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Advantages of a Timber Frame...
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Good match for "green
building"
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Many "green building" techniques (e.g. cob, strawbale, cordwood,
adobe, wattle & daub) are "wall systems" looking for a structure. A
timber frame is a structure looking for walls. As the timber frame is
the load bearing structure, wall selection essentially becomes
independent from structural requirements. A variety of natural wall
building techniques can be used in conjunction with a timber frame
to produce a complete natural home.
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Timber reuse
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The large beams found in a typical timber frame can be reused to
build other structures once its "task" is completed - as evidenced by
the trend to utilize old barn frames for homes. The beams
themselves could even be cut down to produce wood that could be
used to build other items (e.g. furniture).
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Sustainability
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In the quest for sustainable building materials, life-cycle analysis
studies consistently show wood as having top environmental
benefits: it is energy efficient in production and operation; it absorbs
and stores the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide; and it is renewable,
recyclable, and sustainable.
As evidenced by the many century old barns dotting our countryside,
timber framing is a durable building technique. The life of a properly
maintained timber frame structure far exceeds that of the trees used
to produce it. That's sustainability!
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Prefab structure
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The joinery of a timber frame is cut in a workshop - not on site. That
is, a timber frame arrives at the work site "ready to assemble" (That's
why a even a large barn can be raised in a single day!).
Prefab results in reduced construction time, reduced waste, less
impact on the build site, less dependency on weather, and improved
quality control.
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Flexible floor plans
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Because the timber frame skeleton is means by which the roof and
floors are supported, there's no need to worry about the location of
load bearing walls. If it's not part of the timber frame, it's not
structural. So, open spaces can be easily created.
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Energy efficiency
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Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are typically used to enclose
timber frame structures. SIPs provide high density foam insulation
consistently and flawlessly, without the voids, gaps, and compression
of insulation in stud walls. By eliminating the loss of heating and
cooling energy through gaps in the insulation, SIPs dramatically
reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool a home.
In addition to providing a high level of insulation, timber frame homes
using SIPs are significantly more airtight than conventionally wood
frame construction. The foam core of a SIP panel functions as a
complete air barrier, and working with large panels (as is possible in
a timber frame structure) means there are fewer joints to seal. ORNL
evaluations of a SIP test room revealed the SIP room to be 14 times
more airtight than an equivalent room with 2x6 construction,
sheathing, insulation and drywall. For this reason, the EPA does not
require a blower door test for homes built with SIP walls and a SIP
roof.
Air tightness is extremely important when reducing a home’s energy
usage. As much as 40 % of a home’s heating and cooling loss is due
to air leakage.
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They're just darn cool
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Timber frames have "soul". The strength and beauty of a timber
frame just can't be matched by most modern building techniques.
Once you've been in one, you'll want one. It's something you just
have to experience for yourself!
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