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Your Link to Timber Frame News & Information | |
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Need help finding a timber frame professional? |
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Will You Join Us For A Free Webinar?
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Building a Timber Frame Home
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
What you will learn:
- How to start the process
- Establishing a budget
- Home design and considerations
- Selecting a timber framer
- Understanding construction time frame and scheduling
- Getting the process started
Click here to register for this FREE and INFORMATIVE program! Sponsored by the Timber Frame Business Council and produced by BuilderRadio.com |
| Energy Efficiency In A Timber Frame Home |
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Timber Frame Owner Shares Their Energy Savings
Energy efficiency is probably the most important step in building a sustainable home. Our timber frame, enclosed with energy efficient structural insulated panels, is off to a great start in living up to its "energy efficient" label.
Our first electric bill arrived with the grand total of $38.49. Power tools were still being used to do "punch list" items and we ran the dishwasher much more than usual to clean up dishes that we'd stored in the barn (and the novelty of having a dishwasher again after 12 years without one).
We have fluorescent bulbs in most fixtures (and most fixtures are Energy Star rated), not one incandescent bulb in the house, Energy Star rated appliances and a heat pump. Our on demand water heater is propane, but we expect the cost to operate the pump to be minimal. We have more windows than a typical home and a west facing window wall. We didn't use the air conditioner much because the house is so comfortable that we don't need it.
We will be posting our power bills monthly, so you can help us keep track of our savings. Timber frames and structural insulated panels present a great opportunity to build a home that will not only be beautiful, but will conserve energy long term.
David and I are excited about this opportunity to live in a new home that "sits gently on the land" ... and saves us money. Click here to check out their first energy bill as well as their blog, detailing the home from start to finish. |
| Timber Frame of the Month: Iroquois Island Home |
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This month's Timber Frame, a home remodel, comes from New Energy Works, with shops in both Farmington, NY and McMinnville, OR.
This 1950's ranch located on the rocky shores of the 1000 Islands was transformed from a drab "cookie-cutter" home to a timber frame dream home. Before the remodel, the home contrasted the surrounding landscape, looking as if it didn't belong. Now, the home integrates natural elements like reclaimed old-growth timbers and stone to blend in with the environment.
New Energy Works Timberframers designed and crafted the timber frame elements using reclaimed Douglas Fir from the demolition of two industrial buildings. The truss design is unique not just because it uses antique wood, but because of the semi-oval curves located on each truss. Each curved piece has 7 smaller pieces to achieve the look. For continuity across home, car shelter, and guest house, the same design is repeated.
Pioneer Millworks, sister company to New Energy Works, sourced the timber and other wood used in the remodel. Grater Architects, PC were the architects responsible for the overall design. Mark Reff was the general contractor.
Before After
 
To check out more projects by New Energy Works, visit their website, www.newenergyworks.com | |
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| Selecting An Architect |
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Picking the right person to design your green home is an important first step
A successful green project begins with the relationship between the homeowner and the architect. Understanding what an architect is capable of bringing to a specific project also helps to define the relationship.
The role of the architect is not just that of a designer. The architect is often the owner's representative and primary point of contact, providing services such as project administration and management, bidding and contract negotiation, and construction administration. Building codes, life safety codes, zoning and environmental impact issues are researched and interpreted for your specific project as well as assistance and representation at public hearings when required. Consider the previously mentioned items in conjunction with coordinating the project design consultants (landscape architects, engineers and interior designers, for example), managing the project budget, the architectural design and documentation, materials selection, and bidding and cost analysis, and you can see there is an obvious need for a strong relationship and trust between owner and architect.
Sometimes the most difficult step is not selecting an architect, but finding several appropriate ones to choose from. The architecture firm you select should reflect your green vision, understand your goals and be familiar with the type of project you are building. The American Institute of Architects, as well as its state and local chapters, offer search options online to find local architects by differing criteria such as distance from a selected zip code, services offered and building type. LEED Accredited Professionals will list their credentials and affiliations. The Internet is another valuable resource, where you may find the history of the firm, its mission statement, states it is registered in and principal firm members. Word of mouth from builders, contractors and other industry professionals may also steer you in the direction of a firm meeting your needs for an energy-efficient home. Click here to read more. |
| Ask the Expert |
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Do you have a question about your home or building project? Please forward your questions to pam@timberframe.org and the answer may be found in the next edition of "In Touch." |
| Tell Us Your Story |
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If you have built a timber frame home and you'd like to share your story with our readers, please pass along your story (and any photos) -- we'd like to highlight your project! Send your story to info@timberframe.org! |
| About the Timber Frame Business Council |
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Established in October 1995, the Timber Frame Business Council (TFBC) was created as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality, integrity and marketability of the timber frame industry. TFBC is committed to strengthening and advancing the business, communications and research capabilities within the timber frame industry.
Using its most traditional definition, timber framing is a specific type of post and beam construction in which a frame is created from solid wood timbers that are connected by several types of interlocking wood joinery including mortise and tenon, dovetails or scarfs secured with hardwood pegs.
Timber frames are enclosed using several methods. While traditional timber frames were typically in-filled (between the posts and beams) with various mixtures of clay, straw, lime and other regionally available materials, contemporary frames use several methods that effectively enclose the timber frame and allow the timbers to remain exposed to the interior of the building. Timber framing is a building system which lends itself well to both residential and commercial construction over a broad spectrum of architectural styles such as; traditional, rustic, modern, southwestern, oriental and colonial to name a few. Timber framing integrates well with many other building systems and materials, such as; structural insulated panels, log systems, engineered wood products, concrete and conventional stud framing. |
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| The Timber Frame Business Council is a non-profit trade association dedicated to putting you in touch with North America's best timber framing professionals. Please consider hiring a TFBC member for your next building project! And, remember, to stay "In Touch"!
Sincerely,
Pam Hinton, Executive Director
Timber Frame Business Council |
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Visit Us!!!
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Timber Frame Business Council
Your Link to Timber Frame Professionals, Resources & Information
104 Carlisle St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325 USA
888-560-9251
www.timberframe.org
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We'd like to hear from you! Email to info@timberframe.org or pam@timberframe.org
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