Timber Frame Design

When you ask us to develop a preliminary design for your timber frame project, we take it seriously. The table is cleared, the chairs are pulled up, and the exchange of information between you and our team takes place. The team is usually Danny, our creative designer, Bruce, our lead timber framer, and Cyndy, the one who listens and helps you visualize the lines on the paper. Together we will address all your sensible needs for a home design as well as the architectural character to make it uniquely yours.

Timber framing is such an adaptable form of construction. Besides full timber frames, you can create porch or room additions, outdoor structures, or new hybrid homes to suit any taste. Here we've included examples of recent requests for design work that gives you some insight of what to expect when you work with our team here at Homestead Timber Frames.
 

Tennessee Mountain Home  ~

Nestled in the woods on a mountain above the Sequatchie Valley will be a true Tennessee mountain home with living quarters on the main floor and guest rooms off the balcony overlooking the living room with stone fireplace below. Our designer gave this home a traditional look on the inside to match the owner's style.
 

The detached garage is accessed via breezeway to a large mudroom/laundry area. Porches on both sides of the house give the owners quiet retreats. This floor plan is suitable for many types of exterior styles and window treatments so give us your ideas and we can redesign it just for you!

Our designs include "cut away views" of your home to show the timber frame elements inside.  This view is of the cathedral living area with stairwell to the loft area and guest rooms.

Timber Framed Multi-Purpose Workshop  ~

With an 18’ x 24’ foot print this unique multi-purpose building was designed with the vision that it could accommodate just about any function you could imagine. Whether you are looking for additional living space, a mountain retreat, wood working shop, or fanciful tree house, a little imagination would make this cottage a perfect fit.

This small timber framed “barn” could be woodworker’s dream shop or multi-purpose workshop. This uniquely crafted structure began in design as an outdoor get away that was built tall enough to double as a tree house for grown ups. As we continued to develop the timber frame design, its versatile functions made themselves clear. The quaint style was developed with an open bay storage and work shop downstairs that has a dropped timber ceiling for storing lumber, kayaks, or whatever your hobby requires. The bonus to this design is the upstairs living area. Exposed timber roof system and queen posts with struts help to define the space. It can be built as a screened in tree house for the grandchildren or enclosed for a guest cottage.

 

The building is complimented with a walk-out balcony supported with over sized arch braces or a minimized balcony just to take in the view. Cooling is provided by framed lattice openings above the dropped timber ceiling allowing air-flow to the workshop area from all four sides. We felt the need to accommodate the Southern Style of living by screening the end walls creating endless possibilities that our client’s seem to enjoy. As you can see, this design can be modified to fit any requirement you may need. This is a fun structure that we look forward to timber framing for you.


 

"Between the walls of these substantial buildings, there was security enough to release the caged and dormant portions of the mind."
- Tedd Benson

Simple Lines in a Craft-Cottage Style Home  ~

An ample front and back porch to catch the breezes and provide shade for a southern cottage style home with a craftsman bent was the request. The Great Room's graceful timbered roof design was to be the surprise when you enter the front door of this charming home. Brick and stone will be applied to the R-24 walls for a maintenance free exterior. Large windows allow natural light in the spacious rooms on the first floor. A balcony "up in the roof timbers" that overlooks the great room below will serve as an office with a large guest suite off to the side. This floor plan offers the owner one level living with a full basement for parking and additional storage.

Using white oak timbers for this frame was a must for this owner's discriminating taste. His love of wood and ability to finely craft cabinetry and other built-ins for his home is what attracted him to us. When we presented him our first take on his design a couple of weeks after a long morning visit to our shop, he was quick to reply he knew he was with the right company.

Communication is key in developing a preliminary design that gives the client a rendering close to their expectations the first time around. Offering a budget range is crucial to a healthy relationship as well. Budget information aids us in designing a timber frame that not only meets the creative desires of our client, but prevents unnecessary costs and time.

Two Story Colonial Farmhouse  ~

You can’t go wrong with a classic design – one that’s stood the test of time and is appealing to the eye. The colonial farmhouse style was originally timber framed a few hundred years ago with traditional joinery techniques. Today’s joiners still love the simple, but elegant display of timber framing in this design. Floor plans to fit within the framework of this style are limitless. We usually tend towards 9 foot ceilings on the first floor and 8 foot ceilings on the second floor. Traditionally both floors were used for living space, but today some desire to leave open to above spaces in the main living areas with a balcony overlooking the Great Room.

This young family chose the traditional approach for their floor plan, but asked that the master bedroom on the second floor have exposed ceilings to the attic above - a lovely element to their sanctuary in the evenings. There is a playroom on the first floor close to the kitchen, which can be modified into a guest room in the future. A large kitchen and mud room area was a requirement. Large windows for their long range views were added in the living/dining area with a see through stone fireplace to separate the two. This couple thought long and hard about how they lived and how to take advantage of the site. Their floor plan is sensible, takes advantage of all the space, yet adaptive in their use.

Heating and cooling this home will be very efficient due to enveloping the frame with stress skin panels and choosing a traditional floor plan without soaring ceilings. We aim to design as energy efficient home as the owner will allow using quality materials and attention to orientation of the home. Working together to achieve this takes a thoughtful design team with knowledge of how effective your choices will compliment the overall budget.
 

Rustic Cabin Makeover with Additions ~

The cabin type home sat on the bank of a lovely mountain stream surrounded by well kept grounds with laurel, rhododendron, and hemlocks. He had owned the house a few years and envisioned how the simple home could be enhanced with the addition of a sun room, gracious decks and porches for outdoor entertaining. His other desire was to have a covered area to park the cars with possibly an extension of the master bedroom suite above as a sitting area. Timber framing was a form of construction that fit the site and his taste.

To take advantage of the natural surrounding, we designed the sunroom as a high ceilinged room using the outdoor chimney as a stone wall within the room. The large casement style windows allowed the sunlight to filter in through the hemlocks and rhododendron and take in the view of the stream from three sides. You could sit and see the sky through the upper windows. The layered decks just out the double doors take you to the new heavy timbered front porch for the perfect outdoor entertainment area where you can hear the running water close by.

The parking area is also the gateway to the rear area of the house where the woods beckon to a path by the stream. The client desired to take advantage of this timber framed pavilion type structure to create parking for his cars as well as a second covered area to entertain. Above is the sitting room with a small balcony under the gable end for two people to sit and enjoy the night sounds. This cabin is now a charming rustic retreat that was created with two architecturally interesting additions and an extension of the current front porch.

Addition for a Ranch Style Home ~

The couple wanted to keep their treasured self built ranch that had been the family home for 30 years. Now it was time to make it even better. They desired lots of natural light, the warmth of wood, and to match the existing home’s traffic flow. A new stone two way fireplace would be the center piece in the connection. Our design depicts a raised center roof to allow the oak trusses to capture the volume and add plenty of natural light to the space. There are interior posts that provide division of furniture placement. The room accommodates a dining area, quiet area, and two conversation areas. From the outside this addition gave the home new architectural interest. Both front and rear porches were to be timber framed with half stone columns to match the stone exterior of the new wing. They now have a lovely inviting front entrance with a large covered back porch for entertaining.


This second rendering shows the same home without the raised center roof on the timber framed addition. The interior posts moved closer together, but the desired effect was the same. Our goal is always to provide outstanding quality and style while adhering to our client’s budget.