Fall for a Timber Frame

Today we welcome the 3rd new season this year.  Fall.
Leaves are changing, the sun is starting to close up shop earlier in the day and the sky is an unmistakeable shade of autumn blue.
The smell of pumpkin spice fills every bakery and coffee shop, and the crisp air from the open windows carries a promise that winter is well on its way.

Generally, when we head into this season, we start to wonder if things will slow down.  Contractors and builders will put big jobs on hold for fear that the ground will freeze quickly, and the parks and lake houses will be void of activity and any plans for remodeling will wait for the birth of spring.

But don't let the cold weather stop you from planning your timber frame project.  

Here at Vermont Timber Works, we build timber frames throughout the year, even through the coldest, most brutal part of the winter.
Our seasoned artisans are no match for Mother Nature, as strict as she may be.

Spruce Peak Trusses- Stowe VT

The time frame for obtaining a timber frame through us is typically a 3 month period.
This includes the time for producing shop drawings, ordering and fabricating the materials, and shipping to wherever the location may be.

This is a great time of year to start planning for an early spring build, or even a mid-winter renovation or project that you would like to have completed when the warmer weather starts to reappear.

Don't put off until tomorrow what you would like to get done today.

Call me at Vermont Timber Works to find out what we can do for you this winter, and start enjoying your new pavilion, pool house, vacation home, or barn, while others are just starting to plan for theirs.

Have Timber, Will Travel….

Have Timber, Will Travel….

What Light Through Yonder Timber Frame Breaks?

What Light Through Yonder Timber Frame Breaks?

Louisiana Timber Barn....

This past fall I had the privilege of working with a contractor from Robert, LA.
 One of my favorite projects to date, by a landslide....

Rick Hopton called and inquired about our Texas Barn, made some changes to the layout and design,  sent drawings and a deposit, and ordered a beautiful new barn for his client in Robert.

The process went without a hitch.
The communication was clear and efficient, the exchange of invoice and payment was quick and painless, and the barn...it speaks for itself.

Rick had never built a timber frame barn before, but judging by the photos below, you would never know that this was his first time.

Rick, we are hoping it won't be your last!

                                                   In the beginning....September 2013....

The process entails a lot of laying out and cutting with hand tools....

                              Taking the first steps..It's like putting a puzzle together, huh Rick?

                                                  Raising the bents...Coming along nicely!

                          Progression at its finest...Looking good ...More like a barn every day....

Wow...We can see that the timber frame is starting to take on a new facade.  With conventional framing added, it's developing  more of a personality...as far as personalities go in barns, that is!

               The stall framing really makes the space look like a southern horse barn...
                                                    Can you see it coming together now?

                       The addition of the gates is beautiful...You've outdone yourself, Rick....

                                         What a difference the siding makes.  Almost done!

                          Add some exterior stain, and Voila...A beautiful Timber Frame Barn!

Can't wait to see some more pictures of the final product.  Stay tuned for an update...coming soon!

Ok...sooner than we thought...Just as I thought I was finished with this post, Rick sent me some more pictures....His ears must have been ringing...Thanks for the updates Rick!

                  Here's the finished alley way.  Looks like the residents have settled in.

 

              And here is the final outside view....with some very happy looking critters inside.

Shiver Me Timbers....

I heard someone say that Spring is right around the corner, so I walked to the corner and looked around it...Nope...I don't see it anywhere!

I see snow covered mountains, frozen driveways that look more like skating rinks than parking lots, and pom poms on the tops of winter hats, peeking over the crests of the snowbanks that still stand about eye level..

HOWEVER, there is hope for better weather to come. 
I can say this positively, as I look into the workshop and see all of the projects that are scheduled to be delivered by Spring.

Through the window to the shop, from my desk, I can see a pile of heavy timber braces, and another pile of posts and purlins, assorted sizes and stain colors.

                                                              (purlins being installed)

I can hear the crew cutting joinery and hear Dan Kelleher turning beams that are being marked up for cutting.

                                                  (view of mortise and tenon joinery)

With all the buzzing in the shop, and our estimator's desk starting to get full of new projects for bidding, I remain ever so hopeful that everyone is thinking WARM WEATHER....and that Mother Nature will take the hint!

As for now, I will continue to sell timber frames from the frozen tundra, with my electric space heater and the heart of a pirate....and shiver...me timbers!  Aaaaarrrgh......

Back In Full Swing

The winter season always takes a toll on the building industry in New England.  The longer the snow hangs around, the longer projects are put on hold.

This spring was pretty quiet here at VTW.  The shop slowed in production and the workers felt the sting of the lingering winter...
But now that there's  promise of brighter days ahead, the shop is back in full swing and the mood is light.

Projects are plentiful and they keep piling up.  The shop will be buzzing with sawdust and country music and the sound of timber framers custom crafting at their best.

We are currently working on a few pavilions, a big horse barn in New Jersey, and even a dentist's office.

Keep up the good work Vermont Timber Works...

Frame on!

TIMBER....I'm falling in love.....

Have you ever walked into a building so beautiful it was love at first site?

That's what tends to happen when you enter the Southern Vermont Welcome Centeron Interstate 91, or the Spruce Peak Lodge in Stowe, VT.

At Vermont Timber Works, we are the Cupids of Craftsmen.
Once we get your attention, you will fall in love with one of our projects.
Guaranteed.