A Ted Benson timber frame is a great way to make your home a little more energy-efficient. Architects have come a long way in this area, and you can take advantage of the latest technology to ensure that your home is both stylish and sustainable.
Architects’ fees are based on the design side.
TED BENSON is one of the founding fathers of the Timber Framers Guild of North America and is a self-proclaimed woodworking aficionado. Aside from his involvement with the TFGA, Ted also owns Malmquist Construction.
For the uninitiated, Ted’s forte is building custom residential properties in the woods. His signature timber frame houses include the modern suburban dwelling and the snazzy countryside manor. So it’s no surprise that the company he’s worked for has garnered acclaim from industry organizations. Yet, he’s still modest about his accomplishments.
The company’s best-selling house is a four-bedroom, five-bathroom custom design with a posh fenced yard. It was built with a few splurges, including custom cabinetry and wood-look tile flooring. The name of the company’s best salesperson might give you pause, but the team behind it has been hailed as the best in their field. The company has a well-rounded portfolio, boasting the region’s largest and most varied selection of timber-framed homes.
In the context of Bensonwood, it’s no surprise they’ve racked up a few industry awards. Some more prestigious include the Best Builder of the Year for the state of Wisconsin and the Best Large Commercial Project of the Year for Minnesota. In addition, the team’s achievements have been the subject of several articles, books, and industry accolades. Besides the usual suspects, Bensonwood has forged a few new ties in recent years.
The company has carved out a niche in the construction industry by using green materials and innovative design techniques to produce energy-efficient and sustainable structures. The company has recently opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Keene, NH.
Energy-efficiency
Using timber framing to build modern energy-efficient homes is an innovative concept developed by Ted Benson. A custom builder, he combines centuries-old timber framing techniques with modern building materials to create beautiful, high-performance homes.
Bensonwood began in the mid-1970s as a homebuilding company focused on improving the design and fabrication of timber frame homes. After developing innovative construction methods and acquiring computer-controlled equipment, Bensonwood became an industry leader in timber frame design and engineering. With a team of more than 60 people, Bensonwood builds energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, sustainable homes.
Bensonwood’s sister company, Unity Homes, is a six-year-old company that offers an affordable alternative to designing a custom home. They produce floor panels and wall panels at a state-of-the-art production facility in Keene, New Hampshire. While they do not charge Passivhaus standards, they will work with architects to build homes to the highest quality and performance standards.
With more than 40 years in the construction industry, Rocky Mountain Homes have a reputation for quality and attention to detail. Their team of experienced builders and designers works closely with each client during the planning phase of their residential project.
The interior of this Timber Frame Hybrid home features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, a family room, and an open loft. Its beautiful interiors also incorporate beam work and high ceilings. The interiors also feature maple floors and radiant heat. The exterior is finished in a traditional style that complements the home’s classic charm.
The first-floor main suite and the open-concept family room are built with salvaged Southern yellow pine. The rest of the home is made with Douglas Fir timbers. It features a raised hearth fireplace, a screened porch, a kitchen equipped with a cook’s kitchen, and abundant natural light.
Reintroduced to the modern world
Using modern techniques, Ted Benson and his crew reintroduced the ancient craft of timber framing into the contemporary world. The result is a stylish, energy-efficient home.
Architects and builders both need woodworkers and building systems experts. Thankfully, Bensonwood employs more than sixty people. His company also uses computer-aided design (CAD) and CAM technology. Using these advances, he and his crew were able to create innovative ideas and concepts that helped him refine the craft of heavy timber framing.
Bensonwood may not be recognizable, but you’ve probably seen their timber-framed structures in your local area or across Canada’s border. Their homes are built with a high-density insulation system, making them energy efficient. In addition, the company is also known for their use of CLT (cross-laminated timber) for its structures.
The Benson Woodworking Company was founded in 1973 by Ted Benson. He studied timber framing in the New England area as a young man. He later became interested in the history of this construction method. Having learned its merits, he eventually became an expert. As a result, he became a founding member of the Timber Framers Guild of North America, a group promoting this ancient skill’s advancement.
In the late 1970s, Benson had an idea. He was intrigued by the concept of a timber-framed barn. He used modern tools to build a barn and was pleasantly surprised at its durability. He wanted to improve the quality of home construction.
The Benson Woodworking Company’s trestle table is made from high-grade fir. It features a patented “timber frame within a timber frame” design. It also has maple floors, which provide radiant heat.
Tektronix
Tektoniks, Benson wood’s advanced building component line, will help the building industry get the prefab products they need quickly and easily. This line of superinsulated envelope panels, precision panelized components, and panelized components for wiring, ductwork, and plumbing can all be fabricated at an off-site facility and assembled on-site. This approach removes time from the construction schedule, resulting in a lower overall cost.
The technology used by Tektoniks’ manufacturing process results in greater quality control, allowing for more efficient production of wood-based panels. These components are delivered to the job site insulated and ready to install. They can also reduce construction time by nine to twelve months.
Tektoniks uses Bensonwood’s 45-year history of off-site fabrication to deliver quality, efficient construction of wood-based panels. The company’s Keene, N.H., manufacturing facility manufactures wall and roof panels and millwork fabrication. These high-quality, precision-built panels are shipped to Walpole, NH, where they are assembled on-site.
The goal of Tektoniks is to expand its production capacity outside of Bensonwood. The company’s new 110,000-square-foot factory is located in Keene, N.H. It produces panelized enclosures for 100 projects per year. This facility is only one of two off-site manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Tektoniks uses the same technology used by Bensonwood to produce PHlexTM panels. These panels can change thickness and insulation material, allowing adjustments to meet each homeowner’s needs.
Tektronix is part of Bensonwood, an innovative, design-build company specializing in timber frame construction. This company also builds hybrid, energy-efficient, custom timber frame homes.
Building well is a social justice mission.
Ted Benson’s timber frame has stood the test of time among the many home improvement schemes. The company has expanded beyond New Hampshire into Canada and England. Aside from the usual suspects, Benson has been a pioneer in constructing CLT (cross-laminated timber) buildings. The company’s high-density insulation system has helped keep temperatures at bay while reducing energy bills for homeowners.
For the foreseeable future, the company will continue to lead the way in timber framing. One of the newest additions is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Keene, NH. The company is also a proud recipient of the Granite State Award, one of the prestigious industry accolades for best practices, innovation and community stewardship.
While Benson and his crew of builders are undoubtedly proud of their contributions to the building industry, their mission is to help people build the best home for their budgets and lifestyles. Whether a one-of-a-kind custom build or a turnkey prefab, the company makes building a home easy, enjoyable and affordable. So suppose you’re looking to make your next home a place that you and your family can call home, look no further than Benson and his team of architects, engineers and craftsmen. As a testament to their commitment to quality and service, Bensonwood has a lifetime guarantee. With over 40 years in the business, the company has built a solid reputation for delivering high-quality products on time and within budget. With the latest technologies and the best people in the industry, Benson wood’s continued success is assured. For more information, visit the company website today. Aside from their state-of-the-art facilities, Benson and his team are available for consultation and design services.