Let's Build a House #2, Hand-Hewed Timbers

This "chalet" is different because it was framed using 200 year old, oak, hand-hewed timbers. We found an old barn and the property owner wanted the barn off her property. For two months, we disassembled the barn to save any materials that could be reused.

80 timbers were salvaged, the longest were just over 40 feet. Our biggest disappointment was losing the siding on the barn. It was beautifully aged and colored, but only about 1/8 inch thick after 200 years in the elements. We could not find a way to get the siding off without damaging it. If anyone has had success getting very old, thin siding off, I'd love to know how it is done.

The house was framed with the timbers and 2x4 construction was used to fill in. The beams are exposed on the inside of the chalet and all of the original mortice and tenon construction and hand-hewed characteristics show through. The asthetics from blending 18th century construction and a modern layout is quite remarkable.

Let's Build a House #1, Deciding to do it...

Alan, his sister Julie and I built a house - hands on. We aren't carpenters, electicians, or plumbers. We just couldn't afford to buy a ski chalet in NH, so naturally, we had to build one. Fresh out of college and a little naive, we figured we'd be skiing from our new place in 6 months.

It actually took 4 years of weekends, a small loan, and a lot of friends who were willing to exchange time for...ahhh...our good company and a promise they could use the house too. Beer may have been involved.

We finished a 2200 sq ft house, it is still standing quite nicely thank you, and it was built almost entirely with our own hands and our friends. The whole story is a hoot. What a terrific learning experience and sense of accomplishment. I can and will share some great stories about what to do and what not to do.