Architectural Timber
Architectural timber brings structure and beauty together in a way that few other materials can.
Crafted from the finest Alaska Yellow Cedar, Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir, our timbers deliver a unique combination of natural durability, design versatility, and timeless visual appeal for your most ambitious projects.
Applications
- Exposed beams, trusses, and columns
- Joisting and roof structures
- Decorative framing and features
- Outdoor landscape elements such as pergolas and pavilions
All of the timber we provide is graded as #1, Structural Select, Mixed and Vertical Grain, and kiln-dried to a maximum of 17% moisture content. This process guarantees stability, minimizes movement, and prevents issues like warping or twisting.
Grades and Finishes
- Smooth 4 Sides Planed: A clean and refined surface ideal for modern designs.
- Band-Sawn: Adds a soft, natural texture and subtle depth to the wood.
- Hand-Hewn: Delivers a traditional, artisanal surface with a handcrafted feel.
What Architectural Timber Is Designed For
Architectural timber is engineered to serve as the foundational skeleton for timber-frame and heavy-timber construction projects. These large-format solid wood beams are specifically crafted to function as primary structural elements while simultaneously establishing the aesthetic character of a building. By integrating substantial dimensions into the core design, this material choice allows architects to create spaces where the load-bearing framework is celebrated rather than concealed, ensuring the structure itself is a central component of the design intent.
Where Architectural Timber Is Typically Used
This material finds its place in a diverse range of environments, spanning from bespoke residential sanctuaries to expansive commercial developments. Whether utilized in the construction of a private home or a public gathering space, architectural timber provides the necessary scale and presence required for heavy-timber buildings. It is the material of choice for projects that demand a visible, robust framework that defines the spatial experience from the inside out, rather than serving merely as a hidden support mechanism.
Structural Presence and Visual Impact
The use of substantial posts and beams creates a commanding visual narrative that is inseparable from the building's engineering. Unlike concealed framing methods, architectural timber serves as a defining architectural feature, offering an honest expression of how the structure is supported. The sheer volume of these solid wood elements grounds the design, providing an immediate sense of permanence and strength that resonates throughout the interior environment and elevates the perceived value of the space.
Timber-Frame Systems and Roof Decking Integration
To achieve a cohesive timber-frame aesthetic, these heavy timbers are frequently paired with complementary roof decking systems. The interplay between the primary structural beams and elements such as tongue-and-groove boards creates a unified exposed ceiling and roof structure. This integration forms a complete overhead system where the decking rests directly upon the timber framework, eliminating the need for dropped ceilings and maximizing the volumetric potential of the architecture.
Performance and Stability in Timber-Frame Construction
The performance of architectural timber relies on the inherent mass and solidity of large-format wood components. In timber-frame construction, the substantial dimensions of the material contribute to a robust building envelope that stands the test of time. By utilizing solid wood for both posts and beams, the structure benefits from a material composition that offers consistent stability and a tangible sense of quality within the built environment.
Installation and Project Coordination Overview
Successful implementation of architectural timber requires viewing the installation not merely as carpentry, but as the assembly of a coordinated building system. Because these components function as the primary structure, their placement dictates the subsequent layers of construction and requires meticulous planning prior to arrival on site. We work closely with building teams to ensure that every heavy timber element aligns with the design intent, facilitating a seamless execution of the timber-frame assembly.
Is Architectural Timber Right for Your Building Style?
Choosing architectural timber is a commitment to a specific design philosophy where the structure becomes the art. This approach is best suited for projects where the client desires an authentic connection to the building materials and appreciates the raw beauty of structural expression. If the vision calls for open volumes, exposed joinery, and a celebration of natural materials as the primary aesthetic driver, then a timber-frame system provides the ideal solution for realizing that architectural intent.
Applications
- Exposed beams, trusses, and columns
- Joisting and roof structures
- Decorative framing and features
- Outdoor landscape elements such as pergolas and pavilions
What Architectural Timber Is Designed For
Architectural timber is engineered to serve as the foundational skeleton for timber-frame and heavy-timber construction projects. These large-format solid wood beams are specifically crafted to function as primary structural elements while simultaneously establishing the aesthetic character of a building. By integrating substantial dimensions into the core design, this material choice allows architects to create spaces where the load-bearing framework is celebrated rather than concealed, ensuring the structure itself is a central component of the design intent.
Where Architectural Timber Is Typically Used
This material finds its place in a diverse range of environments, spanning from bespoke residential sanctuaries to expansive commercial developments. Whether utilized in the construction of a private home or a public gathering space, architectural timber provides the necessary scale and presence required for heavy-timber buildings. It is the material of choice for projects that demand a visible, robust framework that defines the spatial experience from the inside out, rather than serving merely as a hidden support mechanism.
Structural Presence and Visual Impact
The use of substantial posts and beams creates a commanding visual narrative that is inseparable from the building's engineering. Unlike concealed framing methods, architectural timber serves as a defining architectural feature, offering an honest expression of how the structure is supported. The sheer volume of these solid wood elements grounds the design, providing an immediate sense of permanence and strength that resonates throughout the interior environment and elevates the perceived value of the space.
Timber-Frame Systems and Roof Decking Integration
To achieve a cohesive timber-frame aesthetic, these heavy timbers are frequently paired with complementary roof decking systems. The interplay between the primary structural beams and elements such as tongue-and-groove boards creates a unified exposed ceiling and roof structure. This integration forms a complete overhead system where the decking rests directly upon the timber framework, eliminating the need for dropped ceilings and maximizing the volumetric potential of the architecture.
Performance and Stability in Timber-Frame Construction
The performance of architectural timber relies on the inherent mass and solidity of large-format wood components. In timber-frame construction, the substantial dimensions of the material contribute to a robust building envelope that stands the test of time. By utilizing solid wood for both posts and beams, the structure benefits from a material composition that offers consistent stability and a tangible sense of quality within the built environment.
Installation and Project Coordination Overview
Successful implementation of architectural timber requires viewing the installation not merely as carpentry, but as the assembly of a coordinated building system. Because these components function as the primary structure, their placement dictates the subsequent layers of construction and requires meticulous planning prior to arrival on site. We work closely with building teams to ensure that every heavy timber element aligns with the design intent, facilitating a seamless execution of the timber-frame assembly.
Is Architectural Timber Right for Your Building Style?
Choosing architectural timber is a commitment to a specific design philosophy where the structure becomes the art. This approach is best suited for projects where the client desires an authentic connection to the building materials and appreciates the raw beauty of structural expression. If the vision calls for open volumes, exposed joinery, and a celebration of natural materials as the primary aesthetic driver, then a timber-frame system provides the ideal solution for realizing that architectural intent.
All of the timber we provide is graded as #1, Structural Select, Mixed and Vertical Grain, and kiln-dried to a maximum of 17% moisture content. This process guarantees stability, minimizes movement, and prevents issues like warping or twisting.
Grades and Finishes
-
{# same row-2 bullets as above #}
- Smooth 4 Sides Planed: A clean and refined surface ideal for modern designs.
- Band-Sawn: Adds a soft, natural texture and subtle depth to the wood.
- Hand-Hewn: Delivers a traditional, artisanal surface with a handcrafted feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is architectural timber?
Is architectural timber purely decorative or structural?
How does architectural timber perform in fire scenarios?
Does architectural timber require finishing?
Can timbers be custom milled?
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