Unique Qualities of Timber Frame Construction
Many of those looking into building a home with the robust and defined qualities of a rustic cabin find it hard to find a firm definition of what makes a timber frame home unique. What is different about timber frame construction? How does it vary from that of a post & beam home construction style? Is it as practical as stick frame construction? Timber frame has a strong legacy in the world of architecture, but the defining points that set it apart from other methods of architectural framing can be difficult to pinpoint, even for professionals in the field.
With a classic timber frame approach, the large wooden beams used are harnessed as an essential design element of the home’s interior look. By exposing the wood, a house can capture that cabin-like rustic charm and utilize the beauty of the wood to define itself. This quality of Mountain Style Architecture allows the material to speak for itself while maintaining a practical, sturdy frame that has been known to leave structures standing for hundreds of years.
Post & beam home construction has a similar honest approach to design as a cousin in the same family of architectural styles, but a timber frame home utilizes very little metal in its construction. Timber frames instead use a system of wooden pegs driven into carefully created interlocking wooden wedges. By using joinery like mortise and tenon or tongue and fork, timber frame homes create complex interlocking systems, adding to the structural integrity of the building while incorporating an intricate, robust style to the overall look of the interior. The peg and wedge system must be strong, so sturdier wood like maple, oak or ash are the most commonly used by crafters to create pieces.
The great strength and lasting power of a timber frame home bring practicality to the table that’s been time-tested over centuries of architecture. While the differences might not be immediate, the rustic image of a home sometimes completely constructed of only wood creates a classic mountain look that embodies a robustness and purity that is timeless.