Linwood Timber Frame Homes offers all major construction alternatives.

1. Traditional Timber Frame
This system uses the centuries-old craft of interlocking timbers using mortise and tenon joints fastened with wood pegs.

These timbers are joined in a complete cross-section called a bent. The bents are raised one piece at a time, usually by crane, and then secured together in bays with cross beams and purlins in the roof.

The whole structure is further strengthened by the addition of knee braces on the external walls as required.

Alternatively, the timbers can be erected sequentially one piece at a time to form the complete frame structure. The new roof support systems resulting from this method will commonly differ from that utilizing the bent system.

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Timber frame is best suited for buildings made up of a series of rectangular shaped floor areas. Interior load-bearing walls are not usually required, allowing clear spaces and great freedom of design in the interior of the home.

The shape also lends itself to large interesting walls of windows, maximizing the use of natural light.

2. Original Post and Beam
This construction style is somewhat similar to traditional timber frame.

In this system the words "post and beam" are also used to describe the method of building, not just the components.

The timber components are fastened with nails, bolts or other special hardware. In original post and beam construction, these are usually hidden.

In the Hampton system, we use traditionally joined knee braces with mortise and tenon joints, not metal fasteners. However, some other manufacturers will just use lag bolts and disguise this with a fake wooden peg.

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The rafters are exposed on the inside and supported on the beams themselves. These are attached with a mortise and tenon joint at the ridge and notched with a bird's mouth where they rest on the beam.

The result is a very different internal look for the roof support than timber frame. Structurally, both are sound, the difference is purely a matter of personal preference.

3. Contemporary Post and Beam
This construction style is basically similar to that of original post and beam. The posts and beams carry the structural load but a ridge beam is also used to help support the roof.

In this case the rafters are laid across the beams and are not exposed. The ceiling is then generally finished with wood paneling or drywall.

The visual effect is that of a lighter construction method. It still allows the same interior space and feeling of openness characteristic of timber frame construction. The positioning of interior walls is also flexible as there is usually a minimal load- bearing requirement.

This is the most economical post and beam alternative and is popular for this reason.

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4. Timber Frame Hybrid
The timber frame hybrid has evolved as the marriage of timber frame with conventional platform construction. This has occurred for two main reasons:

i) Design Needs. Complex shapes and designs may not be easily accommodated by the limitations of mortise and tenon joints. Many high quality homes use different kinds of complementary construction styles to achieve the desired architectural result. This should not be treated as a deterrent from using a timber frame component but as an opportunity to showcase design excellence.

ii) Cost. The cost can be considerably lower in construction where the full exposed timber look is not required throughout the home. Usually, the central great room is of timber frame construction while the wings of the house are built using conventional trusses.

This is a cost efficient way of showcasing exposed timbers only in areas best suited to an architectural statement.

5. Hand Crafted Timbers
In some applications the timber frame will call for specialty handcrafted timbers or decorative timber components. Handcrafted applications can be carried out to both new and recycled timbers or in situations where the timber frame may have to be integrated into masonry, rock or other construction elements.

Sometimes we simply have to create a very personal original statement that can only be handcrafted.

The Hampton design team is happy to work with any of these alternatives. We believe in satisfying customers needs rather than production needs.

As a consequence of this approach, we have developed our technical capability to deal with timber frame, post and beam and hybrid home designs. The most sophisticated manufacturing equipment available supports this design capability.