If you’re considering making a cosmetic upgrade to your home, and love the warmth and rustic beauty of timber framing, an upgrade to a timber frame entryway is a great choice. The entrance to your home is the first thing visitors see, and the thing that greets you and your family every time you return home, so it’s a natural place to add some beautiful timber framing to elevate the beauty of your home.
Timber Framing vs. Post and Beam
If you’re somewhat new to timber frame terminology, you’ve likely heard the terms “post and beam” and “timber framing” thrown around quite a bit. Before diving into the timber frame additions to your entryway that you might consider, let’s take a moment to discuss the difference between these building techniques.
Post and beam construction is typically a less expensive construction technique, which uses half lap joinery with hidden fasteners. Timber frame construction, on the other hand, uses what is known as mortise and tenon joinery that is secured with wooden pegs. Both techniques end with fully exposed beams on the inside of the home or structure.
Timber frame construction celebrates the beauty of the natural wood not only in the beams, but also in the joinery. The level of craftsmanship necessary for timber frame design and construction is very high, and the end product has a natural beauty that reflects this expertise. Because of the exact measurements necessary for the designs to come to life, precision cutting and fitting.
If you want to bring the beauty of timber framing to your entryway, what are some ways to do so?
Timber Frame Entryway Ideas
Entry Gate
A fantastic way to employ a timber frame front entry begins at the very front of your property, with a timber frame entry gate. You can go as lavish or as simplistic as you would like with this design, as it is not connected to your home, so you have more room to have fun with it without clashing with the existing design.
Covered Entry
A covered entry is a popular use of timber frame entryway design. This can be built atop an existing front porch, or can be designed as a standalone exterior entryway. As part of this project, you can also choose to update the exterior framing of your front door.
Front or Wraparound Porch
Of course, a front porch, or a porch that wraps around part or all of your home, is a fantastic way to showcase beautiful timber framing. Timber frame porches are a great way to extend your home, and provide an outdoor space for gatherings. Screened or open, a timber frame front porch is eye catching and a beautiful addition to your home.
Porch Posts and Railings
If you’re not ready to invest in an entire porch, you can use timber framing to update your existing porch posts and railings. A knowledge timber frame design company like Hamill Creek can help you explore your options when it comes to replacing these pieces, rather than fully rebuilding the porch.
Timber framing is a great way to turn a regular entryway into an impressive part of your home. To learn more about our timber frame entryway kits, contact us today.