Category: Latest New

Restoring Historical Barn Frames for Modern Living Spaces

Posted on by seo-team

Restoring Historical Barn Frames for Modern Living Spaces

Barn frames

There’s something so captivating about historical buildings. Older antique homes each have a unique story to them, and they’ve been enjoyed by countless people. This is why restoring historical barn frames is such an appealing option for New Zealanders who want their new home to have charm.

Antique frames can be revitalised and transformed into modern living spaces, all without losing their unique history. These structures have a timeless appeal and offer the opportunity to create character-filled spaces. When you choose to restore an older barn frame, you’re choosing to keep a little bit of history alive.

What Makes These Historic Home Frames So Unique?

Antique barn frames offer a glimpse into history. The frames we work with at Heritage Timbercraft are often over 200 years old and were hand-hewn and crafted by pioneers and settlers. Each frame is an artefact with its own story and experiences. Depending on where your barn frame is sourced from, it may have been created using specialised crafting methods and traditional tools, like broad axes and adzes. Antique frames are a particularly good choice for those who appreciate skilled crafting methods and historical artistry.

If you choose to buy an antique frame with us then we will share the known history of the barn with you and will also take you on a journey from the frame being dismantled, to it being restored, transported across the world and to it’s final home on your building site where you can watch it being raised and connected again with original oak pegs or trunnels as they were originally known. It is a great experience to participate in and share with your friends and family.

The barn frames we use are typically built with Eastern Hemlock, Oak or Beech wood. North American Eastern Hemlock ages to a lovely warm brown patina and has a classic look for storied barn homes. Oak and Beech, on the other hand, are lighter, stronger and highlight the frame’s hand-hewn texture. All of these options have their charm, and we’ll be happy to discuss the various frames we have available, the kind of wood they’re made of and find the best option for your location and home design.

The Restoration Process: How Antique Frames Are Prepared For Modern Life

Of course, even the most well-preserved barn frames need to be inspected and restored to ensure structural integrity. We carefully assess each barn frame and reinforce areas that may have weakened over time, ensuring that every frame is ready to stand strong and tall for many more years. We only use well-preserved frames that are suitable for restoration and frames that have timber sizes suitable to the unique challenges of winds and earthquakes in NZ.

Once the frames are inspected and reinforced as needed, they will be modified to suit New Zealand’s building code requirements, as well as your specifications. This is to ensure premium safety and functionality. Once your home is complete it will be hard to find a  stronger structure to shelter you and your family. We do everything we can to bring these antique frames into the world of today without taking away their historic charm.

Next, we will develop concept floor plans to visualise potential layouts and uses for the specific barn frame you’ve chosen. Barn frame homes are particularly suited for open floor plan living spaces, which can make the house feel larger and more illuminated.

We collaborate with trustworthy North American suppliers like Heritage Restorations and Ohio Valley Barn Salvage to source beautiful, quality barn frames. We work closely with our partners to consider factors like timber species, size and style. When importing frames from North America, we work meticulously to ensure full compliance with New Zealand’s strict import and building regulations to maintain frame authenticity while meeting local standards. 

Every antique barn frame we work with is important to us. Each one has an individual story, and we are passionate about keeping those stories alive through comprehensive restoration efforts. We are also always on the look out for additional original elements like hay tracks, ladders, barn doors or threshing floor boards to add additional character to your build.

Why Choose Historical Barn Frames For Your New Home?

Why choose a historical barn frame over alternative options? While each new home option has its advantages, here are various reasons why clients choose antique frames for their beautiful new barn homes:

  • Unmatched Character And Charm. Imagine stepping into your new home and knowing that it has over two centuries of history attached to it. If those beams could talk, they could tell you story after story of moments of excitement and times of relaxation. Antique frames imbue spaces with warmth, rustic charm and individualism. When you choose a reclaimed frame, you’re helping keep that artefact alive and adding to its own history with new stories and experiences. This makes these barn frames a particularly good choice for clients who love history and character. 
  • Sustainability And Heritage Preservation. Reusing and restoring antique timber, rather than using freshly cut timber, has sustainability benefits. Additionally, preserving these barns contributes to the legacy of pioneer artistry, maintaining a tangible connection to the past. 
  • Versatile Design Options. Antique frames can be tailored to various architectural styles, and you don’t have to stick with the original style that the frame was used for. You can blend old-world charm with contemporary functionality to enjoy a home that looks cosy and historical while still having modern comforts. As mentioned above, barn frames are also very suitable for open floor living spaces, which are perfect for entertaining, letting in light and improving traffic flow.

