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Woodhouse Timber Frame Blog

Your Equestrian
Thursday, October 25, 2012 - 11:14

Your Equestrian Timber Frame Life

 

Woodhouse® The Timber Frame Company, located in Mansfield, PA, has designed and built hundreds of timber frame homes over the past 30+ years, but did you know the company also specializes in barns and stables? After all, many of the original timber frame structures that date back hundreds of years are post and beam and timber framing is an advanced style of post and beam. These homes, commercial buildings, barns, and stables are as efficient as they are elegant, and are a perfect choice for any equestrian farmstead.

 

The roots of timber frame construction began with simple living structures in Europe. Small homes, barns, and stables were built using the wood that was on hand and simple mortise and tenon joinery techniques to hold the frame together. This same technique is applied in every project that Woodhouse produces but with a modern twist. The Hundegger CNC machine cuts the timbers (everything from Southern Yellow Pine to Douglas fir) with incredible accuracy and the finishing work is done by hand by craftsmen using many of the same tools that were used centuries ago.

 

The finished structure comes together on-site in a magnificent frame raising event. Reminiscent of barn raisings of days past, where neighbors and friends gather to raise the skeleton of the barn or home, your frame will be raised by a local builder with the assistance of our technical representative. The frame is then enveloped in structural insulated panels (SIPs) that create a virtually air-tight environment. Pre-cut windows and doors are installed and the finished barn or stable can be detailed, exterior and interior, in any number of styles and finishes. Designing and building a timber frame barn or stable is limited only by your imagination.

 

Timber frame construction can span great lengths and heights, making it an excellent choice for large stables that create inspiration for open floor plans. Working with the Woodhouse design team can factor in the needs of your equestrian structure while also creating a breathtaking space of the highest quality that will last hundreds of years. In fact, Woodhouse offers a Limited Lifetime Transferrable Warranty on every residential and commercial property they build.

 

The use of timber framing in buildings offers various aesthetic and structural benefits, as the timber frame lends itself to open plan designs and allows for complete enclosure in effective insulation for energy efficiency.

 

In modern construction, a timber-frame structure offers many benefits to the home owner:

 

·         Rapidly erected; an "average"-sized timber-frame barn can be erected within 3-4 days.

·         Frame is encased with SIPs for the drying in: that is, ready for windows, mechanical systems, and roofing.

·         Can be tailored to suit customer tastes and creativity such as carvings or incorporation of heirloom structures; such as barns etc.

·         Can use recycled or otherwise discarded timbers for any part of the frame itself.

·         Offers structural benefits as the timber frame, if properly engineered, lends itself to better seismic survivability.

·         Larger spaces between the frames enable greater flexibility in placing and re-locating windows and doors.

·         In North America, heavy timber construction is classified Building Code Type IV: a special class reserved for timber framing which recognizes the inherent fire resistance of large timber and its ability to retain structural capacity in fire situations. All three types of SIP panels used boast a Class 1 Fire Rating—the best available for combustible materials. Because the foam core is solid, there are no cavities or voids in the walls or roof to support a "chimney effect" that can occur during a fire in open-cavity construction. In some cases, this classification may eliminate the need and expense of fire sprinklers in public buildings.

 

Interested in finding out more? Contact Woodhouse today. Woodhouse® The Timber Frame Company has built elegant, energy-efficient timber frame homes, commercial properties, barns, and stables from coast-to-coast. Whether you're in Colorado or Connecticut; in New York or New Mexico, Woodhouse, The Timber Frame Company, has the architects, designers and craftsmen who will assist you with your timber frame project. Woodhouse can make anyone's timber frame dream come true. For  more information, please visit timberframe1.com or call 800.227.4311.
Timber Frame Additions
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 13:40
Timber Frame Additions
All the elegence of a timber frame, but easier on your budget
 
If you love the beauty and elegance of a timber frame home, but aren't able to start from scratch on a timber frame home, an addition from Woodhouse is a great option for you. You may already love your home but need more room, or you just want to add the beauty and craftsmanship of mortise and tenon joinery to your home. It's a great way to add more space and more value to your investment. The most common additions people seem to request are large, cathedral timber frame great rooms with a large master suite included.
 
