⌈ Review our web site.
⌈ Contact us, and tell us about your project.
⌈ Visit us in our shop, or on a job site.
⌈ Get excited about your project!
⌈ Choose your designer.
⌈ Hire us to design your frame.
⌈ Develop preliminary design documents.
⌈ Solicit general contractors for cost estimates.
⌈ Generate final construction documents.
⌈ Develop a construction timeline.
⌈ Get a little nervous!
⌈ Obtain financing.
⌈ Break ground!
⌈ Host a Topping Off Fest – to celebrate your timber frame.
⌈ Complete the construction of your home.
⌈ House Warming – celebrate your new home, and the new life it affords.
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WORKING WITH US:
We are always open to new ways to incorporate timber into architectural styles. Making every effort to retain the architectural intent set by the designer. We will make suggestions where the frame design could either accent the design intent or try to down play the powerful timber elements in areas that need to be handled more delicately. Although timber framing is stepped in tradition, it is a building system that has been applied and used by many cultures and has thus taken on many styles. The modern timber frame is in the process of developing it very own vernacular and we relish the opportunity to explore new ideas and designs.
To supplement the architectural development of a timber frame, TC can provide frame design, shop drawings and engineering. If your project is a full timber structure or hybrid construction, we can provide costing for frames you have already designed or assist you with details and frame design. Timber trusses can be added to conventional stick frame construction, even if plans are already permitted and engineered for manufactured trusses TC can redesign, reengineer and provide a deferred submittal for the timber trusses.
We can accommodate most floor plans; yet, the preferred method is to develop the layout of the floor plan and frame with the Architect in a ‘cumulative’ and ‘interactive’ process. This process enables the timber-frame, floor plans and elevations, to increase in detail with submittal cycles; repeating until approved.
During the preliminary design process, TC works as a consultant on an hourly basis. Contracting directly with the owners or with the design firm. Once hired, TC provides the Architect our ‘Designers Guide’. This guide includes; typical joinery, engineering, frame to foundation, frame to sheer wall, and frame to roof constructs. We will generate and design the framing plan and present it to the designer using 3D modeling, for review and comment.
Once a frame is agreed upon we help with custom details needed for final construction documents. A typical permit set will include TF(Timber Frame) sheets as well as Architectural and Structural.
GETTING STARTED:
1. Visit our web site.ENGINEERING:
2. Call us and discuss your project and its criteria.
3. Visit our office/shop and tour our home.
4. Hire TC to assist in the design process of your timber frame.
5. Review our Timber Frame Designer Guide.
6. Begin the design process.
Most Engineers do not have experience with traditional methods of mortise and tenon joinery, so often the exposed timber is treated as decorative or it is bolted together with metal plates. This is one reason why it is important to have TC involved early in the design process.
Engineering can be handled in various ways depending on the project. Frames can encompass the whole project or simply be elements in one room. Some structures are designed for timber frame from the start, wile others my already be permitted and wish to incorporate timber joinery after the fact.
TC can provide frame only engineering, or we can engineer the entire project including the foundation. For projects more than 50 miles from Santa Rosa it is best to utilize a local engineer for the majority of the work and have TC provide frame only calculations. For projects that require small amounts of timber framing it is also typical for TC to provide frame only engineering.
If you wish to use your own engineer, for the entire project including the frame. We can help by providing data for joinery testing and details to simplify the process.
When projects have already been permitted or are a long ways into development, TC will recommend using a “differed submittal”. This is a process where TC provides shop drawings and frame only engineering, for building officials and the engineer of record.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS:
TC has a small library of typical timber frame and timber frame related details. Once we are under contract we provide typical details for the project. As the design of the frame and the layout take shape TC will generate job specific details to be incorporated into the Architectural and structural plans.
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DO YOU SELL PLANS OR KITS?
No. We specialize in custom homes and structures. We believe that each project, site and owner deserves individual considerations, and a personalized design.
WHAT ARE THE DESIGN OPTIONS?
Although most frames conform to more recent design trends; timber framing is a building method that allows for tremendous versatility, blending well with a wide spectrum of styles.
WHAT DOES A TIMBER FRAME LOOK LIKE ON THE EXTERIOR?
In most cases the timber frame is held inside the exterior walls, thus protecting the frame and allowing for an array of exterior appearances. Often we try to incorporate timber into the exterior trim work.
HOW DO TIMBER FRAME COSTS COMPARE WITH STUD FRAME?
In terms of construction costs and financing, your Timber Creations timber frame will run between 10-15% more than a conventional stud frame home. However, given the structural integrity and aesthetic value of a handcrafted timber frame, there is no comparison.
WHAT SPECIES OF WOOD DOES TIMBER CREATIONS USE?
Our material of choice is Douglas fir timber, both Reclaimed and fresh sawn. Other species are available including, Western Red Cedar, Ponderosa Pine, and California Redwood.
DO TIMBER FRAMES PERFORM WELL IN EARTHQUAKES?
Yes, you will sleep easy and feel confident in your new timber frame home. The frame’s massive timbers combined with modern engineered sheer walls work together to provide tremendous security.
IS TIMBER CREATIONS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR?
TC is licensed in the state of California: However, TC does not play the role of a General Contractor. We try to do what we do best, and to specialize in our craft. Therefore we begin with design to make sure the timber frame is properly integrated into the floor plans. We then cut the joinery, deliver to your site, and raise the frame. Although we are not on site throughout construction, we are available for technical assistance as it may relate to the timber frame.
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Because our projects are unique and personalized, it is difficult to quote square foot prices. Construction costs in California can also vary tremendously from region to region. Our ‘Design options’ are geared so that we strive to maximize the use of your dollars during construction. It is important to our future and to our personal character that we provide a top quality product for a fair and reasonable price.
The installed costs of a Timber Creations frame package will usually run between $30 and $55 per square foot. Our structural insulated panel (SIP) enclosure will often run between $10 and $15 per sf. Turn-Key (finished) costs typically average between $150 to $250 per sf. To get a better idea of costs, talk with a local General Contractor as to the price of local custom homes. Typically, a timber frame will run 10% more than a conventional custom home.
Many choices must be made to create your dream home while keeping within a budget. Using a hybrid approach, for example, allows portions of the house to be timber framed and the remainder to be built using conventional framing or energy-efficient structural insulated panels (SIPs) Due to costs considerations, the majority of our homes are hybrids. They often have a core timber frame structure and insulated panel roof enclosure. Because of our emphasis on client involvement throughout the design process, construction costs can vary dramatically.
The final cost will depend upon your choice of materials, detailing, design complexity, and to a large extent on location. We can provide cost estimates based on your plans, or we can develop plans for you through on of our ‘Design options’.
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Click here or click on of the images below to download the Project Evaluation form as a printer friendly PDF...
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Click here or click on of the images below to download the Design Program Worksheet as a printer friendly PDF...
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