Timberframes by Log & Timber Works

Ensuring a sensitive and intelligent approach to the use of our natural resources, Log & Timber Works crafts timberframes that are long-life structures, adaptable to the changing needs of future generations. Due to their self-supporting nature, additions can be built onto our timberframe buildings quite easily, accommodating growing families, or perhaps serving as an office or for other functions.

A timberframe offers endless design possibilities, from traditional to contemporary styles. The most important consideration in the design of your timberframe is the species of wood from which your frame will be cut.

At Log & Timber Works, our preferred wood species is Douglas Fir, but other options include Pine and Oak. Wood species affect the design of your timberframe: for example, softer woods such as Pine require heavier/larger timbers for strength, while harder woods such as Douglas Fir and Oak allow for finer, more delicate frames. Species of wood will also affect the colour and knot pattern of your home’s timbers, an important consideration during the design phase of your project.


What is a Timberframe?

Timbers can be sawn from standing dead, fire kill and select harvest trees. Other options include using kiln dried timbers or reclaimed timbers.

With over 15 years experience in the timberframe industry, Log & Timber Works has produced homes of various sizes and designs. We are happy to consult with you and your architect or designer to ensure that your timberframe building delivers the function and esthetical characteristics you desire.

A timberframe is a self supporting structure built with timbers, held together with mortise and tenon joinery and fastened with oak pins. The self supporting nature of timberframes allows for expansive, open areas within the structures. It is the timberframe trusses that make these open areas possible; the dynamics and components of the trusses transfer loads from the roof down to the frame's main posts and ultimately onto the building's foundation.

There is a common misperception that the terms "timberframe" and "post and beam" are interchangeable. They are not. A timberframe is not a post and beam. A post and beam structure does not depend on mortise and tenon joinery for its strength and stability. Rather, the members of a post and beam often employ more simple joinery. The main posts in a post and beam structure do not run floor to roof plate as they do in a timberframe; instead, the posts are interrupted by beams at each level within the building.


Raising and Finishing a Timberframe

Before a timberframe can be erected, the basement and sub floor deck must be in place and backfilled. When this phase is completed, Log & Timber Works will inspect your site prior to raising day, so that any concerns are addressed before the raising of your frame.