior wall finish but also produces the best long term asthetic results. We use blueboard instead of standard drywall because it can be rained on and still retain its shape.

In front of the house you can see a stack of SIPs. The yellow color is a polyurethane core (you may have seen white ones which have a core made of expanded polystirene (EPS)). Polyurethane panels have almost twice the insulating capability of EPS panels. The little black pieces on the edge of the panels are cam-locks made from recycled plastic and replace the spline system found on all other panels. The cam locks reduce installation time by about 30% and make it easier to form the kind of seal necessary to maximize energy efficiency. This cam-lock system and the polyurethane core are just 2 of the reasons we only use Murus brand SIPs!

This photo was actually taken the morning of day 6 (Saturday). Days 4 and 5 were both shortened by steady rain and some pretty severe thunderstorms. The crew usually works through the weekend (they work a schedule of 14 days on / 4 days off to reduce the travel cost to the client) but this Saturday happens to be the day of our company picnic so they've all taken the day off. As you can see, they have almost completed the SIP insulation on the first floor and are almost ready for the crane to lift the upper frame elements in to place. The crane is scheduled for Monday, the 27th (they will work Sunday to finish getting ready). The crew worked approximately 40 hours to get to this point. To get a preview of what the finished product will look like check out our Timber Frame Homes gallery.