Our timber frame designers can work with any home design and floor plan
that you may choose. Select your own style of frame from one of the
three major structural styles:
1. “Principal Purlin & Common Rafter” Style Frame Common rafters are usually 6x8 timbers at 4'-0" on center running
from eave to ridge. The rafters are supported at the eave by a plate
beam, midspan on wider buildings by a principle purlin, and for
buildings 24' to 28' wide, a ridge beam supports the rafters at the
peak.
2. “Classical Bent” Style Frame Bents are available in Hammer beam (vaulted spaces only), Queen
post, and King post profiles. Bents are usually spaced along the eave to
create 8' to 14' Bays. Bent posts are usually 6x10 to 8x10 and bent
rafters are 6x10 up to 8x12.
3. “Timber Truss” Style Frame In this frame style, plate beams support heavy timber trusses to
create a vaulted living space. Trusses are designed to carry tension and
therefore they typically require steel reinforcement at the bottom chord
connections. Trusses may incorporate traditional joinery, exposed or
hidden steel hardware, or custom-made wrought iron connectors.
4. “Hybrid” Timber Frame Conventional framing materials can be used in conjunction with
timber
framing to lower the cost or to achieve a different architectural style.
As general contractors more readily source these materials locally,
Okanagan Timber Frames does not include them in package sales.
Second Floor Framing: The most frequent use of conventional framing in a timber frame is
for the second floor framing. 2x10's or 2x12's 16" o.c. with ¾" T&G
plywood sub floor is used instead of or on top of timber joists. The
conventional joists are placed on top of the timber girders and allow a
cavity for mechanical systems and also provide for better sound
reduction between floors. Floor trusses or manufactured joists can be
used for spans greater than 16'.
Roof Framing: The ceiling finish is usually drywall or T&G Douglas fir. 2x12
rafters 16" o.c. with 5/8" CDX plywood roof sheathing and fiberglass
batt insulation. This can be used in place of timbers and Structural
Insulated panels for the roof system. Where a cathedral ceiling is not
required, conventional stick trusses are an option.
Stud Walls: There are many options available in combining conventional framing
with timber framing to achieve a budget or a particular style. We will
work with any design to provide the best options for balancing a client
budget, while maintaining the desired look and feel of a heavy timber
system.
Timber Frame Design Styles 2006