How does a timber framed house compare in cost to a conventionally built house?
This is probably the most frequently asked question, and one that cannot be answered simply. In order to make an accurate comparison, it is necessary to compare like structures, and that is where the difficulty lies. Given structures of identical size with identical floor plans, one timber framed and the other conventionally built, you still don’t have identical buildings. The timber frame itself offers valuable elements to a home that are very difficult to duplicate with conventional methods. First, the timber frame provides an extremely sound and durable structural base. Historical evidence suggests that given a good foundation and careful protection from the elements, a timber frame will last indefinitely. There are hundreds of timber framed structures in Europe and Japan that are approaching 1,000 years of age. There is no evidence to suggest that modern timber frames, when designed with respect for the joinery and techniques of the ancient frames, should expect a shorter life span
