| We know when you are building your own home, several
questions come to mind. Below are answers to our most
frequently asked questions. Please feel free to call or
e-mail us with any additional questions you might have
about our company, product, or services!
What
distinguishes Davis Frame Company and its sales
representatives, Central Oregon Timber Frame Homes from other
timber frame companies?
- Davis Frame Company Timber Frame Homes offers more
options than any other timber frame company when it
comes to design, detail, and the use of materials. This
is because of our extensive knowledge and experience in
home design and timber frame construction. We offer both
custom and standard designs which can be modified to
meet your needs.
Send for our
newsletter article: "Timber Frame or Post & Beam -
What's the Difference?" --
request this newsletter
.
- Davis Frame designers
have over 22 years of experience in designing and
building timber frame homes. The same computer program
that designs the timber frame also cuts the timbers.
Most of timbers Davis Frame uses are harvested and cut
in Western Oregon. Many of the building materials we
provide come out of the Pacific Northwest.
- Our tung oil finish is applied to
the timbers in our shop, not in the field. Timbers are
protected during delivery with lumber wrap and are also
fully tarped on the flat bed trucks. We also
apply bee's wax to the timber ends to retard checking.
- We use the same computer program to design and cut
the timber frame. This offers continuity and avoids
mistakes in importing data from different programs.
- Davis Frame Company Timber Frame Homes can ship our
timber frame homes anywhere you want them delivered!
- Our company is small enough to work with clients on
an individual basis. Doug and Leanne are involved
in all of our projects in the Pacific Northwest. Davis
Frame Company is in its third decade, and they have the experience and staff to help you
create your dream home -- and they will still be here in
ten years when you are looking for an addition!
What is the difference between timber framing and post
and beam construction?
Timber framing, originating in Asia, was the most
dominant building method until the late 19th century in the
United States, when 2x dimensional lumber could be
mass-produced and the wire nail was invented. Timber framing
features mortise and tenon joinery, which is the traditional
method of interlocking timbers, as well as wooden pegs, to
fasten and secure timbers which create the load-bearing
structural skeleton of the building, whether it be a home,
addition, barn, or commercial structure (click
for a photo of mortise and tenon joinery). In
addition, timber braces are used to provide structural
support to the timber frame. As a result, one timber runs
continuously from floor to ridge, providing vertical and
lateral support to the building. Timber frame bents, or wall
systems, are assembled on the ground and then raised into
place, as in old-fashioned barn raisings (visit our
Job Sites for photos of timber frame raisings). The
unique structural integrity of the timber frame system
allows for flexible designs with open floor plans.
Post and beam construction is a contemporary variation of
timber framing. Instead of wooden joinery and oak pegs to
connect timbers, posts and beams are butted together and
fastened using metal brackets, spikes, and screws. Posts and
beams are assembled one at a time, with posts running from
the first floor deck to the second floor system, then
additional posts running vertically from the second floor to
the ridge. Glulam beams are often used in post and beam
construction to span long distances without support posts.
For decorative purposes, many post and beam companies
include bracing on posts and conceal metal screws or nails
with wooden pegs.
What can Davis Frame Company
and its sales representatives, Central Oregon Timber Frame Homes provide?
- Custom designed plans that include elevations, cross
sections, details, floor plans, foundation plans,
framing plans for the timber frame, and plans for the
non-timber frame areas of construction. We have full
architectural services available that can be tailored to
fit your individual needs. Architect or Engineer stamped
drawings are available when required.
- A refined, hand-crafted timber frame, in a choice of
dense select Douglas Fir, white pine, oak, or other
species as available, including recycled timbers.
- Materials for a weather-tight shell house kit,
including:
- Structural Insulated Panel enclosure system (SIPs)
- Insulated Concrete Foundation System (ICF)
- Second floor system
- Pre-cut dimensional material
- Cedar siding and exterior trim
- Cedar or heavy-duty asphalt shingle roofing
- Superior quality windows and doors
What specific
services are provided by the Davis Frame Company local sales
representatives, Doug & Leanne Smith, Central Oregon
Timber Frame Homes?
Doug and Leanne are
there to provide you with personal service and
regional expertise. After 7 years in the log home
business, and now as timber frame owners, the Smiths
have practical experience in assessing your land and
in designing a home that optimizes views and your
life style. Doug and Leanne can also help you
choose building contractors and suppliers, as well
as support those contractors throughout the
construction process. Their focus will be to help
you to design your timber frame home, to help with
delivery of materials, and respond to questions
during and after construction. Contact us with
questions @ email & phone # ,
Does Davis Frame Company,
or Central Oregon Timber Frame build my home?
We can suggest
General Contractors, independent frame and
panel installation crews or we can provide a technical
assistant who will work with your general contractor or
custom home builder to assemble the frame and panels. Your
general contractor or subcontractor builds the rest of your
home. Central Oregon Timber
Frame can assist you in finding a
contractor to do the work if you do not already have one.
What are the home building costs of a
Davis Frame Company
Timber Frame Homes timber frame home?
- A complete Davis Frame Company package can cost $55 to $75
(and up) per square foot and up depending on the style,
wood species, degree of finish, and the complexity of
the joinery. For example, a two-story colonial is less
expensive per square foot than a single-story home with
cathedral ceilings.
- Labor to erect the frame and install panels is in
the $10 to $14 per square foot range.
- A finished home can cost from $150 (and up) per
square foot depending to a large extent on the choices
of finish materials. This figure does not include site
work, water, sewer, utilities, walkout or finished
basement costs. For more information on total costs
contact your Davis Frame Company Sales Representative.
- Some Central Oregon Timber Frame Homes clients act
as their own general contractor and save as much as
10-15%
compared to the costs of working with a general
contractor. This option must be carefully considered
because of the time and complexity of such an
undertaking.
Send for our newsletter article: "Are You Considering
Being Your Own General Contractor?" --
request this newsletter.How do I get my plans done?
Davis Frame Company and
Central Oregon Timber Frame Homes offers a variety of
design services using our in-house licensed architect,
designers, and detailers. Many of the homes featured in our
portfolio are Davis Frame Company design originals.
Once Davis Frame Company produces
the final design drawings, Central Oregon Timber Frame
can complete all State-required
PE Reviews
for you.
Clients have a choice of working directly with our
in-house design department, with our affiliated
architectural firm, UK Architects, or with an architect of
their choosing. For a description of these design services,
see
Design Services.
Can I adapt a timber frame to an existing floor plan?
Timber framing is very adaptable to different
architectural styles. A huge percentage of the work we do is
from clients who like a certain plan, but who wish to change
a few things to meet their needs. We are careful not to
reproduce any copyrighted plans from other companies, and
work with you to use your plan as a starting point to
develop a custom timber frame home that is uniquely yours.
How long does it take from the start of design until
delivery of my timber frame package?
This process can take as little as three months or as
long as nine months depending on the complexity of design
and the number of changes required to refine it. When the
design is complete, it generally takes eight weeks to cut
and deliver your frame package. However, if time is
critical, it is sometimes possible to improve on the
delivery time of the package.
How long does it take to erect the frame and install the
panels?
It averages three weeks; however, the size and complexity
of the building, site constraints, and weather conditions
can affect the amount of time it will take. The remainder of
the construction process is the same as any conventional
home and usually takes 9-12 months.
What is the next step?
- If you have plans or drawings and would like an
estimate on your project, mail or fax them to us. Our
estimate turnaround time is usually 10-14 days. If you
need design services, call our toll-free number to set
up an appointment to discuss your ideas and
specifications.
- If you have other questions, please call
Doug & Leanne at
(541) 306-3232
or Cell 541-977-8285.
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