Innholdsfortegnelse for Annual Buyers Guide 2020 i Timber Home Living

Everyone will feel included, as the open concept of the kitchen, great room, covered porch and dining room are second-to-none. This gourment kitchen is designed for large family gatherings, as it features four food prep areas and enough cabinetry and countertop space to satisfy even the world's best chefs. Every feature in this custom timber home is designed to maximize style and functionality. The calming atmosphere of this master suite features stunning views of the lake. The spa-like soaking tub will be your oasis after a long day. Golden Eagle Log & Timber Homes custom designed and supplied these impressive built-in book shelves and night stands to surround the master bed. The room is finished with soft tones and textures. The timbers in this room are smooth and painted to…

Timber homes continue to win converts with their craftsmanship, variety and superior energy efficiency. But despite their positive features, timber homes remain a small segment of the custom-home market. As a result, how to buy and build one of these houses is a mystery to most people. The most important step toward figuring it all out: Understanding that buying and building a timber home is a process. During the planning phase, you’ll gather information to learn all that’s involved and the choices that are available to you. So, let’s get started. ADDRESS YOUR OPTIONS In general, timber homes fall within several categories, based on how the timbers are used or are fastened. All timber homes showcase the beauty of the wood, which adds abundant character to a home’s interior. Traditional…

SIPs (structural insulated panels) are the most popular way to enclose a timber home. Although individual products from manufacturers vary, today’s SIPs all have a solid core of insulation sandwiched between two layers of oriented strand board (OSB). Other materials used in SIPs include plywood, wafer board, sheet metal and gypsum board. The white core often is polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, styrofoam or polyurethane — the same durable-yet-lightweight foams used in bicycle and motorcycle helmets and egg cartons — and can be enhanced with graphite for an even bigger boost to its already impressive insulating properties. SIPs are available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes, and panels generally weigh less than four pounds per square foot, making them light enough to install by hand, though a crane often is used…

Everyone envisions his or her timber home on that perfect piece of property with that magnificent view. But beauty is only skin deep, and, when buying land, you’ll not only need to know what’s beneath the surface, but what it will take to access it. Let’s review the essential points you should consider to ensure the land you love is livable. VIABILITY You’ve found a gorgeous piece of property, but will it work for you? Think ahead; extending power lines for your personal use and blasting unforeseen bedrock can be huge budget busters. Before you actually make an offer on a parcel, know exactly how you are going to handle: ■ Water (either from a public water company or from a well)■ Waste (either septic or public sewer)■ Power (public…

Whether it’s to reduce upkeep, live a simpler life to get the best value for their money, many timber home buyers are moving toward smaller, more efficient designs. But that doesn’t mean you have to shrink your dream home to the size of a studio apartment. Rather, it involves getting back to the basics of what you need to function. If you can relate, follow these design ideals for small-scale timber homes. Understand how much space you actually need. Despite preconceptions about the square footage you and your family need, until you actually see the dimensions, it can be hard to visualize. How people perceive space in their minds is called “volume metrics.” It’s a spatial calculation that your brain does automatically, and if these metrics are out of whack,…

Most timber framers will cut the frame, deliver it to your site and raise it. At this point, some will continue to finish the home’s construction, while others will turn the job over to a contractor. Is there any advantage to doing it one way or the other? Not really. Some framers are excellent builders, particularly when it comes to finish work in a predominantly wood home. Others may not be as capable or move as fast as you’d like. Or you may be building your home far from your framer’s shop, and hiring a local builder may be more practical. Whoever builds the home, the best qualifications are that he/she provides reliable, qualified subcontractors and that you feel comfortable communicating your needs. If you use a builder other than…

While saving energy (and money) is top of mind for many timber homeowners, it’s also become increasingly important for us to live in a toxin-free environment. According to the Healthy House Institute (healthyhouseinstitute.com) we spend about 90 percent of our time inside our homes, so improving our indoor-air quality is vital. When it comes to creating a healthy home, there are six smart solutions to help you breathe easier: 1 Start with low-VOC stains and sealants. The chemical makeup of the stains and sealants you use on your timber frame has an impact on the air quality of your house. Manufacturers like Sashco, Weatherall, Perma-Chink, ISK Biocides, Structures Wood Care and CTA Products Group produce sealants that are free from the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can pollute indoor air…

Roofs protect interior spaces that have been inspired by years of preparation, and their pitches give a house its dimension. And yet we often don’t consider roofing material until our design team or builder brings it up. In actuality, your roof should be on the short list of decisions to make during the planning phase. But roofing options (just like most finishes for the home) can be extremely overwhelming, from material choices to colors to pricing. To get started, if you haven’t already done so, check out online photo galleries, clip pictures from magazines and envision the roof you’d like to have for your future home. In addition to looks, consider the characteristics and benefits of each material. A closer look at four of the top roofing options may reveal…

