Bring Your Plans

Your Plans, Our Timber Frame Expertise

Whether you have fully developed architectural designs made for timber framing or are envisioning adding timber elements to existing plans, Arrow Timber Framing is ready to guide you. Our process begins with a comprehensive feasibility assessment to ensure your design style, investment, and expectations are all aligned with the potential timber frame for your plans. From there, we'll work closely with you to create a personalized timber design, considering your aesthetic preferences, structural needs, and budget. Our experienced craftsmen will then translate this design into reality using traditional joinery techniques, ensuring a structure that is both artistic and meticulously crafted to the highest standards. Let's explore how timber framing can turn your ideal floor plan into a stunning, one-of-a-kind reality.

Plan Analysis

Whether your architectural designs already showcase timber framing or you're envisioning adding its beauty and strength, our team is ready to help you realize your vision. We offer specialized services tailored to your timber framing project:

Design Integration: If timber framing is already part of your architectural design, we'll meticulously analyze the plans to:

Review timber design and potentially suggest tweaks to match the timbers to the overall desired look
Ensure structural integrity and optimize joinery techniques
Provide expert advice on timber species and finishes to complement the existing design
Create detailed shop drawings for precise fabrication

Design with Timber in Mind: If your project doesn't currently include timber framing, we can:

Assess the design's suitability for incorporating timber framing elements
Collaborate with your architect/designer to implement timber framing in key structural or aesthetic areas
Develop a timber frame design that seamlessly integrates with the overall architectural style

Consulting and Collaboration: Throughout the process, we provide:

Structural engineering consultations for safe and code-compliant timber frame configurations
Guidance on blending the existing architecture with the timber framing, such as extending overhangs, matching gutter, or resizing stone columns to ensure balance and hierarchy with the design
Project management support to ensure smooth coordination with other trades

Our goal is to help you create a timber frame structure that aligns with your architectural vision, meets structural requirements, and showcases the inherent beauty and craftsmanship of timber. We're amazed by the flexibility of this building technique and are sure there is an elegant solution for anyone's needs.

Preliminary Design: Crafting the Timber Frame Vision

Once we've established the feasibility of your project, we dive into the exciting preliminary design phase. Here's how we approach bringing your timber frame structure to life:

Conceptualization: We'll collaborate with you to understand your desired aesthetic, functional requirements, and budget constraints. We'll explore:
- Timber species preferences (rustic, refined, etc.)
- Desired level of timber frame exposure (accent pieces or full structural system)
- Overall design style integration
Rough Sketching and Sizing: Initial sketches and 3D models will visualize the general layout of your timber frame. We'll determine preliminary member sizes and approximate spacing based on load requirements and aesthetic goals.
Next Steps: We'll outline a clear path forward, including potential customization options, a preliminary timeline, and any further information you might need based on the design takes shape.

This preliminary design phase lays the foundation for your timber frame structure. We'll work closely with you to make informed decisions about materials, layout, and style, ensuring a design that resonates with your vision.

Finalizing the Preliminary Design: Solidifying Your Vision

Once we've refined the timber selection, sizing, and layout, we'll present you with a comprehensive preliminary design proposal. This proposal will include:

Visualizations: Sketches, renderings, or 3D models will help you envision the timber frame structure within your broader architectural plans.
Scope of Work: A clear outline of the services we'll provide, including design, engineering consultations, and potential fabrication oversight.
Cost Estimate: A breakdown of projected costs associated with the timber frame design and associated services.

If you're satisfied with the proposal, we'll formalize our collaboration by signing the design agreement. This agreement establishes:

Payment Terms: A clear payment schedule that aligns with the project's progression.
Project Scope: A clear definition of what's included and excluded in our services.

This formalization step provides clarity and transparency for both parties and solidifies our commitment to completing your timber frame project.

Detailed Design & Shop Drawings: Where Precision Meets Artistry

Once your preliminary design is approved, we shift into the detailed design phase. This is where we transform your timber frame vision into precise blueprints for our expert craftspeople and engineers to follow.

Design Software & 3D Models: We utilize software to create detailed 3D models of your structure. These models allow for meticulous planning of every joint, beam, and brace placement, ensuring a seamless assembly process.
Shop Drawings: Detailed shop drawings are generated directly from these 3D models. These drawings provide our craftspeople with the exact dimensions, joinery specifications, and labeling for each component in your timber frame.
Engineering Approval: Throughout this phase, we coordinate closely with structural engineers to confirm the design's compliance with all necessary building codes and ensure every detail is engineered for your project's unique loads.

This meticulous level of detail and precision guarantees a timber frame that fits together flawlessly on-site, minimizing delays and ensuring a finished product that exceeds expectations.

