Strong and Dimensionally Stable
Solid wood homes have been around for years. They are easy to build,
perform better thermally than framed homes and look quite distinctive from
the exterior as well as the interior. Now, with laminated timbers, we can
provide even more - a considerably higher level of stability and strength.
Our engineered laminated timbers are simply far superior to solid-cut
timbers. Because our wall timbers are fabricated from kiln-dried lumber,
we offer an exceptional level of dimensional stability - virtually eliminating
checking, twisting, warping and shrinkage.
Originally developed in the mid 1950's, laminated timbers have become
the industry standard for tight fitting solid wall construction. Today,
laminated
timbers are the first choice when the natural beauty of wood and
the structural integrity of a timber system is called upon to distinguish
a design.
Each lamination within the timber is bonded with an exterior type waterproof
adhesive, cured under high pressure using high frequency electronics in
a radio frequency (RF) press. Center laminations can be offset and machined
to form a tongue and groove on both edges (center match) and the ends (end
match) of the timber.
Faces of the timber (sides that are visible) are carefully chosen from
decorative grade stock, usually in cedar or pine. You can mix and match!
Choose cedar for the exterior and pine for the interior if you like!
The result is a product of high strength, dimensionally stable with
a superior appearance.
Fire Safe
Laminated timbers have an excellent fire-resistive quality. When subject
to a constant flame, our wall timbers retain a significantly higher percentage
of their original strength for a longer period of time as compared to a
frame wall. Without air spaces, such as is found in framed walls, it is
far more difficult for fire to spread. Our popular 6-lam timber is rated
as a 1-hour firewall compared to a standard 2x6 framed wall which is 1/2-hour
fire rated.
Energy Efficiency
Although there are many factors which contribute to the overall energy
efficiency of your home, perhaps the most important are these:. air infiltration,
site orientation (can your home be placed facing south?), thermal mass,
the amount and placement of glass and the insulation values in walls and
ceilings.
Our precision milled timbers are bonded together with a self-sealing
adhesive which virtually eliminates air infiltration. Our exacting standards
assure your home will be tight!
While it's best to be facing the majority of the glass (especially the
high glass) to the south, if your site does not lend itself to this we
have timbers developed that insulate better than others. Where you can
face south, our high-mass timber walls, such as our 5-lam
absorb the sun's heat and remain warm for a longer period. This effect
mitigates the temperature fluctuations found in traditionally framed homes
of lesser mass. Our customers tell us our timber homes outperform their
expectations!
Celings and roofs in our homes are normally R-30. You can easily achieve
higher values by increasing the thickness of the rigid insulating foam.
We can help design the correct value based on your preference, local codes
and your budget.
How much glass is in your home and where it's placed also significantly
effect the overall thermal performance. We work hard to achieve the correct
balance - let us put our 21 years of experience to work for you!
Reduced Maintenance
Our laminated timber homes require far less maintenance than either
log homes or standard framed homes! Log homes constantly settle, check
and split. Our homes have virtually no settlement, checking or splitting.
Framed homes have nailed-on siding - subject to nails which "bleed" and
stain the wood, often times siding will split at the ends and shrink. There
are no nails needed with our timbers! Our timbers look and feel (and are!)
more solid. Customers tell us the woodpeckers leave our homes alone because
they don't sound hollow!
Design Flexibility
Perhaps there will be a day when we are unable to design a particular
home in our laminated timbers. But it hasn't happened so far! From the
all time favorite alpine styles to more contemporary homes - the designs
are almost limitless with our timbers. Just check out a few of them in
our gallery of homes
