Archive | July, 2009

Post and Beam Homes I’m Loving Right Now: Seaside Cottage in South Carolina

By on July 30, 2009 in Barn Homes, Coastal Homes, Post & Beam Home

I must admit, I’m a home magazine junkie. I subscribe to most of them and those I don’t I often wind up buying on the newsstand. I read them from cover to cover the same way sports fans pour over league stats. I get many of my ideas from them and at times discover something [...]

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The Devil (a.k.a. Reward) of the Timber Frame is in the Details

By on July 22, 2009 in Building & Design, Post & Beam Home, timber frame, Tips & Tidbits

The devil of architecture is in the details.  You can take the same basic rectangle and what you do with it will determine your style.  Use vertical siding like ship lap or board and batten, and you have a Barn Style Home.  Change that to clapboards and add a porch, stick with traditional windows spaced [...]

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My Outdoor Shower Kicks Butt!!

By on July 14, 2009 in Additions, Building & Design, Green Living, Outdoor Living Spaces, The Beam Babe, Tips & Tidbits, Vacation & Second Homes

I have to tell you, my outdoor shower is the 8th Wonder of the World! When my husband first mentioned having one, I pooh-poohed the idea as an extravagance. Well, not any more!! If you love the out of doors and have an area that will accommodate one, I say forget the screened-in porch, forget [...]

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Timber Frame to English: Definitions of Industry Terms; L-Z

By on July 11, 2009 in Additions, Building & Design, Green Living, Post & Beam Barns, Post & Beam Home, The Beam Babe, Tips & Tidbits

Note: Please see July 10, 2009 post for A-K Lag Screw: A lag screw is a screw with a square or hexagonal head. Sometimes called a lag bolt. They are larger and stronger than regular screws. Lower Girt: A girt is a lower beam. In a post and beam home, it can be a decorative [...]

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Timber Frame to English: Definitions of Industry Terms; A-K

By on July 10, 2009 in Additions, Building & Design, Green Living, Post & Beam Barns, Post & Beam Home, The Beam Babe, Tips & Tidbits

There may be times during the build process when certain terminology is used by industry people that we might not understand. This happened to me more than once when my husband and I were building. I could have used a “cheat sheet” of terms, so thought I’d assist any of you who might feel the [...]

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Accessorize Your Barn With A Cupola!

By on July 7, 2009 in Additions, Building & Design, Green Living, Post & Beam Barns, Post & Beam Home, The Beam Babe, Tips & Tidbits, Vacation & Second Homes

Ever notice that every time you see a really great barn there’s always one feature present? What is it, you ask? Why, the cupola, of course! Cupolas were first used during the 8th Century in Islamic architecture atop minarets. It’s believed nomadic Moors brought them to Europe by way of Spain. Their domed and pointed [...]

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Building A Post and Beam: 5 Tips to Keep Costs Down

By on July 2, 2009 in Building & Design, Green Living, Post & Beam Home, Tips & Tidbits, Vacation & Second Homes

Post and Beam homes are typically expected to cost more than a 2×4 “stick built” home.  The reasons for this are many and varied, with the main ones being the cost of the high quality wood timber frame versus inexpensive wood studs, superior insulation, and the typical use of large glass areas.  That being said, [...]

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