Example of Timber Design Drawings Provided

Shop Fabrication: Where Craftsmanship Takes Form

With thoroughly engineered shop drawings in hand, our skilled craftspeople begin the meticulous process of fabricating your timber frame. We combine traditional handcrafting techniques with modern tooling, ensuring both beauty and structural integrity in every element.

Timber Selection and Preparation: Each piece of timber is carefully selected and meticulously prepared, milled to exact specifications, and hand-planed for a smooth finish where desired.
Joinery Expertise: We take pride in the time-honored tradition of handcrafting our timber frames. Our skilled craftspeople meticulously execute the chosen joinery techniques, without the use of CNC machines. Whether it's the timeless elegance of mortise and tenon joints or other methods best suited for your design, each joint is precisely cut and hand-fitted for a seamless and robust connection. This meticulous approach showcases the exceptional skill and dedication of our team, ensuring a structure that not only meets the highest structural standards but also embodies the inherent beauty and artistry of handcrafted timber framing.
Pre-assembly: We pre-assemble complex timber frames in our shop. This allows us to verify the perfect fit of all components and resolve potential challenges before transportation to your site.
Staining: We offer a variety of staining options to enhance the natural beauty of your timber frame and promote its longevity. Our experienced team can help you choose the right stain color and type based on your aesthetic preferences and the desired level of protection. Staining helps to slow down the natural graying process of wood exposed to sunlight.

The fabrication process and site preparation happen in tandem, ensuring a seamless transition into the exciting assembly phase of your build.

Timber Frame Installation: Raising Your Vision

The culmination of your timber frame project arrives with the raising of the frame. Our experienced crew is dedicated to a safe and efficient process, ensuring your timber frame becomes the stunning centerpiece of your structure.

Site Preparation: We work closely with your general contractor to coordinate the readiness of the foundation and any necessary supporting elements prior to our crew's arrival.
Precise Assembly: Your timber frame arrives on-site carefully pre-cut and labeled according to the shop drawings. Our crew systematically raises and secures each component, working efficiently to erect the bones of your structure.
Collaboration and Coordination: Throughout the installation, we maintain open communication with other trades working on the project. This ensures seamless integration of the timber frame with other building systems for a smooth completion.
Awe-Raising Moments: Watching the timber frame rise piece by piece is always an exciting moment! We understand the importance of marking this milestone and welcome you to witness the transformation of your design into tangible, lasting beauty.

Note: If you partner with Arrow Timber Framing from the earliest design stages, we can achieve optimal results and help coordinate the broader construction process around the timber frame installation. Contact us as soon as you know you want the best timber-framed solution possible.

Why Choose Arrow Timber Framing?

We believe exceptional timber frame projects are built on a foundation of expertise, collaboration, and a passion for the craft. Here's what sets Arrow Timber Framing apart:

Hybrid Approach, Design Flexibility: Our hybrid timber framing methods allow us to integrate timber elements strategically into your plans, balancing the beauty of exposed beams with the practicality of conventional framing where it makes sense. This translates to greater design freedom and potential cost savings.
Premium Logs: We work closely with trusted suppliers to select premium logs that meet the specific structural requirements and aesthetic preferences for your project. We have a deep understanding of different timber characteristics to achieve the desired results for your project.
Craftsmanship & Precision: Our skilled craftspeople combine traditional joinery techniques with advanced fabrication technology. This ensures that the beauty of hand-finished work is coupled with superior structural integrity for enduring strength and lasting value in any design.
Project Partnership: From initial feasibility to the final beam raised, we prioritize communication and collaboration. We team up with architects, engineers, and you, ensuring a process that gets the best result and is creatively fulfilling.

Let Arrow Timber Framing be your guide to a successful timber frame project. Experience the difference of our expertise and dedication.

Bring Your Plans

Your Plans, Our Timber Frame Expertise

Plan Analysis

Design Integration: If timber framing is already part of your architectural design, we'll meticulously analyze the plans to:

Design with Timber in Mind: If your project doesn't currently include timber framing, we can:

Consulting and Collaboration: Throughout the process, we provide:

Preliminary Design: Crafting the Timber Frame Vision

Finalizing the Preliminary Design: Solidifying Your Vision

Detailed Design & Shop Drawings: Where Precision Meets Artistry

Example of Timber Design Drawings Provided

Shop Fabrication: Where Craftsmanship Takes Form

Timber Frame Installation: Raising Your Vision

Why Choose Arrow Timber Framing?

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Bring Your Plans

Your Plans, Our Timber Frame Expertise

Plan Analysis

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Design Integration: If timber framing is already part of your architectural design, we'll meticulously analyze the plans to:

Design with Timber in Mind: If your project doesn't currently include timber framing, we can:

Consulting and Collaboration: Throughout the process, we provide:

Why Choose Arrow Timber Framing?