 Trusses, and more importantly,
bents form the
integral heart
of a timber frame home. A
bent is
a configuration of
principal rafters, bent girts,
where posts and bracings serve
as structural
units. Typically,
bents are assembled flat on
the ground and then raised
as one piece.
Most homes have
three or four profile bents.
Constructing using a series
of bents is still
the most
common form of timber framing
today.
 A truss is
a configuration
of principal
rafters,
girts,
and braces forming
a structural
unit that
is
stronger than
the sum of its
parts. Trusses
are generally
used where long
open spans
are
required. Other
timbers, such
as girts,
rafters,
purlins, joists,
knee braces
and struts,
are added to
provide stability
and rigidity.
All
these timbers
are connected
to the framework
and are secured
with pegs rather
than nails.
The completed
framework is
designed
to
transfer the
load, or weight,
of the entire
structure, including
snow and wind
loads,
to the
ground. The
weight is ultimately
carried by the
main posts.
As a result,
most
timber
frames are “point
loaded” structures.
 The construction
technique dates
back many
centuries,
but its timeless
look still inspires
awe.
The richness
of natural wood
and lofty
open
feeling created
by the wooden
framework,
is
as appealing
today as it
has been through
the ages. These
homes are valued
for their
workmanship
as much as for
the materials
used to build
them and their
aesthetic beauty.
The art of timber
frame construction,
consisting of
a series of
broad beams
which have been
gracefully shaped
and artfully
fitted, remains
popular because
of its beauty
and strength.
Our approach
is to provide
you will all
the resources
you need to
turn your timber
frame dream
home into a
reality. This
is why we have
developed the
widest possible
range of superior
materials and
frame options
needed to build
your home to
the lock-up
stage.
The feeling
of space and
the warmth of
wood make a
timber frame
home not only
a place of peace
and tranquility,
but also allows
stunning design
features. As
a Linwood authorized
dealer, we offer
experts in this
kind of design
and you can
take advantage
of our expertise
when you build
your own legacy
home.
The timber
frame hybrid
has evolved
as the marriage
of timber frame
with conventional
platform construction.
This has occurred
for two main
reasons:
 Complex
shapes and
designs
may
not
be easily
accommodated
by the
limitations
of mortise
and tenon
joints.
Many high
quality
homes use
different
kinds of
complementary
construction
styles to
achieve
the desired
arch-
itectural
result.
This should
not be
treated
as a deterrent
from using
a
timber
frame component
but as an
opportunity
to showcase
design excellence.
The
cost can be
considerably
lower in construction
where the full
exposed timber
look is not
required throughout
the home. Usually,
the central
great room is
of timber frame
construction
while the wings
of the house
are built using
conventional
trusses.
This is a cost
efficient way
of showcasing
exposed timbers
only in areas
best suited
to an architectural
statement.
 
From concept to finish,
Summit Custom Homes can
provide you with a “one
stop” solution to
realizing your dream. We
can take your ideas and
work with you to produce
a unique design that meets
your specific needs. Above
are some pictures of a virtual
custom designed house. The
customers wanted to see
what the house would look
like before they moved in.
Alternatively, we can adapt
one of the many stock plans
featured in our plan books
to fit your requirements.
Once you have settled
on a design that you like,
we will provide you with
a highly detailed Preliminary
Plan as an initial step.
This preliminary plan will
show floor plans and elevations
from all sides.
 Using the latest computer
technology,
Summit Custom
Homes we will take any
revisions
or changes to your preliminary
plan and incorporate them
into the
production of professional
construction
blueprints.
For clients using their
own local
builder, these
blueprints will meet local
planning permission requirements
as well
as the detailed
needs of your builder.
Custom
design for us does not mean
changing a few interior
walls; it may range from
creating a unique plan,
making major structural
changes to an existing plan
or simply moving windows
to take full advantage of
a view
Whatever you want, as
a Linwood team member, we
can deliver. Even better,
you can build with the support
of decades of home design
at no extra cost as part
of every home package supplied.
