Timber Frame Talk Radio - Timber Frame HQ

Episode 11: Peg Size, Span Distance, Cost of TF and Homeowners Insurance

We are resuming our podcasts after a couple of years’ hiatus because we are excited to introduce our new Design Wizard, Moyer Fountain. We meet Moyer, and answer questions that folks have sent to us. We look forward to future podcasts as you send us more of your questions. Enjoy. Moyer Fountain – Introduction Our new Design Wizard, Moyer Fountain, is originally from North Carolina and has lived in South Carolina for years now. He has always liked to build things with wood. He has worked for timber frame companies, been self-employed, and has worked as a subcontractor for Timber Frame HQ in the past. Joining the team as Design Wizard was a good fit. Moyer even worked own Brice’s own house long ago under Moresun Timber Frames. Steven – asks: What size pegs do I need for 12×12 beams supported by 12×12 posts. Tenons are 6x12x4. What thickness pegs should I use? Biggest pegs we use are 1 ¼”. That should be good in this case Diameter of pegs affected by how many pegs per joint and placement of the pegs.A 4” tenon is very thick, it might be hard to make mortise for that. 1 ½” tenon would be fineIt’s always a good idea to have an engineer to review, especially when pushing the envelope.Bigger pegs take more meat out of the tenons. Bud – asks: What is the rule of thumb for safe span length for different types of timber? Largest span Brice has done is 48 feet, but it had substantial engineering.24-28 feet spans are generally ok, it’s always good to have an engineer.Different types of trusses can span different lengthsHeavier snow loads, roof pitch affect distance (steeper pitch=less thrust on post) Bill – asks: Central Idaho Timber Frame building costs seem to be $290-$350 per sq foot Why are TF home costs high? Can I do the work myself? DIY- woodworking experience helps. Start with a smaller project before you try to build your home. TFHQ is a good resource to practice. Take classes. Shelter Institute has an online class which is a great resource in these days of the Coronavirus. Brice has a Talk Radio episode: Episode 10: Can I Build My Own Timber Frame? (See Resources Below)Square foot pricing is not a good way to price timber frames. A lot of the time spent is in the joinery. Timber Frame is more expensive because it is unique.Brice designed a house that was built twice: once for $175 per sf and then for $345 per sf. It was the same frame. The difference was SIPs and finishes. Ask around your area average square foot cost. Add 10-15% more for timber frame on average Carl – asks: My wife and I bought a Timber Frame home recently. I’m looking for insurance advice. My carrier wants to insure at the same replacement cost as a stick built house. That doesn’t feel adequate. Timber Frame is generally 10-15% more than stick built. Try to get the insured value up by that 10-15%. Shop around! You may be able to set your own replacement cost.You may have to pay higher premium to get higher replacement costs. Brice – That wraps up the questions for this show. The show will be based on your questions! Send your questions in to support@timberframehq.com. If we don’t know the answers, we will find the experts who do! We are with you under this coronavirus. We are a remote-working team, and we will keep working straight through. So if you have any questions, need any help,or need someone to talk to about your project, drop us a line at support@timberframehq.com. Resources Episode 10 – Can I Build My Own Timber Frame?Shelter Institue Online Timber Frame Course The post Episode 11: Peg Size, Span Distance, Cost of TF and Homeowners Insurance appeared first on Timber Frame HQ.

Episode 10: Can I Build My Own Timber Frame?

Do you ask yourself “Can I build my own timber frame?” In this episode we take a look at cutting a timber frame yourself and whether or not you have the skills to be successful.  Cutting a frame is tough work but something that most folks will be able to complete by gathering the skills you need before you start. A great set of saw horses from Mike K. in CA. Hard Skills Basic carpentry or furniture Start small and work your way up Sawhorses Small frame House or barn frame Build your skills before you start Workshop Guild events Reading and doing Start with a good design Soft skills Confidence and Patience with yourself and the project Be prepared to ask for help every now and again Good visualization skills. Time Full time, Part time, just how much time do you have to devote to the project? Full time is the best. Time it takes to get your head back into the project Better workflow and joinery Cutting a frame yourself does take a bit of time so make sure the size of the frame is manageable. Material Handling Challenges Timbers are not light, thinking through and planning ahead timber shuffles Get help Make lots of sawhorses, this will cut down on how often you may have to move a timber. Hydraulics are a good thing Workspace Do you have a place to cut the frame, can you setup and cut the frame without setting up and then put everything up in between cutting joinery. I built tents to cut mine in. The more space you have the better, in the larger shops they try and set every timber up on sawhorses before cutting, not that this is possible with the DIY’er. Remember you get to throw a party on raising day! The post Episode 10: Can I Build My Own Timber Frame? appeared first on Timber Frame HQ.

