Friday, October 26, 2007

Vermont Timber Works and Logs? Sometimes!

Red Pine Logs, peeled by our very own Kellin and James. Resident log-ologist Rick did the cutting. Our crew is raising this timber frame, expect lots of pictures soon. Sue's working on this one, be sure to check her blog.



Thursday, October 25, 2007

Reclaimed Timbers

Reclaimed Timbers are becoming more and more popular. Reclaimed White Oak is what the Davis Residence Project has requested. This sample will be made into 4 samples and sent to Mr. & Mrs. Davis and their Architects for approval. I'll keep you posted! Thank you James & Company for this sample, we look forward to placing our timber order with you soon.

Our crew will fabricate these timbers in our shop, all by hand, no cnc machines at Vermont Timber Works!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Square Feet, Linear Feet, Board Feet.

Anyone confused?

We measure heavy timber in board feet. Also our decking is converted into board footage for pricing.

Many requests come to us in linear feet or square footage.

Rick just found me the BEST conversion chart, linear feet to board feet, and I feel the need to share it! Thank you Rick and thank you Highland Woodworking.

Hope this helps someone, I know I'll be referring to it often.

Monday, October 22, 2007

The start of another busy week @ Vermont Timber Works

Here we go, the start of another BUSY week at work. Sue and I have been out straight with timber framing leads, pending projects and projects in process. Many of our commercial leads need to be chased. We use Dodge Construction Data, and REED Construction Data on a regular basis. Searching specific to heavy timber projects all over the country. As time goes on, we get more and more invitations to bid as well as referral projects. (Love that)!

It's great to be busy, everyone is happy about that. AND today is one of the prettiest fall days we have had.......check this out.

More foliage photos from Vermont. Enjoy!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Glue Laminated Timber vs. Natural Timber

We recently bid on the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center in Mammoth Cave, KY. We bid as an alternate to the glulam frame and offered a full FSC Certified Natural Douglas Fir option. Not chosen in this case, it was considered and approved by the architects on the project. Cost was an issue, our DF option was a bit higher. Oh well, we don't get them all. Best wishes to Martin Construction, as they are the awarded GC and we appreciated their consideration.

Although certain projects lend themselves better than others. For instance, sometimes due to the design or span, natural timber will not work and a glulam or two needs to be incorporated. For example, the arch on the Grove City College job needed to be a glulam, but the remaining is natural Douglas Fir.

Initial design in all glulam our natural timber alternate was chosen on the Carl M. Small Project. These trusses are so beautiful, we look forward to going back down for finished shots. Sarazin General Contractors and our team worked well together. Below is our truss!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Gotta be GREEN?

Green Building, Leed Requirements, FSC Certified...what does all of this mean?

Here at Vermont Timber Works we are seeing these requirements more and more in heavy timber commercial construction, and we are happy to offer options.
Using FSC timbers and reclaimed timbers can get you LEED points!

Upcoming Projects with FSC Timber
Upcoming Projects with Re-Claimed Timber
  • Davis Residence (White Oak)

    "FSC " stands for the "Forest Stewardship Council". There are two types of FSC certificates available, Forest Management and Chain Of Custody. More Info. As more saw mills team up with certified forestry teams, the more choices YOU will have, and perhaps the pricing for this certification will come down a bit.

    "LEED" stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design". Leed offers different levels of compliance, Silver, Gold and Platinum. More Info
    Distance also has an effect on LEED points.....material within 500 miles is favorable.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Heavy Timber Construction....in Shiner Texas

One of our most popular barn designs, we get so many calls on this one!

Heavy Timber Construction
42wide x 54long, 3 bays......so many possibilites.

Horse Barn

Equipment Barn

Party Barn

or all of the above....

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Heavy Timber Construction / Citizen's Park Playground

(Professional pics are on the way)

This timber frame project is a beauty. Citizen's Park Playground in Barrington, IL.

The Douglas Fir Heavy Timber Construction and the Masonry, what a combination. Look at that heavy timber construction. Stay tuned for MANY photos of this!

Brian @ Stuckey Construction and his crew set these frames and did a wonderful job.

David V. Stermetz @ Williams Construction Management and Tom Lalonde @ Williams Architects were great to work with as well. We hope to work with this group again!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Southeastern Vermont Welcome Center is a Timber Frame.

Here it is, our Southeastern Vermont Welcome Center, heavy timber construction & raising by Vermont Timber Works and Crew. Tim Smith Architects was wonderful to work with, we recommend them.

Just beyond the MA border on I91 North, be sure to stop in. This timber frame will leave an impression, and perhaps encourage you to build a Vermont Barn for yourself!

pet friendly workplace

Here at Vermont Timber Works, the dogs rule! To the left is Kramer, and below is Ruby. They belong to the owners Doug & Dan, respectively, and are at work with us most days.






Friday, October 5, 2007

Trusses are flying in Dartmouth, NS!



OK, this is one of the best parts of my job......seeing the projects come together.

These 4 trusses arrived in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, fully assembled.

Craned into place, one by one, right from the truck. These pictures are wonderful, thank you Jared @ Dora Construction for sending them.




Thursday, October 4, 2007

Flynn Guest House / Timber Frame Accents

Flynn Guest House, Westmoreland, Virginia. Working with Roger Flynn and Mike & Greg Gray of Gray Construction we were able to incorporate timber framing into this home. Roger's architectural team at Historic Concepts get credit for this design. Results are looking great! Roger will send more pictures as he makes progress. Look at those hemlock beams!

Roger and Tonya Flynn are looking for completion in August of 2008. We look forward to another timber frame project with them!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Charney Timber Frame Raising / Post & Beam



just a few progress shots taken by ME. The Charney's are very happy with their timber frame barn and were with us the whole time. Look at the view! Raising the frame once the bents are put together on the ground is just amazing. Our crew enjoys doing it, and it shows.

This finished post and beam timber frame in located in beautiful Wilmington, Vermont.

Monday, October 1, 2007

New England Timber Frame Party Barn, Antique Timbers

This frame, built for Jack Sands is in Dublin, New Hampshire. Weathered hemlock timbers and mostly traditional joinery with a small amount of Steel Joinery. Jack wanted an antique party barn that looked like it had been there forever. We coordinated with Rick Monahon Architects and Jack's General Contractor to create this outstanding frame.

Once again our crew did the raising! If you are considering a timber frame, give us a call.