As with furniture, your cabinetry reflects the quality and craftsmanship that went into creating it; more customized options command a higher price. Custom cabinetry is pricey, but you can pick a color, style, shape and size to fit your home. Lower-priced options, such as stock and semi-stock, will give you fewer design options but can still be attractive and affordable. Whichever you choose, look for drawers and doors that have metal components rather than plastic — they’ll operate better over the long term. And take your time perusing your styles and materials; the right ones will last for years to come.…

Use this directory to locate and contact timber companies that interest you. In addition to contact information, you’ll find a company overview, media available (brochures, DVDs, etc.), as well as the market area(s) served. (See map below.) This directory represents timber companies who have advertised in this issue. Find more timber companies in the Builder-Dealer Marketplace (p. 115). For additional companies, contact the Timber Framers Guild at 888-453-0879 or www.tfguild.org. Editor’s Note: We do not rate or recommend companies. The information herein was provided by the producers themselves; therefore, we can not guarantee accuracy. Contact the timber producers directly for more information. MARKET AREA KEY NE = NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES SE = SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES GL = GREAT LAKES REGION MW = MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES SC = SOUTH CENTRAL UNITED…

HAMMERBEAM ■ Creates vaulted spaces■ Achieves a cathedral quality■ Can be enhanced with embellishments KING POST WITH STRUTS ■ The most cost-effective■ Offers a strong, sturdy appearance■ Creates a cozy, intimate feeling QUEEN POST (MODIFIED) ■ Can span distances of 30 feet or more■ Offers an open area in the center of the truss■ Visually lowers the ceiling height for a more intimate feel SCISSOR ■ Ideal for steep roof pitches■ Perfect for those seeking something unique■ Can create a narrow, cottage-like aesthetic…

Construction is the most critical phase of the timber home buying process, but it doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful. Knowing how the events unfold will allow you preview the work ahead and know who’s responsible for making sure everything goes according to plan. 1. Create a workable schedule. Like any type of custom construction, building a timber home isn’t a speedy endeavor. Set aside six to seven months to refine your home’s design, which will be when you create your floor plans and working drawings. After that, allocate another two months for the timbers to be cut and delivered to your building site. Raising and enclosing the frame takes approximately one week. Depending on its size, finishing it can take two to nine months or more. 2. Finalize…

DURABILITY. A solid wood floor can last for a century or more, thanks to a durable finish that can be easily repaired, sanded and refinished whenever it starts to wear thin. WARMTH. Wood also offers a solid, warm feel underfoot. Mother Nature designed this resource to be an excellent insulator. With thousands of air chambers per cubic inch, wood floors are much cozier than other flooring options. MAINTENANCE. Hardwood floors are a breeze to clean — and simply incorporating them into your home increases its value. PERMANENCE. A vintage version of solid wood, antique or “reclaimed” floors bring instant history to a new home. Many found woods have been salvaged from old barns or industrial buildings. Found flooring is also quite durable and environmentally friendly, since it makes use of…

Reclaimed, recycled and antique materials are a beautiful way to add instant value and unique historical charm to your home — not to mention the resources you’ll be saving by forgoing brand new materials. Compared to new products, reclaimed items (particularly old-growth wood) are much stronger and will last longer in your home. Many reclaimed items also will require less maintenance simply because they’ve already worn over time, creating a storied look that’s become increasingly fashionable in recent years.…

FIREPLACE A popular hearth option that now comes in affordable factory-built models PROS: Traditional appeal; can be open on one to four sides CONS: Typically requires professional installation; full-masonry fireplaces require a reinforced foundation to support their weight FIREPLACE INSERT An insulated, closed-door system placed in an existing wood-burning fireplace opening PROS: Increases the efficiency of older fireplaces; can function as a secondary home heater CONS: Requires a working chimney; inserts typically must be removed for routine maintenance WOOD OR PELLET STOVE A freestanding option that combines ambiance with ease of use PROS: Wide range of sizes; very efficient heat source CONS: Takes up space in the room; requires fireproof flooring material underneath MASONRY HEATER Uses stone mass to absorb the heat from small, hot fires, radiating warmth even after…

STAY ON TRACK Highlight different aspects of a room by installing track lighting or rail systems on walls, ceilings or beams. Some systems are more versatile than track lighting. Rails, for example, can bend around corners, and they’re available in wavy lines and geometric shapes. LOOK UP To increase ambient light in a room, consider uplighting. If you have a low, light-colored ceiling, use it to your advantage by bouncing light off of it with standing floor lamps. To brighten cathedral ceilings, add uplights at the 9-foot level to keep the light from getting lost in the rafters — and showcase the timber trusses in the process. WASH YOUR WALLS IN LIGHT Fixtures attached to walls can add soft lighting to a room. Wall washers that highlight art are a…