The first step in the process of building an addition with Woodhouse is to contact your Regional Project Manager. It's very helpful to send him some photos of your home and explain the general idea you're thinking of for your addition. Determine which part of your home you'd like to expand upon.
 
The trickiest part of constructing a timber frame addition is making it "mesh" with the rest of the home. The goal is to make it look like the timber frame section has always been there. There are several important factors to consider including roof lines, accessibility, and site conditions. That's why it's important that your Regional Project Manager visit your home and complete a walk-through of your property. They'll take some rough field measurements and sketch out your project. If you decide to build, you'll work with both your project manager and our in-house architect to turn your home into the home of your dreams.
 

Woodhouse has constructed several timber frame additions and we'd love to be a part of your project. Contact us at 800-227-4311 to get started!
Log Homes
Thursday, October 11, 2012 - 10:07

Log Homes vs. Timber Frames
...how they really stack up
 

Since log and timber homes are so closely related, we're often faced with the task of comparing the two for customers. Many people have dreamt of a log cabin their entire life, and have just recently discovered the beauty and elegance of timber framing. Or, they have always thought that a log home is what they wanted until they see the benefits of a timber frame home.

Below, we've highlighted just a few of the many advantages of timber framing over log construction.

    1. Adaptability - Timber frame homes offer a wide selection of options when it comes to the look and feel of your home. Timber frame styles can range from cabins, barn homes, ranches, and even look right at home on the coast. The ability to side your home in whatever materials and colors you choose provides the homeowner with more options than with log construction. Timber frame homes can fit into a suburban residential landscape or an expansive mountain lot with ease.

         2. Customization -     When it comes to the interior, log cabins can seem too rustic or give the look of "too much wood." That's not the case with timber frames. The addition of SIP wall and roof panels allows the homeowner to paint his or her walls any color they choose. They even have the option of painting the actual timbers! (A past Woodhouse client painted their entire frame white for their coastal vacation home)

          3. Open Floor Plans     - Timber frame homes are known for their open floor plans and spacious living areas. Cathedral ceilings, catwalks, and large eat-in kitchens are some signature features. Log homes, on the other hand, tend to be more crowded, with structural log walls at every turn.

          4. Maintenance     - A big drawback of log cabins is that they require a large amount of maintenance. Exterior logs are exposed to the elements, animals, and insects that can harm the wood if not maintained regularly. Timber frame homes are also made of wood, but with the majority of the exposed timbers being inside the home, they require little to no maintenance, with the exception of any exterior trusses you may choose to add to your home's porch or entranceway.

             5. Energy Efficiency     - Log cabins are inherently difficult to insulate sufficiently. It's difficult to tightly secure the space between each log to ensure a low amount of air infiltration. Log homes are notorious for being poorly insulated and prone to air-leaks. Wood is not a good insulating material and, over time, it shrinks creating gaps around the doors, windows, and chimneys of log homes. Timber frame homes, on the other hand, give you many options on how to finish and insulate your home. SIP panels create a nearly air-tight environment and once the home reaches room temperature, it stays within a few degrees at all times.

          6. Fire Resistance -     If you're ready to build your log or timber frame home, but are worried about a fire destroying your home, you can have peace of mind that Murus polyurethane SIP panels (one of your options when enclosing your timber frame home) have a Class 1 Fire rating, the best available for combustible materials.

