Plan, Design & Build
Get planning and building tips for timber home construction, including info on budgeting, eco-friendly building advice, siting your home, interior & exterior design elements, and more.
Deciding on a Timber Home Style
Some introductory terminology to get you started in choosing a timber home provider and understanding what the inside and outside of your home can look like.
(Pre-)Cut Above the Rest
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) and timber frame homes mirror and reinforce each other’s strengths, from their sustainability …
What's the Difference Between Post-and-Beam and Timber Framing?
It's the details that make all the difference after all!
4 Vital Questions to Ask as You Plan Your Timber Home
Use these questions as a way to organize the daunting process of building a timber home.
What to Look for When Buying Land
Use this checklist to make sure you find the right piece of property for your timber home.
What You Need to Know About the Most Common Wood Species
The details of each variety may seem small, but their effect is huge.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Timber Frame Homes
Timber frame construction has been used for centuries and is increasingly popular today – here’s why.
DIY Design: Concrete Imprints
Add your own fossil-like imprints to concrete to give your timber frame home an aged appearance.
How to Create a Hobby Room
Design a personalized space dedicated to what you love to do and get inspired by these fun examples.
How to Decorate a Fireplace Mantel
The mantel is an underestimated fireplace feature that can set the tone in any living space. Here's how to decorate a fireplace m…
Conventional vs. Naturally Built Timber Homes
What are the biggest differences between conventional and naturally built homes?
What is a Natural Timber Home?
What exactly is a naturally built timber home, and what sets it apart from other homes?
How to Maintain Your Wormy Maple Floor
Wormy or ambrosia maple is known for its white and dark wood tones, but it can lose color over time. Here's how to keep your worm…
Why a Wood-Burning Fireplace is Worth the Investment
It's time to rekindle your romance with an old flame: the wood-burning fireplace.
Room-by-Room Ideas for a Timber Home That Brings Everyone Together
These warm and welcoming design ideas prove why a timber-framed home is the ultimate gathering spot.
Why Build a Timber Frame Home?
Why you should consider building a timber frame home for you and your family.
Timber-Frame Gazebo Inspiration
A well-designed timber-frame gazebo provides a flexible outdoor living space perfect for a range of gatherings.
Where to Place Your Chimney
What are the pros and cons for an interior versus an exterior chimney? We’re working on a limited budget and need to build someth…
3 Tips for Lighting Your Vaulted Ceiling
Successful lighting design in a timber home with cathedral and vaulted ceilings soaring 20-plus feet into the air creates an addi…
What You Need to Ask Your Timber Provider Before You Hire
Jeff and Stephanie Bowes of Canadian Timberframes share three topics to address before choosing a timber provider.
A Rustic Barn for a Timber Home in the Finger Lakes
This rustic barn structure was built to include two separate living spaces: a large area with a bar for entertaining, and a secon…
How High Should You Hang Light Fixtures in Timber Homes?
How high or low should you hang your lighting fixtures? Here are a few quick guidelines.
Lighting Definitions: Lighting Styles for Your Timber Frame
Confused about all of the different lighting options out there? Here’s a brief overview of different fixtures.
All About Party Barns
A symbol of American tradition, backyard barns have become the place to be for good old-fashioned fun!
Here’s what you need to …
4 Types of Lighting Used in Homes
Light is light, right? Actually, no. A variety of light sources are needed for safety, livability and ambiance. It can help you a…
Your Guide to Designing a Timber Frame Barn Home
Barn-style homes are having a big moment in the sun. Check out these tips and trends to help you achieve that look in your timber…
Answers to Your Timber Frame Stain + Sealant Questions
Choosing timber-frame appropriate stains and sealants will ensure your home is as strong as it is stunning.
Are Geothermal Heat Systems Efficient?
Are geothermal heat systems really as efficient and cost effective as you think?