A timber frame cabin memoir

[caver]

I'm in the queue for a timber frame kit so I figured I would start a thread. It will be 20x30 with a walk out basement and loft with 4' extensions.
They suggested a 10' foundation height. When I expressed concerns about how high this would stick up they recommended putting the sub-floor down inside the basement. No need for a center beam and within distances for I-beam joists. See drawing
We have the plans at 90% and will probably have them finalized next week. There are no codes or rules in that area. So, no engineering stamp etc. I plan to do as much as I can but some areas I prefer to have a competent contractor do the job. I may withhold information or be vague on some details.

 

[Citydude]

Nice! Looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm thinking about building something the same size here, but probably from lumber cut and sawn here. It will only have a standard 8 foot foundation though... or less if I hit ledge the way that I fear I will.

 

[Citydude]

I'm thinking about building something the same size here, but probably from lumber cut and sawn here. It will only have a standard 8 foot foundation though... or less if I hit ledge the way that I fear I will.

Having a sawmill offers lots of options doesn't it? My wife wanted me to get one but I talker her out of for some odd reason. Lol

 

[caver]

I have a sawmill but they are labor intensive. I won't be using sips either. It might be Oct Nov before my kit is shipped so will probably be questions from me about certain things I'm rusty on. My first interest in Timber frames was from a post a member made here years ago. His was with a Kansas company.

 

[ponytug]

A ten foot basement, ok 8'9", sounds great!

The short bolts on the sills in the drawing make me wonder what the tornado specifications are for your area. (Having lived places with tornados, wind, and earthquakes, I prefer to go a little on the cautious side during construction as the marginal cost is usually close to zero in the big picture.)

How is the drainage on your site?

Looking forward to the progress!

All the best,

Peter

 

[caver]

Similar to my drawing but that was a drawing my project coordinator sent me when discussing the first floor. The sill plates are just supports for the walls. The timbers are what carry the loads and those connections are metal plates and pretty beefy looking.

 

[ponytug]

Similar to my drawing but that was a drawing my project coordinator sent me when discussing the first floor. The sill plates are just supports for the walls. The timbers are what carry the loads and those connections are metal plates and pretty beefy looking.

Yes, I get the strength and weight of log homes. I was thinking more about what happens when the wind (tornado) lifts things like a roof and walls upward...

Unrelated question: what is the predicted R value for your walls and roof?

All the best,

Peter

 

[caver]

I think it's 38 for the roof and walls will be spray.

 

[caver]

My first basement contractor never returned my call or email. 5 days later he called me back. Turns out he had sold his business earlier that day. But, he was very helpful and recommended a former employee who went out on his own. I still don't know who bought his business because i thought the former co-worker bought his business. I misunderstood him when I called they guy he recommended. Reading between the lines I could tell he wasn't crazy when I said a 10' wall. He's busy with a project well over an hour away and said he could give no commitment until possibly early winter. he said call back in 3-4 weeks. I took that as a I don't want to run customers off but not crazy about the job right now. There are not many options in the rural area but I have another contractor I will call. I have also talked to my project manager about possibly doing an 8' wall with the I-joists on top of the wall like more traditional framing. Not a big deal and doesn't weird the contractors out as easy. When my dad had his forms they were a type of aluminum. All panels cast as 2'x2'. Dad had maybe 3/4 of his forms set up for 8' and the rest in 4' I imagine most guys have something like a Symons form. I do save money with an 8' wall and if done right would have enough room under the slab for a 2" insulated panel.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I have 9 ft basement, 10 ft is even better. I would frame it normal, you saving less than a foot of height.

 

[caver]

I talked to the first foundation guy today and he can probably get my foundation in early December. He has heat blankets and seemed more receptive to an 8' wall which is what I'm going with. TJI 14" joists for the 22' span. I found out one other contact for the area actually uses this contractors forms but he said he's not doing foundations anymore. I'm still surprised at the contractors who do not return calls. My kit supplier is going to see if any of their kit erectors are interested. Independent contractors who put the bents up and possibly floor/roof. My concern is getting it under roof then I can finish the rest out on my schedule.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

If you didn’t put the floor inside the wall, would timbers sit on the floor or still extend down to the concrete wall?

 

[caver]

they should extend down but I forget to ask him that. Either that or they have a blocking idea.

 

[JJT]

My timber frame post sit on solid blocking, they do not extend to the concrete.

I didn't buy a kit, could not afford to go that route 30 years ago. I started with rough cut 8x12 timbers, planed and cut all the mortise and tenons myself. I had about 1000 hours in the framework for a 3000 sq ft house and 1000 sq foot garage. It was raised in a day, with the only issue being too small of a crane for the house bents.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

A friend of ours starts work with a timber framing company in a couple weeks.

 

[Paddy]

Carver,

Not sure I saw a question. But I would no skimp on your poured wall height.
Our walls are 12 ft poured, 2 ft bar joist that makes for 10 ft ceilings.

We did have to remove 4 ft of sand stone to get it.

 

[caver]

Going with an 8' tall wall. I really think it will work better for this house not sticking so far out of the ground. Also, I'm in a limited area for foundation contractors and at least 3 never returned my call. My kit goes in the queue next week most likely but they are backed up so might be early December before it is shipped.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Can you share a floor plan? I will be building in a couple years maybe, so starting to look at plans for my design.

 

[caver]

They asked me not to share. I may post zoomed in snippets if I need to explain something.