Heritage Project - Timber Frame Workshop

A "Timber Frame Construction Techniques Workshop" was  held here at Cabin Creek Timber Frames April 26th through May 1st, 2010. The class participants received instruction in basic timber frame techniques and methods. Each experienced timber frame instructor partnered with two class participants.  The oak for this project was from one of the participants family farm. The timber frame will be part of a structure on that same farm soon.  While here an oak hammer-beam timber frame was handcrafted by the class participants then trial assembled. The frame was then taken apart to be transported to mid- Tennessee where it will be raised on one of the class participants families property. The link below will take you to some photos taken at this timber frame workshop.Heritage Project Timber Frame Workshop April 26th - May 1, 2010   More photos of this event can be found on Cabin Creek Timber Frames Face Book Page. Hope you enjoy these photos.

the "Reach For The Sky" List, aka If We Could List

I have titled the third list the 'If we could' list aka 'Reach For Sky' List. This is where you write down your wants, not your needs. If they are written down you may be able to incorporate then into your final design. But if no one knows about them, how are they going to get the attention they need?

When Joe and I married we had a LOT of books/ Surprising, happily, a lot were duplicates and they were given to the 'Friends of the Library' here in Franklin, NC. The 'Friends of the Library' then sold them to buy different new things for the Macon County Library. One way our architect suggested handling the books was using them to line a few of the walls of our timber frame. That idea finally got incorporated into lining sections of the walls in the loft area; the adjoining are serves as a functional seating area for reading and over-flow area for parties. There is a gorgeous view of the flagstone patio and waterfalls from the french doors in the loft.

"The Way We Were List" List

I used to recommend that our clients made out a list of what they loved about places they have lived or visited in the past. A few years ago I decided that we should also include on that list - what we hated about previous places that we lived.

Take a piece of paper and write down every thing you loved or enjoyed about the places you have lived, loved, or visited through-out  the years.  Don't forget to also write down what you disliked or hated about some of the places you have lived or visited---so you don't repeat the same mistakes.

Really, it will be easier to see what you really want in your new home and make wise choices. Do you really need/want a formal living room if you never used the one in your present home? We made these lists for our timber frame home and people are always surprised we don't have a TV or a fireplace in the great-room.  We do however have an area in the great-room where people can gather and make music. We have had many blue grass jam sessions in that room!!!

Your timber frame design needs, what are they ?

YOU have to decide what you families needs are, present and future. You want a floor plan that your family will be able to enjoy and support your activities throughout the years and still remain functional.

Designing by wrote. Writing things down is an excellent organizational tool. If you are a couple we suggest you start with TWO separate lists and then merge them into one. Whether you design the your houses floor plan yourself or it turn it over to a designer or architect you will need to fill out the lists. REALLY, they work!

The first list should be that that is required by code, covenant or development in order to get your building approved. I am going to title this list the "Got To Have IT List". I will give you some example of what should be on this list.... Each persons "Got To Have IT List' will be unique to them and their own timber frame.

• Floor plan has to be at least 1,800 sq ft to be in this sub-division.
• Has to have at least two bedrooms and two bathrooms to be in this sub-division.
• NC statute requires insulation to be R- 38 in the roof
• NC statute requires insulation in the walls to be at least R-19

The minimum or maximum sq. footage your development  allows (if there is one) should go here.

Code issues such as septic systems, set backs, maximum height of the building, earth disturbance guidelines, how far back you timber frame HAS to be from the creek or stream., etc. should be on this list.

Wood Species? Do You Know What Species of Wood You Want?

The majority of our timber frames are handcrafted form Eastern Whit Pine. Eastern White Pine is readily available locally and we believe it to be more stable than other woods (i.e. it splits/checks, warps, and twists less than other varieties).

Over the years we have handcrafted timber frames of Douglas Fir, cypress, white oak, yellow pine and hemlock. We generally use green timbers which have a higher water content and are more easily sculpted. We can however, have the timbers dried prior to cutting. This does add considerable expense and does NOT prevent the natural cracking or checking of the wood as it dries. It should be noted that the natural checking of the wood as it dries does NOT affect the structural integrity of the timber frame structure. As wood dries it becomes stronger.

Eastern White Pine is readily available locally it varies in color from white to cream when it is freshly cut, turning to a golden honey color in a few years. 

Hemlock which we can obtain from Maine and Massachusetts is also white to light cream in color when it is freshly cut turns a light coffee with a lot of cream color after a few years. Hemlock is said to have insect repellent qualities. Hemlock does check and twist and turn quite a bit more than Eastern White Pine as it dries.

It is our standard to use cherry or walnut splines to strengthen some of the joints in our timber frames. We have at the customers request used splines of oak and southern yellow pine.