Menu
Company founders, brothers Pete, and Wayne Peters, discovered their love for timber framing in the late 1980’s. Their old family barn, built in 1885 was a curiosity. How could it stand so straight and strong for over a century while newer farm buildings had fallen to pieces? The old barn was a timber frame, and it led them to learn everything they could about the timber frame craft, eventually starting Cornerstone Timberframes in 1991.
In those early years, the Peters worked out of a small barn, unloaded timbers by hand and used a single sided planer to square up and surface timbers. The first joinery was cut by chisel, ship’s auger, and hand saw. Despite the hard work, it was a love of craft and grateful clients that kept them learning and improving. In 2002, following a successful tradeshow in Minneapolis, a larger shop with modern tooling replaced the little barn.
When the brothers were ready to retire in 2015, Pete’s daughter Tanya Bachmeier stepped up to lead the company. Tanya had started at Cornerstone in 2001, helping to run the office, but she soon found herself giving customers advice on finishing options and before long was applying stain to client timber frames after hours. In 2016, husband Nevin Bachmeier joined the team, bringing his planning and creative solutions mindset to Cornerstone.
Learning and openness to change have always been key to the company’s growth. As owners, Tanya and Nevin realized that the same tools and skills we applied to homes and cottages could also be used for large commercial structures. In 2016 we began working with glulam beams. In 2018 we added our first of two CNC timber cutting machines. And that same year we started offering cross-laminated timber panels (CLT’s) that can span long distances as either floors or walls.
And changes of mind and heart are also part of our story. A wider view is coming into focus. One that respects the land, water and sky, and all that lives within them, as beautiful and worthy. We are convinced that we need to live in balance with nature, reducing and eliminating waste, working to sustain the ecological systems that sustain life, and ensuring that we are good ancestors to the generations of children who follow us. This is a joyful duty.
The old 1885 barn continues to inspire new generations, preserved at a nearby historic village. The love for timber framing it set alight at Cornerstone Timberframes continues to burn brightly. We invite you to be in touch about your timber frame project. Let the dream begin!
“I am honoured to carry the family tradition, creating beautiful timber frame structures, and building on a legacy of Integrity, honesty, and authenticity. We value relationships, respectfully acknowledging the value of collaboration while we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations.”
At Cornerstone, our top priority is always to ensure we are a good fit with each and every one of our clients. Book a consult to learn about the Cornerstone advantage today.
11 Main Street – Unit D
Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0 Canada
4737 County 101 #235
Minnetonka, MN 55345 USA