Keeping History Alive With Heritage Timbercraft

Bring the past into the future with a stunning new home created with a lovely antique barn frame. If you’d like to know more, consider visiting our Heritage Timbercraft site to read about our antique barn frame restoration process and view images of the gorgeous homes we’ve worked on.

Or, if you’d like some personalised assistance, you can call us on 0273799213 or use our contact page.

Step into history every day with Heritage Timbercraft.

Why Insulating Panel Homes are the Future of Energy-Efficient Living

Posted on by Raja Toqier

Why Insulating Panel Homes are the Future of Energy-Efficient Living

Insulating panel home

In the era where sustainability is paramount, insulating panel homes are emerging as a key component of eco-friendly living. These modern, high-quality homes are paving the way for a more sustainable future for New Zealand homeowners.

What Are Homes Built With Insulating Panels?

Essentially, insulating panel homes are homes that are constructed using structural insulated panels (SIPs), metal insulated panels (MIPs) and straw insulated panels. These cleverly designed panels are built to provide superior insulation and thermal efficiency, especially compared to traditional construction methods.

These panels create a dependable, seamless, insulated envelope around the timber frame of the home, minimising air leakage and enhancing overall energy efficiency. This means your home will be easier to heat and cool, so you can enjoy reduced heating and cooling costs while saving energy. If you want your new home to be a passive home, then insulating panels are a fantastic choice. 

Key Reasons Why Insulating Panel Homes Are The Future Of Energy-Efficient Living

How can homeowners and the world benefit from homes built with these innovative panels?

Enhanced Energy Efficiency. Of course, the most obvious benefit of insulated panels is energy efficiency. Better airtightness and insulation means less air leakage and less energy and heat wasted. Insulating panels offer unparalleled energy efficiency, outperforming traditional framing and insulation techniques for NZ homes. 

Energy efficiency is better for the environment, as it allows you to reduce your home energy consumption and your carbon footprint. It’s also a great perk for homeowners who want to save money on their monthly bills, as less energy used means less energy you need to pay for.

Sustainable Construction. Sustainable materials and green construction methods, like timber and insulating panels, align with the key principles of eco-friendly living. Being sustainable in everything we do is more popular than ever nowadays, and these panels are a wonderfully convenient and efficient way to incorporate our eco-friendly goals and principles into our homes. These insulated homes are designed to minimise environmental impact and contribute to a greener future for New Zealand and the world.

Choosing sustainable construction methods is a very important part of contributing to a better tomorrow. If you have any other eco-friendly concerns or goals, be sure to discuss them with your home builder so that you can explore additional ways to improve your new timber home. 

Customisation Options. A modular home-building approach for insulating panel homes allows for an amazing level of personalisation and customisation. Speak to our design team about the size and layout you want your home to be, and discuss factors like your budget, the size of your family, your lifestyle and other qualities that’ll affect your home needs. Ask about the various building options we have, like mezzanine modules and lean-to extensions, and ask about which choices they think will fit your lifestyle the best. 

Remember that having a new home built is a significant investment for you that will enhance your life for many years to come, so it’s essential that you’re perfectly happy with the size and layout of your home. Stay honest and open with your home designers so that you can find the right solutions for you. 

Simplified Design For Energy Standards. The simplicity of insulating panel barn home shapes makes it easier to achieve excellent energy efficiency. The straightforward yet very effective design of these homes makes the insulation process more streamlined, with fewer frustrating obstacles or challenges to overcome. 

Time-Efficient Construction. Regarding insulated panels, the roof and wall system for these panels can be constructed relatively quickly – in some cases, these systems can be built in a matter of weeks rather than months. This can significantly reduce construction time when compared to conventional building methods. This quick and efficient construction method means that homeowners can enjoy their energy-efficient homes sooner while minimising the environmental impact of construction. There is also the advantage of reducing the time you are paying rent or having a double mortgage while building your home.

Before your home-building process starts, make sure you talk to your home builders about the project’s estimated timeline. When will it start? How long should each step take? After your home is built, what is the final inspection process like? Your home builders should stay in contact with you throughout the entire project so that you can always stay in the know. 

Health And Well-Being. Insulating panel homes are designed to improve indoor environmental quality, so they can be great for your health and well-being. These homes are comfortable and secure, improving your mental and physical health. 

Creating Your Dream Home With Insulating Panels

If sustainability and green practices are important to you, we at Heritage Timbercraft would be happy to discuss our eco-friendly options – such as insulating panel homes. Our dedicated team strives to find the right home choices for each and every client, and we’re here to discuss your unique needs and lifestyle. 

