Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a "timber frame" home?
- Why should I choose timber over log or contemporary stick?
- What are some typical timber or truss styles?
- What wood species are used with timber?
- How is a timber home insulated?
- Are timber homes environmentally respectful?
- What should I do to build a timber home?
What is a "timber frame" home?
A Timber Frame home is "a collaborative sculpture in which you live." It is a structural approach to a building (home or commercial) that appeals to our head, our hands and our heart. Timber framing exemplifies...
- Visible strength
- Natural beauty
- Global tradition
- Endurance
- Efficiency
- Artistry
- Craftsmanship
Timber framing is a beautiful and efficient building system. It begins with the careful selection of heavy timbers. The timbers are joined together with joinery from either hand tools or complex machinery. The result are structural frames of mammoth beauty and awe.
Why should I choose timber over log or contemporary stick?
There are many differences between timber and the more popular log home or contemporary stick. Consider:
| Log | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Timbers are logs taken a step further: taking the time to cut the best logs into structurally solid timbers. | Logs are historically “speedy” constructions consisting of hasty constructions and mud sealants. | Stick homes are made with 2x4, 2x6 or 2x10 walls to streamline costs. |
| Timber framing was the dominant design for home building up to the late 19th century. | Logs have never been a dominant building design in American history. | Stick homes replaced timber homes in the early 20th century. |
| Timber homes use strategically-placed timbers for its structural frame, the remaining building material made of the best in the building industry. | Log homes consist of a lot of logs, making all walls and supports. | Stick homes have framing construction that are easy to demolish. |
| The earliest surviving timber homes date back to the 12th century. (France) | The original log homes take a great deal of effort to preserve. | Stick homes are more sturdy than log, but not as solid as timber. |
| Timber building focuses on structural elements of home building (posts, beams, trusses, etc.) | Log building focuses on non-structural elements of home building (walls, insulation, moulding, etc.) | Stick homes focus on non-structural elements, also. |
| Timber homes pride themselves in exposing gorgeous timber truss support. | Logs are used for truss support. | Stick homes cover all its lumber within its walls. |
What are some typical timber or truss styles?
What wood species are used with timber?
There is no one perfect species. Depending on where Colorado Timber Homes builds your home (in or out of Colorado), the wood species will vary. Typical species include:
- Douglas Fir (including FSIF)
- Southern Yellow Pine
- Red and White Oak
- Eastern White Pine
- Recycled Fir and Yellow Pine
- Cypress
- Redwood
- Western Red Cedar
- Port Oxford Cedar
- Sitka Spruce
- White Spruce
- Teak
- Hemlock
- Hickory
How is a timber home insulated?
Colorado Timber Homes uses state-of-the-art technology for its insulation: Insulspan™ Structural Insulation Panels (SIPs). Insulspan™ SIP modernizes traditional timber frame construction by making the homes incredibly resistant to cold temperatures and scorching heat, of which Colorado can be a victim of both. Insulspan™ are factory made and shipped to the site and even come with joinery to complete a most solid and steady result. Insulspan™ Structural Insulated Panels complement the timber home construction because they are:
- Energy efficient
- Strong and rigid (have withstood Category 5 hurricanes)
- Of a hybrid construction
- Of higher build quality
- Quicker to build than traditional or log insulation
- Of superior performance
To find out more about our use of Insulspan™ Structural Insulated Panels, visit the Insulspan SIP Web site at www.insulspan.com.
Your home will be a most superior energy-efficient construction with the use of
Insulspan™ Structural Insulated Panels.
Are timber homes environmentally respectful?
There are numerous ways timber home construction is environmentally safe and respectful. Consider:
- Save trees: Timber homes use less timber
- Save energy: Timber homes need less energy to manufacture and when they are finished
- Save time: The shell is able to be enclosed faster
- Save land: By recycling and reducing construction waste
- Save money: By cutting heating and cooling costs in the home
All in all, Colorado Timber Homes are healthy, energy efficient, and a wise stewardship of your resources.
What should I do to build a timber home?
The beauty and structural stability of timber homes sell itself. Contact Colorado Timber Homes and talk directly to David Adair, our timber home specialist. David will set up an appointment with you to walk through more of the specifics to building your timber home.
