Looking to Spruce Up Your Home? Check Out ‘The Art of Hybrid Timber Framing’ by Bert Sarkkinen

Since the pandemic started, everyone has been stuck at home for the most part. Spending this much time in one place has given people time to think about how they could improve home base with timber framing.

If you’re looking to revamp your home, it’s time to check out the second edition of “The Art of Hybrid Timber Framing” by Bert Sarkkinen, founder of Arrow Timber. The new edition comes out on January 19, 2021 in paperback and as an ebook. It’s also go an accompanying workbook called “The Timber Framing Planning Guide” to help you through the process. It’s a new year, and it’s time for a home upgrade.

If you’re not familiar with timber framing, you’re in for a treat. There are some gorgeous designs here. In addition to being a great guide on how to avoid issues, calculate costs, implement dust suppression, and pick your style, “The Art of Hybrid Timber Framing” is a stunning coffee table book, full of pictures and ideas to renovate your home.

Sarkkinen is an expert in the field who started hammering nails by the age of two as he learned from his carpenter father. He “developed a passion and knack for building at a young age. he has experienced multiple challenges in this craft through ‘trial by fire’ to become the visionary and chief designer he is today at Arrow Timber Framing. He is proud of his design, production and manufacturing team, and his wife and five children, whom he credits to the ongoing growth and company success.”

If you’re not familiar with the concept, here’s a definition, straight from the book. “…hybrid timber framing is: Integrating exposed post-and-beam construction with other building systems, such as standard platform framing, concrete ICFs (insulating concrete forms), CLTs (cross-laminated timbers), concrete or block, and steel structures.”

Don’t let the word “timber” make you think this is just a single rustic style. Sarkkinen has examples from seven styles, including Euro, Classic, Traditional, Costal, Modern, Craftsman, and, of course, Rustic. Any kind of home can benefit from this stunning style.

If you’re not comfortable with home design, “The Art of Hybrid Timber Framing” is going to take you through the entire process. You’ll get an idea of how to pick the style that suits your personality, and how a small change can make a great impact on your castle.

Sarkkinen will also help you learn how to calculate the costs involved, how to avoid issues around construction and how important it is to know what you want. He explains, “It is important to think beyond timber framing and focus on what really makes people happy. This is a life experience. It goes beyond architectural design and strikes a chord within all of us. People want to enjoy the process. That’s why teamwork, and creative solutions are the driving forces in my philosophy.”

The book is set up in three parts. First off, you’ll get an idea of what you want and don’t want, understand the concept and how it will work for you, and your unique design wants and needs. You’ll understand what decisions you have to make and how to hire service providers and contractors.

Part two will give you a look at ideas, inspiration, vocabulary and style guidelines so you can make yourself understood when you hire those contractors. Part three will help you understand the builders job and how you can be a knowledgeable client.

The author is adamant about making your home reflect you and your family, rather than some cookie cutter design. “Deep down, I think the culture of mass-produced, on-size-fits-all merchandise is a happiness-drain for far too many people,” he says. “It is better to have a targeted life with purpose, than to acquire a lot of mediocre things for the sake of having them.” Pick up the second edition of “The Art of Hybrid Timber Framing” by Bert Sarkkinen on January 19, 2021 on Amazon and at other major retailers. Check out the Arrow Timber website for more information.

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