To get the process started, you can call us on 0273799213 or use our contact page to get in touch.

Discover your dream home design with Heritage Timbercraft.

Barn Frames: A Sustainable Choice for Your New Home

Posted on by admin

Modern Design Ideas For Your Dream Barn Home

Barn frames

Building a lovely new home is a significant decision that can change your life for the better. A customised, beautiful new space for you and your family can be the perfect home environment for you, allowing you to live happily and peacefully. Of course, everything from the materials you pick to the barn frames you consider can enhance your incredible new NZ space. 

A barn frame made from ethically sourced timber can help to create a space that truly feels like home. This beloved material has been used and adored for decades, and you can feel its wonders if you choose it for your home. 

But why should you choose a timber barn frame over alternative options? What eco-friendly benefits does this material offer?

The Major Sustainable Advantages Of Choosing Timber Barn Frames

In 2024, many of us are focused on how we can do our part for the future – and one significant thing we should concentrate on is making greener, more environmentally-friendly choices. This involves using less energy, reusing what we can and choosing sustainable materials. 

Timber stands proud as a fantastic sustainable choice for all kinds of applications. Its beauty and strength make it a wonderful option for new structures, particularly when it’s used for stunning barn frames that are designed to last.

Barn frames

What are some eco-friendly benefits you should know about?

Renewable And Sustainable. One of the primary reasons why timber is a green choice is because wood is a renewable resource. Timber can be regrown and replenished without worry. When choosing your timber, ask your suppliers about where they source their timber from. Do they support ethical forestry companies that are sustainable and eco-conscious? 

Carbon Sequestration. Trees can absorb carbon dioxide and then store it as carbon. This process, which is known as carbon sequestration, helps reduce the amount of CO2 in the air, mitigating the effects of climate change. When trees are harvested for timber and used in construction, the carbon remains securely stored in the wood for the lifetime of the building. Therefore, timber barn frames act as a carbon sink, effectively reducing the overall carbon footprint of your home.

Energy Efficiency. Timber is a fantastic natural insulator, which means that new homes using timber barn frames can be more energy-efficient than those built with other materials. The natural insulating properties of wood help  maintain a consistent, comfortable indoor temperature, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling as well as the need for large amounts of extra insulation. Less artificial heating and cooling means less energy used, which means less impact on the world (and less impact on your wallet). 

Staying sustainable and energy-efficient doesn’t need to be uncomfortable, especially if you make smart choices like choosing naturally insulating building materials.

Barn frames

Lower Embodied Energy During Construction. ‘Embodied energy’ is the term we use to describe the total amount of energy needed to produce a building material, from cutting down the tree to processing it into usable planks to transporting it to the building site. Timber has a relatively low embodied energy, especially when compared to other popular materials like steel. The production and processing of timber require less power, so it’s less impactful on the world. 

Biodegradable And Recyclable. Being made from a natural material, timber barn frames are biodegradable and will not sit around for a shocking amount of time after they’ve served their purpose. Timber can decompose naturally, returning to the earth.

Or, if you want your home’s materials to see new life even after it has served its purpose, timber can be recycled and repurposed for new construction projects. 

Aesthetic Appeal And Customisation. Timber barn frames have a unique aesthetic appeal that is very charming. The natural beauty of wood adds a sense of warmth and character to any space, creating a cosy atmosphere that can help you feel at peace. Although this advantage isn’t exactly specific to sustainability, it’s still something that all prospective homeowners should be aware of.

While some people view wood\ as a rustic design choice, timber is versatile enough that it’s not limited to specific styles or designs. Spaces made with timber can be rustic, modern or a unique blend of both. Even if you strictly want a contemporary home with a very modern design, timber can be perfect for you. 

Structural Strength. Timber is a wonderfully robust and durable building material. When properly treated and maintained, timber barn frames can last for generations. This incredible material has contributed to countless strong, durable and stable structures in the past, even in New Zealand’s sometimes harsh weather. 

The design of the barn frames themselves is also a very important element that contributes to strength and stability, which is why it’s necessary to work with experienced builders and designers.

Creating Your Perfect, Sustainable, Energy-Efficient Home In New Zealand

Our team at Heritage Timbercraft deeply cares about the environment, and we are committed to creating amazingly unique designs while sticking to our sustainability goals. 

Would you like to know a bit more about how we can help you? We have plenty of information on our website about our bespoke services. Or, you can call us directly on 0273799213.

Create the home of your dreams while making green choices; choose Heritage Timbercraft.

