Working with Vermont Frames:

Vermont Frames has specialized in the construction of quality, traditional, timber frame structures since 1975. Our frames are cut from rugged Eastern White Pine, eastern Hemlock or Douglas Fir. Our mortise and tenon "big beam" style joinery provides lasting strength and beauty and has garnered praise from clients and designers alike.

By offering a full range of services, Vermont Frames and its associated companies, Foam Laminates of Vermont and Timberworks Design, can service all of your building needs. Please be sure to consider using our stress skin panels for closing and insulating your structure, and our design services described in more depth below.
 

Overview of the Design/Build Process:

Design issues confront many clients at the start of the building process. Architectural drawings can be an important part of the construction process. Drawings are devices with which to develop and refine the building design. Banks and building departments often require drawings for review. Cost estimates can be accurately figured from complete drawings and they help insure accuracy and quality in construction. Davis Weigand of Timberworks Design has been working with Vermont Frame's clients developing design and drawing packages at a reasonable cost for the past four years.

Many of our clients come to us with a good idea of what they wish to build. Vermont Frames and Foam Laminates of Vermont are happy to provide quotations for your plans and ideas before the final design process begins. Doing this will help establish some budgetary numbers and may affect the design process. When you have established an architectural plan; either on your own, with another designer, or through purchased plans, the next step is frame design. Vermont Frames requires $250.00 for frame design in most cases. This amount is applied toward the total project cost. As an alternative, if you are confident of your desire to build with us, a 10% scheduling deposit will cover the frame design fees and assure your spot in our production schedule. Our frame design is a joint effort between Jim Giroux and Davis Weigand. It has often proven beneficial to have Timberworks influence in the architectural design process.

From the architectural drawings we will provide quotations for fully assembled frames and kit frames to be erected by a local crew. When purchasing a kit you will need to hire one of our framers as a technical supervisor. The working supervisor will be equipped with the special tools required for the frame raising. All frame erections will require the use of a crane. Crane costs are not included in our quotations.

When the frame design is finalized, Foam Laminates of Vermont will complete a panel layout drawing, establish a contract cost and arrange for installation if desired. Panel installation is most often completed by your local builder. Our installation manual and phone support has been formatted for the first time panel user. Foam Laminates of Vermont offers a technical supervisor in the same manner as Vermont Frames for those who want on site support.

On-Site Process:

The Foundation: The key to a long lasting home is a good foundation. From the working drawings, the footings and foundation walls can be poured properly. The General Contractor oversees this operation.

The Deck: Typically, a conventionally framed deck (building material of choice, i.e. dimensional lumber, engineered lumber, steel) is used as the first floor and the base for your timber frame. Solid blocking under post locations and foundation anchors are used to tie the frame in. Again the General Contractor is responsible for building this.

The Frame: From ordinary pieces of wood, our skilled craftsmen create highly precise members of your timber frame home. Each piece is cut from a set of computer generated shop drawings to ensure accuracy. The members are assembled on site.

 
The Assembly: The timber frame erection process is one of the most awe-inspiring construction methods commonly used today. Our crews transform stacks of framing members into artful structures built to last a lifetime. Our construction is of the true post and beam mortise & tenon and pegged method.

The Enclosure: There are many methods for enclosing a timber frame, but none are as cost effective as Stress Skin Panels. The continuous line of insulation creates a tight and very energy efficient building.

The Exterior: From your selections of siding, roofing, windows and doors, your builder will add life and beauty to the outside of your house. From the drawings developed during the design process, the window and door placement is made easy.

 
The Interior: This is where a house becomes a home. With the light provided by the open floorplan and the warmth of the exposed wood, your builder will transform an empty shell into a house you can’t wait to come home to.