How to get started with a timber-frame home?
For many years I have been reading you magazine at my lunch hour while working at Home Depot here in the Chicago area. So I am turning to your quality magazine for some direction.
I want to have a timber built home built in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I have a 40 acre lot and 4 acre pond/lake near main highway in the Hiawatha national forest, and have already built a 1500 sq ft radiant heated workshop. I tried to use what I know about good building practices but since I do not have enough info in the changing building world, I need to find someone that knows current information and a source of quality product information.
I think your magazine it the best source of quality info and products, so I am turning to your magazine to for any direction that you can give. I have talked to a good general contractor in Wisc. and two timber frame builders one in the US out east and a Canadian business. All sound good and provide a little different positions. I met them all at one of several log and timber shows in St Charles, IL.
I am thinking of a well insulated timber frame home of at least 1500 to 1800 sq ft building, lots of quality glass, radiant heat, water cooled solar panels with a basement and external heat.
Any direction would be appreciated.
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Replies
Jay,
Here's my feedback:
1. A timber-frame home isn't particularly green (from an environmental perspective), but if you want one, you should of course proceed with your plan.
2. The most important factor in a successful project is choosing the right contractor. You should focus on selecting a nearby contractor who has lots of experience building timber-frame homes.
Good luck.
-- Martin Holladay
thank you Martin,
it may not be as green as could be, but yes i want the timber built design and it will be many many times more energy efficient than what is there now, so will try to figure out what a good contractor looks like.
Jay,
A good contractor will provide references (names of customers you can call up).
When you ask a good contractor, "Do you verify the airtightness of your homes with a blower door?", the contractor will answer, "Of course."
If you are really lucky, you'll hear the contractor say, "We test each home twice -- once when the air barrier is complete, and again when the job is done."
I'll second Martin's last advice. No matter what they promise, if they aren't doing those two blower doors, find someone else.