How Long Do Timber Frames Last?
The age-old craft of timber framing has a number of advantages aesthetically, but let’s take a look at the facts about the longevity of using exposed beam construction. The Longevity of Timber Framing The following video gets into all the details of why post and...Getting Giant Timbers into an Airport (PDX)
Getting Giant Timbers into an Airport (PDX) Metal Detectors and Airport Passes The Timberline Lodge Store has been a staple at the Portland (PDX) Airport for many years, but recently they’ve built the second incantation of their iconic brand. The new store is in...What’s the Difference Between Log Cabins, Timber Framing, Post & Beam?
The Difference Between Log Buildings & Timber Framing In short: round vs: squared. Log homes and cabins are built using the whole log, peeled of their bark and are round. In some cases d-shaped logs are used. These are primarily structural logs that are placed...Structural Lessons from 500-Year Old German Timber Framing & Gallery
Why do I only notice the windshield of my vehicle if it has a big ugly chip or is cracked? Or why do the few airplane crashes that happen end up on the news? The reason I pose these questions, which reveal how we as people learn and process information, is because...Song: The 12 Days of Building (Promise of a Timber Frame Home)
Perhaps the FIRST song ever written and recorded about Timber Framing. If not – we’d love to hear about a previous one! In the spirit of Christmas and the holidays – Arrow Timber brings to you: “The 12 Days of Building” A song about the...Easy-Peasy Lazy Lingo Learning?
Oh-Hello! You’ll have to excuse me. I wasn’t really expecting too many people, but I’m glad you are here. There is nothing like sharing something you are passionate about with other people. If you just happened to stumble across this page without...3 Unique Approaches to Perfect Timber Floor Plans
Why are floor plans so “sticky?” By that, I mean, “Why do so many conversations about building and remodeling begin with floor plans?” I have my ideas I can share with you, but for now, let’s look at three distinct approaches you can use to get your ideal...When ‘Feng Shui’ in Home Design Goes Wrong!
Feng Shui is an easy target for ridicule, but its principles are universal with good planning and design.
Timber Framing A Giant House
This house has a giant footprint of over 10K square feet. As a result, everything from the timbers to the ceilings are big. Watch as Bert Sarkkinen joins a framing crew to build the post and beam construction side of things. From strong, curved trusses to the beams...Other Trusses
Other Timber Frame Truss styles such as Mono Truss, Cable Truss, Arched King, Arched Queen and other variations
Simple Trusses
The size of the simple truss is limited to the load bearing capacity of its diagonal members, since it doesn’t have webs; this means your common simple truss span will max out around 30′.
Hammer Beam Trusses
The Hammer Beam Truss is not a gambrel truss, instead it’s got a strong, solid look, perfect for large spaces.
Scissor Truss
A variable slope timber truss with multiple webs and a lot of flexibility. The scissor truss design still fits in well with modern building styles – especially useful for roofs with different opposing slopes.
Queen Truss
The size of the simple truss is limited to the load bearing capacity of its diagonal members, since it doesn’t have webs; this means your common simple truss span will max out around 30′.
King Trusses
A popular and well-liked timber truss style for timber framing – with wide variety of web styles etc. You will need to consider factors such as wall height, room volume, truss spacing and roof slope to arrive at the best variation of the truss for your situation.
4 Custom Home Classifications
Beyond the 7 Design Styles of Timber Frame Homes – there are 4 classifications that can be used as overall standards. Modest, Pragmatic, Sophisticated & Fortress
A Couple Decides on Timber Framing
A Couple Decides on a Timber Frame Home Is it “compromise” when a couple comes to an agreement on homebuilding? Or is it the end result of research? In this case, Peter and Sarah came to decide on a hybrid timber frame home. Peter was first to delve deeply...Timber Lakehouse
Fulfilling the Vision of a Timber Lakehouse Listen to Matt M. talk about his experience first deciding to include beams, then learning about the floor plan timber design process with Arrow Timber. By working with Matt’s questions and ideas, the design team...A Rallying Cry for Your Style
For this upscale home, ATF followed this Rallying Cry:“Heavy Timbers with an Elegant, Unique, Industrial Feel.” Einstein once said: “If I had only one hour to save the world, I would spend fifty-five minutes defining the problem, and only five minutes finding the...A Brief History and Evolution of Timber Framing
A Brief History and Evolution of Timber Framing We almost “lost” timber framing during the time of the Wild West expansion. Watch the video and read the article below. T imber Framing is an age-old building technique that fell out favor as the...What It’s Like Owning a Giant Sawmill
What It’s Like Owning a Giant Sawmill Bert Sarkkinen of Arrow Timber talks about how he came to buy his first sawmill. But for timber framers, you can’t just have any old sawmill. Bert has worked with mills like WoodMizer and now a custom Cooke’s...The Arrow Timber Philosophy
What is the Arrow Timber Philosophy? People want things which reflect their personality. People want an enjoyable process with a mutual exchange. People want teamwork, transparency, and creative solutions. I experience this over and over in the course of a year, not...The Real Reason(s) Lumber Prices Skyrocketed
**Dive deep into the world of Hybrid Timber Framing and get 3 FREE chapters. Get an autographed book written by Bert Sarkkinen, or get 3 chapters emailed to you – just get your name in the hat on our website! The crazy prices of lumber is being talked about...Timber Framing – Why It’s A ‘Green Building’ Technique
Here are some questions to ask so you can be sure you are making a well-informed choice for yourself and the environment. Does the product use renewable resources? (Think forest products, or better yet, reclaimed timbers!) What kind of energy is used to make...Stock vs Custom Plans: Which is More Effective for Hybrid Timber Framing?