Cladding Options And Considerations For Your Barn Home

Posted on by admin

Modern Design Ideas For Your Dream Barn Home

barn frames

You’ll have plenty of decisions to make when building your gorgeous new barn home in New Zealand. Choosing from different barn frames, setting an appropriate budget and choosing your team of builders are all crucial parts of any successful barn home project. Today, we’ll focus on one option that’ll significantly impact the appearance, longevity and comfort of your home – your choice of cladding. 

Cladding is attached to the exterior of a building’s walls, acting as a protective layer of defence that can keep the interior safe from the elements as well as add to the home’s insulation. As you can imagine, it also greatly contributes to the home’s appearance. All in all, your choice of cladding is extremely important for both aesthetic and practical reasons. 

So, let’s go over various cladding options you could choose for your barn home, as well as what qualities you should keep in mind when making your choice.

Different Cladding Options To Consider For Your NZ Barn Home

Like barn frames, you can choose from plenty of different looks and types of cladding. For barn homes, timber is a great, popular choice because of its raw beauty and its natural insulation properties. Because it’s such a versatile material, timber can be used in many ways:

Weatherboards. This option is also known as clapboard or bevel siding, and is a common choice for barn homes with that classic rustic charm. These consist of horizontal boards that are installed with a slight overlap. Timber weatherboards come in a variety of profiles, so you can pick one that suits your specific tastes and visual goals. 

Vertical Shiplap. This choice offers a contemporary twist for more traditional barn frames and barn aesthetics. These boards are installed similarly to weatherboards with an overlapping profile, but they’re instead placed vertically. This option is rather versatile and can be suitable for both modern and rustic-inspired barn home designs, depending on the look you’re striving for. 

Board And Batten. This cladding consists of wide vertical boards with narrow wooden strips, which are also known as battens, to cover the joints in between each board. This unique style adds plenty of character to a home’s appearance, evoking a sense of prime craftsmanship and care. 

Blending Materials. Remember that you don’t have to stick to one type of cladding for your entire barn home. You can make your home more visually interesting by mixing materials, such as timber in one area and brick or stone in others.

Coloursteel Cladding. If you’re more interested in modern aesthetics, rather than classic rustic visuals, then Coloursteel cladding may be right for you. This beautiful, low-maintenance metal cladding is a very durable and versatile choice available in a range of colours.

What To Keep In Mind When Choosing Your Cladding

When discussing your cladding options with your home builders, be sure you think about these factors:

Durability. Go for high-quality timber that’s durable, hardy and resistant to decay. You’ll want cladding that’s prepared to handle New Zealand’s climate conditions and varied weather. Durable materials are also more likely to last longer, as they’ll be able to handle everyday wear and tear better. 

Sustainability. Timber is already a great choice for eco-conscious individuals because it’s a renewable resource. Still, you may also want to check if your timber is from sustainably managed forests or other reputable sources. 

Maintenance Requirements. Before you choose any kind of cladding, always take care to understand its maintenance requirements. Some types may require regular staining or other kinds of upkeep, whereas others may have a more hands-off approach. 

Budget. Naturally, you’ll want to stay within the budget of your entire barn home project. This should be something that’s always in your mind, whether you’re choosing barn frames or picking out materials. Remember that while some timber species may have a higher upfront cost, they could offer long-term savings in longevity and maintenance.

Installation. Regardless of the cladding you choose, make sure your home builders are experienced and know how to install it correctly for maximum functionality and visual appeal. 

Aesthetic Style. After you’ve sorted out practical matters, be sure you also think about looks. Choose cladding that complements the architectural style of your planned barn home.

Creating Your Perfect Barn Home Retreat In Aotearoa

From choosing your cladding to picking out the best barn frames for your needs, we at Heritage Timbercraft are here to be your reliable partners for your barn home project. We’re thrilled to have created many stunning homes in the past, and we look forward to building many more.

Do you dream of one day living happily in a well-made, expertly-designed barn home? Contact our team on 027 4266679 or reach us through our website to get the process started.

Together, we can make your barn home dreams come true.

Modern Design Ideas For Your Dream Barn Home

Posted on by Maria Sacramento

Modern Design Ideas For Your Dream Barn Home

barn frames

Barn homes have effortlessly captured the imagination of homeowners seeking a blend of rustic charm and contemporary living. Built with thoughtfully designed barn frames, these unique dwellings offer the allure of spacious interiors, soaring ceilings and a connection to the countryside, making them an increasingly popular choice for those looking to escape the stressful hustle and bustle of NZ urban life.

