Timberframing is a building technique that uses large timbers and intricate joinery to create buildings with large open spaces that celebrate the beauty and strength of wood. This style of building has evolved in different parts of the world over the past several hundred years. It can be marvelled at in the hammer beam trusses of European cathedrals and in the peace of a Japanese temple.

We design our frames based on the all-wood joinery and structure systems seen in frames of old. The strength of our frames come from the precision and craftsmanship of the joinery and the strength of the timber itself. We use very few metal fasteners, relying mostly on the tried and true pegged mortise and tenon as a way of joining a post and a beam.

Our timberframing is based on the North American technique known as “square rule” which allows us to use rough sawn (or hewn) timber of uneven dimensions. We are also able to incorporate scribed, and cruck framing, as well as Japanese framing which are nice ways to work a live-edged feature piece into a frame.

Cost
Costs for a frame can vary dramatically with the scope and design of the project. Prices can range from a low of 15$/per square foot to 50$.Most of the projects we’ve worked on have not been full frames, but rather some kind of hybrid of conventional or strawbale framing and timberframe. Some examples: timber trusses resting on a boxbeam/strawbale wall, or a partial frame supporting a loft and roof. The point is that timberframes are adaptable to both budget and design.