Frequently Asked Questions

Timber framing is an ancient craft with roots in Europe and East Asia, brought to Colonial America and Canada with the first European settlers. The craft relies on joinery cut directly into each timber.

The most typical connection is one in which a tongue (tenon) on the end of a beam is cut to fit into a pocket (mortise) in a post. A hole is bored through both sides of the post and then through the tongue and a wood peg is driven in to hold the two timbers together.

Yes, timber framing is usually more expensive – often by 10–15% compared to an equivalent conventional structure.

There are exceptions, and the design of a space will greatly affect the cost difference between timber framing and more common construction methods.

Timber frames can be economical or extravagantly expensive, depending on their design. As a rule of thumb, a full timber frame will cost between 15–20% of the overall construction cost.

For example, a $700,000 home will typically have a frame valued between $100,000 and $140,000. To reduce project cost you might choose a hybrid approach, using timber framing in key living areas and conventional construction elsewhere.

For clients in the USA, your dollar goes a lot further in Canada, often saving 25–35% when Canadian prices are converted to US dollars.

We are timber frame specialists and are often the first stop when customers begin exploring a timber frame project. We provide:

• Everything timber, from design to final assembled frame, plus mantles, verandas, entry canopies and more.
• U.S. timber frame raising specialists who advise and support your builder.
• Full design services and architect referrals.
• Structural engineer review and stamp for most provinces.
• Contractor recommendations.
• Tongue and groove boards for ceilings and floors.
• Stair sets.
• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).

Maintenance. Timber frame homes require far less maintenance than log homes. There is no chinking, no tension rods or leveling jacks, and no rotting sills to worry about. Exterior timbers still need finish maintenance, but for a timber frame this is typically a small job every 5–7 years.

Aesthetic choice. Timber frames allow almost unlimited options for interior and exterior finishes – stone, drywall, board and batten, cedar shakes, metal, fibre-cement siding and more. With log homes, the logs are both the structure and the finished wall inside and out.

Cost. Timber frames are often half (or less) the cost of a comparable scribed log kit.

Energy efficiency. Timber frames pair perfectly with high R-value Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). Properly detailed SIP walls provide superior performance compared to log walls.

Thirty years ago, timber frames were cut by hand with drills, chisels and basic power tools. Over time we learned that the method of cutting matters less than the accuracy, strength and efficiency of the finished joinery.

By embracing technology and investing in CNC cutting machines, our designers can call for stronger, more complex joinery. Builders and clients appreciate the precise fit, and our carpenters are free to focus on the fine details that make a Cornerstone frame a joy to own.

The term “handcrafted” suggests a high-quality item made with traditional tools and methods. In North American timber framing, however, it is often used as a marketing phrase rather than a true description of the process.

Most “handcrafted” frames are still designed on computers and cut with power tools. This doesn’t automatically make them better, and can introduce inaccuracies if the joinery is simplified to save labour. What really matters is excellent design, accurate cutting and strong, beautiful details.

Yes. Cornerstone has worked with U.S. clients for over 20 years. While we cannot send full crews to U.S. jobsites, we are able to send a timber frame raising advisor who provides technical support to your builder.

Having an experienced advisor on site helps ensure that your frame comes together quickly, safely and smoothly.

Yes. Our sister company, Marshall’s Design, specializes in timber frame plans for homes and cottages.

Whether you’re building in the U.S. or Canada, they produce accurate, detailed, code-compliant drawings that are reviewed and stamped by an engineer certified in your locale. Clear drawings also reduce “wiggle room” so trades and suppliers know exactly what is included in their scope.

Start with your timber framer. We can help you identify the key timber details you’ll need before moving into construction drawings.

Share your overall budget, preferred timeline and building site, plus a list of spaces you want in your home and any inspiration images. We’ll respond with timber frame ideas, a rough timber budget and advice on how to get your design underway.

Possibly, but many existing designs need changes to work effectively as timber frames. Room dimensions, spans and layouts may have to be adjusted.

Plan-book concepts are still useful: they show us the elements you like so we can propose timber-frame-friendly plans as starting points for design discussions.

Ideally you should allow around six months for design. More time gives space to reflect and revise, reducing the risk of missing something important.

Plans can be prepared in just a few weeks, but that requires quick responses from clients.

Experienced home designers typically charge CAD $2.00–$3.50 (approx. USD $1.50–$2.70) per square foot. Architects often charge CAD $4.00–$6.00 per square foot or a percentage of construction value. Fully accredited interior decorators usually charge $90–$150 per hour.

Most jurisdictions also require an engineer to review and stamp your design, with fees ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on complexity and project size.

Yes. Once we understand the specifics of your project, we can recommend one or more experienced designers or architects and help you obtain design cost estimates.

Our most common species by volume are:

• Eastern white pine
• Douglas fir
• Western red cedar
• White oak

We have also made frames from burr oak, green ash, white spruce and eastern white cedar.

At first glance, old barn or bridge timbers might seem less expensive than newly sawn wood. In reality, the labour and equipment required to carefully salvage timbers, transport them from challenging locations and then de-nail them is significant.

By the time this work is complete, reclaimed wood usually costs double or triple the price of new timber. The rustic beauty and history of reclaimed beams, however, are timeless — clients who choose them tend to love the result and would choose them again.