Timbers

TimbeRoof Post and Beam’s predominant choice of timbers are white pine and Douglas fir, though we are able to offer structures made of woods like heart pine, cherry, oak, hickory, maple, locust, hemlock among others. One of the main reasons we normally choose the two species that we do, aside from their natural beauty, is that they are two of the most environmentally friendly species to use in home building. Plentiful and quick growing, they are very easy to replace and significantly reduce timber construction’s impact on the environment. The pines and firs grow very straight, resulting in equally straight beams with a minimum of waste.

Our first timber choice is normally eastern white pine, which is native to the Southern Midatlantic region, where TimbeRoof is located. According to Anne Edminster, NRDC architect and green building specialist, using materials from the surrounding area that are minimally processed is one of the central factors in creating an environmentally friendly house. As a practical benefit, using local timbers also reduces lumber transportation costs and thus the costs to our clients.

While Douglas fir shares all of the benefits of the eastern white pine, it also possesses an advantage. While both are ideal for timber framing, the fir is denser and stronger. The pine is relatively lightweight and strong enough for most applications but, when wide expanses are being spanned or stronger wood is called for, Douglas fir is easily substituted.

After milling, both timber types also tend to retain their straight shape, unlike other woods that may twist and bend. This is further ensured as they are subjected to kiln-drying before being handcrafted. This reduces shrinkage, splits, or checking that can appear in wood over time and makes the timbers resistant to moisture absorption. Loose knots are also exposed during the drying process, allowing us to weed out inferior timbers. An additional benefit of the kiln process is the destruction of mold and bacteria that might discolor the wood.

TimbeRoof stains all timbers before they leave the factory as part of our standard procedure (unless the client requests otherwise). Our experience has shown that posts and beams always require staining as a practical matter as it protects the material and makes it ready to erect as soon as the TimbeRoof package arrives at the site. Obviously, it is far easier to perform the staining beforehand, eliminating the hassles and problems associated with doing so on the job site.

Insulated Panels for Roofing and Walls

For homeowners today, it is hard to imagine a better, more energy-efficient value than SIP panels. They consist of foam insulation sandwiched between two outer panels, usually oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. Panel thickness ranges from 2” to more than 12” and sizes are from the standard 4’x8’ to 8’x24’. SIP roof and wall systems are not only easier to install than traditional rafter or stud-wall systems, they also provide far more efficient insulation than fiberglass.

The building industry uses a rating known as R-value to measure the efficiency of insulation systems. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation. R-value is affected by the type and density of insulation, as well as by its thickness. SIP panels consistently have greater R-values than fiberglass insulated systems of equal or greater thickness. For instance, a new study by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the leading authority on energy-efficient home-building, shows that a 4”-thick SIP wall panel has a normal R-value of 13.93, while a 2x4 stick and batt panel (the traditional wall panel with studs and "R-13" fiberglass batt insulation) had an R-value of only 9.58. In fact, the 4” SIP panel even outperformed a 2 x 6 stud wall with "R-19/6" fiberglass batt insulation.

What accounts for the superior efficiency of SIP panels over traditional fiberglass insulated systems? First of all, unlike a stick and batt system, SIPs consist of a solid foam core. This eliminates what is known as the "framing effect". This refers to heat that escapes through gaps that inevitably occur between fiberglass insulation and the framing it sits between. SIPs fasten on top of the post and beam frame and provide a continuous "skin", thereby eliminating the framing effect inherent in stick built roof systems. Another reason SIPs provide a better insulation value is the inherent superiority of foam over fiberglass as an insulating material. An easy, everyday illustration of this is to imagine hot coffee in both a foam cup and an ordinary drinking glass. While the foam cup is easy to pick up because it does not transfer heat from the coffee easily, you would burn your fingers if you picked up the glass.

Finally, the R-values used to rate fiberglass insulation generally provide an inflated estimate of overall efficiency. That is because the framing effect is often underestimated or discounted altogether when determining R-value (Jan Kosny and Jeffrey E. Christian, Whole Wall Thermal Performance). In some cases, only an area of wall or roof panel lacking framing studs and where the insulation is thickest is tested for heat resistance. Due to the framing effect and the nature of fiberglass, which can result in areas of unequal density, this results in an inaccurate and inflated estimate of efficiency. The foam insulation in SIPs, by contrast, is of uniform consistency, gapless, and does not suffer from the framing effect. This means that it will perform much closer to original estimates than fiberglass (for more on this, please refer to the Kosny and Christian article link above). Also, one major difference between TimbeRoof Post and Beam and many other post and beam companies is that most of our competitors only match the performance of an R-30 fiberglass stick built roof by using 4" of foam. At TimbeRoof, we use an 8" foam panel, providing double the insulation protection.

One can conclude, therefore, that SIPs provide a better value for insulation than fiberglass systems. They are more energy-efficient, perform far closer to their original R-value ratings than fiberglass and are easier to install and maintain. Although a timber frame roof using 8" thick insulated panels (a true R-30) costs more then a stick built roof, the fact that they are consistently more energy efficient than fiberglass means that you will save money in the long run and have a more comfortable home.

SIPs also save on labor costs. They are easy to cut and shape to the exact home specs at the factory, and then can be shipped out to the site for quick and easy assembly. Installing a SIP system is so easy that it requires no specialized skills, can often be completed within just one day and is usually possible at any time of the year.

Finally, SIPs are environmentally friendly. In addition to reducing consumption of fossil fuels by saving energy, the OSB panels that sandwich the foam are made from quick growing and easily replaced trees and shrubs. Also, the panels themselves are more durable and provide better protection from storm damage and natural disaster. Given all this, it is no wonder that the popularity of SIPs is ever growing, with almost twice as many homebuilders aware of these advantages than six years ago.

Our Materials are Selected to Assure Quality

We at TimbeRoof Post and Beam know that a house is only as good as the quality of the materials used. We also understand that the timbers, beams and paneling will be seen by you and your family for many years to come. Therefore, we buy our materials from suppliers who meet our strict standards for quality and appearance. This is our pledge.