Episode 9: Your Questions Answered – Schools, Pegs, Boxed Heart, Remodeling

In this episode we take sometime to answer some of the questions that you have been asking on the site.  Topics range from remodeling, pegs, what school to go to and whether boxed heart timbers are ok to use.  At the end of the show, I talk a little bit about the SE Regional Timber Framers Guild Meeting.  Enjoy. Gary – Asks I’d like to know if you have any recommendations on schools or instruction on learning timber framing. Reached out to schools and compiled them on the site…head to https://timberframehq.com/timber-framing-101/schools/ All are great schools, some factors to consider… Distance Focus of school Russ – Asks Would very much like more detail on the pegs. Hard wood Oak and Locust but can be others depending on strength needed 1” is the common size Straight grained #1 or better…no knots Octagonal, round or tapered Tapered for draw boring George Day – Asks I am considering remodeling my 1976 ranch style house and would like to incorporate some timber frame features into the addition. Any advice on tying in the timber frame to the existing traditionally built structure? Structural or non structural Structural Hold up the floor system or the roof Needs to be engineered Often makes the most sense to save cost Timbers can sit on the conventional framed wall with blocking down to sill plates or a reinforced header or have posts that are supported by the foundation Non-Structural Cosmetic Extra blocking or structure maybe needed to support them Think through the options and make sure the timber are supported correctly.  Timbers are not light things and it often makes more sense to make them structural.  Especially in the roof system creating trusses, while they maybe for show they make be imparting loads on your framing. James – Asks Hey Brice. I hope your day is going well. In response to the question, the best way I know to answer that would be in a story. Remember, you asked…. A long story short, boxed out hearts for timbers, will it work as I think it will? Absolutely If you are on the east coast most of the timber are boxed heart. On the west coast with the larger Doug fir they can get FOHC wood.  FOHC wood is more stable because the heart is not there but it does come with a high cost per board foot. 95% of the timbers in my home are boxed heart timbers. Review of the SE Guild Timber Framers Meet up on November 1st.  See post on the happenings at https://timberframehq.com/blog/take-2014-se-timber-framers-guild-meetup/ Head to tfguild.org for more info about the conference and meetups. Subscribe in ITunes The post Episode 9: Your Questions Answered – Schools, Pegs, Boxed Heart, Remodeling appeared first on Timber Frame HQ.

Episode 8: Biggest Mistakes While Building My House

Me staring at the biggest mistake on my timber frame during raising day. Subscribe in ITunes Welcome back…. Why I have been away Finishing my home Building up my business after finishing my home…recovering from being away Wrote my book – Creating a Timber Frame House Pneumonia which made me refocus my life What to expect moving forward, my commitment to you At least one new show every month Based on your questions so give us a call at 888-552-9379 I Tunes reviews GREAT Resourceby Bhoodes I have been really impressed with what Brice has put together not only with these shows but at his website at timerframe HQ. I am a life long carpenter/contractor in Seattle, WA wanting to learn timber framing and this has been a god sent. Well thought out discussions with professionals that are easy to listen too and seem to benefit professional and homeowner equally. Well done, look forward to more. LOVE This Showby PROWLER58 I Love this show , Im hoping to build a Brick ranch timber frame home . Ill be starting next spring APRIL 2014, so this info is great. I just hope it continues, looks like nothings happened here since Jan 2013. thanks Bob C Meat and Potatoes of the Show Biggest Mistakes I Made Building My Timber Frame Home Too much research So many different building methods What did folks do before the internet Foundation Enclosure system Joinery Drawer and Cabinet pulls Over thinking things Do I want to do it this way or that way So many different options out there. Over built my home Foundation Timber Frame These just made it cost more…will that pay off? Expected too much from friends and family Them coming for a weekend they do not have the same mind set as me…git-r-done They are looking for a weekend off and to have fun Did not always ask for help Wife Friends Family High Standards Sandy Kohn Things you never see: joinery and things behind a wall Wanted all the subs to have the same standards I had and they don’t have to because it is not their house and they are not personally tied to it. Tried to save too much money along the way This goes back to research Time is money – bank loans, getting things done instead of research Digging up the pipe under the slab the morning before the slab was to be poured. Eposide 8 Transcript The post Episode 8: Biggest Mistakes While Building My House appeared first on Timber Frame HQ.

Episode 7 – A Chat with Jack Dickinson with Texas Timber Frames

In this episode, we talk with Jack Dickinson of Texas Timber Frames about their operation, a special project that they produced this past year and his new podcast called The Timber Frame Podcast.  This show was also aired on his podcast since he turned the table on me and asked me about my design business and what Timber Frame HQ is all about. [hr] Click Here to Review the Show in Itunes Questions from the show:   Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you found timber framing? At Texas Timber Frames you have a machine called a Hundegger cut and rough out your frames, can you describe how this works and the process once timbers arrive at your shop. What is the difference between using that machine that you have vs a complete hand cut approach? Having worked for a company that has used a machine to cut out their frames, I realize that one still has to go back and clean up the joinery and employ those hand tools…having seen the complete process yourself how much time does it take to clean up the joinery? Do you guys pre-assemble your frames in your shop? Can you talk about a project that you completed this past year that stood out among the rest? You just started a Podcast yourself called The Timber Frame Podcast and I have enjoyed listening to the shows …can you tell us a little about your show and why you created it. As one of the industry leaders where do you see the timber frame industry heading? Wrap up… The post Episode 7 – A Chat with Jack Dickinson with Texas Timber Frames appeared first on Timber Frame HQ.