Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
timber frames
If you love the idea of incorporating natural timbers into your home but aren’t drawn to the traditional log cabin style, a timber frame home might be the perfect fit. Unlike conventional “stick frame” homes that use 2×4 studs, a timber frame home is constructed with a framework of large posts and beams joined together with pegs or decorative joinery. The walls of the home are usually positioned on the exterior of the timber frame, allowing the beautifully crafted timbers, trusses, and accents to remain exposed for dramatic visual effect. Timber frame homes are known for their unique style, exceptional strength, sustainable design, energy efficiency, and undeniable character.
One of the main benefits of timber frame construction is its strength, which eliminates the need for load-bearing walls in the center of the home. This allows for versatile design possibilities, including open-concept layouts that seamlessly blend living, dining, and kitchen spaces. Woodhouse® offers a complete line of pre-designed plans that can be customized to suit your needs.
Generally, timber frame homes cost 10% to 20% more to build than a custom-designed, stick-built home of the same size and quality. However, the final cost depends on the complexity of the design. For homes with simpler designs, such as those without expansive vaulted ceilings, the cost difference can be much closer to that of a traditional stick-built home.
Woodhouse® stands out in the industry by offering a transferable limited lifetime warranty on our timber frame homes.
While the timber frame is the star of the show, the enclosure system—your walls and roof—plays a crucial role in protecting your home from the elements and ensuring energy efficiency. Depending on the materials you choose, you can create a high-performance home that is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Homeowners have several insulation options to choose from, including Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) consist of a ½-inch layer of oriented strand board (OSB), a layer of foam insulation, and another ½-inch OSB layer, all glued together like a sandwich. SIPs can reduce the need for additional timber elements, potentially saving costs, and come prefabricated with all necessary angles, windows, and door openings. These panels are screwed to your roof and wall timbers and can be used in non-timber-framed areas in place of conventional framing. SIPs are also a green building material, providing excellent airtightness, which results in lower energy bills and consistent indoor temperatures with fewer drafts and noise.
If you have an eye for detail and appreciate the intricate craftsmanship involved in construction, a timber frame home might be your ideal choice. The architectural grandeur of these homes is a key reason why more people are choosing this type of construction. Additional benefits include:
- Speedy construction
- Design flexibility
- Environmental friendliness
- Durability
Building a timber frame home is a decision rooted in both beauty and practicality, combining traditional methods with modern living. With all these advantages, it’s no wonder that more people are opting for timber frame homes over conventional stick-built houses.
MODULAR HOMES
A modular home is a type of home constructed using modular construction, where sections of the home, known as modules, are built off-site in a controlled facility rather than on the property itself. These modules are then transported to the final location and assembled to create a complete home that looks just like any traditionally built house. Unlike manufactured homes, which are built on a permanent steel frame and can be moved, modular homes are transported on carriers and placed onto a permanent foundation, becoming a fixed part of the property.
Modular homes offer several advantages over site-built homes. Since the modules are constructed indoors, they are protected from weather-related issues like wet lumber or construction delays. Built to the same codes as site-built homes, modular homes benefit from stringent quality controls and are designed to withstand transportation, making them more durable and resilient. Additionally, modular homes offer customization options for floor plans and finishes, and you can expand your home in the future by adding new modules. Because the construction process is streamlined, modular homes typically cost less and have the same appraised value as site-built homes, all while being eligible for conventional financing.
Modular homes are just as long-lasting as site-built homes, and often even more durable due to the rigorous quality controls they undergo during construction. Permanently bound to the property once assembled, modular homes can endure for as long as 50 to 100 years, similar to traditional homes. Additionally, their robust construction makes them better suited to withstand natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, and earthquakes.
No, modular homes cannot be moved once they are placed on a foundation. Unlike manufactured homes, which are built on a permanent chassis and can be relocated, modular homes are transported in sections and become permanently affixed to the property, much like a traditional site-built home.
No! Modular homes and manufactured homes are different. A manufactured home, often referred to as a mobile home, is built on a permanent chassis with wheels. In contrast, a modular home is constructed in sections using either metal or wood, without a permanent chassis, in an indoor facility following the same building codes as site-built homes.
Yes, modular homes can have basements, just like traditionally built homes. The basement is constructed on-site using conventional methods, and once completed, the modular sections are transported and lifted into place with a crane to form a complete home.
BARNDOMINIUMS
The timeline for building a barndo home varies based on factors like size, whether you opt for a DIY approach or hire a contractor, and the level of customization you want. A simple barndo might take 3-6 months, while a large, custom one could take over a year.
Yes, barndominiums typically hold their value well, and appraisals often come in higher than the construction cost. Additionally, using steel on the exterior reduces maintenance needs, contributing to long-term value retention.
A well-built barndo can last for generations, just like a traditional home. Although certain elements like doors, gutters, and windows may need replacement over time, a properly constructed barndo could stand strong for hundreds of years.
Insuring a barndo might differ slightly from insuring a traditional home since not all insurance companies cover dual-purpose structures. However, steel barndos are fire-resistant, can withstand severe weather like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes, and require less maintenance. Therefore, obtaining insurance should generally be as straightforward as getting regular home insurance.
Barndos, often built with metal siding and spray foam insulation, are highly energy-efficient and place minimal strain on heating and cooling systems. By incorporating additional energy-efficient features like awnings, high-performance doors and windows, and LED lighting, you can reduce energy bills by up to 40%.
Barndominiums are generally more cost-effective to build than traditional houses, with savings coming from several factors:
- Quicker construction timelines save time and money.
- Their shells require fewer materials and layers compared to traditional homes.
- Energy-efficient design leads to lower utility bills.
- Barndos often use slab foundations, reducing time, materials, and labor costs.
- Assembling a barndo kit yourself can further cut down on construction expenses.
