Building on an Island: What You Need to Know Building a home on an island is a dream for many—but the logistics can quickly turn into a nightmare if you’re not prepared. From transporting materials by barge to dealing with unpredictable weather, island construction presents unique challenges. As a timber frame subcontractor specializing in complex […] The post How to Build a Home on an Island: Challenges, Solutions, and Lessons Learned appeared first on Carolina Timberworks ..read more

We can’t all be sexy. Sometimes it’s about getting the heavy lifting done. Safely, efficiently, and without damaging the timber. Our new Combilift does that in spades. It has all the power and lift of an old fashioned forklift, but without all the drama—less work stoppage while the load goes past, fewer pieces of equipment and operators to bring in the long and heavy loads, less gagging on the fumes and shouting over the noise.. And at the end of the workday it’s recharging quietly in the corner, getting ready to work its little butt off again tomorrow. The post Our New Combilift: The Strong ..read more

The beauty and charm of timber frame barn homes have captivated property owners seeking a private getaway worlds apart from busy cities and suburban sprawl. What’s so ideal about a barn home? There’s something about the drama of the open interior space and the coziness of the barn structure. In recent years, timber framing has become increasingly popular in barn homes. We might be a little biased, but it’s easy to see why. Known as “cathedrals on the prairie,” timber frame barns are both majestic and familiar—a wonderful concept to inspire a living space. What Are Timber Frame Barn Homes? Thes ..read more

A big repetitive frame out of oak really does show off what timber framing is all about. Within the confines of a 5 minute video, the essence of a timber frame raising: the bent assembly, the manhandling and futzing to fit up, the excitement of the first bent going vertical. Dropping the posts over the hardware. Pulling timbers together and that audible/visible jolt when they finally fit together. The mud. The post Timber Frame Barn appeared first on Carolina Timberworks ..read more

For nearly two decades, Carolina Timberworks has pursued sustainable building practices. Today, our passion for contributing to a sustainable future only continues to grow. Curious why we’re so invested and what this pursuit means to us? Let’s talk sustainability. What Is Sustainability?  In a nutshell, sustainability is the concept that we can meet the needs of the current generation without compromising future ones. It’s a big idea that spans economic, social, and environmental concepts. But there’s one common goal: to maintain a healthy world for all living things for generations to co ..read more

Construction (and operation of buildings) has a dirty secret: together they account for nearly half of the U.S. fossil fuel emissions. The good news is that there is a vast amount of room for improvement, and building with mass timber can be part of the solution. The post It’s called trees. appeared first on Carolina Timberworks ..read more

Maybe the world of cheap and abundant energy is gradually coming to an end. Maybe it isn’t. But every extra kilowatt-hour from the sun fed into the grid is one fewer created by burning coal or natural gas. At Carolina Timberworks, we’re passionate about the idea that changes in how we build can be a major part of the solution to climate change, including our commitment to re-using salvaged timber in our timber frame structures. And one of our customers recently commented: “So, now you’re building a product from a renewable resource, with renewable energy. Well done.”   The post Thi ..read more

Maybe the world of cheap and abundant energy is gradually coming to an end. Maybe it isn’t. But every extra kilowatt-hour from the sun fed into the grid is one fewer created by burning coal or natural gas. At Carolina Timberworks, we’re passionate about the idea that changes in how we build can be a major part of the solution to climate change, including our commitment to re-using salvaged timber in our timber frame structures. And one of our customers recently commented: “So, now you’re building a product from a renewable resource, with renewable energy. Well done.”   The post This ..read more

Are you curious about the history and the basics of timber frame construction? Let’s look at how this building method has withstood the test of time and why it may be the right choice for your next building project. What is Timber Frame Construction? What separates timber frame construction from other building methods? Timber framing doesn’t use concrete, metal, or mass-produced commodity pieces of lumber. Instead, timber frame structures are built with large, exposed timbers and wood-to-wood joinery. The timber frame construction process starts with a design customized to meet the client’s p ..read more

Here’s the thing about timber frame building: it might be the perfect construction method. After all, the origins of timber framing date back nearly 2,000 years—and the basic elements haven’t changed much over nearly two millennia. Today, timber framing still features wood-to-wood joinery, much like centuries-old homes and temples in locations as varied as England and Japan. How have timber frame buildings withstood the test of time? Let’s look at the basics of this building method and the types of structures that fit best with timber framing. What Is a Timber Frame Building? From classic bar ..read more