Timber Framing – Why It’s A ‘Green Building’ Technique
Here are some questions to ask so you can be sure you are making a well-informed choice for yourself and the environment. Does the product use renewable resources? (Think forest products, or better yet, reclaimed timbers!) What kind of energy is used to make...Stock vs Custom Plans: Which is More Effective for Hybrid Timber Framing?
So you’ve considered all your options and looked deep within and you are positive – your new home is to be a timber frame home. Firstly, congratulations! But, now what? Where do you begin? At the heart of planning for any home is the floor plan. The way in which...Could you live in 760 sq. feet? Down-sizing with timbers.
Some may answer reactively “no” or assume “yes” just based on a sense of adventure. Perhaps the “tiny home” explosion has really prompted a trend and movement towards downsizing. Yet, when we look at tiny homes and small production...Post & Beam Timbers | Drying, Wood Species, & Shrinkage
Timber Drying, Species & Shrinkage I give you this information with a bit of trepidation. If you are anything like me, your enthusiasm could possibly put the cart before the horse- similar to reading assembly instructions only after running into problems. We, your...Full Timber Frame, A Hybrid Timber Frame System, or Small Accents
The difference between a full timber frame and a hybrid timber frame is this: 1. Full timber framing means your house is designed and constructed with full timbers. The full timber frame dictates that exposed beams are part of the home decor in every corner of your...Trial by Fire: The Birth of ATF
Arrow Timber Frame’s official story began with our first post and beam job. But our actual roots go much deeper. My love and fascination with building and creating structures started with building forts and carving projects as a youngster. The History When I was 16, I...7 Steps to Beautiful Timbers | Staining, Cleaning & Washing
Tips from a Timber Stain Pro Shari Steber, the co-owner of Timber Pro UV, has provided us with some tips to maintain beautiful timbers. Post & beam construction requires the right products and application to maintain an attractive look year round, and Shari...Are Exposed Beams Directly Linked to Homeowner Stability?
Data Suggests That You Are Well Grounded and Able To Keep Good Relationships: Sitting down this spring in reflection, I realized my appreciation for the clients I get to work with. In the past 10 years, every client Arrow Timber Framing has helped to acquire their...Insulation Trends
According to the latest industry trends, fiberglass looks to have been toppled from its throne as the king of cost-effective insulation. Savvy buyers are choosing a variety of different insulation systems over fiberglass for many reasons. Vapor barriers, mold problems...Special Message To Pros
If you’ve happened upon this article, chances are that you are doing some research for a current or upcoming project. This is good news for both of us! I’m thrilled to spread the experience of timber living and to help you in any capacity no matter how small. And you,...Stable Geometric Shapes
In the timber framing industry, one of the most common practices to support walls laterally, is the well-tested knee brace. Depending on the builder, there can be a variety of different methods. Here is an overview of bracing systems used in timber framing....Mantel Inspiration Is Easier Than You Think!
Mantels began to surface with European royalty as early as 500 AD. They became a place for art and self-expression. Some of these mantels were extravagantly ornate. Many would span whole walls and even had sculptures carved into them. Around the turn of the 17th...7 Reasons You Should Build Green
“Building green is no longer just a luxury, it’s a necessity!” Green building is becoming more and more popular among homebuyers. This means fewer materials, less pollution and more eco-friendly habits. I recently had a couple come to me wanting to...The Myth of Insulation Values by David B. South
The R-value of an Insulation Product, is commonly misunderstood and ignored. An insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow is measured in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating...How to Avoid a Structural 98lb Weakling
The # 1 Enemy: Inadequate Planning in Addressing Tension Loads How will you identify possible weak points in your timber structure? Is it worth your time? Can such a complex issue be summarized in an easy-to-grasp format? If you are mechanically inclined even...The Sherertz Family Project with GRO Outdoor Living
Last summer I had the opportunity to design and build a unique outdoor living structure with a friend of mine, Garret Hergert. Garret is co-owner of GRO Outdoor Living, which focuses on creating outdoor living spaces with a holistic approach. Outdoor Architect is the...UGH! Who Likes Maintenance? Make Maintenance Fun!
Maintenance: almost everything in this world requires it. Roads, bridges, buildings, equipment, cars and even your health! Yet we have a tendency to loathe anything that has to do with maintenance. This article is intended to help you in two ways: The first...How to Artistically Mix Logs and Timbers
You are about to learn three ways to mix logs with timber framing construction. This will open a plethora of timber style possibilities which may be the exact touch you’re looking for. I’d like to introduce you to a hybrid log and timber style which has many...Masonry Heaters: Built Green Tough
– With Stan Homola and Mastercraft Masonry As you know, I have been on the record as an advocate for sustainable green building. To me, sustainable means money savings, energy savings, and headache-free longevity. In other words, it must make sense! Let me...A Tale of 2 Remodels: Where to Draw the Line
Let’s begin with the tale of the timber remodel which wasn’t. The purpose of relating this story is to give you an example of a situation which was ill-suited for a timber remodel. This remodel request occurred in 2006, about the time when exposed beams...4 Steps to Your Post and Beam Remodel
Creating post and beam makeovers is our cup of tea! It elevates our heart rates. We love working with architects and clients and seeing the unique solutions created by the cross-pollination of ideas. In some cases, an architect will approach us with new construction...Choosing Timber Trusses
The size of the simple truss is limited to the load bearing capacity of its diagonal members, since it doesn’t have webs; this means your common simple truss span will max out around 30′.