One issue you may encounter when dreaming up your ideal barn home is that you may not know where to start. What kind of look should you go for? Are there certain design elements you should favour? Where can you find excellent barn home builders in New Zealand?

Marvellous Design Ideas For Barn Homes In Aotearoa

If you browse through barn frames and projects online, you’ll notice something immediately – you can do so many things with a stunning barn home.

Embrace Open Concept Living. One of the defining features of barn homes is their open, airy layout. Embrace this characteristic by opting for an open concept floor plan that maximises space and natural light. Consider removing interior walls to create a seamless flow between dining, living and kitchen areas, perfect for entertaining family and friends.

Open floor plans can make a living space feel larger, inviting and free. Consider creative floor plans and sizable barn frames to make proper use of your space without making it feel crowded or empty. Look at other designs and ideas online to get inspiration for your lovely barn home.

Here at Heritage Timbercraft, our barn frames have a standard lower story stud height of 2.7m, which also creates a sense of space. Additionally, by using door heights that are higher than standard heights, such as doors that are higher than 2.2m tall, you can extend the feeling of spaciousness in your home. Having larger doors can also help your space feel more connected to the outside world, creating a better flow between the interior and the exterior of your barn home. 

Opt For Minimalist Finishes. Keep your barn home feeling sleek and sophisticated with minimalist finishes and clean lines. Choose simple cabinetry, streamlined hardware and understated fixtures to create a modern aesthetic that doesn’t overpower the space. Minimalist design allows the beauty of the barn’s architecture to shine through while providing a serene backdrop for everyday living.

Minimalism is perfect for allowing the beauty of barn frames and rustic-inspired homes to shine through without the need for overly complicated design elements. 

Bring The Outdoors In. Celebrate the natural beauty of your surroundings by incorporating large windows and sliding glass doors that frame picturesque views of the natural world around your home. Enhance the home’s connection to the outdoors by incorporating outdoor living spaces such as cosy covered porches, patios or decks where you can relax and enjoy the fresh air year-round. These wonderful places can help you stay connected to the beautiful natural wonders of Aotearoa from the comfort of your magnificent home.

Once your house is built and ready for you to call it home, you can go even further by incorporating biophilic designs and ideas into your rooms.  Have houseplants in every room, consider indoor gardening and more to bring the natural world in. Biophilic design elements can bring you a sense of calm and peace, and many view them as a must-have for any comfortable home.

Play With Colour And Texture. Experiment with colour and texture to add visual interest to your barn home’s interior. Consider using a neutral colour palette as the foundation and adding pops of colour through furnishings, artwork and accessories. Incorporate materials such as timber, stone and leather to create texture and warmth throughout the space and highlight the appeal of barn frames and homes.

If you’re unsure how to choose your materials or fixtures, you should speak to your barn home builders to discuss your preferences and needs. They’ll use their skills and experience to recommend what suits your tastes the best. 

Create A Cosy Retreat. Transform your barn home into a cosy retreat by incorporating inviting furnishings, plush textiles and layered lighting. Add warmth and ambience with a fireplace or wood-burning stove, perfect for cozying up on chilly evenings. Create comfy seating areas where you can unwind with a good book or gather with family and friends for lively conversations.

Prioritise Energy Efficiency. Make your barn home as comfortable and sustainable as possible by prioritising energy-efficient design features. Invest in high-performance insulation, energy-efficient windows and airtight construction to minimise heat loss and reduce utility costs. Consider incorporating eco-friendly renewable energy sources such as solar panels or geothermal heating to further enhance your home’s efficiency.

Designing And Building Your Wonderful New Barn Home In Aotearoa

Designing your dream barn home is an exciting opportunity to blend rustic charm with modern amenities. By embracing these design elements and exploring your possibilities, you can create a stylish and sustainable home that celebrates the best of both worlds – and at Heritage Timbercraft, we’re here to help you make your project a total success. 

With years of success and experience with countless successful projects, our passionate team is proud to have helped make New Zealand more comfortable and beautiful for our treasured clients. To speak to us about your opportunities, please feel free to email our design team at peter@heritagetimbercraft.co.nz

Embrace the rustic appeal and modern class of barn frames and homes; speak to us at Heritage Timbercraft.

How To Build A Barn Home: Tips For A Strong Foundation

Posted on by Maria Sacramento

How To Build A Barn Home: Tips For A Strong Foundation

barn frames

Building your dream barn home is an exciting endeavour that requires careful planning, keen attention to detail and sturdy barn frames. From selecting the best materials to ensuring structural integrity, every step of the construction process plays a crucial role in creating a strong, beautiful house that you’ll be proud to call your New Zealand home. 

