Post and Beam vs Timber Frame Construction
Post and beam vs timber frame construction may seem confusing. The main difference is in how the timbers are connected to each other. I’ll use our post and beam carriage house construction as an example. Post and beam homes of all styles typically uses half lap joinery with hidden fasteners, and sometimes decorative metal braces whereas timber frame homes uses mortise and tenon joinery secured with wooden pegs. The beams of both techniques are fully exposed to the inside of the structure. Timber frame homes are typically much more expensive than post and beam. Precision cut and fitting of the joints is very labor intensive and the primary reason for the cost increase.
3 Benefits of a Post and Beam Home
Post and Beam structures, in this case a prefab carriage house, allow the building designer a great deal of freedom in developing both interior and exterior space. It is more difficult to design in Timber Frame structures with all the timber frame required for building stability.
Post and Beam can mimic the complexity of Timber Frame Structures while utilizing simpler and less expensive joinery and metal fasteners.
The erection of Post and Beam structures is fast and efficient. Frame, wall, and roof components are assembled in succession.
Post and Beam structures allow the building designer a great deal of freedom in developing both interior and exterior space. It is more difficult to design Timber Frame structures due to all the timber frame required for building stability.
Drawbacks of a Timber Frame
Timber Frame structures were originally designed and built as stand-alone structures without utilizing additional framed support or shear components.
The Joinery employed with Timber Frame Structures is complex and in many cases, must be engineered to specifically deal with loads generated at different locations within a building.
The interior exposure of the timbers in a Timber Frame structure can be visually complex and overbearing due to the density of frame members required.
