I have a wooded building lot in Maine on which I’d like to build a post & beam barn style house. I know that Yankee Barn Homes in New Hampshire makes panelized house shells for that style of architecture, but I would also like to explore other options that might be available to me. One, of course, would be to go to one of the timber frame companies in the area and work with them to custom design such a house. Are there other options I should consider? I will appreciate any suggestions or advice from participants of this list. Thanks very much!
Mike L
Edited 8/19/2005 6:51 pm ET by MikeL
Replies
Sounds like you have a wonderful spot for a timberframe home!
I'm a little confused about your mention of the pre-fab shell. The panels (Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs) are often used as a shell for timberframes and post-and-beam homes, because of the insulation properties and ease of installation, but are not the timberframe themselves.
Yankee Barn Homes offers standard timberframe designs, and also has a "kit" that includes panels to surround the timberframe. Is that what you mean?
The barn style is a popular timberframe design. You may find a pre-designed one from a timberframe company that would work for you as far as size and general layout (loft/no loft, etc.) goes--that would reduce the overall cost of the project.
Keep in mind that one of the beauties of timberframes is the interior flexibility they provide. If you can find one that has the size you're looking for, you can usually move the interior walls to suit your needs.
Do you want it to look like a barn on the exterior? The materials you choose for the exterior can suggest this style, so don't look at the finishes that others that may have built a particular plan have chosen--you can finish your timberframe any way you like.
For our timberframe, we found the best option for us was to work with a nearby timberframer to design what we wanted.. His capabilities were more limited than some of the other companies, but we were able to come up with a design within his parameters that we are very happy with, for a price that was about 2/3 of the other companies' prices.
We contracted with a panel maker to build the SIPs for our design, and a local builder to coordinate the rest of the house (foundation, interior framing, siding, electrical, plumbing, etc.).
Others find that purching a kit from a company (some include exterior finish materials even) makes things easier for them--it all depends on the level of involvement you want.
Take a look at these sites to see if they have anything you like.
http://www.nwjoinery.com/index.htm
http://www.goshenframes.com/TimberFrameProducts.htm
Also check out the Timberframers' Business Council, which has a list of members. You can find timberframers in your area. http://www.timberframe.org/
And I highly recommend reading Tedd Benson's books, which will give you a good understanding of timberframes--they're requirements, possibilities and limitations. Start with The Timber-Frame Home : Design, Construction, Finishing.
Good luck with your endeavor, and feel free to ask more questions.
Leigh
Just because your children were born in the South doesn't make them Southerners. If a cat has kittens in the oven, does that make them biscuits?
Hi Leigh,Yes, the Yankee Barn is a kit that includes the panels (with most windows in place) to surround the frame. They also provide the roof, although the customer is responsible for the roof finish, shingle or metal. YB's joinery is half-lap with fasteners, and not the mortise & tenon joinery that is the standard for traditional timberframe construction. You're right that I could probably create the barn-style appearance that I want by simply designing the building in the correct proportions (a rectangle building with gabled ends) and then chosing the siding and trim to give it a barn look. Thanks for your reply and your advice. I'll check the websites you suggest for timberframing information. Mike
I assume from the price that Connolloy was charging , you were going to get a "real" timber frame.........with real joinery?
I'm reminded of "apples vs apples", which is not the case in Connolly vs Country Carpenters.
Nice. Since I am personally not a millionaire and have to stick to a budget, but would like a certain look you are rude to me. This was the first time I have posted on this forum - just thought I would share with the original poster what my husband I are doing.
Thanks for your tone.
I apologize if you think I was rude.
It was a bit rude - just could have been said in a more pleasant "in case you didn't know" manner. I have nothing against Connolly - they were wonderful. I would have preferred to go with them. Unfortunately we ended up having to go through IVF to conceive children and that wiped out what nest egg we had - delayed the building process - and caused us to look into alternatives.
Enough said. My first foray into online forums has been scary enough. I am retreating.