The Art of Timber Frame Construction
The art of timber framing. The art and craft of timber frame construction has been around for thousands of years. It was the primary way homes were constructed from the early centuries AD in both Europe and the Orient. Early civilizations built this way because timber frame homes don’t just last a lifetime—they last generations. From large barns in the countryside to the family homes in the coastal villages of New England, solid beams and peg and socket joinery created the bones of buildings that would last centuries.
Timber Frame is a refined wood building style that utilizes heavy timbers with interlocking wood-to-wood, mortise and tenon joinery and fasteners rather than nails, screws, or metalwork. Unlike conventional stud framing that’s most common today, timber frame homes leave the timber post and beam supports exposed to be seen and admired, creating an architectural element that often blends in with its natural environment. Not only are timber frames aesthetically beautiful, you get the very best of structural soundness. With the technology we have today, we go even further in creating precision crafted joinery that is solid, stable, and of lasting beauty.
Building green with sustainable materials is becoming more significant with the growing concerns of climate change and energy independence. With a carbon footprint that’s 75% less than that of concrete or steel, it’s no surprise that wood has become a top contending material for green builders. Wooden structures absorb and store atmospheric CO2 and that wood, even taking into account haulage, is carbon neutral.
Airtightness & Insulative Integrity
Many builders will tout their use of solar panels, geothermal heating/cooling systems, or their heat exchange air-filtrations systems—all of which we endorse and are wonderful for your home—yet the single most important element of an ecologically sound home is the airtightness and insulative integrity of the home’s “enclosing envelope,” or shell. With conventional building today, where walls are framed and filled with insulation, and then dry-walled, the envelope is rather porous. No matter how high the R-value of the insulation, if cold and heat are penetrating the cracks, homes will be less efficient.
We always recommend wrapping your timber frame with structurally insulated panels (SIPs) in order to achieve the highest insulation R-value. Want to learn more about SIPs?
Design and Production Facility
Located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, our 30,000 square foot facility is equipped with the most advanced automated Hundegger CNC joinery and planning machinery called the K2i. This CNC machine provides the most versatile and accurate joinery available reducing costs, waste, and increasing efficiency. It is equipped with the widest timber track in the industry and its modular system can accommodate member sizes up to 24”x48”x60’. In addition to our CNC machine, we possess a Woodmizer sawmill, Hundegger HM-D planer, in-house texturing and finishing equipment, and sit on six acres of timber inventory.
Our centralized location outside of Denver, Colorado allows us to produce and ship timber frame packages across the United States and North America quickly and at affordable rates.
Schedule a Tour!
If you’re interested in seeing how our timbers are cut, finished, and packaged, we invite you to schedule a time to take a tour of our facility. We have built a number of timber frame homes in the surrounding area and across the country that we would be happy to show you upon request.
Step 2: Building Your Team
Step 3: Design and Budget
Step 4: Fabrication and Assembly
I am a Builder
As we continue to grow as a timber frame package provider, Colorado Timberframe is looking for partnerships with general contractors across the country with whom we can efficiently and harmoniously build timberframe homes. Having been in this industry for two decades, we know the ins and outs of what builders face for each project, and we are primed to help you provide the best building experience for your homeowners.
When we enter a jobsite with you, we are not simply an independent third party, we are vested in your interests and committed to improving your reputation. If you look good with your clients, so do we. Our philosophy is to partner with you, not only to sell our packages and services, but to build impeccable reputations through lasting relationships.
This is one of the reasons we offer such a wide variety of packages and services. Whether you need a frame or a complete enclosing shell, a design team or an architect, or if you need anything from a supervisor to a complete installation crew, we have the right technology and people to do the job right and keep your clients happy. We are flexible and want to work within the parameter of your unique system and set budget for each home you are building.
Although we are comfortable with jumping in at any point in the process, we have found the sooner we can start working with you, the more our experience can help. Success for any project is often determined by getting the details right, and we have been doing this long enough to know what those details are. So whether you are a seasoned timberframe contractor or new to the game, we want to put our expertise to work in partnership with you.
I am an Architect
“As principal of Foreshew Design Associates Inc., I thoroughly enjoy working with Colorado Timberframe. Having worked with multiple heavy timber manufacturing companies in the past I can truly say that Colorado Timberframe is among the top in their league. Colorado Timberframe has an amazingly skilled sales and design team that help guide their clients vision all the way through the design stage and see’s it through even after the last timber is pegged in place on your property. This team is friendly, knowledgeable and highly skilled in the art of true heavy timber framing and their attention to detail and care for spectacular architecture is second to none.
Mixing old world timber framing methods with cutting edge technology such as CNC precision is a true indicator that Colorado Timberframe cares about delivering the highest quality end product to their clients. I highly suggest if you are looking to involve true beauty into your new home or vacation getaway that you get in contact with Keenan Tompkins, Owner & President of Colorado Timberframe and his great sales staff. You will not be disappointed!
Our firm looks forward to working closely with Colorado Timberframe and their amazing project team on spectacular projects for years to come.”
“Colorado Timberframe are experts in the craft of true timber frame design and construction. As architects, we have worked with Colorado Timberframe on several projects and are always impressed with their knowledge and attention to detail. With the ability to fabricate any design conceived in their local shop, their pricing is competitive and the design options almost endless. If you are interested in timber frame as part of your project, we would highly recommend Colorado Timberframe.”
“The owners are absolutely amazed! The amazing work that took place in Colorado made this all fit like a glove.”
“As a material supplier, being the first time doing business with Colorado Timber Frame has been an enjoyable and successful venture. From the first phone call with my northeast Colorado Timberframe representative and with speaking with CTF office staff, to the last delivery made, the professionalism shown and given to the employees of Giarrusso Building Supplies and myself was exceptional. Whether a material supplier or potential home buyer, I would not hesitate recommending Colorado Timber Frame, and look forward to doing business with them in the future.”
“Truly professional team of leaders. As a subcontractor it was a pleasure and a true joy to work with a team that prides itself on such quality, pride, and a true work ethic! It would be our pleasure to work with you in the future.”