Timber frame home kits are pre-designed, pre-cut timber packages that arrive on your building site ready to be assembled and transformed into a beautiful new home. The kits can be as simple as a timber-framed gazebo or barn, or as complex as a multi-story residential or commercial timber home. A kit may include everything from the main structural timbers and trusses to the exterior walls, roof shingles, and interior wall framing. It might also include a floor, staircase, and porches. A complete package may even include siding and windows. The exact contents of a kit will vary from one manufacturer to the next, but typically, a basic timber frame kit includes the timber frame, a 2x6 tongue and groove roof board, engineering of the timber frame and installation, and floor insulation. Some manufacturers, like Woodhouse, also offer a more comprehensive kit that includes roof and floor joists, exterior doors and trim, window frames, siding, and Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).
Timber Frame Home Kits Can Save Time, Money, and Resources
A timber frame kit can greatly reduce the cost of construction by eliminating many of the steps required for constructing a traditional building. This type of home uses a historically traditional construction method whereby heavy timbers are joined together by expert carpenters using the mortise and tenon joinery technique. This joinery system allows for a large amount of flexibility in the design of the home’s layout as interior partition walls are not load bearing and can be created with ease. This allows for open floor plans and creates a stunning visual impact.
Additionally, timber frame home kits can be erected much more quickly than conventional site built homes due to the fact that the heavy timbers are already pre-cut and delivered to the building site ready for assembly. This eliminates the need to cut or mill the timbers on-site and reduces the amount of waste that is generated. Finally, timber framing is a sustainable building practice because the wood is used as it is intended to be used and the leftover scraps are recycled into other products such as mulch or carvings.
Timber framing is a remarkably durable building style and there are many examples of these homes still standing that date back hundreds or thousands of years. The heavy timbers and expert joinery combine to make a structure that is resistant to earthquakes and winds. In addition, the use of SIPs can further enhance the durability of a timber frame home by maximizing energy efficiency.
A timber frame home is a unique and special place to live, and it’s even more remarkable when you’ve experienced the process of creating it firsthand. The joy that comes with viewing the finished product is unrivaled and is an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. At HearthStone Timberframe Homes, we specialize in crafting the most breathtaking timber frame structures that showcase unparalleled craftsmanship and beauty. We hope you’ll give us the opportunity to help you create a home of your dreams.