Clearing Up Some Common Misconceptions About Timber Frames for Homes
Posted on: 20 December 2017
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A residential home can have a steel frame or a standard frame, made with wood studs and joists. The home can also have a frame made of thick and solid timber beams. Each of these materials has their own advantages, but a timber frame is a favourite choice for homeowners for a variety of reasons. If you're having a new home built and are trying to decide on the right framing material, note a few misconceptions you might have about timber frames, so you can decide if it's the best choice for your upcoming plans.
Financing
You might assume that financing a timber-framed home is somehow more expensive or that your homeowner's insurance will be more costly if you were to choose a timber frame. In truth, a bank or other lender may charge you the same interest rate for a timber-framed home as any other material. The construction itself may be a bit more costly, simply because it takes special skill to construct a home with timber framing, but the loan rate you're quoted should be the same as a stick-built or steel-framed home.
Also, note that timber framing is actually more durable and more fire-resistant than standard wood used in a stick-build home. This can actually mean a lower premium for your homeowner's insurance if you were to choose a timber-framed home, not a higher cost for insurance.
Size
Another common misconception is that timber-framed homes are oversized, and that your home might be very conspicuous in a standard residential neighbourhood. It is true that timber frames are often made to be very large, so that the home's interior can be open and grand, but this isn't a requirement for timber frames. These frames can be cut to the same size as any standard residential home, so that you can have a timber frame and an open floor plan while still ensuring the size of your home is the same as others in your subdivision.
Eco-friendly
Because timber-framed homes are made with large sections of wood, you might assume that they are not very eco-friendly. However, standard stick-built homes made with studs and joists will result in quite a bit of wasted wood, as these pieces need to be cut and trimmed on the jobsite. Timber frames are made in a factory to exacting specifications and then erected onsite, so there is little, if any, trimming and cutting of the wood. Less wasted wood means a very eco-friendly choice for your home.