Designing And Planning
ETF uses high quality 3D digitally-modelled software to create drawings and renderings that communicate designs to our clients before the production process begins. Our experienced team will work with you and your architect, designer, engineer, contractor or interior designer to bring your timberframe vision to reality. Every project’s process is unique, and we’re committed to working with you to ensure your design package is suited to your custom build.
Material Choices
All of our solid sawn timbers are all kiln dried. This allows for defective timbers to be graded out, and to avoid using standing dead, green or air dried timbers for the highest quality dried products. In kiln-drying, all wood is placed in a heat controlled chamber to dry. These high temperatures allow for controlled moisture content of the wood, and destroy any fungi, mold, insects, or larvae that might be in the wood. This allows us to quality control the end product, and prevents any warping from additional drying when installed in a custom build. Interior and exterior finishes in kiln-dried wood can also be directly applied to the wood, allowing for it to last longer by fully absorbing the product.
The Estimating
After the framing concept has been established, and the materials have been chosen, we’re able to provide an accurate takeoff from estimating the sizing and sourcing of materials utilized in the design package. At this stage we’re also analyzing potential structural issues and other design problems that may impact the assembly. This way we’re able to reduce the need for value engineering, as we’re able to work through structural and engineering details simultaneously to provide a more accurate estimate of the frame.
The Engineering
Our experienced team of timber engineers takes the final design and specifies joinery and connection details for each custom framed piece. Timbers can be joined with traditional mortise and tenon with pegs, or steel, concrete, or traditional framing as needed, and require custom engineering to specify and test-fit these connections before the final product is cut, finished, and fabricated on-site. We take a lot of pride in the traditional applications of timber frame, and utilize mortise and tenon with pegs and housings where possible, often in combination with a variety of hidden engineered structural timber screws and concealed connectors.
Site Measuring
After the connection details have been finalized, we’ll send our team to the construction site to grab dimensions for installation. Rather than relying solely on measurements from the architectural drawings, to ensure accurate fit and accommodation for tolerances, we send our team to site for preparation for installation and finalizing of all cutting dimensions.
Shop Production
Regardless of whether or not the joinery of your custom frame is hand-cut or CNC’d, our process for production remains the same: by taking our detailed shop drawings to cut and test fit pieces in our shop, numbering and labeling each piece for ease of installation on-site.
Finishing
All of our timbers are planed, brushed, or hand-sanded and stained to your specifications. This is the stage in which we can also add specialty finish details like decorative bevels, round-overs, or draw knife edges. Finally we finish our timbers with a variety of stain choices to accent or really showcase out the grains in your wood of choice. When the time also comes for maintenance on your frame, we also supply the exact stain used and provide guidance for application of the stain.
Shipping & Assembly
Our team provides the coordination and expertise needed, by providing a step-by-step plan for raising timber to final inspections. We’ll plan the logistics for smooth, cost-effective delivery of your frame, as well as unloading and installation using appropriate equipment. Location depending, we’ll perform regular site visits to ensure optimal coordination with the general contractor as they build out adjacent elements on-site to the frame.
Service after the Service
Our service doesn’t end with the final timber raising. We stand firm behind our process and product, and allow for the flexibility to be available to customers well after installations. In addition to standing behind a long-lasting product, we also believe in nurturing the long-standing relationships we’ve built with customers and aim to see our timber frames holding up for generations to come!
