Timber frame construction is enjoying a robust renaissance in the UK these days – and we’re not talking about “softwood” timber framing using 2 inch by 6 inch lumber nailed together. We’re talking about traditional heavy timber framing using oak or Douglas fir timber connected together using medieval-style mortice & tenon joinery.
What’s the reason for the rebirth of this ancient craft of oak framing? Well part of the reason was the popularity of residential barn conversions in the mid 1970’s in England. Instead of building a new home, self-builders would purchase a property with an historic barn on the property that could be renovated into a new home, leaving the beautiful oak timber frame exposed to the inside. As conservation professional began to realize how old and important some of these barns were, the structures started to benefit from protection under the new listing process. As a result, it became more difficult to carry out these conversions, though the demand was still there.
With demand, comes supply, and companies started to pop up in the early eighties specializing in the construction of new bespoke oak framed homes, using “green” British Oak timber. In the twenty five years since, many more companies have entered the market, proving that heavy timber framing is a viable building method.
In parallel to the revival of traditional timber framing in the UK, was the revival of the craft in North America, happening around the same time in the late seventies and early eighties. Here in Canada, we have been building with lumber and timber since the country was first settled, so it makes perfect sense that bespoke ‘post and beam’ homes have become so popular of late.
Canada’s reputation as a world leader in wood construction has also meant an increased demand for our products abroad, especially in Europe. With the advent of the internet, it is relatively easy to communicate with clients and send drawings back and forth anywhere in the world. And with the cost of construction being quite a bit lower in Canada than the UK, some self builders in Britain and Ireland are choosing to contract out their timber framing to Canadian companies who deliver the timber components to the job site in sea containers.
This trading between countries in the traditional timber frame market simply reinforces the belief that this method and style of construction is here stay – just like the frames themselves – some of which having been dated back to the 12th century in the UK.
Further information:
Daniel Addey-Jibb is co-owner of Hamlet Heavy Timberwork Ltd., a custom timber framing company that produces and installs
traditional timber frame houses,
post & beam and
oak framing.
