Differences and Similarities
Timber Frame Bent [above] ... a 2nd type of timber frame
Homes tend to be categorized as
[1] stick built
[2] brick or stone built
[3] log
[4] Timber frame homes can fall in all of these categories when people consider "hybrid” homes involving a variety of construction materials and techniques.
Commercial construction involves other materials such as cement and metals that are not commonly found in residential housing.
In my world, log and timber frame homes represent two different styles of homes and different methods of construction. Many contractors are NOT comfortable building log and timber frame homes.
Many of us are familiar with log homes. They are built by stacking one real log atop another, usually about 13 courses high depending on the size of the logs. The logs are of different sizes and are the wall insulation, to answer a frequently asked question.
Log walls come in several common species of wood with several different styles of corners depending on the type of log – notch and pass, dovetail, saddle notch and Swedish cope. Eastern white pine is the most common log species used in log homes. It is the most stable and economical log.
Timber frame homes are composed of vertical uprights called posts and horizontal cross members called beams. The beams connect the posts together to form a very solid frame. Think of this as a skeleton, the bones. Next the roof system is assembled.
Timber frame walls are usually composed of what are called SIPs or structural insulation panels. SIPs are a three-layer material composed of a core of insulation with OSB on the outside and sheetrock, an option, on the interior portion. SIPs can be thought of as cookies with a cream filling.
After these SIPs are fixed in place with glue, caulk and screws, the outside is ready to be covered. The exterior can be finished with wood siding of any type, composite siding, brick, stone or vinyl. The interior side of the SIPs are ready to be painted.
The roof systems for both log homes and timber frame homes can be composed of trusses, conventional materials, or exposed beams. As a rule, timber frame homes are considered more elegant than log homes. I call it "rustic elegance."
There is a second timber frame system for your consideration. The timber frame shell is composed of “bents” that are usually assembled as a frame using olde world mortise and tenen crafting. See the photo above or conduct an internet search on “timber frame bents” to find other examples.
These bents include the side posts and roof system beams. Bents allow the floor space between posts to be expanded. You can see this system in old barns.
LogHomesByjack.com offers log homes and both styles of timber frame homes.
Begin your study process by looking at the floor plans on our web site - www.LogHomesByJack.com. We have material package pricing for all of our models, in both log and timber frame.
You can also send an email to Jack@LogHomesByJack.com with your basic "Detail List" of your preferred home style and floor plans, if you have them. Please note your initial ideas about square footage, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, porches, decks, basement or crawl space. Mention also your budget and your timeline.
Call Jack at 800 767-4916 to discuss your ideas or to set up an appointment.
__________
This message is brought to you by LogHomesByJack.com. Serving Virginia from Smith Mountain Lake and North Carolina from the Piedmont Triad. Offering a very good combination of price, quality of materials and service. When in doubt, give Jack a shout. 800 767-4916.
5 comments:
Hmmm, now I understand the difference. I love log homes better. They look like houses from the country or ranch. They also look cozy during cold nights.
Click here for some information about log homes.
Timber frame homes are generally regarded to be a bit more upscale than log homes, not to be snooty. Our personal preference, given where we life, is a log home ... jack
I think it would be really cool to have a log cabin style house in the country someday. It's not in the budget now, but it's fun to plan for it. I think it's really cool how the logs themselves are the insulation.
Nora Moore | http://www.fox-construction.com/build-your-dream/timber-frame.html
I love the way log homes look, but they seem like they would be much more difficult to work with. All the varying sizes and what-not would make it hard to have things level up properly. My husband and I are considering custom building a vacation cabin, and I think a timber cabin would be my ideal pick.
http://www.virginiabuilding.com.au/timber-products
Hey Ms Rose,
There are methods to constructing log homes and keeping them level and straight. Levels are used on each course of logs to keep the log walls straight, vertically. Knotted string and tapes are used to make sure the walls are square all the way up – measuring from corner to corner diagonally. There is enough ”slack” or “play” in our tongue and groove logs to make these adjustments as each course of logs are put in place.
With 13 courses of logs for instance, there is enough play that, if measuring and leveling is not done as you go, the walls may not fit the roof system. Of course, not measuring accurately can happen with all cutting.
Some of these same “leveling” and “squaring” techniques are used in conventional homes and timber frame homes.
As they say in the trades, measure twice, cut once. … jack
Post a Comment