Author Archive
Gray or Aged Wood Stains at Vermont Timber Works
The Look of Aged Wood Aged wood is a look that a lot of people enjoy. For years, we’ve offered an aged wood finish at Vermont Timber Works. This would involve lying the timbers out in our field for a few months and letting them age naturally. As with […]
Wood Stains at Vermont Timber Works
How we use Stains at Vermont Timber Works Wood stains are essential to protect and seal the wood, as well as provide a finished look that is aesthetically pleasing. Water Based vs Oil Based There are pros and cons to both oil-based and water-based stains. At Vermont Timber […]
What Is A Timber Frame?
What is a Timber Frame and Why You Should Consider Building with One? You’ve probably seen Timber Frames before and didn’t even know it. Often people have an image in their head of what they’re looking for before they have the name to describe it. When I try to […]
Historic Reconstructions: Continuing the Timber Frame Tradition
Timber Framing is a historical building method that has existed in Europe and Japan for hundreds of years. Because of this, Vermont Timber Works is sometimes called upon to assist in the historical reconstruction or rehabilitation of historical timber frame buildings. We have also built on additions to historical buildings […]
Building With Wood vs Steel
Most people don’t consider steel when thinking about building a home. But for people building a barn or commercial space, they first have to decide whether they’re going to build with steel or wood. Today we’re going to go over some of the considerations for both building materials. […]
The Importance of the Peg
Today I thought we’d take a closer look at the Pegs that are used to secure the connections of our Timber Frames. When using traditional joinery to make connections in a Timber Frame, the pegs are there to stabilize the connections and keep them secure. Unlike […]
Timber Frames in California
California is a great state for timber frames. There’s beautiful scenery, mountains, the ocean, vineyards, sunsets, and warm weather perfect for enjoying the outdoors. California combines the rustic, warm beauty of the West and the high-end elegance of the rich and famous. It’s a place of duality. Timber frames […]
Rebuilding Vermont Timber Works
On Saturday evening, September 21st, 2019, Vermont Timber Works suffered a devastating fire. Even though fire crews battled the blaze for hours, the whole building and everything in it ended up being destroyed. It is believed the fire was started when rags soaked in stain and sawdust in a dumpster […]
Why We Love Building Timber Frame Churches
Vermont Timber Works has worked on many church and chapel projects since the company was founded in 1987. We’ve been involved in a variety of religious building projects which have included new church construction, church renovation, and historical church reconstruction, as well as expansions and additions. Designing trusses, beams, and […]
The Pole Barn vs The Timber Frame Barn
People often call us asking for Post and Beam Barns, Pole Barns, or Timber Frame Barns, oftentimes using the terms interchangeably. While it’s understandable how people could get all the terms mixed up or think they were the same thing, today we’re going to break down the differences between the […]
Our Favorite Wood Stains at VTW
Applying Finish Here, dark walnut Minwax stain is being applied to the chamfered edge on the timbers using a foam brush. Each beam has stain applied to all four sides and in all the pockets and joints. There are many important choices to make when considering the details of […]
Back to School with Vermont Timber Works
Lately, in the morning and evening there’s been a noticable chill in the air, which is an unmistakable mark of the end of summer and the beginning of the Fall. And of course, that means we’ve now entered the back-to-school season as well. So today, I thought we’d take a […]
Scrolls, Finials, & Corbels
Every Timber Frame Vermont Timber Works builds is a completely custom creation. This allows our clients to make sure that they get exactly what they’ve been picturing. Today I’d like to talk about some decorative accents you can incorporate into your frame that can help you further customize your timber […]
Summer Camp with Vermont Timber Works
Even though it’s early August and it’s still pretty hot out, we’re already starting to see back-to-school ads and considering the end of the summer and sending our children back to school. While summer may be winding down, it’s not over just yet! In honor of the last few weeks […]
Pool Houses by VTW
I thought that since it’s been so hot this summer that we could take a look at some of the Timber Frames that VTW has fabricated for Pool Houses in the past. Take a look at each of these past projects that feature a mix of indoor and outdoor pools […]
8 Facts About Timber Framing
Timber Framing is a Very Old Building Tradition Timber Framing is an ancient building method that goes back hundreds if not thousands of years. The building method was developed as a way to build strong and secure buildings out of large pieces of wood, without metal nails, which were expensive […]
The Time Frame of a VTW Timber Frame
Our clients often wonder how long the timber frame process will take, starting from the time they sign their contract to when the timber frame is delivered to their building site. Time Frame is an understandable question to have when you’re trying to coordinate with different building partners. The time […]
8 Parks You Should Visit This Summer
Since we’re approaching the official start of summer, I thought it would be nice to look back at some of the Timber Frame structures VTW has put up in parks across the country. So look over this list and discover some parks where you can have fun outside as well […]
The Log Cabin, Post and Beam, and Timber Frame Home: What’s the Difference?
Today I thought it would be helpful to look at some of the similarities and differences between Timber Frame Homes, Log Cabin Homes, and Post and Beam Homes. There seems to be some confusion as to how to define each, and whether it’s a difference of style, design, or construction. […]
Barn Kit vs. Timber Frame Package
Sometimes when new clients call us about a potential project they have questions about Barn Kits, if we provide them, and how our services compare to companies that sell kits. In this post I wanted to go over in very general terms, what a barn kit provides (generally, because every […]
The Difference Between Building a Timber Framed Home and a Conventionally Framed Home
Most people who are interested in building a custom home are already somewhat well-versed in the building process and what it entails. However, when using a timber frame instead of a stick frame for your custom home, the building process can look a little different. People often ask us how […]
How Much Does A Timber Frame Cost?
