Post and Beam
At the early framing stage of a new home we’re building on Mercer Island, it’s all about the posts and beams. Designed by Idaho architect Jack Smith, the home features a timber-framed structure being constructed by subcontractor Cascade Joinery. The timbers will be exposed inside and out, and are an an integral part of the design. The posts measure 8 ¾ in. by 8 ¾ in., and the beams 8 ¾ in. by 12 in.
To make up each solid-sawn, glu-lam post or beam, BC-based Fraserwood Industries saws a Douglas fir log into lams, then glues it back together so the grain matches (with a barely perceptible piece missing from each saw cut). The resulting timber looks like solid wood, but is far stronger and considerably more stable than the original log.
Beams projecting to the exterior are protected with copper copings on top and end caps, meticulously fashioned on-site by subcontractor Tecta America (formerly Sound Sheet Metal).
Those of you used to seeing steel painted a dark red may be wondering about the Caribbean pink steel plates, brackets, and structural bracing that augment the timber frame structure. The protective epoxy coatings can be pigmented any color, not just the standard red, no extra charge. So our client requested pink. Why not? The steel is going to be hidden away when construction is through.