In this guide, we’ll explore essential tips for building a barn home with a strong foundation, ensuring warmth, strength and timeless beauty for years to come.

What To Do If You Want To Build A Magnificent Barn Home In New Zealand

From choosing from the right barn frames to knowing which builders to work with, you’ll have plenty of decisions to make. Before you start your project, consider these tips to make sure you’re successful:

Choose the Right Materials For Your Home. The foundation of any barn home lies in the materials used for construction. Opting for high-quality materials like New Zealand-grown Macrocarpa or Douglas fir ensures structural integrity, durability and timeless beauty. These materials provide strength and add character to your home, creating an inviting atmosphere that stands the test of time.

For Antique Barns the type of wood as well as barn design are crucial considerations and our team is here to help select the barns that are made of suitable material and have the beam sizes and configuration to meet the NZ engineering requirements. This is important as not considering this from the start can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands in steel portal frames that should not be necessary if the barn is doing what it was made to do!

Prioritise Structural Integrity. It’s vital that you choose from barn frames that are designed to meet NZ’s structural integrity and strength requirements and not just beauty. A strong foundation begins with a solid design. Our team are experts at developing a comprehensive plan that prioritises structural integrity and have developed a range of single and double story barns as well as trusses that meet these requirements in 90% of sites in NZ. We consider factors such as load-bearing capacity, earthquake resistance and weather durability to ensure your barn home can withstand the test of time.

Think about the area you’ll live in and make sure your barn is suited to that kind of climate. For very dry climates Douglas Fir can work for external situations but in wetter areas heart Macrocarpa or hardwoods are a must.

Customise Your Floor Plan. When choosing your barn frames, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to settle for home designs as they are – you can customise your plans to perfectly fit your needs. Each barn home is unique, reflecting the individual tastes, location and budget of its owner. Take advantage of customisable floor plans to tailor your home to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for an open-concept layout or a cozy, intimate space, customising your floor plan allows you to create a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle.

Focus On Design Details. Attention to design details can elevate your barn home from functional to magnificent. Incorporate architectural elements such as exposed timber beams, feature stairs, bookcases, window-seats, vaulted ceilings and large windows to add visual interest and charm to your space. Pay special attention to finishes and textures, choosing options that complement the beauty of your timber frame while adding warmth and character to your home.

Plan For Energy Efficiency. Building a good home is not just about aesthetics but also functionality and sustainability. Incorporate energy-efficient features into your home’s design, such as insulated walls, double-glazed windows and passive solar design principles, to reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs. By planning for energy efficiency from the outset, you can create a comfortable, eco-friendly home that stands the test of time.

Consider Your Budget. Constructing a house can be costly, but by creating a realistic budget, you can bring your barn ideas to life without breaking the bank. Try to come up with a budget that you can afford but that also allows you to choose the barn frames, materials, design elements and more that satisfy your needs. While cost shouldn’t be the only factor you consider, it’s a very important thing to keep in mind.

Work With Experienced Professionals. Building a barn home is a complex project that requires expertise and experience. While the average person doesn’t have this knowledge and skills, a qualified team of builders can help you ensure your project is a total success. Search for builders who have experience working with timber and barn frames, as they’ll be able to help you fully realise your barn home dream.

When choosing your barn home builders, be sure to find a team with experience with the type of home and design you’re planning. Additionally, they should be professional and have excellent communication skills. If you don’t have much experience with home design and building, you may want to let your builder manage the project, as they’ll know how to ensure everything gets done correctly and on time.

Bringing Your Dream Barn Home Into Reality

Building a barn home is a rewarding journey that requires careful planning, attention to detail and collaboration with experienced professionals. If you take the right steps, you’ll be relaxing in your gorgeous new home in no time. 

Here at Heritage Timbercraft, we’re thrilled to make New Zealand a more beautiful and comfortable place with our charming home designs and commitment to excellent results. If you’re planning to build a new barn home, we encourage you to come and see our barn frames, home designs, services and more.

If you’re ready to speak to us, you can reach our team on 0273799213 

Live comfortably and happily in a durable, beautiful and long-lasting home built by Heritage Timbercraft.

How To Build An Affordable Barn Home – Cost Saving Tips

Posted on by peter@heritagetimbercraft.co.nz

How To Build An Affordable Barn Home - Cost Saving Tips

barn frames

Marvellous barn homes made from beautiful designs, high-quality barn frames and excellent craftsmanship are a wonderful choice. They have a lovely atmosphere that’s hard to replicate, and they can truly make you feel welcome.

