HISTORY OF TIMBER FRAME HOMES

The earliest mortise and tenon joinery is found in ancient Egyptian furniture. In the Middle Ages large vaulted churches, theaters, windmills and other structures were built throughout Europe. By the late 1500's, wood was scarce and timber framing almost ceased to exist until the discovery of the Americas with its immense forests. Immigrants, many of them craftsmen, used their timber framing skills to build their homes, barns and meeting halls throughout the East Coast and the Midwest.

After two centuries of popularity, timber framing became virtually extinct through the use of the cheaper and easier stick-framing method, during the colonization of the west in the early 1800's, when homes were needed quickly for the newcomers.

Not until the energy crisis in the 1970's and the search for alternative, more energy efficient ways to build did timber frame home construction become more popular again. It lends itself perfectly for passive solar energy and insulation without thermal bridging. An increasing number of people were also attracted by the natural materials a timber frame is made of.

Now, two decades later, timber frame homes are still increasingly popular among home owners who want to build a spacious, natural and energy efficient home.

Timber frame home building is an age old craft that offers homeowners a link to the past, while providing an inviting living environment with up to date amenities. Hamill Creek Timberwrights is a group of craftsmen dedicated to this time honored craft of timber framing.