People ask us this question more than any other, and we thought it’d be helpful to address the question of pricing here. Because the price of a timber frame is less of a question and more of a conversation. When it comes to the cost of a timber frame, […]
Commonly Asked Questions At Vermont Timber Works
Today I thought it might be helpful to answer some of the more common questions we get at Vermont Timber Works. Some of these questions we’ve answered before in other blog posts and elsewhere on the website, but I thought it might be good to put all these answers together […]
Springtime at Vermont Timber Works
It might not feel like it’s exactly springtime here in Vermont, but whether you notice it or not, the days are getting brighter and a little warmer, the snow is melting and the ground is starting to thaw and everything is starting to get muddy. There’s a nice, earthy smell […]
Looking Back at a Few of Our Favorite Local Projects
While Vermont Timber Works enjoys being able to build Timber Frames all over the country (and sometimes internationally!), there’s something satisfying about building in your home state, for people who are your neighbors. Vermont is one of those unique places that just has an atmosphere about it. There is a […]
Weathered Beams
Today we’ll take a more in-depth look at weathered beams, the process, the look, and some examples. Weathering is an option you can choose for your timber that gives it an aged, antique look. The weathered beams generally look much older than they actually are and they give a space […]
What Wood Species Should I Build With?
When you start to plan your Timber Frame project, one of the biggest questions you’ll have to answer is what species of wood you want to use for your frame. The wood species you choose will affect the price of your frame, the dimensions of the wood members, and other […]
Timber Checking
Wood is a natural material prone to change and variation. Like people, no two trees are exactly the same, and no piece of wood from two individual trees will ever look perfectly identical. The nice thing about wood is that pieces of timber will always complement each other even if […]
Solar Power at Vermont Timber Works
Did you know that since 2015 our shop has been powered completely by solar energy? In October 2014, we began the process of becoming a solar-powered timber frame shop by contacting Tim Biebel at Prudent Living, a Net-Zero Design and Building Company in Windsor Vermont. We wanted to be up […]
Basic Truss Styles
The Truss is the heart of the timber frame and is functional as well as decorative. Our clients can choose their truss style based on their stylistic vision for their home and the load bearing requirements of their structure. Today we’re going to look at 4 basic styles of Trusses. […]
Steel Connections and Timber Frames
Today we’re going to look at how Steel is used in Timber Framing. While the traditional joinery techniques that are used in Timber Framing are strong and secure, sometimes steel connections are used to reinforce connections in particularly large structures or when there’s a heavy wind or snow load. Other […]
Traditional Joints Used in Timber Framing
In this blog post, we’re going to look at some of the Traditional Joinery Methods we use for our Timber Frames. These are traditional joints that have been used in woodworking for centuries and they are strong and durable. While we use Traditional Joinery Methods at Vermont Timber Works, […]
Timber Framing Styles
Today we’re going to look at a few of the most common Timber Framing Styles that we use at Vermont Timber Works. Obviously, this isn’t a complete list of every style of Timber Frame that exists, but a list of the most common styles to inspire and educate. […]
Honoring The Timber Framing Tradition
Today we’re going to talk about why Vermont Timber Works stays true to the traditional way of creating Timber Frames, and what makes our workshop completely custom. What Makes Timber Framing So Special? Timber Framing is a building technique that has been around for hundreds of years. There are […]
Basic Barn Styles
When people come to us looking for a Timber Frame Barn, often times they aren’t fully aware of all the different styles of barns that they can choose from. Today, we’re going to look at 4 basic styles of barns. Obviously, there are many more styles and variations out there, […]
Preparing For Winter: Insulating & Weatherizing Your Timber Frame Home
The winters in Vermont can be harsh. So Vermont Timber Works understands how important proper and efficient insulation is. Today we’re going to talk about the insulation that we prefer to use in our Timber frames, as well as other insulation options and weatherization techniques that will keep your home […]
Glulam vs. Solid Beams: Which Is Best For Your Project?
Customers often ask us about using Glulam in their building projects and want to know how this material differs from solid WOOD beams. And how do you know when to use Glulam in your project and when to use timber? Glulam Glued laminated timber, also called Glulam, is a type […]
5 Timber Frame Structures That Are Haunted!
In honor of Halloween, today Vermont Timber Works takes a look at 5 Timber Frame Structures from around the world that are haunted! The Fairbanks House in Dedham, MA The Fairbanks House in Dedham, Massachusetts was built between 1637 and 1641 making it the oldest Timber Frame Home […]
Open Concept Living: Why Great Rooms Are So Great!
Within the last ten years, the idea of the open concept floor plan has come to reign supreme in home design. People can’t seem to get enough of large, open rooms that serve a variety of functions instead of having compartmentalized rooms each with an individual purpose. In the Timber […]
5 Details That Make Your Timber Frame Home Unique!
Ideas and Inspiration for designing and decorating your custom Timber Frame Home! Windows Windows are the eyes of the house. They let in light, and allow the view of a home’s natural surroundings to inform the feelings inside. There are many interesting window options that look especially unique […]
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Reclaimed Wood
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Reclaimed Wood Reclaimed wood is lumber that has been rescued from antique barns, factories, mills, and sometimes even old fences or wine barrels. Vintage wood has had a huge surge in popularity in the last few years, and rightly so. Antique timber […]
