Posts tagged with timber frame
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 […]
Timber Framing With A Vermont Business
Vermont Timber Works, as the name implies, is a Vermont based business. It was founded in Vermont in 1987 and has operated from Vermont for all of the 30 years since its beginning. Our office and shop are located in Springfield, VT and it is from this location that we […]
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 […]
Constructing A Home
This post covers some of the decisions a client makes when they decide to build a timber frame home. One of the first decisions that needs to get made is whether the client wants help from a Construction Management Company or to take on the project for themselves. In this […]
Timber Frame Project Start to Finish: Boat House
One of my favorite parts of living in Vermont now, and New Hampshire growing up, are all of the lakes that we get to enjoy. You can throw a rock in any direction and find a body of water that I would love to spend the day fishing, kayaking, tubing, […]
What’s a tree doing up there?
Have you ever been driving by a construction site and thought to yourself, “Why is there a tree on top of that building? It seems like a very odd time to be celebrating Christmas? Furthermore, why would they go through the trouble to get it up there, they’re just going […]
Unique Timber Projects
When you think of a timber frame structure, do you visualize a home? A barn? How about a ski lodge? At Vermont Timber Works, we pride ourselves in offering timber frame structures like these, among others. In this post, I’m going to show you examples of different Vermont Timber Works frames, […]
Martha’s Vineyard Timber Frame Home
We recently installed a timber frame residence on Martha’s Vineyard, MA. The building began as a few sketches from the client, and eventually became a reality. These drawings and sketches helped us visualize the space and put some ideas together for the client. We use a really nice software program […]
Design/Build vs. Technical/Complex Construction
Design/Build Construction Design it, build it, done! If it were only that easy. Actually, sometimes it is. Design / Build is a wonderful choice for construction, and at Vermont Timber Works, we excel at it. Let’s check out a residential, design/build timber frame! The Adirondack style home, pictured below, was […]
Wrought-Iron & Timber Horse Barn
Would you build a timber frame horse barn on your property? What if you never planned on owning horses? I would! It would be an investment. Honestly, I don’t think that is what this particular client had in mind, but it makes sense to me. This barn is completely fit up […]
Timber Framing Terms
After you admired your first Timber Frame Home or Barn, and became more interested in the craft of Timber Framing and considered possibly constructing one of these beautiful structures for yourself, you probably encountered a lot of terms that you may not have heard before. In this post, we’ve compiled […]
Rough Sawn Hemlock–the Unsung Hero of Timber Framing
Here in New England we have a number of species of trees in our forests, which is why we have such spectacular foliage. One of my personal favorite trees is the Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, a coniferous water-loving species. Hemlock is one of the species we recommend for a number […]
Timber Framing in Central America
We were recently contracted to design the timber frame for a resort in Central America. The project was fairly complex due to the building’s proximity to the ocean, the area’s seismic activity, and the function of the building. The design, with hipped trusses, also added to the complexity of the […]
Post & Beam Progress at Jay Peak Resort
The timber frame structures for Jay Peak Resort are coming along! We are very happy to be doing commercial timber frame work in the North Country. Thank you DEW Construction for choosing us once again. The ticket counter features douglas fir timber rafters with bracing for roof support. Below, is […]
Welcome To The Vermont Welcome Center
The Vermont Welcome Center is located in Guilford, VT off of 91. It has bathrooms, Vermont history, vending machines, and lots of friendly faces. There are always interesting and unique things on display here, which change seasonally. The main building for the Vermont Welcome Center features an impressive barn style […]
Timber…I’m Falling in Love!
Have you ever walked into a building so beautiful it was love at first site? That’s what tends to happen when you enter the Southern Vermont Welcome Center on Interstate 91, or the Spruce Peak Lodge in Stowe, VT. At Vermont Timber Works, we are the Cupids of Craftsmen. Once we get your attention, you will fall […]
