Timber Frame FAQs

Timber frame construction — also called “post and beam”, “heavy timber’ or “mass timber” — uses fewer pieces of larger-sized timbers to form a building’s structure. Most people have seen timber frames inside churches and barns, but modern architecture is increasingly using large timber elements instead of steel and concrete.

Stick framing uses many 2” x 4” or 2” x 6” pieces of lumber spaced closely and regularly to form the supporting wall structure, and then places light wood trusses or rafters to form the roof. This means the structure and the insulated shell are one thing. Timber frames have a separate timber structural system and a separate wall & roof envelope, so each can perform their function better.

Timber frame buildings are generally prefabricated off-site, so they go together very quickly and accurately on-site, saving labor costs and making the time from breaking ground to move-in much shorter. They can be structurally stronger, it’s easier to make them energy efficient, and the exposed structural makes them very beautiful.

The timber frame itself does add to the materials cost, yes, but the reduced labor required to put them up and the reduced time required means there are savings on that side. So they are not necessarily more expensive than conventional construction when this is factored in.

Yes, they can easily be as energy efficient as the best-performing buildings available. Generally, the timber structure is self-supporting so it can be “wrapped” with a very energy efficient outer shell that has no thermal breaks.

Unlike conventionally-framed buildings using wood framing, the timber structure is inside, so the outside shell can be insulated without thermal breaks. This form of “continuous insulation” provides the best energy performance possible.

First of all, SIPS are prefabricated insulated panels that have few or no heat-conducting connections from the outside to the inside of the panel. These work very well with a timber frame structure to provide a highly-insulating shell and great energy performance. However, there are different types of SIPS and there are other insulation systems that can be used for timber frames. We typically use SIPS that allow for the electrical conduit and boxes to be pre-installed to save money and time later.

Absolutely! The main structural part of the timber frame is fully protected inside the weather-proof shell, and is extremely strong. In fact, most timber frame structures can easily pass hurricane and earthquake requirements.

That’s very unlikely. Most of the structure is interior and the panelized roof is unlikely to leak. Any exterior timber elements are treated with rot- and UV-resistant finishes, and are designed to be protected by deep eaves or metal flashing. In termite-prone areas, there are design details and insect pre-treatments to prevent termite entry.

Perhaps surprisingly, in fires, heavy timber structures are seen by experienced firefighters as more durable than the typical gang-nailed wood trusses or rafters used in most stick-framed construction. The outer layer of the timbers chars and forms a protective layer and slows the rate of burning, so the remaining inner wood can continue to support the roof. The use of non heat-conductive fasteners between timber elements means the heat is not conducted into the joints, preventing early failure (unlike metal bolt and plate connections).