New here and starting my timber frame home

alanferg · December 22, 2019, 06:12:38 AM

Hello, my name is Alan, I'm new here and registered because I was searching for information about wrap and strap to enclose a timber frame home. I'm not sure of all the available options to enclose a timber frame. I'm familiar with SIPs and conventional framing--though I'm not a fan of either.

On another note, I'm *hopefully* building a timber frame next year. I found a local with 30+ years of experience to build a timber frame for me and I'm very excited! The trees are down and soon to be milled. Sadly, I do not have much time to be as involved and learning as I would like.

Ljohnsaw · December 22, 2019, 01:08:23 PM

Welcome aboard! Please update your profile so we know where you are. From the looks of your picture I'd guess you are not from Texas :D

Looks like oak logs? How big of a frame are you planning? What's your time frame?

tule peak timber · December 22, 2019, 01:49:34 PM

This is the place to be for the info you seek -lots of knowledge here. Welcome aboard. Rob

alanferg · December 28, 2019, 02:59:10 PM

Quote from: ljohnsaw on December 22, 2019, 01:08:23 PM
Welcome aboard! Please update your profile so we know where you are. From the looks of your picture I'd guess you are not from Texas :D

Looks like oak logs? How big of a frame are you planning? What's your time frame?

Thanks for the welcome. I'm located in Northern Maine and the logs are spruce. High posted cape 26' x 48'. We plan to raise the frame this summer and enclose by winter.

Logs are out of the woods and piled, ready to be milled on-site. A couple of my Amish neighbors and I finished today moving logs over 1/2 mile from the rear of my property to the build site.

Don P · December 28, 2019, 05:28:40 PM

That looks like a fun way to spend a day. You mentioned possibly wanting to do wrap and strap. What type of siding and interior finish are you thinking of?

Brad_bb · December 29, 2019, 11:47:30 AM

If you don't like conventionally framed wall, or a SIP wall, what is left? Are you a Straw bale or waddle and daub person?

Sip or conventionally framed, or double studded wall construction, or 2x6 construction with spray form is a really good insulation.

How do you know how long of logs to cut if you don't have a frame design yet?

Ljohnsaw · December 29, 2019, 12:09:07 PM

Quote from: Brad_bb on December 29, 2019, 11:47:30 AMIf you don't like conventionally framed wall, or a SIP wall, what is left?

Quote from: alanferg on December 22, 2019, 06:12:38 AMI was searching for information about wrap and strap

Brad_bb · December 29, 2019, 03:41:04 PM

In this old post, Rooster give a good tutorial on Wrap and Strap. I'm not sure how much you save and how it compares to the other methods I mentioned, but I sure do like SIPS because you can get dried in fast, and I like either conventional 2x6 wall spray foamed, or double studded for walls, because with these methods, you can change electrical and plumbing and other things easily before foaming. I like SIPS on the roof because it goes on fast, and you're not likely going to be changing things up there.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=54157.msg805230#msg805230

alanferg · December 30, 2019, 07:44:42 AM

Quote from: Brad_bb on December 29, 2019, 11:47:30 AM
If you don't like conventionally framed wall, or a SIP wall, what is left? Are you a Straw bale or waddle and daub person?

How do you know how long of logs to cut if you don't have a frame design yet?

Have decided to use conventional framed wall enclosure (insulation plan has always been exterior rigid foam). I believe this allows me greatest flexibility for assembling myself (save $$$), cavity for electrical, and future modification of penetrations.

I was initially turned off at the idea of conventional framing because I'd seen a timberframe project fully enclosed by enough 2x6 lumber to build a structurally sound house. Don't get me the wrong, the craftsmanship was amazing and the guy put a lot of work into it--but I can't bring myself to build a house utilizing enough lumber for two.

I have a basic layout on graph paper and the timberframe guy went off that.

Quote from: Brad_bb on December 29, 2019, 03:41:04 PM
In this old post, Rooster give a good tutorial on Wrap and Strap.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=54157.msg805230#msg805230

Yes! I found this previously. Thank you for sharing!

Quote from: Don P on December 28, 2019, 05:28:40 PM
That looks like a fun way to spend a day. You mentioned possibly wanting to do wrap and strap. What type of siding and interior finish are you thinking of?

Mostly undecided... at the moment T&G pine on exterior walls and drywall or white shiplap on interior walls. It is difficult getting the wife to visualize so it is a slow process. Exterior will be cedar shingles or lap siding over rain screen.