Do you live in a house with post and beam construction?

[gristy]

Did you build it yourself? Did you have a contractor build it? What can you tell me about your experience?

I am looking for land now and am also looking at the companies that can supply everything for the shell: post and beam frame, wall panels, exterior sheathing, roof, exterior doors, windows. Here's some links:

www.rockportpostandbeam.com
www.yankeebarnhomes.com
www.classicpostandbeam.com
www.sweettimberframes.com

[McKenzie]

1. do you mean where the structural system is post and lintel (beam)?

we use a system called timber frame in the uk for virtually all housing; I think you are talking about something similar. The load of the roof, wind and floor loads etc are carried on the timber frame and the outer skin is a non-structural weatherproof cladding. They can provide good homes if well detailed.

I'm an advocate of fully load-bearing mass wall construction. About 0.001% of our new build is mass wall, a system where the structural loads are carried throughout the depth of the wall. In effect the wall acts as superstructure rather than as a secondary element as in timber frame.

best link for a non professional is>>>

http://www.beforethearchitect.com/

[gristy]

2. The term timber frame is common is the US too,

and means the same as post and beam. When you say "fully load-bearing mass wall construction", you don't mean stick framing (vertical 2x4's very 18" or so between a horizontal 2x4 footer and 4x4 top plate), do you? That's how they build 99% of the homes in the US.

Thanks for the link. Checking it out now...