Do timber frame houses have supporting walls?

Timber frame houses are constructed from large wooden posts and beams that form the structural support of the house and do not require load-bearing interior walls.

Timber frame

houses are often more expensive than posts and beams because of the precision and labor intensive required to fit all joints together. They are usually built by highly skilled craftsmen and recently with the precision that comes with a CNC (computer numerical control) milling machine. Almost always, the walls of the structure are placed on the outside of the wooden structure, leaving the beams exposed for a visual effect.

Inside, however, exposed woods, trusses, and accents create a more dramatic look. The wooden frames offer a unique style, exceptional strength, sustainable design, are energy efficient and have an undeniable character. The wooden structure is supported by a substructure of pillars, piles, stumps, posts, stud walls, dwarf brick walls or perimeter masonry walls. We were told that it was not load-bearing due to the tension in the wooden structure and the fact that there was no wall above the removed wall.

However, I am concerned about this apparent slight movement of a few million. Our house is a timber-framed structure from the mid-90s and we understand that the beams go from one side of the house to the other. Because the frame supports the weight of the house with both methods, load-bearing interior walls are not necessary, allowing for large, open interior spaces and high ceilings. Wooden frames are always made of solid wood with mortise and tenon connections and secured with wooden dowels.

While today most of the construction of wooden structures involves the use of prefabricated house frames, in some cases the task is still completed on site. With all the benefits that come with timber-framed homes, it's not surprising that more and more people are looking beyond conventional stick-built houses and opting for timber-framed houses. The only problem when it comes to mortgage lenders is that if you have a timber-framed house, you CANNOT add extra insulation to the cavity. Wood must be dry because wood with a higher moisture content tends to warp as it stretches (as would the frame if used).

That said, wooden structures are heavy and extremely solid, and much more resistant to the effects of earthquakes, high winds or heavy snowfall. This involves attaching wooden planks (uprights) to other pieces of wood that are located in their upper and lower parts (wall plates). Often, the frame is left exposed, adding natural beauty to the look of the house; in some cases, the frame is hidden behind walls. Sound transmission: A wooden frame will not withstand sound transmission, as well as a home-built block simply because the block house has more density.

It is not unusual to find a timber-framed shed, wood-framed pavilions, barns, outbuildings, etc.

Serena Uccello
Serena Uccello

Freelance tv buff. Hipster-friendly pop culture maven. Extreme tv enthusiast. Friendly travel evangelist. Lifelong internet geek.

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