ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 6, 1997 TAG: 9704080031
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: cut your utility bills
SOURCE: JAMES DULLEY
Q: I have seen some very unique and attractive timber-framed houses. I like the large open rooms, cathedral ceilings and heavy exposed timbers. Is this type of house construction efficient and very durable?
A: Timber-framing is one of the oldest construction methods. Heavy handfit timbers exposed in each room, high ceilings, lofts, skylights, masonry fireplaces with exposed chimneys, etc., create character and charm.
Timber-framed buildings, many centuries old, are still used in Europe and are as sound as the day they were built. Combining this proven construction method with new technology creates a very efficient house. You can expect utility bills to be about half those of a conventional stud-framed house.
The most efficient timber-frames are enclosed with foam core panels. These panels are made by sandwiching a solid foam insulation core, up to 9 inches thick, between two plywood skins or one plywood and one drywall skin.
This produces a wall with insulation as high as R-40. Another plus is the low air leakage. With panels as long as 20 feet, there are few leaky air gaps. Outdoor noise is virtually eliminated and indoor dust is reduced. It is a good idea to install a heat recovery ventilator for good air quality.
Timber-framed houses are a natural fit with passive solar heating. The high ceilings allow for many large south-facing windows. The massive indoor timbers provide natural thermal storage mass. This saves and stores heat in the winter and moderates midday temperature peaks in the summer.
With the strong timber framing, no interior supporting walls are needed. This allows you to locate interior walls wherever you wish and easily change room layouts as your family grows. When utilizing solar, wood or space heating, an open-floor plan improves the distribution of heat.
Most of the timber-frame manufacturers have many standard floor plan kits. They can also design a timber frame to meet even the most unique and elaborate floor plans and styles. A crew from the manufacturer erects the framing at your building site.
What makes timber frames unique from other post and beam construction is that all of the joints are hand-fitted by craftsmen. The mortise and tenon joints are carefully carved and connected with wood dowels. This produces very strong and beautiful framing exposed indoors.
From the exterior, a timber-framed house looks like any other house. The exterior surface of the foam core panels can be finished with siding, brick or stucco. Consider using one of the new types of residential metal roofing.
For Update Bulletin No. 627 listing 18 manufacturers of timber-framed houses, exterior diagrams and floor plan layouts of seven typical houses and specifications, write to James Dulley, The Roanoke Times, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45244. Include $2 and a business-size SASE.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB