How many homes have you lived in that were well past their prime? Maybe they were drafty or maybe the floors weren’t quite level. Maybe the windows leaked badly or the ridge was beginning to sag. Many homes that have been built in the past century were not built to last. They were built quickly with little oversight. Timber frames are still standing…and still useful…centuries after they were carefully crafted from the materials at hand. 
Timber frames are not disposable homes. They are sustainable in every sense of the word. Today, we understand what our ancestors understood, that a building should last, that it should serve generations.
As we hear the words “green building” and “sustainable”, we need to focus on just what that means to the building process. We can conserve energy and resources by building efficiently and we can conserve even more energy and resources by building a home that will withstand the forces of nature and time. A timber frame won’t have to be shored up or torn down. A timber frame can be renovate without destroying the structure.
So, think about what is going to the landfill today from homes that just couldn’t be saved. Don’t add to that problem. Think of the future as you plan and build your new home.
And whatever you do…build boldly.
Tags: design/build, energy efficiency, green building, healthy homes, sustainability, Timber Frame Design, timber frame homes, Timber Frame Restoration, timber frames