Many of our customers
are building a custom home
for the first time. Often
they have a general idea
of what they want but not
a finished design. Linwood
has developed a number of
plan books showing examples
of different styles of homes
to stimulate the imagination
and help conceptualize the
vision. Design development
is a process and is quite
natural. You are encouraged
to give free expression
to your ideas; after all,
it is a custom house that
you are building.
The final design will evolve
as all the important individual
components are brought together.
 We find that most customers
have a certain external
style
in mind. With our
design expertise we can
generally meet
the specific
space and layout needs within
the envelope of
the look
chosen. As a Linwood Authorized
Dealer, we are
trained to
help you design what you
want. Many competitors
say
they are custom builders
but really want you to work
within the parameters of
a few existing models. At
Summit Custom Homes, we
are happy to build a true
custom home.
Summit Custom Homes will
provide within two weeks
of contract signature a
set of large scale Linwood
preliminary drawings showing
elevations and floor plans.
You can use them to make
revisions which are incorporated
into final construction
blueprints. You may still
change these blueprints
once again if necessary
to fine-tune your design at
no extra charge.
The final set of blueprints
are highly detailed and
will enable you to obtain
planning approvals and then
proceed to construct your
home.
The whole home construction
process begins with site
preparation. This includes
the installation of the
driveway, bringing services
such as water and power
to the immediate vicinity
of the actual site of the
building, the
layout of the septic field
if required, and preparing
drainage lines.
 The next step is to excavate
for the foundations of
the
home. These may be simple
concrete footings
or a foundation
wall. Often, there
will be a walk-out
or regular
basement involved and concrete
floors
will also be poured
at this time.
Once foundations are in
place, the Linwood timber
frame package can arrive
on site. The package consists
of all the timber components
required to erect the timber
structural frame. In addition,
it includes the rest of
the building materials needed
to construct the shell of
the home to the lock-up
stage. Not only are you
picking high quality materials
but there is a major cost
saving in assembly time
and an elimination of the
need for expensive running
around to different building
product suppliers.
For those customers outside
our region, we offer the
same great custom design
support. No matter where
you are, Summit will come
to you to provide a thorough
site inspection and to conduct
a design concept meeting.
This is yet another area
where we separate ourselves
from other companies offering
home material packages.
We build our own homes locally,
and are equipped to guide
you through the process
no matter where you are.
From post & beam, to
timber frame, to log construction,
Summit Custom Homes will
exceed your expectations.
 Even before your final
building plans are drafted,
Summit Custom Homes can
provide you with
assistance
in selecting contractors,
receiving
and evaluating
quotes, obtaining planning
permits,
and monitoring
on-site job performance
by the
selected sub-trades.
Our clients even have access
to a toll-free
hotline (1-877-VACUSTOMS) to
answer
construction questions,
plus construction experts
who
can provide detailed
instruction on the fastest
and
most efficient method
of assembling one of our
homes.
A Linwood assembly expert
(support tech) will arrive
on site to assist your framing
crew in assembling the bents,
and erecting the timber
frame. Our clients
even have the option of
having a Linwood team raise
the frame as part of the
package at a competitive
rate. The
selected contractor can
now begin to put up walls
and roof to enclose the
home so that it is weatherproof.
The package comes with a
detailed Construction Manual
and access to the Linwood
factory for advice. A Summit
Custom Homes design consultant
will also make site visits
to make sure everything
is coming together properly.
When this stage of construction
in finished the roof will
be on, windows in place,
siding finished and exterior
doors installed.
This will involve a variety
of specialized sub-trades.
Even if you are out of our
immediate building area
and not using Summit Custom
Homes as your general contractor,
each individual contractor
should be clear about your
expectations and use of
materials before commencing
work. Needless to say, you
should already have obtained
a firm contract price at
this stage. It is easy for
this area to go over budget
if expensive upgrades are
made at the last minute.
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