Post and beam frame benefits are numerous. In this article, we will focus on two primary benefits of a timber frame, the mechanical and the visual.
Mechanical Benefits of Post and Beam
Mechanically speaking, the beams transfer the weight of the roof to the tops of the posts. The posts then bear the weight straight down to the ground. The Advantage: post and beam frames nullify the need for interior walls bearing the weight of the roof. Thus, walls are not as integral a part of the weight-bearing structure and do not need to be used as often. This allows for a more open floor plan. Stick build homes do not have a weight transfer feature (i.e., posts); walls play a large role in supporting the structure. In a stick-built home, an open floor plan is costly due to the need for expensive steel beams. See DURABILITY OF A YBH FRAME IS TESTED
The Visual Benefits of Post and Beam Frames
Visually, the frame gives expression to openness. A post and beam frame allows for wider doorways, large expanses of windows, vaulted or lofted spaces, and an open floor plan. With this openness comes loads of natural light flooding the home, allowing for a sense of space that looks and lives much larger than it actually is. There are occasions when clients carry the post and beam frame to the out-of-doors by attaching a timbered screen porch, a pergola, or creating a freestanding post and beam room.
Yankee Barn Homes has the capability to combine post and beam sections with non-timber frame areas. These are called hybrid plans. Some clients choose this option because it allows design flexibility and visual impact in priority spaces, without requiring it in secondary areas. Yankee Barn Homes is a custom design build company, therefore each client stipulates how much or how little timber frame will be in their design.
