Traditional timber framing consists of large wooden posts and beams bolted together to create a rigid frame. The ancient art of timber construction creates beautiful, rustic structures. You may be surprised to learn that despite the thick posts, a heavy timber house uses less wood than a house built with traditional wood framing.
What is Heavy Timber Framing?
Instead of piecing together a series of little sticks, heavy timber framing uses large posts of wood. Measuring anywhere from 6 inches up to 12 inches thick, the timbers are built into a large frame. The vertical wood is called a post; the horizontal wood is referred to as a beam.
Traditionally, the posts and beams were held together using elaborate joinery and wooden pegs. With modern tools and equipment, the frame can now be bolted together.
In the empty space between the posts, you can place a wide variety of materials as infill. From traditional wood and plaster to straw bale, the infill materials should be green and insulating.
So how could the strong frame of posts and beams use less wood and require less labor than traditional wood framing? The milling of standard lumber requires cutting, so much of the wood is lost. Timber framing uses the entire piece of wood, which minimizes the waste. Instead of an average of 400 studs per house, a timber home uses fewer, larger pieces.
A timber frame can use up to 30% less wood than a wood frame.
The timbers are easily recycled during demolition, and are available from sustainably harvested sources through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
The roof and floors can be constructed out of engineered wood, just as in standard construction. Depending on the infill material you choose for the walls, a timber home can have an incredibly high insulation value.
In a side-by-side comparison to traditional wood framing, it might be hard to see the advantages of timber framing. Consider these benefits:
- A timber-framed home uses up to 30% less wood than a traditional wood-framed home of the same size.
- Because the timbers are often left exposed, they can dry in the open air, lowering the risk of mold growth.
- With fewer and larger pieces of wood, the timber frame will take longer to rot. Rot is always an issue with wood, but the exposed timbers will have a better chance of drying out and avoiding rot.
- Of course, the wood of a timber-framed home will burn, but if it does, it takes much more time (an additional hour or so) for it to catch fire and it burns slower. Most building codes show heavy timber buildings have a higher fire resistance. The edges of the posts and beams are shaved off. Removing these edges lowers the risk of fire by eliminating the thinnest portion of the wood.
- Even in hurricane- and earthquake-prone regions, timber frames are resistant to the shaking. Special connections, such as metal connector plates and bolts, are required in these areas.
How to Take Advantage of Heavy Timber in Your Home
If they’re well insulated, the thick walls of a timber-framed home are ideal for most climates. This method is best in regions where the timbers and skilled contractors are available. ....read more
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