Timber Frame Home Design
Timber Frame Homes
on the Northern Neck and Beyond…
Timber frame home design has become very popular for both vacation and year-round homes, on the Northern Neck of Virginia—and internationally.
Timber frame construction today remains similar to timberframe construction of several hundred years ago. Timber framed houses are both beautiful and durable—typically lasting over 200 years. Among the most sturdy of construction techniques, timber framing has stood the test of time—surviving severe weather and years of heavy use. What makes timber frame construction different? A timber frame home is built from the inside out, forming the wood skeleton seen in the photo below.
A timber frame home has a wood skeleton that can stand alone.
Timber Frame Construction
The traditional timber frame joinery system came to America during the early colonial times. Just like in colonial times, the woodwork is held in place with wooden pegs—similar to the way that fine furniture is made.Today, however, companies like Crockett Timber Homes, use pre-cut homes that are precision-cut at the factory, using traditional mortise, tenon and spline joinery. Timber homes give you lots of flexibility in home design, as the frame is totally independent of the interior walls. There are no load-bearing walls inside. This allows you to move your interior walls around to any location, without worrying about whether the structure will be sound. Timber frame houses are incredibly strong. They have actually survived hurricane and tornado force winds—when building around them have been destroyed. This is why so many of these timber homes and barns have survived over 200 years! Many of the original colonial timber frame structures (homes and barns) are still in use--in places like New England and here in Virginia.
Timber Frame Interiors
Timber frame home design and contruction allow you to show as many exposed beams and posts as you’d like. And the beautiful wood beams give you many options—elegant but rustic lodge, sophisticated eco and green building, rustic country, sophisticated with antique furniture, etc. One of the best features of timber frame houses is that you can have huge, dramatic and very decorative beams—designed especially for you! Because of this, your custom timber frame home will be truly unique!
Timber frame home designs often have custom decorative beams, like this Kings Post Truss.
Hybrid Timber Frame Home Design
While timber frame homes are exquisite, they do cost at least 20% more (depending on the options for finishing that you choose) than a traditional custom home. Because a timber frame is a luxury home, many people choose higher end options like granite counter tops and hardwood flooring. Many people compromise on their dream home design, thinking that they simply can’t afford a custom timberframe home. But there is another option. Crockett Timber Frame Homes offers a hybrid timber frame custom home. You can have the look of a true timber frame home for about 10% more than a traditional stick frame home. Crockett combines the traditional old world craftsmanship of timber framing with the modern Ultra R wall and roof SIPs (structural insulated panels). The SIPs surround the timber frame and create an exceptionally energy efficient insulation envelope. Because of this super air-tight construction with superior insulation, you can downsize your heating & cooling unit, and you will be very comfortable—at a fraction of your old heating and cooling costs.
Money Saving Options
for the Timber Frame Look
Crockett Timber Homes will work with you to give you the home that you want—within your budget. Some people choose to use timber frame construction for the great room (main section of the house) and the more economical post and beam construction for the other areas of the home.Still another option is to use post and beam construction (with exposed beams) that has the appearance of timber framing, in the great room and traditional stick construction in other areas like bedrooms. Go to standard home designs to see some of the home designs that can be customized.
Timber Frame Tradition
If you look closely at the photo at the top of this article, you’ll see a green branch at the top of the frame. This is part of a tradition for timber frame homes.
A timber frame tradition is that owners place a fir branch
at the top of their new timber frame.
When the timber frame has been completed, the new owner climbs up and places a fir branch at the top. This will bring the new owners good fortune in their new home.Timber framing is also an occasion for social get-togethers. When the framing is done, friends and family are invited for the special occasion, called a Timber Frame Raising. (Remember the Barn Raisings of years ago?) And so the new owners’ social support system is at their home site--to celebrate the beginning of their new home! It’s always a festive occasion for everyone who attends! Timber frame home design is always a custom home design, as the frame must be properly engineered. Timber frames are unique and beautiful, in addition to being extraordinarily strong! You can learn more about
Crockett Timber Homes and their timberframes here.
Timber Frame Home Design to Luxury Custom Homes
Timber Frame Home Design to Northern Neck Virginia
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
|
