Post and beam is a form of heavy timber construction that utilizes metal hardware for connections.

A timber frame is a subset of post and beam, and uses traditional wood connections such as mortise and tenon joints, drilled and pegged to lock them in together. However; unlike post and beam joinery that often features exposed metal connectors, timber framing relies solely on traditional mortise and tenon joinery and wooden pegs. If any metal fasteners are needed/used, they are hidden from view.

We typically use Eastern White Pine or Douglas Fir, but other species can be used as well. We are proud to source our wood from multi generational family mills that harvest timbers from sustainability managed forests.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are the insulated wrapper for your timber frame. They are both the sheathing and the insulation. They can also serve as a load bearing wall or roof. Our SIPs are certified by UES (PDF).

All factors considered, they're pretty close. The cost of a timber frame can be slightly higher due to the custom hand craftsmanship involved. However, if you compare the attributes of a timber frames’ naturally open floor plan and the ease of creating a cathedral space to the premium expense of having these in a conventionally built structure, then the cost is very comparable.

Additionally, the cost to create a stick frame structure as energy efficient as a timber frame enclosed with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) is quite similar. On average, the timber frame and panels represent about 20-30% of the entire project cost, thus 70% or more of the cost is the same as a conventionally built (stick-framed) structure (ie. the windows, doors, roofing, siding, mechanical work).

Interior Timbers: We typically use a clear oil finish to protect and seal the timber and timber elements. If you want to stain your timbers after we install them, then we’ll apply a foundation finish which will accept any oil or water-based stain. Both of these finishes protect the wood from water and UV damage during construction.

Exterior Timbers: Our foundation finish which acts as a conditioner/primer is applied to our exterior timbers. This finish seals and protects the timbers during construction and is a base coat for the final exterior stain/finish of your choice.

Unfortunately, no. For safety and liability sake, we use our own crane and crane operator.

If you purchase a kit from us for another contractor to install, you'll need to provide your own crane.

Great question! We focus on timber frames and structural insulated panels. It's what we do best. The floor decks, windows, doors, and roofing are done by others.

After we are done installing the SIPs enclosure around your timber frame, your builder will need to come back in and install the house wrap, rain barrier, and siding. Only then can the Exterior Timber Elements be mounted to the outside of the structure. It would be cost prohibitive, and very difficult to schedule, for our field crew to remobilize back to your job site to install your Exterior Timber Elements. Those Exterior Timbers are lightweight enough that your builder can install them without the use of a crane.

One of the great benefits of building a timber frame is the use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) to enclose the structure. Our sister company, Foam Laminates of Vermont, supplies all of our SIPs for our structures.

SIPs can achieve R-values ranging from R-16 to R-65 depending on the thickness of the EPS or GPS foam used.

SIPs also overcome the challenge of thermal bridging that conventional 2×6 stud wall framing introduces. This is because there is almost no solid wood ‘bridge’ from the interior to the exterior of the wall assembly to transmit heat. Instead, the continuous insulation of the SIPs enclosure creates an uninterrupted blanket of insulation around your whole home, saving an average of over 50% on heating and cooling costs for the life of the home.

Foam Laminates’ SIPS are generally provided with 2 standard 1 ½” diameter electrical channels within the panels. The channels usually run horizontally in the panels at a height of 16″ above the finished floor. This channel location can be varied at the request of the client. See our details catalogue above for additional details on heights and locations for electrical channels.

Wiring is run from building corners into the channels using wire snakes. Switches and exterior lights are commonly found next to door openings. To position electrical switch boxes in locations other than on the electrical channel, the wiring is run vertically behind the door nailers and fed through a manually probed hole in the foam core toward the electrical box.

If electrical boxes are required in locations other than near door openings, the following procedure is used. Typically called the “hot nut” method, a large metal nut is hung from floral wire. The box opening is cut in the required location and another is cut plumb below this location at the electrical channel height. The nut is heated with a propane torch and fed from the upper box location downward toward the electrical channel. This will quickly create the channel required for wiring that box.

No, plumbing in exterior walls is not recommended. Water pipes set in exterior walls are at a much higher risk of freezing. Plumbing is typically run through interior walls and floors to their required locations.

Yes, a crane is necessary to install the panels. Our typical 8′ x 4′ 6.5 inch thick EPS wall SIP weighs 104 pounds. If you are purchasing a kit from us for another contractor to install, then a telescope boom handler or other heavy equipment is strongly recommended to lift the panels into place.

Framing is not necessary. The panels themselves can create your eave and gable overhangs. For smaller details, a conventionally framed 2X ladder can be used. See the Structural Insulated Panels details on Foam Laminates of Vermont website.

Homes enclosed with SIPs are airtight by nature so you'll need an air exchange system. In fact, all new homes (stick built and those built with SIPs) require an HRV or ERV to meet code.

Since 2012, the International Residential Code states that ALL new homes must have an air exchange system. In cooler climates we recommend an Energy Recovery Ventilation System (ERV). The ERV brings fresh air into a building while it simultaneously expels stale indoor air. At the core of an ERV, the outgoing warm moisture-laden indoor air transfers the energy to the incoming cool air thus warming it and recovering the energy. A balanced system is achieved and the indoor air quality is significantly improved.