All About Timber Frame Structures
With high-quality construction, strong building techniques, and long-lasting materials, timber frame structures are a great option. There’s a reason this technique has been around for so long and is considered a more expensive option…and it’s not only due to its beautiful appearance, but also its structural stability and overall architecture.
What’s a Timber Frame Structure?
Timber Frame structures are built using a specific technique – mortise and tenon joinery. In simple terms, this means that one piece of wood is inserted into a corresponding hole in another piece of wood. This provides strength and extra stability, not seen in other carpentry techniques. Mortise and tenon is known to be one of the strongest techniques and has been around for years due to its high-quality outcome. The Stoltzfus Structures Amish carpenters are skilled in this technique and strive to build every Timber Frame structure with precision.
With most buildings, the posts and beams are hidden due to the use of metal plates, nails, glue, and other materials. Although with a Timber Frame structure, the wood beams are exposed since everything is held together by another piece of wood, rather than metal plates. This means that there is tons of room for customization, like a loft area or overhang, so you can see the beautiful construction of the Timber Frame technique. Having a Timber Frame structure also comes with getting a higher quality wood – Douglas Fir Grade 1 or higher – which means having a stronger quality and better, smoother appearance. To keep the tradition of the Mortise and Tenon joinery technique, the pegs inserted into the wood beams are made of oak, while the Timber is milled FOCH (free of the center heart of the tree). To learn more about the types of materials you will see on a Stoltzfus Structures Timber Frame structure, CLICK HERE.
Cost Considerations VS. Long-Term Value
Timber Frame structures are known for being a higher-priced building due to the quality of construction, so it is expected that these structures will have a higher price than other Stoltzfus Structures. This price is higher because of the mortise and tenon joinery instead of the commonly used post and beam construction. Due to a different technique, the skill and extra care it takes to construct these buildings, and the overall structural integrity of these projects, justifies a higher price. This cost reflects how much longer this style structure will last compared to other lower-quality buildings.
Stoltzfus Structures’ buildings last an incredible amount of time, if they are cared for properly, but with Timber Frame, it is expected these structures will still be standing decades later due to the higher quality materials and construction. That means you will have your Timber Frame structure around for years with a beautiful inside and outside appearance with the exposed wood beams. These structures offer both style and substance to your property, increasing your property value and your land’s overall appearance.
Featured Timber Frame Project
Stoltzfus Structures has completed hundreds of projects, and you can see tons of our other beautiful structures on our Featured Projects page. One of these projects is a Timber Frame Garage, located in Federalsburg, MD, which came fully loaded with a 10’ overhang, custom doors and windows, and was a whopping 36’ by 40’. This garage costs roughly $225,000 to $250,000, with its timeless, old-fashioned yet elegant appearance, especially with its partially open loft.
You can get a quote on this Timber Frame garage HERE or contact us to customize your own Timber Frame project. The team would be happy to go through everything you could add and what they have seen done in the past, to make it your own.
What Timber Frame Structures Are Offered?
As seen above, Stoltzfus Structures has Timber Frame Garages, but also offers a Timber Frame Storage Shed and several Timber Frame Pavilions. With the stability of a Timber Frame structure, you can trust this building to keep your cars safe in a garage. You can even have a large loft area to make your own, whether you want another living area, man cave, sports room, office, craft room, or more.
The Timber Frame Storage Shed allows you to transform your backyard with this long-lasting, gorgeous storage area. This structure combines traditional craftsmanship with modern durability, letting you create your own space for your wants and needs. Consider this to function as your average shed, holding outdoor equipment, seasonal storage, toys, or elevate this space to your own, like a workshop, a retreat, or whatever you wish! The Stoltzfus Structures team is always interested in what you plan to use your structure for, so we can suggest the perfect additions or styles to fit your dream.
A Stoltzfus Structures Timber Frame Pavilion is the perfect addition to your backyard, a park, restaurant covering, or even as a beautiful wedding venue. Choose from the Kingston, Grand Teton, or the Denali. The Kingston provides a “royal” feeling due to its classic and simple design of kingpost architecture. The Grand Teton pavilion combines rugged with romance, featuring powder-coated strapping mixed with the typical timber frame design. This structure has a historic western feeling with its rounded cross beams on the gable ends. Finally, the Denali pavilion gives off charm and strength with its hammerbeam split-truss design, complementing any setting, whether that’s a park, backyard, lake, or wide-open field.
Contact us or call – 610-593-7700 – to build your dream Timber Frame structure. If you need a safe space for your cars, ask about the Timber Frame Garages. Or if you just need a space to place your storage items that deserve a stable and long-lasting structure to keep them dry, clean, and safe when they aren’t being used, check out the Timber Frame Storage Shed. If none of these fit the simple covered space you need to keep wedding guests comfortable or a place for your guests to get out of your sunny backyard, look at the Timber Frame Pavilions. The team looks forward to helping you build your dream Timber Frame structure.
Jada Morris
Recently graduated from college, I take advantage of having more free time and spend those moments catching up on my love of reading, brainstorming ideas for design projects, and spending time with my family, friends, and furry companions. I have two Golden Retrievers that are complete opposites, one who has enough energy to run three marathons a day if he could, and the other who would be happy to stay in bed all day! I might relate a bit more to the later but am always up for an adventure.
