I must admit, I’m a home magazine junkie. I subscribe to most of them and those I don’t I often wind up buying on the newsstand. I read them from cover to cover the same way sports fans pour over league stats. I get many of my ideas from them and at times discover something…
Note: Please see July 10, 2009 post for A-K Lag Screw: A lag screw is a screw with a square or hexagonal head. Sometimes called a lag bolt. They are larger and stronger than regular screws. Lower Girt: A girt is a lower beam. In a post and beam home, it can be a…
There may be times during the build process when certain terminology is used by industry people that we might not understand. This happened to me more than once when my husband and I were building. I could have used a “cheat sheet” of terms, so thought I’d assist any of you who might feel the…
Ever notice that every time you see a really great barn, there’s always one feature present? What is it, you ask? Why, the cupola, of course! Cupolas were first used during the 8th Century in Islamic architecture atop minarets. It’s believed nomadic Moors brought them to Europe by way of Spain. Their domed and pointed…
Post and Beam homes are typically expected to cost more than a “stick built” home. The reasons for this are many and varied, with the primary costs being the use of high quality timber frame versus inexpensive wood studs, superior insulation, and the typical use of large glass areas. That being said, there are many…
As promised, or threatened depending on how you look at it, I’m going to write a series of posts about the beautiful gardens and grounds surrounding our new timber frame carriage house. Please allow me to give you a little background history about our home site. The property belonged to my husband when we met…
The kitchen layout is one of the first considerations when designing a home. Many of your preferences will need to be considered and decided before drawings of your new or remodeled home may begin. Will you have an eat-in kitchen? Do you prefer an open family area as part of the floor plan or do…
I felt it only appropriate to write a post about the wide variety of entryways owners have chosen for their timber frame homes. I’ve often remarked a post and beam can be any architectural style the owner desires. Well, the same may be said for the front door. The entryway is an important architectural element…
Have you ever heard of hybrid timber frames? They are a good option when you want to reduce the amount of timbers when designing your dream home. At Yankee Barn Homes, we occasionally meet clients who love the look of post and beam homes but wonder if it is possible to use less timbers. It…
Ah, Spring. This time of year I love to sit outside, ignore the housework piling up and dream over magazines of home plans. Plan viewing in my house often brings on lively discussion, debates and laughter. My daughters think they each need a master suite of their own, complete with dressing rooms, private bath, closets…
One of the greatest features of the post and beam is its versatility. When it comes time for an addition, from the smallest bump out to a total reorganization of a home’s floor plan, post and beam is the way to go. It works with any style home (as the following pictures will prove) while…
Yankee Timber Frame: Visuals that come to mind when imagining a timber frame are often typical – the log cabin in the woods. While this is understandable, it is not the only style suitable for a post and beam home. Quite the contrary as a post and beam home can be any style you choose.…