If you ask the experts at Robert J. Campbell Jr & Sons, Inc., the secret to a well-established structure for your house does not lie only within materials and designs. Rather, it is simply the result of a time-tested architectural technique known as timber frame construction.
How timber framing (post & beam) can help improve your home
Robert J. Campbell Jr. has been involved in Timber Frame (Post & Beam) construction since 1972. Bob Campbell cannot understand why anyone would NOT build with Timber Framing and SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels). If you are looking for a house with built up crown moldings, and chair rails, then perhaps a timber framed house is not for you. If you’re looking for a home with vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan and beautiful timber frames that are also energy efficient, then you’ve come to the right place.
The trend to go to energy efficient homes with geothermal systems and photovoltaic cells is an expensive route. A timber framed house complete with SIPs will give you a house that is 20% higher in insulated value than a conventionally spray foamed house.
Learning About Timber Frame Construction
While the terms “Post and Beam” and “Timber Frame” can be used interchangably, there is actually a difference between them. Post and Beam construction is a system of wood construction where vertical posts hold up horizontal beams. They can be connected to each other by notches or by connecting plates of steel. Timber Framing differs because the wooden posts and beams are held together by mortise and tenons and then they are fastened with wooden pegs.
Since this building method has been used for thousands of years throughout the world, different styles were developed in different regions. It was brought to this country by the settlers who arrived in New England and began building the same types of structures they used in Europe. They used large trees which were plentiful and cut the timbers by hand. In later years, the timbers were sawn in mills. Over time, this method of construction slowly faded away but it was revived in the 1970s’s by craftsmen and several small companies. Some changes were made during this revision. The solid timber frames were left exposed on the interior of the house to showcase the beauty of the wood. The house enclosed the frame like an envelope. Today, frames can be cut precisely by computerized machines to exact dimensions to create beautiful new, energy efficient homes whose owners can enjoy the strength and beauty of wood.
Advantages of Timber Framing
-
Openness of the floor plan — The framework of the heavy timbers create open spaces and high ceilings. Interior walls are not load bearing so they can be placed to create as much openness as is wanted. On the exterior walls windows and doors don’t require headers enabling large areas of glass to be designed for the home.
-
Efficiency — The energy efficiency of a timber framed home comes in part from the use of SIPs panels. SIPs are Structural Insulated Panels that totally engulf the timber frame so that there are no thermal breaks. They provide energy efficiency, superior living comfort and improved indoor air quality. Their high r-value help reduce heating and cooling loads, which can preserve fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse emissions. The average heating system on a conventionally framed home requires approximately 40 BTUs per square foot, while a timber framed home with SIPs uses 27 BTUs per square foot. Quite a savings when it comes to designing the size of a heating system in your new home!
-
Savings — The openness of a timber framed home, much like post and beam, gives the feel of a much larger home. When showing a timber framed home that he has built to a new client, Bob always asks the client to guess the square footage of the house. Without fail, a client will guess that the timber framed house contains more square footage than it actually does. You can have a house that feels larger than it really is...a nice way to save money!
-
Sustainability — Wood is a renewable resource. We can design and build a house using wood from suppliers that comply with sustainable forestry initiatives.
To find out more about Timber Frame (Post & Beam) construction, contact us at 845-677-3732 or email us at robertcampbell@rjcampbellinc.com or fill out the form here to make an appointment.