Many New Zealanders think of one day having their perfect home built. However, we all know that building a new home isn’t cheap and will be quite a financial investment when you finally do. 

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to lower the price while still having great results. You can do plenty of smart, straightforward things to reduce the cost of your beautiful home without sacrificing top-tier quality. 

What You Can Do To Save Money While Building A Quality Home

What exactly can you do to save money while building your dream house? Don’t worry; you don’t have to drastically change your house plans or opt for a completely different type of home barn frames than the ones you want. Instead, you can:

Choose a simple home shape. Using a barn frame for the architectural feature of your home provides a very simple shaped rectangular structure which is simple to build. Having hips and valleys and multiple roof levels adds a lot of detail and each details adds cost in materials but especially in labour. Our recommendation is to put the labour into the manufacture of the barn frame instead.

Choose A Smaller House Plan. In many of our heads, we picture our perfect homes being large, but most people don’t need that much space. Knowing how to use a smaller space can help you save money, space and make your home more compact and cosy.

Even downsizing a little can save you money. Think about how you’ll use a smaller space when selecting your home plans and imagine how you can properly utilise that space. Clever interior design will help you bring out the true potential of any home, no matter how big it is.

Open plan living spaces can make your home feel much larger. The high ceilings of a barn frame and having your space open up onto verandas is a great, cost effective way to extend your space. 

With innovative design, you can make the most of the second floor, or loft of your barn home by using the cozy space for compact bedrooms where you can relax and sleep at night.

Consider a kit-set barn process. A kit-set barn process may save you money.  A kit-set process is where you receive several predetermined building materials, such as barn frames, for your new home. 

This can save you money and time because you won’t need to choose these things yourself. People who don’t have the right experience and training might not know how to choose the right quality materials or frames while making cost-effective choices. With a kit-set barn process, you won’t have to worry about the things included in the service, so you can focus on other important things in the home-building process.

The standard frames also give you the best value because they provide optimal size for the timber used, and they’ve been pre-engineered to have lower overall costs.

Reduce The Number Of People You Need To Hire For Various Tasks. You shouldn’t handle every task yourself, especially if you’re not an experienced contractor, but that doesn’t mean you should hire someone for every job you need completed. You can save money by reducing the number of hired help you hire.

Working with an experienced contractor is a very smart choice in this situation because they’ll be able to help with many different types of tasks, whether that’s setting up your barn frames or choosing the best spot to build. Naturally, if there’s anything that you don’t have the right equipment or knowledge to handle, you should always leave those tasks to someone who can do them safely and correctly. 

Consider Using Metalcraft Insulated Panels For The Roof And Walls. Barn frames provide the perfect structural skeleton to attach insulated panels, and Metalcraft panels are very cost effective and easy to install. This can save you up to $500 per square metre, and save months of on-site building time.

Consider Your Cladding Choices. Coloursteel is a very cost effective cladding type and is well worth consideration. Timber cladding can be beautiful, but the detailing around windows and doors can be time consuming. If you like timber cladding, look at limiting it to areas like the gable ends of the building and look at using timber like macrocarpa, lusitanica and even douglas fir rather than cedar, which is much more expensive. Also, use a salt solution to grey off the timber before fixing it in place, rather than having to stain or oil it regularly.

Shop Around For Fixtures. When it comes to things like light switches and furniture, you should always look at all of your options before you select yours. This will give you a great idea of your cheapest and most expensive options so you know what you can get to save money. Plus, looking at all of your choices before making your decision will allow you to see more things that you might love.

Create Budgets And Monitor Your Spending. Always keep an eye on your spending when you build your home. Otherwise, you might spend way too much money on something like barn frames and not have enough for other important materials. Various budgets, like a budget for materials, will help you keep everything in line. 

Work With Builders Who Have Plenty Of Experience. Perhaps one of the very best things you can do to make money-saving decisions while having a beautiful, quality home built is to work with people with the right knowledge and experience. 

Always work with builders who have done this before and can give you fantastic service. Even if you run into issues, they’ll have the experience to resolve the problem satisfyingly. 

Additionally, be sure to choose people who know about the specific type of home you’d like. For example, if you want to build a gorgeous rustic barn home, choose people who specialise in barn homes. This way, they’ll know the best ways to utilise excellent barn frames cost-effectively. 

Work With Heritage Timbercraft To Have Your Gorgeous Dream Barn Home Built

At Heritage Timbercraft, we’re passionate about what we do. Our hardworking team loves to help people like you plan out your perfect barn home, choose the best spot for it and build it from the ground up.  With us, you’re not just working with builders who want to get the work done; you’re working with friends who want to build the barn home of your dreams.

