Post and Beam Construction (Crossville, Crab Orchard: home builders, school, college)

[gemkeeper]

I just did a good search on C-D for post and beam construction info. Nothing shows up for TN on the search.

I was thinking that a few months ago there was so discussion about the cost variance in post and beam construction vs. stick-built homes.

Does anybody recall the thread and who was in the know on the post and beam system? Yarddawg, maybe?

Hubby and I have been batting the idea around here a bit, but the costs vary WIDELY throughout the country, especially if you go with one of the national post and beam builders and suppliers.

It has been the construction method used for hundreds of years for barns and it seems that there should be some construction companies in E TN that would be doing post and beam.

Any experiences?

[alleycat]

It usually goes by the term "timber frame" these days.

It's quite an involved subject actually. Is your main interest in the cost comparison between stick-built and timber frame, or in general information about timber frame construction?

By the way, some of the log home builders also do timber frame homes.

[TnHilltopper]

Timber framing (post and beam) is usually done by log home builders as mentioned above. You are also likely to find more timber framers in Amish and Mennonite communities and areas. It is still pretty common building method in many parts of Europe and even in some more of the upscale builders here in the states. Timber framing is truly beautiful, strong, and very "open" construction.

Here are a few links...

Cowee Mountain Timber Framers

These folks are out of Crab Orchard which is just east of Crossville and about an hour west of knoxville
Timber Frames Tennessee Homestead Timber Frame Company Crab Orchard

pricing guidline for Tennessee timber framed homes

Tennessee Timberframe Homes: High Quality Custom Timber Frame Homes Packages and Builders.

Hope that helps

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

Timber framing (post and beam) is usually done by log home builders as mentioned above. You are also likely to find more timber framers in Amish and Mennonite communities and areas. It is still pretty common building method in many parts of Europe and even in some more of the upscale builders here in the states. Timber framing is truly beautiful, strong, and very "open" construction.

Here are a few links...

Cowee Mountain Timber Framers

These folks are out of Crab Orchard which is just east of Crossville and about an hour west of knoxville
Timber Frames Tennessee Homestead Timber Frame Company Crab Orchard

pricing guidline for Tennessee timber framed homes

Tennessee Timberframe Homes: High Quality Custom Timber Frame Homes Packages and Builders.

Hope that helps

Thanks, TnHilltopper, those links are a big help. My google search was just giving me New England and Minnesota companies - even though I included "Tennessee" in the search.

My great uncle's barn was post and beam as was my best friend in my college years. That was in PA Dutch country and you can still see a lot of this construction in that area.

It is the beauty of the raw wood and the open structure that draw me to the design. If it is much more than stick-built we will have to admire from afar, however.

Originally Posted by alleycat

It usually goes by the term "timber frame" these days.

It's quite an involved subject actually. Is your main interest in the cost comparison between stick-built and timber frame, or in general information about timber frame construction?

By the way, some of the log home builders also do timber frame homes.

You know, alleycat, I should of thought of the log home builders myself, but didn't until you mentioned it. It was one of those "I should have had a V-8" moments that GBH was talking about!

I understand the structure and what is involved in the construction, plus the advantages of getting rid of a lot of interior load-bearing walls. I just had no idea of the cost comparison nor finding a reliable builder who does timber frame (*new term for me).

Thanks, both of you for the help. This gives me a good start!

[alleycat]

To complicate things a little further, there's is also a hybrid type of construction that uses element of both stick-built and timber frame construction.

I can recommend some additional reading on timber framing if you'd like. Also, you might be interested in Timber Homes Illustrated magazine, and/or their website. I just happen to have a subscription to the magazine myself. :-)

[gemkeeper]

I would appreciate knowing some additional info. I was just reading about the hybrid. It is probably the least expensive of the two methods and you still has so many advantages of the timber frame.

My mind first started ruminating this possibility as a result of leafing through the Timber Homes magazine in the book store. They are beautiful and I think you could get by with a lot less sq. footage because you would have an open roomy feel to the house. Less is better anymore.

Thanks for the offer, alleycat.

[Tinman313]

Originally Posted by gemthornton

I would appreciate knowing some additional info. I was just reading about the hybrid. It is probably the least expensive of the two methods and you still has so many advantages of the timber frame.

My mind first started ruminating this possibility as a result of leafing through the Timber Homes magazine in the book store. They are beautiful and I think you could get by with a lot less sq. footage because you would have an open roomy feel to the house. Less is better anymore.

Thanks for the offer, alleycat.

Log Homes from Tennessee Log Homes: Milled, Timber Frame (Timber frame), Handcrafted Log Home Cabins Kits This site out of everything I have looked at is the best......

Appalachian Center for Craft It was this school or another one that had a 3-4 week seminar on the basics of Timber Frame Construction. TNHilltopper Sorry I goofed I gave the main link yours was all ready listed ops!

[gemkeeper]

Thanks, Tinman. I am amazed that you guys pulled all of this up so fast. I have been googling my fingers to the quick today and could not find a single TN website!

Do you think I have a Yankee computer?

These will keep me busy tracking things down. From what I have read so far it looks like I had my heart fixed on a pricey bit of construction. The hybrid might be the right way to go!

[Bones]

No Gem it's not a Yankee puter It's because.....oooooops, can't say that here....

Here's the link, just for you....http://www.city-data.com/forum/house...live-barn.html

[Tinman313]

And if you don't go with "Post & Beam" theirs...... | StrawBale.com .......