Post & Beam construction

[Terrel L. Shields]

Have a house, 1800 SF and fairly new. It is (wood) post beam foundation with a floating concrete slab. It is well constructed but I was wondering what others think about the style of construction. The cost appears to be about 10% less than a similar conventional home. Has anyone seen any market resistence to the style.

These have become very common in rural areas around here, but the city building codes may be a factor in why I haven't seen any in the city limits.

Termite issues?

The ones with concrete piers would be my preference but otherwise I see nothing about these that seem out of place otherwise

 

[Walter Kirk]

I'm suprised that the construction cost is less than platform frame construction since it takes a lot of time and skill to build a proper timber frame. I recently toured a post and beam house that was built in the late 1600's and had been moved! It was beautifully crafted.

I seriously doubt that most people would recognize post and beam construction unless the frame was exposed.

 

[Noreen]

Have a house, 1800 SF and fairly new. It is (wood) post beam foundation with a floating concrete slab. It is well constructed but I was wondering what others think about the style of construction. The cost appears to be about 10% less than a similar conventional home. Has anyone seen any market resistence to the style.

These have become very common in rural areas around here, but the city building codes may be a factor in why I haven't seen any in the city limits.

Termite issues?

The ones with concrete piers would be my preference but otherwise I see nothing about these that seem out of place otherwise

Terrel, we have a lot of these up in ski country as second / vacation homes ( Maine Post & Beam is a big seller) however ours are set on concrete foundations or slabs. It's engineered construction and labor costs tend to be a bit less as there is one right way of assemblage. In this area, many are of the opinion that it is superior construction due to the engineering and that this is all done in a climate controlled environment, not out in the elements. There seems to be a certain number of builders that specialize in the construction of these homes, who then become representative of the companies. I hope this helps.

 

[VolcanoLvr]

Terrel...

I've never been in Arkansas and don't know your market....but....

I'd double check to be sure your dwelling is a true post and beam constructed home, and not a 'pole building' like we have gobs of out here.

Pole buildings have 8" x 8" 'poles' that form the outside wall perimeter on 10-12' spacing, over which is applied 2"x6" dimensional lumber on 2' centers horizontally to form the base for the exterior wall. Walls are typically metal, but upscale versions use plywood siding panels.

They basically look the same from the exterior, but the construction is vastly different, with pole buildings being less expensive.

Post and beam most often have the interior jointery exposed. Pole buildings which are finished on the interior have drywall that hides the structure. But I've seen some pole buildings that have very nice residential finishes to rival typical stick-built dwellings.

 

[farmguy]

Terrel,
If I understand your post you are talking about post, in place of piers, under a slab. If so then we have them in our wetter area's. Drive post till you hit solid foundation then cut off what is above ground.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I suppose the correct term would be "Post Frame" construction. You are describing same...which is what I am dealing with. I don't see many of these in Arkansas but I live "on the line" and this style is more commonly found in E. Oklahoma. Some are "good" quality, some so so...

The posts got into the ground and comprise the supports for the exterior and major interior walls. A floating slab (does not support much, if anything) is poured, and the house is built as Vol described.

This is one of the better ones with brick siding. The owner of this one is also the builder. He and his father build "Post Frame" homes.