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Hello from Aaron!

HI!

My name is Aaron Caswell, thanks for coming to learn more about timber framing and post and beam construction.  I am the regional dealer for Riverbend Timber Framing serving New Hampshire, Maine, Mass, Connecticut and RI. Do you have a vision of your timber frame home? Do you have plans already or like some of ours you have seen? Regardless of what stage you are at, we can help you accomplish your goal. Did you know every Riverbend Home comes with our very own Insulspan structural insulated panels? By using exclusively Insulspan Panels, your new home will most likely consume the least amount of energy in your area by a long shot!

Have you seen a Riverbend home? If not, or if you would like to see another, please visit our show home in North Hampton NH.  There are a few pictures on this site as well.  This is a show home designed to be seen by clients and also lived in by my wife margaret and I. Not only am I a dealer for Riverbend homes, but I live in one too!

While you are visiting we can discuss any questions you have regarding the process of timber framing or entire home building. I have gone through it myself and would enjoy answering any questions you have.

What is the difference between a log home and a timber frame

A timber frame home is not a log home. For one thing, a log home is built by stacking logs one on top of the other. As a result, a log home will, to quote a log home-builder, "quit settling when the ridge pole meets the ground." Timber frames are a type of post-and-beam construction that uses mortise-and-tenon joinery to connect the wood members using no metal plates and no nails. Timber frames are the strongest form of construction utilizing natural materials, and the frame does not continuously settle. In addition, a timber frame affords a more open and versatile floor plan. A timber frame with Structural Insulating Panels is much more energy efficient than a log home. Finally, on the outside a timber frame can take on any look you want -- Cape, Ranch, Saltbox, Victorian, Santa Fe, etc. Once inside, the heart of the home is revealed: the timber frame.

What is a SIP?

The Insulspan SIP (structural insulating panel) system consists of solid, one-piece, pre-cut SIP
units that are ready to install as wall, floor or roof components suitable for many residential and
commercial building applications. Each SIP consists of a core of molded expanded polystyrene insulation with engineered oriented strand board laminated to the top and bottom faces.

The Insulspan SIP system is a key component in building construction that will reduce energy costs and provide a strong, secure building envelope. For more than 27 years, Insulspan has led the industry in the development and manufacture of structural insulated panels. With knowledge and experience as well as the use of industry-leading technology production equipment, Insulspan is the best choice for projects of any size.

In a recent national building industry survey, Insulspan was rated the number-one Brand Leader in the structural insulated panel industry. According to the survey, 66% of builders found Insulspan to be the most preferred and recognized brand of SIP.

How expensive is a timber frame home?

You may be surprised to find out that, typically, the overall cost of a timber frame home is comparable in cost to that of a conventionally built custom home -- even though there it little comparison in quality. Further, if one takes into consideration that timber frame homes are usually more energy efficient than conventionally built homes, and that timber frames will stand for centuries, it's clear that a timber frame is the superior long-term investment.

Generally, the cost of the timber frame package including the timbers, structural insulating panels and windows will range from $60 to $90 per square foot of living area.  Timber framing is like other forms of construction: the more complex, the more expensive. Contractors will work with you to balance the quality/size/budget triangle in order to build a home that works for you.

Why timber frame?

What is the difference between post-and-beam construction and timber framing? 

Timber frame construction employs time-proven mortise-and-tenon joinery secured by wooden pegs. Post-and-beam construction, on the other hand, uses metal brackets, plates, and nails. The aesthetic difference is obvious: timber frames are seamless and flowing -- like fine furniture on a grand scale -- whereas post -and-beam frames are interrupted and utilitarian. Timber frames also have proven durability. There are timber-frame structures built using mortise and tenon joinery approaching 1000 years old. One can still visit the timber frame home in which William Shakespeare was born, for example, and that structure is relatively young at just under 500 years.