Top 3 Construction Mistakes EVEN Timber Professional’s Make

Isn't it irritating how decisions get made at the last minute and cause so many hiccups in life? I tend to do that.

I don't make a decision until I absolutely have to. A lot of our clients are the same way.

They’ve got many balls in the air, and when they come to us, they often say, “I should have been here three or four months ago talking to you.”

This usually happens when people come to us wanting some post-and-beam construction or a timber truss.

Properly placed interior beams set the tone for a beautiful and comfortable home.

Here are the big three mistakes people in this position make—mistakes that happen early in the game:

1. They treat timber-frame design as an afterthought.

2. They fail to understand timber choices and the long-term behavior of wood.

3. They overlook common-sense construction details and logistics.

   
   

Let’s break these down a little bit.

1. Treating Timber Design as an Afterthought

I get it. Most people don’t wake up in the morning and say, “Hmm, I wonder what kind of timber solution I need today.”

Early on, that feels like small potatoes. But that’s exactly when the most important decisions need to be made.

Because of this, we often see skinny posts—what I call the “hamburger walking around on french fry” syndrome. We see imbalanced roof structures, poorly designed trusses, and joinery that will look ugly once the wood shrinks. (More on that in point two.) We also see timbers that are undersized or oversized.

A lot of times, people step over dollars to pick up dimes.

In other words, they could have fewer trusses—trusses with more impact, more artistry, more beauty, more enjoyment—but instead, they cram them in at six feet apart or even four feet apart. 

A smarter approach is often to use fewer, more artful, robust trusses and simply fill in rafters between them.

More trusses isn't always the answer - fitting the look and feel is paramount.

It’s easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy—and something everyone should consider. Even if the plans are done and the trusses are already in progress, stopping long enough to rethink the layout can save money and result in a much better design. It’s a win all around.

But yes, it is more hassle. It is more responsibility. It requires more thinking and sometimes even more risk. Still, if you look at the long-term—what your customers are going to think, the referrals you’ll get—you’ll be the hero. You’ll have done the brave thing, seen the value, and taken the time to get it right.

Getting the timber design back on track is absolutely doable, even when it’s been overlooked. I understand why it happens—there’s so much going on early in a project. But it’s worth addressing.

2. Timber Choices and Long-Term Wood Behavior

Timber choices can swing too far in either direction—too rustic, not rustic enough, too modern—and that imbalance creates challenges when it’s time to finish the space.

Interior designers often have to work overtime to offset these mismatches. In many cases, people even redo work later because they know they’ll be living in the home for decades or passing it on to their kids.

That’s okay, but it’s not ideal. If you can avoid it, why not?

Proper joinery choices provide a long-lasting look of rustic elegance.

Then there’s the kiln-dried myth.

Many people think that buying kiln-dried wood means they’re safe. But if you look at the paperwork, it says “S-dry,” meaning semi-dry.

Commercially available “kiln-dried” timber—usually 20% more expensive than green—is mostly an exercise in feeling good. 

Yes, it sets some of the pitch, and yes, sometimes it’s the right product for the right job. But structurally, regarding shrinkage and behavior, it doesn’t give you what people assume.

Another issue: an S-dry 8x8 is actually 7¼ x 7¼. It’s substantially smaller than a true, fresh-cut timber. And on top of that, S-dry timbers come in two-inch size jumps, which limits design options. If you have to saw off that dried skin to get a custom profile, you just expose green wood again.

Learn About Selecting Timbers

This misconception often leads to joinery choices that are purely cosmetic—like long butt joints and angled cuts at the bottom chord of a scissor truss. Those can end up with huge gaps once the wood shrinks, tight on one end and wide open on the other. It looks terrible.

Another factor is avoiding the heart center of the tree.

People often choose cheaper wood that includes the bullseye, which causes major misbehavior as the timber dries.

Different species move differently, and if you truly want no shrinkage, there are solutions. But understanding wood behavior is worth your attention—especially if you’re moving fast.

A Coastal Pavilion - built and designed to weather the elements.

3. Overlooking Construction Details and Logistics

Timing matters: when pieces arrive, when engineering is done, how beams tie into walls, what type of walls you're working with, insulation, sealing, and more. This is where expertise comes in, because every choice has pros and cons.

Joinery choices also matter—especially if you want joints that move with shrinking timbers instead of fighting against them.

Big timbers—like 18x18 or 12x18—take a long time to dry, and as mentioned earlier, kiln drying doesn’t work on pieces that large.

Installation details matter, too: simple things like using galvanized nails around timbers so water doesn’t leave black marks. This is also why it’s so helpful to get a coat of stain on the wood at the factory.

Timbers stained and handled correctly bring about the ideal final result.

Proper handling and stacking are crucial as well.

We even have a timber install guide full of do’s and don’ts—email us, and we’ll send it over.

You may already be in a position where the ship has sailed. The project is stamped, decisions are locked in, and you don’t have the leverage to change anything. We understand. We’ll still help however we can.

But the biggest takeaway is this: now that you know what you know, let’s talk sooner on your next project.

Get ahead of it, and everything will go slick as a whistle.

Written by Bert Sarkkinen