FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q;How does a Post and Beam home differ from a conventional house?
A:Although it's relatively easy to describe the physical/structural differences it is probably the qualititive differences that are most important. Consider the sense that a 'house' is not the same as a 'home' and a mass- produced print has a different value from a'original' painting . For a start, the timbers, the posts and the beams, that form the framework are larger and less numerous than you'd find hidden behind the plaster-board of a normal house. They are visible as features of the interior space usually setting a very warm and comforting atmosphere. A Post and Beam frame is unashamedly organic in it's form; not slick or sterile or predictable in it's lines but quirky and less than perfect in it's presentation. It comes about as a result of a natural raw material being worked closely by hand and eye. The timbers will contain knots and certain amount of cracking, so for those seeking a very geometric and clinically precise appearance to their home, other forms of building may have more appeal .The larger timbers give the building great substance; a sense of security is created on account of their strength alone- which is undeniable.
Q:Do you offer kitset frames which I can assemble myself? 
A: Yes, any of the smaller, simpler frames that we build can be sent out in kitset form ie. within reason (and perhaps with a little guidance) you can erect it on your site secure in the knowledge that you're dealing with a large jigsaw puzzle whose every piece has been trial-assembled. It is the frames that are produced in kitset form and to-date we have not been convinced of the need for a kitset home as our customers are very unlikely to limit themselves to an off-the shelf floor plan or layout. Perhaps because of the population base, the situation in the States is different and several timber-framing companies there offer to ship an entire kitset home specified to the last detail. Choose the colour of your door knobs and pay by credit card -easy as can be. In these cases we are of course happy to act as agents in erecting and completing to a high quality your chosen home/barn/studio etc.
Is it possible to visit a post and beam home during construction and/or have a tour of a finished home?
A:Yes, Post & Beam.co.nz always encourage our customers to experience first hand the product in question. We'd be foolish not to as so many prospective customers become truly sold upon the idea immediately upon coming through the door. Again because the' feeling' of such buildings is so particular will always try to make arrangements to have you see a house under construction as well as a finished home. Feel free to contact us we will do our best to help.
Q:How much extra does it cost to build using one of your post and beam frames?
A: All other factors being equal, we suggest that to build using a post and beam structure your building costs may be increased by around 20%.
Q:What timbers do you use? We encourage our customers to use selected exotic timbers. Typically we build using Eucalypt, Macrocarpa, Lawson Cypress and occasionally New Zealand grown Oak . The timbers we favour are plantation-grown or from selected trees in farm shelter - belts and as such form a renewable resource.
Q: Weren't the medieval houses of this type of construction rather dark and draughty?
A: Yes these Traditional Timber Framed structures predate the use of glass for windows.Peoplex allowed light (and wind and rain) to enter through small missing panels. But in the context of their lifestyles this was quite acceptable. Nowadays a Post and beam frame presents no limitations but quite the contrary; there are many senses in which the owners are given great flexibility in the design (and renovation ) stages. Greater spans are feasible and the positioning of doors , windows and partion walls is less limited to lintel size and positions.
Q: Does Post and Beam.co.nz have initial standard plans as a starting point and is there a custom design service?
A: Yes – We have both standard plans which can be modified to suit a client’s particular site and life choices, as well as the ability to develop a set of custom plans. Many people bring us their initial ideas or photos /sketches and plans. We will customize a package just for you, no matter how large or small.
Q:As so much care goes into the manufacture of you frames isn't it likely to draw-out the overall consrtuction time?
A; No, in fact it can be quite the reverse. By the time the floor has been completed we can have our entire frame prepared and ready to be assembled on -site. A typical sized house (200m2) of this type may involve 3-4 weeks of workshop time to build but only a few days to raise the frame.