Thinking outside the box comes naturally for Shannon Young. This is especially apparent in the Connecticut home that he shares with his wife, Danielle, and their three boys. The timber home is a testament to the jaw-dropping things that can happen when you push the boundaries of traditional design. For the Youngs, that meant adding a silo-like stone structure to the front of the cedar-wrapped home, incorporating an eye-popping spherical staircase into it, then crowning it with a custom light fixture that cascades dramatically through the center. It also meant giving passersby a glimpse of a striking backlit salt wall through a sliver of glass in the 650-pound walnut front door, plus ditching a basic mudroom bench to swap in a 50-inch diameter tree burl that took 18 months to…

Timber framing is graceful, strong and so well established that once upon a time it used to simply be called “building.” It forms the basis of a structure that can last for generations. In fact, in Europe and Asia there are timber-framed buildings that have stood for centuries. Today, timber homes have enjoyed a surge in popularity due to their ties to nature, the artful way in which they’re crafted and the extraordinary level of engineering that goes into them — a combination that makes them as sturdy as they are beautiful. A timber home uses a framework of large posts and beams joined by wood pegs or by other types fasteners. Almost always, the walls of the structure are affixed to the outside of the timber frame, leaving the…

Flow is absolutely crucial in creating a floor plan that works with your life. In fact, arranging rooms in a way that makes sense is the point of floor plans. To get the flow right, take into account everything from the view you want to capture to the way you’ll move around in your home. Here’s how. START WITH YOUR LOCATION AND YOUR LANDSCAPE. Before you can figure out how to make your floor plan flow, you need to pinpoint any potential blockages. Look at the things that will constrain the way you organize the house. “The most constraining thing is usually the site. That’s a very difficult thing to change,” says Allen Halcomb, president of MossCreek, a Tennessee-based design firm specializing in timber frame, log and rustic homes. If…

HOUSE COMPONENTS INCLUDE 1. Common Rafter 2. Plate 3. Connecting Girt 4. Post 5. Top of Plate 6. Top of Joist 7. Top of Subfloor 8. Loft Floor 9. Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) 10. Post Pocket 11. Subfloor 12. Rim Joist 13. Foundation Wall 14. Bay 15. Gunstock Post 16. Pendant 17. Dutch Tenon 18. Hammer Brace 19. Hammer Post (Queen) 20. Common Purlin 21. Ridge Beam 22. King Post 23. Strut 24. Main Rafter 25. Collar Tie 26. Tie Beam 27. Queen Post 28. Knee brace…

1. LOCATION. Most people don’t realize the difference in the way homes should be built based on where they’re located. Climate-specific home design (ex.: window shading from a hot southern sun or a steep roof for snow runoff) provides a solid base for an energy-efficient focus without costing extra cash. To achieve the right design for your location, work with a company that is familiar with climate-specific design in your region. 2. ORIENTATION. Sure, you want your home to capture the best views, but proper orientation to take advantage of the sun for passive- and active-solar capabilities is a must for any energy-efficient design. A few good rules of thumb: Avoid west-facing slopes in southern climates because the afternoon sun could overheat your house. Northern dwellers should be conscious of…

CARPET. Soft and sound absorbent, it’s a great insulator and a solid choice for bedrooms PROS: Disguises subflooring irregularities, which may cause hollow sounds and varied floor heights with harder materials; inexpensive CONS: Only available in limited widths, so visible seams are highly possible; retains footprints and moisture, making it undesirable for high-traffic areas and bathrooms STONE. One of the hardest, densest materials available, stone was made for high-traffic areas PROS: Color tones vary between tiles, adding to the rustic aesthetic; durable enough to last a lifetime CONS: It’s porous, making it more susceptible to stains and water damage (manufactured stone can be a lower-maintenance alternative) TILE. Ceramic and porcelain tiles disguise chips and cracks well over time. Make sure they are honed/slip-resistant when using them for flooring PROS: Withstands moisture, making it…

Sue and Gary Potts didn’t have to look far to find the perfect spot for their waterfront getaway. They already owned a home on Ohio’s Apple Valley Lake when the empty lot next door went up for sale. “We originally bought it so that no one else would build on it,” Sue recalls. The couple enjoyed their retreat, inviting family and friends over for weekends; but as their guest list grew, they had to find creative ways to house the out-of-towners, with less-than-ideal solutions like setting up a pop-up camper on the vacant property where the kids would bunk. It didn’t take long for Sue and Gary to realize they’d outgrown the small cottage. When estimates to renovate and enlarge it came in with hefty price tags, they began eyeing…

Some happy endings are bittersweet. That’s certainly so for Michelle Etheridge, an Honest Abe homeowner who along with her late husband Randy Hedges, spent decades planning their forever log home, only to lose him suddenly in January 2014, just as the home had been ordered. “The people at Honest Abe Log Homes were patient and supportive until I was ready to build,” Michelle recalls, adding that her two grown sons encouraged her to move forward with the project because their father would have wanted it that way. Michelle worked with Inez Price, a sales representative at Honest Abe’s National Headquarters in Moss, Tennessee, and staff designer Mike Hix to customize Honest Abe’s “Westfield” plan. “This is the home I had envisioned,” Michelle says of the 2,750-square-foot house located on Tennessee’s…