Project Timber Frame: Design

A general overview of timber frame designPutting the pieces

togetherAnnemarie Mitchell Legacy Timber Frames Inc

• The Timber Frame: A brief summary– Timber frame vs. log construction– Timber Frame vs. Post & Beam– Timber frame components– Timber frame types

• The Design: A place to start– The design process– Design considerations

• Budget• Lifestyle• Building site

– Putting it on paper

Timber Frame vs. Log Construction

In timber frame construction, the timbers are vertical posts and horizontal beams.

Timber frames need a separate enclosure system on the outside of the frame

In log construction, the logs are stacked horizontally on top of each other to create the exterior walls.

The logs are the exterior and interior wall surface

Timber Frame vs. Post & Beam

• Post & beam construction consists of posts & beams– Can be connected by

bolts, metal, nails, or any other structural means

• Timber Frame is post & beam construction connected exclusively with wood joinery and wooden pegs

Timber frame components

• Bents– The timber frame

section that defines the structure

• Bays– The space between

the bents

The Basic Frame

Timber Frame Types• Principal rafter/ purlin roof

trusses– Can allow for clear spans in

cathedral areas• King post truss• Hammer beam truss• Other styles of truss

• Common rafter roof systems– Can give you living space in the

roof area• Ridge beam, center post• Queen post frame

• Hybrid construction– A mix of timber frame and other

framing methods

King Posts TrussPrincipal rafter/ Purlin

Hammer Beam TrussPrincipal rafter/ Purlin

Principal rafter/ purlinOther truss styles

Ridge Beam/ Center PostCommon Rafter system

Queen PostCommon rafter system

Hybrid ConstructionA mix of timber frame and other

The Design Process • A full set of blueprints/ construction drawings are needed prior to

construction– Allow enough time for the design process

• which can be about 4-6 months or more for a custom design– The more thought out your design is, the easier and more cost-effective the

construction will be• Each timber frame company handles design differently

– Stock plans to choose from– In- house design services– Architects they work with– Work with your architect/ designer

• Choose your timber frame company before completing design– Each timber frame company has different framing systems and building

requirements– If you have a timber frame company do the design, copyright laws prevent

you from taking the plans to another timber framer to build that design• The more information you can bring to the design process, the better

– Don’t worry about drawing floor plans; a bubble diagram or even a list of your needs is a great place to start

Design Considerations: Budget

• Establish your budget early, and be open about the budget with all your construction trades.Simple roof lines are

more economical than complex roofs

Design Considerations: Lifestyle

• Lifestyle is the key consideration for design.– How many people will be living in the house?– How much and what type of entertaining?– What are the present and future needs for space?– What are the sleeping habits of each of the

household? – What is a typical day of each of the members?

How will that change over the years?– Are there any pets? If so do they require special

space?– Are there any hobbies that require space or

separation?

Design Considerations: The Site

• Your site will determine some aspects of your design:– The size and shape of the site and

distance required between the road/ neighbors and the building

– North, south, east, west orientation of the house

– Locating the house to maximize the views

– The lay of the land: a flat site, or a slope for a walk-out basement

– Local building codes and restrictions can limit size, height , colors, etc.

– Access to the road, driveway location will dictate garage and house placement

Design Consideration: StyleTwo stories

Design Considerations: StyleOne story

Design Considerations: StyleA Story and a Half

Valley or Hip Roof• Valley with dormer– Valley is a cross

gable roof

• Hip roof– Hip is where there

is no gable, just roof

A Place to Start Your Design

• Have each member of the household write down a “must have” list and a “wish” list of everything that is important to them.

• Think about how you live, and which rooms are the most used.

• Measure the rooms that work, and don’t work, in your present home

• Begin a file with clippings from magazines & take photos of homes in the style you like

• Write down anything you can think of about the spaces you’d like

• Think about how your budget and site will lend themselves to the design.

• Don’t worry about having drawings before talking with timber frame companies or designers. They can help you put your thoughts on paper—it’s what they do every day.

The Bubble DiagramPutting it on paper

• Once you have an idea of the spaces you need, a bubble diagram is a great next step.

• Make a circle of paper for each room or space you need. Make the circle big if you need lots of room, and small if you don’t. Don’t worry about scale.

• Cut out the circles, Sometimes it helps to make them different colors.

• For each story of the house, place the circles on a large paper in the general area you want them to be. They can overlap.

• Place the rooms that need to interact (like kitchen & dining) next to each other, or just draw a line connecting them.

• When you find an arrangement you like, you have the start of your home design.

Questions• Please feel free to ask any

questions• Contact: Legacy Timber

Frames Inc» 691 County Rd 70» Stillwater, NY 12170» Phone: (518) 279-9108» Fax: (518) 581-9219» E-mail: info@legacytimberframes.com