          7. Appreciation and Resell Value- Finally, log cabins are a dime a dozen. Why not choose a type of construction that absolutely wows people who enter? The unique features of timber frame construction leave many in sheer awe of this modern, yet traditional form of architecture and design. The limited market for log homes means they often take longer to sell and can't command the same premium prices that timber frame homes do. Timber frame homes have a higher resale value and locking in your design and construction schedule TODAY will provide for a higher return on investment years down the road.
As always, the best way to compare is to see for yourself. Woodhouse offers tours of many timber frame homes within an hour drive of our headquarters in Mansfield, PA. Often, we can even arrange a tour right in your region! For more information, please call us at 800.227.4311.
Architects and Woodhouse The Timber Frame Company
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 11:36
Timber Frame Design and Woodhouse

Working with your own architect on your timber frame dream? Or, perhaps you are an architect creating your next residential or commercial work of art. Woodhouse® The Timber Frame Company makes it easy to add timber framing to your designs. Since 1979, Woodhouse has employed architects and home designer and are also experienced in working with outside architects, engineers and designers. Architects don’t need a working knowledge of timber frame joinery to create stunning timber frame showpieces, they can provide the basic design and vision and we provide support, knowledgeable client services and, of course, the timber framing package. We have the production capability to handle all of your projects from large commercial structures, to residential homes and additions.

Timber framing combines traditional features with modern building techniques that allow your designs to truly come to life. Exposed beams, great rooms and open floor plans are just some of the elements timber framing is known for and Woodhouse has been an industry leader for nearly 35 years.

Benefits for the Architect

·       Design Flexibility – The Woodhouse timber frame system is adaptable to any style and offers open floor plans limited only by your imagination.

·       Makes Ordinary Structures Extraordinary - Clients satisfied with their finished structure means more referrals for your firm.

·       Design Collaboration - You design the structure and we design the timber frame.

·       Full Support - From structural and construction drawings to an experienced on site timber frame technical rep, we strive to make every aspect of your timber project as seamless as possible.

Benefits for the Client

·       Affordable - Often built for the same or even less than conventional custom building techniques and substantial cost savings over time.

·       Highest Quality - An American product with European craftsmanship that is built to last.

·       Energy Efficient - Saves up to 50% on heating and cooling costs over the life of the building.

·       High Indoor Air Quality – Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) walls lock out moisture and eliminate air pockets to help prevent mold and mildew.

·       Higher Return on Investment - Less time in construction means greater return on investment.

·       Pride in Ownership - With your help we create timeless one-of–a-kind structures that are treasured for generations to come.

Contact Woodhouse  today to discuss your next vision with our in-house design team. Our joinery shop currently has openings in the beginning of the year. Email info@timberframe1.com or call 800.227.4311.
Timber Framed Homes Provide a Happy Medium
Friday, July 27, 2012 - 15:28

What's your home's personality?

In a conventially built "stick" home, the interior walls are primarily sheetrock attached to 2 X 4 studs. In a log home, the stacked logs create an interior almost entirely of wood. However, a timber framed home falls somewhere in the middle - a balance of wood and wall -- ready to accommodate your favorite colors, artwork or shelving. The design flexibility of a timber frame home allows you to choose both - beautifully crafted timbers framing painted walls with no studs (since timber frame uses structural insulated panels).

A timber framed interior provides a "head start" in defining the personality of the home. The timbers impart a feeling of strength, warmth, and a connection with nature. The painted drywall surfaces contrast the timbers and provide visual relief. Different timber species also impart a different feeling as will different wall treatments. Played together, you can create an exciting and dynamic interior.

Some examples: a white pine frame will standout crisply against a dark olive or cranberry colored wall (contrasting) enabling the frame to become the center of interest. Whereas a muted green or sienna will have a tendency to absorb a Douglas Fir frame (complimentary) paving the way for artwork, furnishings, and the inhabitants to take center stage.

"Whatever look you want, a post and beam home is adaptable. Whether it's a formal look, contemporary, traditional or rustic elegance, a timber frame home is able to achieve the look and ambience that you, your family, and guests will love." said Greg Burnshaw, mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager for Woodhouse, "the beauty and fliexiblity of a timber frame home is unlike any other style of home on the market."

For more information and to arrange your personal tour of a timber frame home near you, please contact Woodhouse at 800.227.4311.

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