So you’ve considered all your options and looked deep within and you are positive – your new home is to be a timber frame home. Firstly, congratulations! But, now what? Where do you begin? At the heart of planning for any home is the floor plan. The way in which...Could you live in 760 sq. feet? Down-sizing with timbers.
Could you live in a small Timber Frame Cabin? Some may answer reactively “no” or assume “yes” just based on a sense of adventure. Perhaps the “tiny home” explosion has really prompted a trend and movement towards downsizing. Yet,...Wood Species, Kiln Drying & Shrinkage
Understanding Timber Species, Shrinkage & Drying Here are some of the biggest practical considerations to think about as you get started with your post and beam project. Q: What is the best species of wood to use for my post and beam project? Answer: In our neck...Tips for Creating Your Signature Home Atmosphere
Creating the an atmosphere in your home that reflects your personal style and signature is a lot like choosing an outfit. You have the main piece and then you add on accessories. All of those added pieces control and personalize the entire appearance. This can easily...Full Timber Frame, A Hybrid Timber Frame System, or Small Accents
The difference between a full timber frame and a hybrid timber frame is this: 1. Full timber framing means your house is designed and constructed with full timbers. The full timber frame dictates that exposed beams are part of the home decor in every corner of your...Trial by Fire: The Birth of ATF
Arrow Timber Frame’s official story began with our first post and beam job. But our actual roots go much deeper. My love and fascination with building and creating structures started with building forts and carving projects as a youngster. The History When I was 16, I...Question & Answer with An Interior Designer
About 4 years ago, I put together a vacation retreat package to post on our website. I wanted to target future building trends, for a couple of reasons: First, because exercising design creativity is always fun. Second, I wanted to prove to myself that the demand for...Insulation Trends
According to the latest industry trends, fiberglass looks to have been toppled from its throne as the king of cost-effective insulation. Savvy buyers are choosing a variety of different insulation systems over fiberglass for many reasons. Vapor barriers, mold problems...Special Message To Pros
If you’ve happened upon this article, chances are that you are doing some research for a current or upcoming project. This is good news for both of us! I’m thrilled to spread the experience of timber living and to help you in any capacity no matter how small. And you,...Stable Geometric Shapes
In the timber framing industry, one of the most common practices to support walls laterally, is the well-tested knee brace. Depending on the builder, there can be a variety of different methods. Here is an overview of bracing systems used in timber framing....8 Timber Frame Mantels – Design Inspiration
Mantels have been used for thousands of years often above fireplaces to display family portraits and heirlooms. They are often requested during floor plan design. Below are six examples of timber mantels in timber frame homes that we’ve built. Traditional style...7 Reasons You Should Build Green
“Building green is no longer just a luxury, it’s a necessity!” Green building is becoming more and more popular among homebuyers. This means fewer materials, less pollution and more eco-friendly habits. I recently had a couple come to me wanting to...The Myth of Insulation Values by David B. South
The R-value of an Insulation Product, is commonly misunderstood and ignored. An insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow is measured in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating...Structural Tension & Load Bearing in Timber Framing
How to Avoid a 98lb Weakling The # 1 Enemy: Inadequate Planning in Addressing Tension Loads How will you identify possible weak points in your timber structure? Is it worth your time? Can such a complex issue be summarized in an easy-to-grasp format? If you are...Timber Framing in Europe
An Architectural Design Scavenger Hunt “Dad, we better buy those plane tickets soon!” I put down my book and looked at my daughter, Lucia. It was early spring and about the 4th or 5th time I had heard this reminder in the last 3 months. You see, Lucia had...The Timberline Lodge Story
How can a structure so beautiful have such an ugly secret? Arrow Timber Framing was grateful to be able to contribute to the Timberline Lodge story in 2010. That has left me with both a feeling of satisfaction and a feeling of conflict. Let me tell you how I...The Sherertz Family Project with GRO Outdoor Living
Last summer I had the opportunity to design and build a unique outdoor living structure with a friend of mine, Garret Hergert. Garret is co-owner of GRO Outdoor Living, which focuses on creating outdoor living spaces with a holistic approach. Outdoor Architect is the...How to Artistically Mix Logs and Timbers
You are about to learn three ways to mix logs with timber framing construction. This will open a plethora of timber style possibilities which may be the exact touch you’re looking for. I’d like to introduce you to a hybrid log and timber style which has many...Holistic Home Design: Matching Interior and Exterior Styles
Understanding the Entire Home Design People have often looked at me quizzically when I have requested photos or pictures of home interiors, especially if our scope of work is an exterior entry! To create the best possible design fit, the overall nature of both and...Masonry Heaters: Built Green Tough
– With Stan Homola and Mastercraft Masonry As you know, I have been on the record as an advocate for sustainable green building. To me, sustainable means money savings, energy savings, and headache-free longevity. In other words, it must make sense! Let me...4 Steps to Your Post and Beam Remodel
Creating post and beam makeovers is our cup of tea! It elevates our heart rates. We love working with architects and clients and seeing the unique solutions created by the cross-pollination of ideas. In some cases, an architect will approach us with new construction...Choosing Timber Trusses
The size of the simple truss is limited to the load bearing capacity of its diagonal members, since it doesn’t have webs; this means your common simple truss span will max out around 30′.
