Blog Posts & Beams – Brooks Post & Beam

What if it rains on my frame?

This is a good question, and one that could cause you a lot of worry. One of the reasons for this blog as well as for our Owner’s Manual is to help share important information with you that can both save you money and alleviate a lot of worry. We treat barns and sheds differently;

His is Passivhaus, HERS is LEEDS, who is the Energy Star?

There is renewed interest in energy efficiency and sustainable building brought about by recent high energy prices and economic hard times. This has brought on a flood of information about energy ratings, building techniques, rebates and tax credits. Between the acronyms and the various government and utility initiatives it can make your head spin. I

Timber Frame Additions & Renovations

An interesting development in our business this year has been a complete shift from new home construction to additions and renovation work. I have to assume this is in reaction to the difficulty of financing a new home due to low appraisals and uncertainty in the housing market. However, families and couples grow and get

Brooks Post & Beam Owner’s Manual

Building a new timber frame home is not a job to be undertaken lightly. To help guide you through the many decisions with which you will be faced, we have written the Brooks Post & Beam Owner’s Manual. Whether you plan to contract out the work, be your own general contractor, or do it all

Affordable Timber Frame Homes & Barns

Since Colonial times, New England has earned its reputation for having hardy residents. The terrain and the weather are demanding, and its residents quickly learn to plan ahead and be resourceful. Architecturally, the Colonial and the Cape are great examples of form following function. Both housing styles make efficient use of materials and space, keeping

Log Homes vs. Timber Frame Homes

I am often asked questions about log homes vs. timber frames that use SIPs for the building envelope. “Are the panels more energy efficient than logs?” “Can you use any kind of siding with panels?” My tongue-in-cheek response to these questions is that “we’re very similar except timber frame homes come without the drafts and

No Place Like Home? A Green Rant

“Green” has suddenly become a buzz word so pervasive that it’s practically lost any meaning. Over 30 years ago I was studying Civil Engineering with a coordinate major in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont. We learned about the upcoming energy crisis, passive solar, wind energy, thermal mass, photovoltaic, trombe walls, organic gardening, composting

Timber Frame Only or Full Package?

As with many purchases, a timber frame is not just a commodity like gasoline where all you care about is availability and price. There are many factors you should consider: Are timber frame drawings included? Will there be 3D drawings to facilitate comprehension of the plan along with detailed scaled drawings to compare to floor

Construction Boom-ers

I am seeing a dramatic increase in the construction of timber frame homes, primarily due to the growing population of baby boomers moving into retirement. Melanie Plenda, a writer for the New Hampshire Business Review, did a great job distilling this concept into an article featured on their cover a couple of weeks ago, despite

What Species of Wood to Use in a Timber Frame?

There are many species of wood that may be used in a timber frame building, though the choice of wood to use for your project is not always simple when you’re trying to stay on a budget. We use a variety of different materials in our frames; typically our clients prefer Eastern White Pine, Hemlock,

New Home or Existing?

Why should you consider building a new home when there are so many reasonably priced existing homes on the market? This is a good question and not as easy to answer as you would think. In prior articles I have written why you might want to live in a timber frame home in comparison to

Commitment to Our Customers

When Phil Brooks first began building new timber frame homes he quickly recognized that contractors all too frequently misunderstood the owner’s wishes which resulted in frequent delays and costly changes. As former teachers, both Phil Brooks and Paul Freeman are committed to helping you learn everything you need to know in order to build your