Call us at 0273799213 to get in touch. We’d be thrilled to answer any thoughts or questions you have about building an affordable barn home. 

Heritage Timbercraft barn homes have that wonderful welcoming atmosphere that makes a house feel like a home.

Timber Selection For Post And Beam Construction

Posted on by peter@heritagetimbercraft.co.nz

Timber Selection For Post And Beam Construction

beam construction

Post and beam construction is a certain method of construction that has been used to build countless beautiful homes and buildings worldwide. When you take naturally strong timber and use it to make a home using a smart frame design, you end up with a gorgeous home that anyone would love to live in.

When building any kind of structure, household or not, making the right choices throughout the entire building process is paramount. It’s not enough to just have a good design; you also need diligent workers, an effective plan and – of course! – excellent timber. After all, robust natural timber has a big role in making your home strong and beautiful.

Not all wood is the same, and some types are better for your eventual New Zealand home. So, how do you know what to choose?

What Is Post And Beam Construction?

First, you should understand what exactly this type of construction is. This is a construction method that utilises vertical posts and horizontal beams, hence its name, to create a framework for your structure. Once this strong framework is completed, walls or Insulated panels can be ‘placed’ on the frame and secured.

This construction method is often used to create magnificent homes with large, open spaces in the interior.

This construction style can have plenty of benefits when you use high-quality timber in your structure. Timber post and beam construction has the following advantages:

  • Timber Is A Natural Material. Timber is a natural material that is a very safe option. Timber is non-toxic, doesn’t leak chemicals and is safe to touch. Plus, it has a natural beauty that’s hard to replicate.
  • Timber Is Sustainable. Wood is a sustainable material that comes from the earth. It’s a renewable resource, so you can feel good in your new home.
  • Timber Is A Natural Insulator. Wood has natural insulating properties, meaning you can cut monthly heating and cooling costs while staying comfortable. This is particularly relevant when without a timber portal system steel portals would be used which have poor insulation properties and often have to penetrate the building envelope causing thermal bridging, transferring the cold from outside to the interior of your home.
  • Timber Is Easy To Work With. Timber has been used for thousands of years to build all types of wondrous structures. If your builders are talented and you have a good plan, your high-quality home can be built in a relatively quick amount of time when you use the post and beam construction method. 

What You Can Do To Get The Best Timber For Your Home’s Construction

As mentioned above, there are plenty of different types of wood and timber, and certain types may be better for your situation. Using the wrong type of wood can result in poor results, so making the right choice is crucial!

A few things that you should consider as you select for timber are:

Timber Availability. As a general rule of thumb, the more available the timber the more cost effective. Timber grown locally can also save on freight costs. Saying that we tend to find that timber grown in the South Island or cooler areas is better quality and generally worth the extra cost of freight.

The Cost Of Your Materials. It’s always smart to pay attention to your expenses and available funds when working on a building project. Be sure to select timber you can afford for your project while keeping other costs in mind. If you have a set budget, you can discuss your best options with your timber seller, and they can help you select the best possible choice for your situation. Australian Hardwoods are beautiful but can be more that 3 times the cost of locally milled timber

Your Timber’s Strength. Wood has different types of durability, flexibility and strength depending on the kind of tree it came from. It’s vital that you select the appropriate timber for the different parts of your post and beam construction project. So, clever builders will often use different types of wood for different parts of the home’s plan.

For example, oak is very hard and strong, but it has a tendency to twist and crack. So, it’s often used to create pegs and smaller parts. Douglas fir and Macrocarpa, on the other hand, are stable and often used for posts and beams. Heart Macrocarpa is durable and is most suited for exterior timbers.

The Look You are Going For. Each species has a different grain and colour so this is often a deciding point for clients. Saying that we have a wide range of oils and stains that can be added after manufacture to get the look you are after.

The Professionals You Will Work With. One sure way to get reliable timber is to work with reliable professional timber suppliers, builders and craftspeople. These experts can help you with your build every step along the way.

You can even make your building process more straightforward by opting for a kit-set process.

Have Your Beautiful New Dream Home Built In New Zealand

If you want your marvellous new home to be beautiful, strong and long-lasting, one smart thing you can do is to work with our team at Heritage Timbercraft. We help New Zealanders build homes that are welcoming and visually stunning with the strong and dependable timber we provide.

If you have any questions or are ready to start the process, we invite you to contact our team through our site or by calling 027 3799213.

Speak with us at Heritage Timbercraft to utilise the best timber and innovative post and beam construction to build your lovely new home.